Recently, I acquired a Hornby 153. In this video I configure it to run in multiple with my other Regional Railways DMUs.

00:00 - Hornby Class 153
00:35 - DC functionality test
01:25 - Getting the body off
01:52 - DCC Fitting
02:07 - Fitting NEM BSI couplers
02:59 - Fixing that broken table
04:13 - Reassembly
04:37 - BSI coupler clearance testing
05:26 - Cleaning wheels
06:41 - ABC stopping distance
07:35 - Tuning speed profile for running in multiple
08:21 - Coupling to other DMUs
09:16 - Running test

A 1980s West Coast Mainline rake. Class 86 hauled with Mk2Fs, a Mk1 buffet and full brake.

I received my Accurascale Mk2B coaches recently.
I ran into problems with them straight away, with derailments on curves and a constant whining noise.

In this video I diagnose the problems and test a fix for the derailment problem.

00:00 - Model choice and appearance
02:59 - Whining noise from the lighting
04:03 - ABC compatibility
05:19 - Details
06:50 - Couplers and Derailments
07:10 - Roco Couplers
08:45 - Failure to Couple
09:30 - Derailments
12:11 - Testing on a Different Layout
12:50 - Coupler Pocket Position Problem
14:54 - Magnetic Coupling?
15:15 - Fixing the Coupler Pockets
16:18 - Conclusion
17:05 - Where next for Accurascale?

A 1980s Trans-Pennine rake. Class 47 hauled with a mixture of Mk2A and Mk2B coaches.

The London Festival of Railway Modelling was held at Alexandra Palace on the 16th and 17th of March, 2024.

Here are some of the layouts I found interesting:

00:00 Introduction
00:06 Hope-under-Dinmore (EM)
02:53 Neuhausen (HO)
07:38 Welby Lane RTC (OO)
14:46 Putnam Division (HO)
15:36 Lisworth Bay (N)
19:14 Port Washington Terminal Railroad (HO)
20:23 Nictun Borrud (OO)23:24 Nictun 2K (OO)
25:01 Harton Gill (P4)
29:25 Abingdon (OO)
31:11 Newchapel Junction (O)
35:32 "The Yard" (O & O-16.5)
42:42 Lacy Dale (N)

What did Bachmann do wrong on the Derby Lightweight PCB which means ABC doesn't work properly? If you want to design your own PCBs and have them made, check out PCBWay! https://pcbway.com/g/4z4dro

00:00 - The problem
00:47 - Power car disassembly
01:56 - Decoding the factory PCB
04:00 - Unbalanced power draw
04:41 - Wiring the lights to AUX1
06:30 - Power car reassembly
06:41 - Trailer car lights: the 6 pin decoder problem
07:50 - Make a 6 to 8 pin decoder converter with PCBWay?
09:47 - Packaging problems
10:43 - Replace the entire floor PCB with a custom one?
11:26 - Is there a PCB from a different Bachmann DMU that could be used?
12:18 - Getting more AUX functions from a 6 pin decoder?
13:22 - Removing the resistors from the ceiling lighting board
14:27 - Testing: Lights and ABC
17:10 - Lighting balance between the cars: What to do next?

Part 1 of addressing the storage problem: Installing some off-layout locomotive storage on an otherwise useless wall.

0:00 - The Storage Problem
2:31 - Searching for suitable space
3:26 - Budget Display Cabinets: What's in the box?
5:16 - Design Problems
6:24 - Modifying the Cabinets to better suit Model Railway use
8:23 - Mounting the Cabinets
9:42 - Next steps

Let's look at the implications of the recent Bachmann Branchline Spring 2024 model announcement.

00:00 - Bachmann's Quarterly Announement Schedule
00:29 - Brush Type 2 (Class 30 and 31)
01:42 - How the Class 37 and Class 47 behaved in the market
04:12 - Pricing the New Class 31
05:30 - Automatic Tension Lock Uncoupler
06:18 - Class 44, 45 and 46 Peaks
07:53 - Tablet Catcher Class 20
08:40 - Mk1 Coach Updates
11:38 - TTA tank wagon
12:23 - TEA tank wagon
13:03 - OBA open wagon and OTA timber wagon
13:28 - Conclusion: Duelling 31s
16:00 - Conclusion: Intentional duplication
17:16 - Conclusion: Pricing
17:45 - Conclusion: Era focus

I have a look at Train-O-Matic's Lokommander II DCC Decoder, and test it's ABC braking performance.

00:00 - Historical Experience
00:48 - Firmware versions and Documentation issues
03:07 - Getting the Decoders Updated
03:47 - Testing in a Class 108
05:48 - Testing in a Class 101
06:30 - Testing in a Derby Lightweight
09:10 - FD Micro Function Decoder
09:47 - Conclusion

A brief look at the closure of Hattons, and the ending of the Warley show at the NEC.

Hattons closing down update: https://www.hattons.co.uk/newsdetail?id=1498
Warley Exhibition Statement: http://www.thewarleyshow.co.uk/
Richard Davies from Hattons interviewed by Jenny Kirk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8-s75oYcBM

00:00 - Hornby 2024 Announcement
00:36 - The Backlog Problem
01:53 - So much Collectorbait
03:01 - Era 1
05:30 - Steam Locos
06:24 - The GNER Livery
08:04 - When is a Railroad loco not a Railroad loco?
08:47 - Main Range Diesel Locos
09:04 - Railroad, Railroad Plus, and TXS
09:35 - Wagons
11:53 - Conclusion

A quick look at some Christmas arrivals on the railway, including some presents from PCBWay! https://pcbway.com/g/4z4dro

00:00 -- Merry Christmas!
00:12 -- Dapol Bogie Bolster E
01:40 -- Kernow SPA
02:56 -- Accurascale HUO
04:45 -- Hornby HTO
06:20 -- Bachmann 16 ton mineral
07:24 -- Brake Vans
09:41 -- PCBWay Card
10:18 -- PCB Christmas Tree Ornaments
12:00 -- Mouse Mat & Wrist Rest
13:18 -- Giant Mug
13:58 -- Two Way "Pillow"
14:33 -- Bachmann Class 101
16:06 -- TMC / Heljan Class 45
20:14 -- Heljan Class 86
21:59 -- ... And finally, a Cat in a Box

A look at the Bachmann NEM BSI coupler, and using it to couple other DMUs to new-tool Class 158s with the non-removable BSI close coupler.

And how to modify the coupler to work in models like the 1st generation Bachmann 150 where one NEM pocket is too close to the end of the model.

00:00 - The new-tool Bachmann 158
01:12 - The new coupling
01:50 - NEM pocket BSI couplers for other units
02:55 - Original Tooling Class 150 NEM pocket issues
03:59 - Shortening the BSI coupler
07:23 - Running test

Some of the layouts I found inspirational at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition (NEC Birmingham, November 2023).

00:00 -- Netherwood Sidings (O)
02:36 -- Beijiao (HO)
05:36 -- Weatherbury Magna & Monksbury (O)
07:11 -- Barrow Street (O)
10:09 -- Hillport Goods (O)
10:38 -- Grange Lane (O)
12:48 -- Bron Hebog (OO9)
15:21 -- Ridings (1)
16:42 -- Readham (OO)
17:50 -- South Pelaw (EM)
20:06 -- Rolvenden (P4)
21:28 -- Shillingsford (OO)
24:08 -- Dawlish Warren (N)

I test a Zimo MN330P22 DCC decoder to determine if the MN series are good replacements for the long-unavailable MX series decoders.

Because 21 pin decoders are *still* unobtanium, I also needed a Plux22 model to test.

00:00 - Why are there no MX Series Decoders?
00:56 - MN series Decoders
01:39 - The Plux socket standard
02:24 - In search of a Plux22 Model
03:28 - Bachmann Plux22 Class 37 35-301
03:52 - DCC Fitting
04:29 - How to fix the flashing marker/tail lights
05:06 - Decoder configuration and overview
05:43 - Class 37 DCC functions overview
07:53 - Conclusion: Zimo MN series Decoders
08:44 - Conclusion: The Plux Socket standard
09:00 - Conclusion: Bachmann Plux22 Class 37

Some of the layouts I found inspirational (And was able to get near with a camera!) at the Great Electric Train Show (Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes, October 2023).

00:00 -- Making Tracks (OO)
06:45 -- James Street (N)
10:26 -- Burntisland 1883 (P4)
11:39 -- Hills of the North (OO)

Dongits Model Railway is 3 today!

Let's take a tour of the layout as it stands today, review what's happened to get to this stage, and where future content can be found.

0:00 -- Tour of the Layout
1:10 -- History
2:28 -- Block Detection, ABC and Electronics
3:30 -- Internet Presence

Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/DongitsModelRailway
Odysee: https://odysee.com/@DongitsModelRailway:b
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100089622502754/
RMWeb (Layout Thread): https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/153322-dongits-model-railway-three-layers-around-the-study
RMWeb (Workbench Blog): https://www.rmweb.co.uk/blogs/blog/2460-bloodnoks-workbench/
Railway Modellers Club: https://community.railwaymodellers.com/groups/DongitsModelRailway