Sam could you do a series where you look at cool accessories e.g. smoke generators or working lamps? I think it is a good idea

I learned more about engineering from Sam than in school.

That was excellent. A very clear, and concise 'idiot proof' guide to the inner workings of model trains. Loved your Triang engine collection, by the way. Some of them took me back! Nice one.

Really good video Sam, I agree with everything you have said. Good advice for people who want to know how things work, without having to listen to my complex ramblings! ;) Now, speaking of complex ramblings, if anyone would like to know a bit more on Brushed DC Motor operation, then this is for you: Power is applied onto the brushes of the motor, which then makes contact to 2 of the commutator plates. This then creates a circuit from one commutator plate, through a winding of the motor (called an electromagnet - an electromagnet is basically a magnet which can be turned on and off by passing current through windings or turns of wire) and then eventually out the other side of the winding and returns through the brush, through the pickups to the track. The winding creates a magnetic field that is aligned with the position of the brushes (for example N at the left brush and S at the right). Then, the permanent magnet that is located within the motor creates a magnetic field too (for example N at the left brush and S at the right). Because N want to align with the permanent magnet's S pole, and S wants to align with the permanent magnet's N pole, the armature starts to rotate as it wants to align itself with the magnetic fields of the permanent magnet, so it turns as N is attracted to the permanent magnet's S pole, and pulls the motor round as it wants to align. But, because the brushes are now connecting to different commutator plates (or contacts) the N & S poles are still being generated in the same position next to each of the brushes, causing the armature to realign itself with the permanent magnet's magnetic fields, and the cycle keeps continuing as the magnetic fields pull the armateur around as they keep trying to align with each other. This causes a continuous rotating motion, and makes the motor spin continuously, as the magnetic fields from the windings of the motor, created by applying power to 2 commutator contacts, keep trying to realign themselves with the magnetic fields of the permanent magnet. Thanks for reading folks, hope this helps, and sorry to Sam for clogging his comments with an oversized message! :D

Excellent. Informative and at a good pace. I can’t stand these mainly US channels that take so long to explain the simplest things. Thank you. 10/10.

This must be very helpful to your younger viewers, not to mention me. 😄 Make a video on feedback controllers.

I suddenly realized I’ve been casually waiting 28 years for this (since I was 5 years old) 😂 perfect as always!!! Thanks Sam.

Very useful and interesting to find all of this out as I don't really think about these thing when I buy a loco

I always enjoy learning about how model trains work. I love it how you talk about how the mechanics work. Great video Sam

Sam’s trains “diesels don’t have coupling rods” Class 08 *sobs manically*

🚂 I watched this video about 3 years ago when it first came out and I watched it again just now. So this is kind of a refresher and it makes a lot more sense now that I have watched many Sam's Trains episodes in between. Thanks Sam for your dedication to model railroading. PS - My favourite aspect of model trains are the coupling rods which drive the wheels. There is something mesmerizing about watching them. I also like the clackety clack sound of the wheels on the tracks :-)

Great video Sam! I had a very basic knowledge of how models work but it's great to have it clearly broken down like this with all the different variations - I feel a lot more like I "understand" why certain ways work better than others now! Bravo, a very useful video indeed 👍

Great video Sam learnt a lot thanks 👍🏻

I can't speak for all model trains but my old Hornby 110 DMU works by catching fire when voltage is applied. Should probably see to that

I will never look at model trains the same again. Lots of detailing for how they work. Great video sam!

Very useful and informative video. I have taken quite a few of my locos apart and fixed them. I enjoy discovering how they work..

Very nice clear explanations. I would like to see a video about the different types of controllers.

Superb video, very well presented and explained. Thanks for showing pros and cons as well. Keep doing these engineering videos, every day is a school day :-)

Giving a loco traction tyres is like a coach giving their student drugs to make up for the fact they didn’t train them.

Throughly enjoyed the video. Thumbs up. Just in passing, I remember that most of my old TRI-ang steamers had magnets installed in the chassis by the drive wheels. This would help the wheels adhere to the track. Worked quite well actually. Cheers!

Thank you for giving us the tuition we need to get decent trains and locomotives!! I had never thought about how model trains actually work!! I understood it as a boy because I learned it from using Scalextric cars and Hornby trains!!

That was a wonderful explanation of train basics. Thanks. It was logically and clearly presented. I am looking forward to viewing more of your videos.

Superb Sam! Well done 👆

Great video on learning the basics. This was very helpful for someone who is getting back into model railroading or starting. Nice job of explaining all the sub components and how they work. Gives confidence in performing my own maintenance on my locomotives. Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences.

Thank you Sam, I've been waiting for this video for a long time and I'm glad it's you who made it because you always explain everything so concisely and easy to understand. I always wait eagerly for every new video you make because there's always something of particular interest to me and you always give a fair and concise review. Eagerly awaiting the next video 📹 😍.

Great video Sam, explained all the components and differences very well.

Hi sam A very educational video. Very very well edited together Learnt a few things from it Thank you Keep safe arp

Very interesting always wanted to know how they work good video sam keep it up

Thanks Sam, I really appreciate this video, with the basics so well explained and demonstrated. I often wondered about the difference between 3 pole, 5 pole etc. Now I know!

Thank you again for an EXCELLENT lesson on how model locomotives actually work. I’ve never known half of the things you mentioned. And by the way, I have always got what your points system is referring to!!

Really enjoyed that Sam, very interesting and informative. I didn’t know most of the terms you explained regarding motors so I have learnt something today. Would also be interested in learning more about Feedback 👍

Very well put together and well presented explanation Sam. Hopefully some should find it useful. You should try and cover more subjects even make a series of it.

Thanks so much, you covered a lot and it's up to date which is great!

Great video Sam, very interesting and informative. Thanks 🙂

Great video Sam very informative. You mentioned having a video on feedback controllers would love a video on those.

Great video Sam! All very well explained!

Thanks Sam very easy to understand now. I only wish my teachers were as clear and precise like this hahaha.

This is pretty epic. Just a few days ago I got my first model so I'm sure this info will come in handy.

Amazing video! You did a terrific job explaining everything accurately in detail and this will hopefully help more people understand how these things work. Only one thought I had, you mentioned that some manufacturers will decide to drive every wheel on a steam locomotive with a gear instead of just using the drivers and while it is true that using this method causes more friction, a major advantage of it is that there is less risk of binding. The drivers are under a lot more stress without gears so it makes it a lot easier for one of the wheels to slip out of place and become un-quartered. I've noticed a lot of modern manufacturers seem to be going with all geared wheels, such as Rapido Trains Inc with their Royal Hudson models. This is still an absolutely terrific video, I just wanted to share my thoughts on that. All the best ~Harrison

I've learnt a lot from that and now I know what to look for and how to keep the locos running

I love that you did a video on this! -Lynne

I love learning stuff like this, it's amazing how much goes into these little models! I'd love to see how you would build an engine from the ground up.

Interesting video, thank you. You may not remember Hornby's solution to wheel-to-rail friction. Yes, they used traction tyres, but, in the late 60s and early 70s they also made a big thing of Magnadhesion which was fitted to some locos. It sounded good and technical. Essentially though, the locomotive wheels were magnetised so that - well, they were magnets.

Fantastic Video SAM !! Been a fan all the way since Gadwall was your profile picture!! Been fantastic to watch the channel Develop 🙌🙌

Awesome video I am so glad you did this kind of video. It was very informative and I learned a lot. I wish you had done this sooner I would have saved a motor. Thanks for this kind of video keep them coming.

Very informative. Keep up the good work

Very well researched and presented lecture. Really enjoyed it. I just wish this had come out 15-20 years ago, so I could do a bit of a better job fixing and repairing my locos when I was younger. A lot of the time I was just flying blind, however now I understand how motors and mechanisms work, and I have had quite a bit of experience and success with repairing models (to the point where one of my endeavours got published in Australian Model Railway Magazine). Thank you for putting this together, and hopefully it will be of great assistance to those new at this. I personally think fixing and repairing models, and getting them running again is just as satisfying as kit building, and scenery.

Awesome video Sam, thank you, keep well

Hi Sam, Very informative video. Thanks & greetings!

Vary informative also neat shot of the loco running with no body shell very nice

Thanks Sam. I am a starter and I like your videos

Great informative video...I learnt so much...thanks

Nice video Sam, very interesting!

You should do a video on explaining on how much weight or diecast a locomotive should have to get a good score or be a good runner, or etc..

As a professor's son, I can tell you that your video is very pedagogic. Well done as usual, with a straightforward presentation of all the things you have to know to understand how a model train works. You made things go clear, especially when you presents the coreless motors. I always thought they were pointless in OO, I can understand now why ! Excellent explanations, good visual illustrations, and you showed us that you really know what you are talking about. A must-see video for all model train fans interested in technique.

Very interesting video today Sam really enjoyed the video and my Lionel James set is on its way

Ahh finally! Funny how the B12 loco in the thumbnail is the same model I have that doesn't run well 😂 I'd love to know why

I've learnt a lot watching this video Sam. Thank you

Good clip Sam. Thx for your efforts..! Cheers kim in Oz 😎

Hi Sam. One very good thing about your explanatory comments is that they apply to larger size Models (Gauge "O" and "1"). I make Gauge "O" models from tinplate using ETS ( CZ) chassis which have excellent (Japanese) 5 pole motors and disengaging clutches and are excellent slow speed runners controlled by ( 40 yr old) ECM "Compspeed" Feedback controllers. All tender Locos pick up ( wipers) from all wheels for reliable running characteristics! Please construct a program on feedback controllers that illustrates their "maintained speed" characteristics to eliminate stalling at slow speeds! thank you for a wonderful & informative programm. Bryan Hardy AUSTRALIA.

Very useful video - I see that the first motor flywheel you showed was really badly balanced - or more correctly the central hole was not concentric with the turned diameter of the flywheel. That won’t help the motor bearings to last; or positively contribute to nice smooth running. Brings me back to the days when I used to competitively race model slot cars - I used to rewind and balance the armatures with thicker wire, fit stronger magnets and shim these closer to the armature, introduce ways of taking heat away from the brush gear, etc etc etc. THOSE were the days 😂 - now I just use mostly out of the box RTR (or kit-bashed) Bachmann On30 narrow gauge on my layout.

Such a lovely video Sam! I have an older Hornby HST swallow as well

The 00 gauge Graham Farish "Black Five" has a brushless motor which is in the tender. It's a two pole motor as well. It uses a cam acting on a pair of switch contacts to switch the coils on and off alternately!

Good one Sam . Well explained

a skewed 5 pole motor is kinda immune to cogging, it is the entire point of skewing the windings, and I love them also for the point about larger locos using coreless motors, most Kato HO scale models of US locos use 2 coreless motors in 2 bogies

Thanks Sam, really great information.

Hi Sam Once again an amazing video and I learnt some excellent tips. This was an extremely knowledgeable video, packed with information and delivered with notable enthusiasm and it is obvious that your personal information, research and content are extremely comprehensive. You are dealing with a whole range of capabilities regarding a person’s level and ability to process information and speaking as a qualified teacher, the delivery was very fast. You may need to slow your delivery as the modelling community has a very broad range of ages, attention and ability to process content. Weell Done. Can't wait for more. Thanks

Great video Sam good running is certainly one of the best things that you want your locomotives to do and in my opinion is the only expectation really that people should want when they buy a locomotive

Sam should take one of his Thomas The Tank Engines and power it with a model rocket motor. That ought to over come those friction and pick up problems. You know you want to do it Sam. Plus you'll gain experience in repairing plasterboard fixing the hole left behind where the Thomas jets through the wall of your house..

This is going to help with my railway Great vid!!!!!

awesome video sam,so interesting!

Great video , very informative

Thank You Sam. Most informative

Oh, wow! Reminds me of the TTTE S1-12 Behind the Scenes

I certainly learnt something today! Thanks Sam!

Very informative video!

I am glad to have this question answered, bet the video will be good

I'm not a model railway enthusiast at all but thought this was an excellent and informative vid from a purely technical perspective. Well done Sam!!

That's my favorite looking at the mechanism how it works a the gearbox and a motor that's my most favorite

Gute Arbeit, die Modelllokomotiven zu erklären, mein Freund!!!

Great interesting video Sam! Funny thing im learning is whenever ive bought a used poor runner,over oiling always seems to be a lot of the problems.

thank you so much for this video. i'm retired now. just retrieved my HO stuff from 40 years in storage. it's going to be fun.

Thanks Sam. I now know more than I did. A very good video.

Thanks for that Sam, very useful...

I WAS WONDERING THIS LAST NIGHT THANK YOU SO MUCH

Sam can you do the same explainer with pros and cons for the different types of controllers? DC, feedback (whatever that is) and PWM

Very Helpfull. Thanks

Sam, thank you very much for one more informative video! Great job! Could you, please, review different controllers? Best regards

Thanks, Sam. What a great in-depth look - and so well made, as usual. Wouldn't selectable gears be a great thing? I wonder if it's ever been done.

great informative video sam, do appreciate it! was wondering if you could go into a bit more detail about how electricity goes from the pickups to the motor, i'm planning on doing an experiment and just want to know. cheers!

Hi Sam Noted the comments, obviously you are very gend up on model workings and i would support the suggestions for more episodes on electic lighting, siganallingand smoke generation.

Excellent review Sam. Even I who worked in a motor design and manufacturing company, was not aware of what a coreless motor was. We made brushless motors which I to was assuming they were. And yes indeed, brushless motors need major electronics to actually work. I'm most impressed with how you deliver the dialogue without lots of ums while you think of the next thing to say. Do you type this all out on a que card (laptop screen) in advance, rehearse it or are you a naturally gifted public speaker ? Whatever you do, it works mate.

A fascinating and useful video same, I'm sure more of these instruction videos would be appreciated by your viewers...Bob

Thank you Sam this is a very interesting video

One thing that's bugging me at the moment... People putting grease on the gear-train of Lima diesels. I've bought around 60 of them in the last 10 months and several were bought as non-runners. When you put them on the track they just hummed. A quick dismantling and a clean off of the grease and they are away again running smoothly. Lima gear-trains are made of nylon and they are self-lubricating. I know people put grease on them to try and make them quieter but in the end it either goes hard or some grit gets flicked up of the track, gets caught in the goo and then locks up the motion. When I launch my new channel soon (under a different name) I think I will do a video on Lima locos and how to get them running really nicely, even doing incredibly slow crawls, not that that is my thing. Anyway, keep up the good work :-)

Thanks for the ‘tips and seeing how it works works

kick arse vid Sam, mucho respectos Amigo! Boutros boutros ghali...

Very nice and informative video! To increase the traction efforts of the steam engines there is a need for a „compensated“ chassis. This is the key issue in the long frame locomotives ( 3 or more axles). The rigid frame does not support that all wheels are always on the rails, ie they are running, but does not pull the train. This is the general problem of mass produced models. You can read deep information in the book of Guy Williams: The 4mm Engine, Scratchbuilders Guide. Somehow this information did not penetrate into the construction offices of the main model makers yet.

How about The old Triang Hornby Magnahesion?

Knowing this makes me understand and question some of the prices of these models. Thanks for the info