If you enjoy the shunting, make the video, your enjoyment makes the video. I really enjoyed this. Your shunting layouts have made model railways accessible to me and made it realisible given space and cost. Show us 'ur diesels!

im work thought my second lock down as a key worker just playing train works for me every time these no rivet counters here stay safe be lucky great stuff

All of the world's troubles seem irrelevant when I can watch this, great video Mike

You can't talk, film and run trains? Well you are still one up on me! When I did a live stream my phones was in a static place filming it, so I did not need to worry about that, but I could not even run the train and talk coherently at the same time! So good on ya for pulling off 3 things at once!

I love shunting, so much more interesting than trains going round oval track.Please show more.

Playing trains is why we do it in the first place. As far as I'm concerned you should be able to run what you like, when you like and in any combination - rule 1 railways, it's mine and I do as I want. As for the hand of God, shunters used their poles in real life, so why not, they even had to switch points themselves in a yard quite often depending on the setup. Great little video about doing what the layout's for, enjoying yourself. Keep it up 🙂

Shunting Sundays sounds fun, or “Switching Sundays” as we’d say in the US 😀

A vote of support for this kind of video from me!

You could cut out a little hole in the end loading dock to 'hide' the couplers or at least the little arm latch thing so you can get the wagon right up. And as even all the 'nerds' on the forums say - Never forget rule 1! Although this could have been 1950s western region even though you wasn't aiming for it. And +1 for enjoying this format. Fourthly have you ever considered signalling? I find it does add another dimension to playing trains!

Absolutly nothing wrong with what youre doing with the different liveries. Locos quite often were loaned out and were in randoom Liveries until grouping so Absolutly nothing wrong with this. Great video by the way, look forward to seeing the completed layout

Yea just playing trains, you're right up my street

Great little running session. As for running the wrong stock with the wrong loco who cares, only the other day I had a GWR King pulling LNER teaks and it looked great.

I may be a sad boy but I always watch your vids all the way through. I'm relatively new to your site and have become a bit addicted to the shunting concept, which I never did before. Shunting Sundays sounds good to me. I just seem to like your presentation and can feel the enjoyment you get just making the videos. Keep em coming Mike. Thanks.

If you wanted to you could pause the video before the "Hand of God" uncouples a wagon and then restart the video just before the train pulls away. A very enjoyable video anyhow. Cheers Greg

Thoroughly enjoyed watching you "play trains" - just what I like to do! Keep it up and ignore the "rivet counters"!

There is nothing as pleasing as watching a steam loco pulling a rake of coaches and snaking in and out of points systems in or around stations. Playing trains doesn't go far far enough to describe the pleasure you get from just watching all this happening. Add to this actually building your rolling stock and....HEAVEN, lol.

I love these 262s as they remind me of where I grew up as a kid in the Wirral, olld coal and passenger trains used these locos from Birkenhead....

Right up my street - just playing trains - I get locos I like, and not specific to an era or region, and of course have some Thomas locos for my son (and me)!

Great video and running trains is what it's all about.

have to say mate, this is one of the best running sessions i've seen for time... well done sir... see you next week for more of the same lol... "why not wednesdays"... ATB Neil from France

Really enjoyed that video. A ‘random running session’ would be great.

Hi Mike and Douglas, great to see someone else "just playing trains", kep it up fellas! I'd like to see some larger locos and longer trains running on a continuous track like Ratten Central, however, do understand that that might have to wait as its likely to be a bit parky up in the loft at the moment!! Keep up the good work lads. Mick.

I would certainly watch train running videos as I enjoy watching trains move around plus enjoy your commentaries.

Well; based on your layout I decided to make a Lego version! Now I have to make a bunch of Coal trucks etc. (4 wheel versions). The USA 4 axle trucks are a bit too big, however, I have had a lot of fun so far!

Love your running sessions, and dont get it wrong. It may be a cheap layout in terms of expenses, but your layout is never the less well designed and in its own right - just class! So enjoy your running sessions - you truly deserves it. Thumps up to you from Denmark, or in danish: "Nyd det!"

Not bad for trying to do three things at once. Looking forward to seeing more of these.

Nothing wrong with running trains mate, run what you like! I can't Abide people runny trains at 300mph though... It sickens me!😂😂

Thoroughly enjoyed the trains running. Best wishes to Doug with his studies.

Quite enjoyed watching that shunting session! You should consider doing more of these type of videos on some of the other layouts you made as well. Good idea to have a running session on one day of he week in addition to the "How to" videos..

When I worked as a guard at Shirebrook West I sometimes walked a rake of sixty 16 ton coal wagons throwing couplings on with a shunting pole and connecting vacuum pipes up, So keep up with hand coupling not everything on the railways is automated well done sir!

Keep up the running session videos. I found this one relaxing and therapeutic as well. I am working on making a shunting layout in N gauge with a similar track configuration that you have on your OO gauge one.

I love watching the running sessions so does my son, (fiddle yard Fridays). I don't know about everyone else but running sessions are often where I get my ideas if I stop just to work on my layout only I usually end up changing what I've done.

So Douglas is now in his second year of uni? Engineering is strenuous, but he seems up to it. I put in four decades in software and computer engineering - l got an early start in grade school with a great mentor! AND now in my sixth decade, I am into my _second career_ as a Systems (of systems) Engineer...and (lucky me) my employer is sponsoring my masters degree (one year to graduation). Anyway, best of luck to Douglas! ALSO, I must say that I enjoy the _endearing honesty_ of your running sessions Mike, _hand-of-God,_ stalls, and derails included - it's how real life goes after all! Blessings to All from Pantego Texas USA 😊💜

Great video! I do like watching the trains go by. Like yours, the points on my layout are operated by the "hand of God". If you are happy with that, don't worry about the "Rivet Counters"! A regular "Shunting Sunday" sounds fun.

Another great video. I always enjoy your videos and your style of model railway building/ operating so please dont be discouraged!

Shunting Saturdays/Sundays sound good, man. :)

Ive enjoyed all your different videos over the years Mike but honestly I LOVED seeing one of your shunting sessions, with you talking through each movement. It’s more than just ‘playing trains ‘, you actually have a reason for each train coming in and leaving and explain it so well. Shunting Sunday? YES PLEASE !!!!

Have to say that I really agree with your comment on running what you want with what you want, It is a hobby - Enjoy it. Keep up the good work and stay safe.

The layout is looking great, the backscene looks awesome. Thanks for all the enjoyment your videos bring.

The layout is looking good and gives great functionality in a small space. As for GWR with BR and wrong coaches etc. My layouts are all set in an alternate world where BR utilizes all old stock nationwide until it's no longer serviceable and repaints are done in original livery. If someone doesn't like it - tough! Cheers!

Good stuff. Love it its the ultimate escapism especially when its peeing it down outside. Brew in hand and trains...heaven.

Great video mike and douglas. Sorry to hear your having tough week. I find the running trains is really therapeutic as well. Keep up the great work and richard has asked if you would pop by and say hello at some point after lockdown 2.0. Stay safe, jack

Absolutely a weekly running session warts and all . Great fun . I thourally enjoyed this video and am looking forward to more.

Thank you! You're a man after my own heart! I run trains that give me pleasure with little or no thought to logos or eras. I respect and can admire people who go to great lengths for authenticity, as long as they respect my right to run My miniature world my way. I'm not try to recreate, I'm just having fun. Never apologise for your technique either. Your videos are great. Thanks again.

I love seeing running and shunting sessions. The layout looks very nice.

Great video. Shows you really don't need acres of space to have a lot of fun with a model railway. I never understood people who get upset at hand throwing points and manual uncoupling...that's how it's done. I've never seen a consist uncouple itself. That's what adds value to a small layout like this...

A superb video. You run what you want as it's your railway. There's too many people who like to find fault instead of just enjoying another enthusiast having fun. You will always please me running train's.

Enjoy watching your running session, who cares about extreme detail, I like watching what you have to run. Your videos have been inspirational to me. I built a dual version of your PWM controller, has been great to use and was cheap to build. Thank you for sharing, much appreciated!

Love it. Some people take everything too seriously and forget it is supposed to be what is fun for you and not them. Good on you for filming this. Maybe of use:- many years ago ('70s) a friend had a OO layout with small point levers at the side of each point. These looked very like the Gem Mercontrol items, only I am sure they were smaller (body about 1/4" tall, lever possibly same again above this). Not scale, but made enormous fun of changing points as you operated the layout - quick to do and easier than just a bare point. Was thinking you could probably come up with a DIY version using a 3D printed body and a bit of metal plate for the lever and the strip that goes on the point end. So much easier than the aggro of point motors and wiring and honestly was just great fun to use as easy to flip the toggle quickly where a bare point end is sometimes hard to grab hold of.

Just thought that I'd add a message of support for your enthusiasm. I have an N guage layout which has all-sorts from local and continental, gifts, bargains etc. I enjoy it!

Brilliant video as always.....and love the bubbly clouds on the back scene.....ace!🚂🚋 ☁️

It’s been over a week since I tuned in but I’m not disappointed what so ever I myself love the 040 & 060 I find the larger trains derail more often but never to this day has a little one

This is calming to see

What a lovely track plan, loads of play value there.

Very enjoyable video thanks. All the best to Douglas with his studies. Anthony.

Just running trains, brings a smile to my face. I've got a E&GR 0-4-0, dark blue cost £15 runs like a dream, haven't seen another like it. I think it was split from a set. I use it for shunting and running whatever coaches I have to hand, looks really good whatever it does. Keep making and sharing your videos. Many thanks, Kevin.

Lovely little running session

It's good fun just watching trains running.

I love watching these running videos. They're so nice and as you say relaxing!

Very enjoyable video, I felt right at home. As far as the "hand of God", manually un-coupling the wagons as you do just simulates the man on the ground like in real life.

Really enjoyed that session! Love seeing your steam locos! The layout looks awesome too!

Just watched the video, thought it was brilliant please do more, a diesel one sounds great.

Fantastic running session, very enjoyable to watch,and operate I should imagine.

Really like the backdrop. Glad your fun translates into our fun and motivation to do the same.

I really like the 0-4-0s especially the pug my layout is going to be a 1930s Industrial layout (I haven't got the board yet but I've got a temporary track layout until I go and get my baseboard)

Enjoyed this. Seeing trains running demonstrates the operating potential of the layout.

wow perfect the sound is real and the details are wonderful so I learn for my HO Scale table 👍

Chill mister. Relax with your trains. I enjoyed the video.

i really enjoy watching you either play trains/run layouts, build new ones or talk about railways. its relax to watch someone run a layout as much as do it yourself

Fantastic now this is what it is all about. Just having fun and enjoying the inn child within us. Hope your Son does well at school certainty sounds as though he has a career path way planned out Regards Nick

great video, yes mix and match the locos and rolling stock, i often have mk2d coaches behind my triang davy crockett and mk 1 coaches behind my triang r 55 f7 diesel.as the song goes, its my party and i will do what i want

Great video! Simplicity itself with actual running and trains doing what they do, fiddling around just like preserved railways. Cheers!

Very therapeutic! Thanks for posting 😁👍

Really sorry to hear things haven’t been good for you. Hope you and Doug and the Mrs are all well. Lovely video. You have a story and a running plan. I’m so glad you’ve finally put one these videos up. I think this is great and I’ve been waiting for one of these since you did your last long session on your compact shunting layout oh ages ago. Stay well

Very enjoyable viewing and no I did not fall asleep! Thanks for sharing.

Quite a long one for you! Very enjoyable and, though you're no Doug, quite well filmed too! ;-)

Really enjoyed that...quite inforative as well, showing the manoeuvring required to make the rake up; top work👍 Andrew🙂

Sorry to hear it's not been the best week Mike. I always look forward to watching your videos so keep up the good work. Any progress in the loft? Also any advice for a Christmas layout? I'm planning on doing one for underneath the Christmas tree for the kids. All the best 👍

A good running session under Rule Number One, run what you like! Through a friend i received an invite to visit a very well known modellers house and view his home railway, his exhibition model was well known, highley researched and detailed and had been featured in the press several times, well what a surprise! two 8x4 boards made from varnished timber,all buildings were from kits or ready made and randomly placed where he thought showed them off best, no ballasted track and trains from all parts of the globe hurteling around!! I expressed my surprise too which he replied " i love trains,this is where i spend my fun time" !!!!!

Very nice! Watching this while running my own railway. As someone who has made a few running session videos I can definitely see the attraction of filming something simple like this - it's almost like being at an exhibition! Must give it a try myself sometime 😃

great video I quite like to see more of them Also wishing Doug well during his studies

I am a GWR fan. I enjoyed this video because of the GWR connection, even though the prairie was in BR livery. I agree with you totally that you run your own layout for your own enjoyment, and not to please other modellers. I have found that you have given me loads of good ideas on how to model cheaply and that is why I am subscribed to your channel. When I eventually have my own layout built, that is when my wife has stopped filling my modelling room with bits and pieces from other rooms during remodelling the house, I will be using a lot of your ideas to do it. Your layouts, though simple, look really great and I agree that if looks good, then it is good enough. Your videos are also very entertaining so keep up the good work.

Brilliant, this is how I started in this hobby as a "whippersnapper" hours of fun shunting or just watching them go round and round. And still do! Really enjoyed this demo warts and all, and yes please why not have a weekly running session. But it should come with a health warning for those rivet counters who feel a need to add caustic comments!!!!!!

great video, thank you. shunting sunday is a really good title

love your running session!

Great little layout I like your attitude to railway modelling, your layout your rules, keep the great videos coming.

Great running video, I'm building my layout but like to spend 30 minutes or so each day doing a bit of shunting or passenger service running.

That was great and I enjoyed every minute! Its good watching how people use the points and why theyre positioned where they are, for people like me who are new.

Fab as always, it's your channel that got me back in to the hobby

Loved it ! I'm the same run what I want on my layout !👍👍👍👍👍

I like this! It's operations in the context of the realities of model railroads, where "Hand of God" is just part of things. :-)

Really enjoyed that. More train running sessions please.

Brilliant, really relaxing and very interesting, well done looking forward to more shunting. Thank you.

I really enjoy your videos no matter what! Keep it up, as long as it's enjoyable for you!

Totally agree with you! model railways are for pure enjoyment don't like these people who take it too seriously...'oh no you can't run that loco with those coaches' come on really? In my book you've got it spot on especially regarding the limited space, carry on the good work! 👌

Nice and relaxing. Thanks Mike!

I’m also doing A level physics, needless to say I’m feeling the strain! Watching these videos always cheer me up though 👍

I made it right to the end 😀 and thoroughly enjoyed it..... Thanks for a great video.

That what I like about your channel no matter what you do I love every single locomotive and train so unique

Excellent video, always great to see trains running.. Strongly agree with running trains is therapeutic 😎👍 Absolutely nothing wrong with running a mix of trains.. Carry on doing what you enjoy doing. I always enjoy your videos and will continue to do so 😉👍 I am sorry to hear you haven't had a good week, do hope all comes good & best wishes to Doug and his studies 😎👍 Take care, keep safe & well. Happy Modelling