Yellow Card - a Blog by Phil Cooper

7 Mar 2022

Share this article

Yellow Card

by Phil Cooper

So, what’s your favourite model locomotive and real-life locomotive. I imagine many of you will vote for steam locos and many of you will go for the Class 43 HST - “the locomotive that saved British Rail”. I have to admit I like the 43 and try hard to get Jimmy Saville out of my head. I’ve got quite a few 43s in my fleet and I do like to see them lined up together in the station and TMD. But of all the locos I have bought from eBay the 43 is the one that fails mostly. About 2 years into the hobby, I decided to build a fleet of them because they do look great together. But I’ve found several 43s which according to eBay sellers are “excellent runners” but really aren’t. It appears eBay sellers don’t have the same definition as me of “excellent runners”.

I love Hornby and I’ve had an online chat with Simon xxxx who is a good man and, like us, an enthusiast. I thought the recent weekly Hornby documentaries showed him to be a damned good boss who is obviously respected by his colleagues. I’d love to work with him so, if you’re reading this, Simon, come and get me. I’m very, very good at delegating.

I’ve got many favourites but the numero uno is the Class 37. Not any 37. They have to have the stag antlers logo which bases them at Inverness Depot. I love everything about them, their ugly-beautiful look, the Highland stag logo, the obvious power as they growled and roared. The 37 sound chips are very good with the best being the Legoman Biffo (stupid name but you don’t forget it) although Hornby’s TTL and TTS are a good cheaper choice. I’ve got a couple of 37s with Hornby chips, and they are wonderful.

I was reading my Facebook messages a few days ago when I found a desperate message from a man who had lost his desire to get on with building his layout. I could understand his point. Even an addict like me goes through these depressing moments. You’ll have days when everything is working as it should-locos running well, lights, points, etc all working well and there will be the days when locomotives just won’t run. I’ve found this can usually be solved by cleaning your track. Occasionally you might have a bit of track that has moved, pulled away from the adjacent piece. They just need to be pushed together. Sometimes my layout doesn’t work for the simple reason that the connecting wires between the controller and the track have become detached. That’s my most common problem.

Just lately I’ve been rather reluctant because of my balance problems caused by my, uh, er, stroke (Ed note: Aaaaaaarggggggggghhhhh).

As I was saying before the boss poked his head in; Sometimes even I don’t feel like getting stuck into the layout for a variety of reasons – for me it’s poor balance because of my (Ed note: you’ve only written one more line, stop it) poor balance and sheer laziness. If I’m honest the latter is more common! But there is something I can do to get my mojo back. YouTube. Several months ago, I read in a newspaper article that people, especially younger people were turning the tv off to watch YouTube videos. I thought that very strange. Surely people would prefer to watch “Coronation Street” (maybe not) or “Match of The Day” (more like it). But now I’ve got it.

YouTube contains a huge number of train-associated and modelling videos, how-to-do-something, old tv documentaries, owner’s layouts, etc. It’s a goldmine and if you can get it on your tv which is better than watching it on your computer. I’m lucky to have a huge HD tv where I can watch Netflix and Amazon Prime. Prime gives me access to YouTube. To make it cheaper I use my son’s ID and password to watch Netflix. He lives about 15 miles away but that doesn’t cause a problem. He uses my ID and password to watch Amazon Prime. I’m surprised that these huge money-making organisations don’t sort this loophole out. In my opinion by the way Netflix is better than Prime. I get Prime mainly because it allows me to get free delivery on most Amazon purchases. I buy at least 3 items a month from Amazon. This is because (Ed note: No, don’t say it) of my stroke (Ed note: red card time, you’re sacked).

Before I empty my desk here’s some YouTube channels for you to view. Once again, I’ve done the hard work of finding the internet addresses for you. So just click away and enjoy the videos

Drivers Eye View (thousands to watch and too many to list)

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=drivers+eye+views

800 million pound railway station (St Pancras)

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=800+billion+pound+railway+station+

Fifteen billion pound railway (Crossrail)

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=15billion+railway

Pauls trip reports (various modes of transport including air -this guy gets around)

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=paul%27s+trip+reports

Wingin’ it (Paul’s early reports earned him enough money to leave his job and do his reports, full time. What a great job he’s got now)

https://www.youtube.com/c/PaulsTripReports

Dylan’s travel reports (the new kid in town)

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dylans+travel+reports+

Renfe Spain’s fantastic trains

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=renfe+reports

Italy’s fantastic trains Have a look at the first video firstly to see a wonderful lady’s bottom and then the Executive coach which has just 8 seats and also the stunning Milano Centrale station

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=frecciarossa+executive+class

Cornish Riviera Express & Night Express

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cornish+riviera+express

And 19 minutes of great food and great views from Paul Lucas

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Gwr+pullman+service+Royal+Duchy

Some of these videos will definitely let you find your mojo again. They are very inspiring. These trains look fantastic. As a food lover I always enjoy the trip reviews that show the food available free for 1^st Class passengers who can also the various station lounges available to them. The other thing that I noticed is the quietness of modern trains and their smoothness as they pull out of the station. My favourite video are the ones in bold type

Now here’s some “how to” videos

One bit of advice; don’t be fooled by thinking any of these elements of railway modelling are as easy as it looks. These guys have been doing this for a long time. And whatever you do, TAKE YOUR TIME.

Still got no motivation. Here, as promised in my last blog are some more photos from the Model Railway Enthusiasts Facebook group and we’ll start with the brilliant Sean Selly-West:

Here’s Mike who’s also pretty good with warships and planes!

Now, who’s next? Ah yes, it’s Neil. I have to say that I’m not a great lover of weathered stuff but when it’s as well done on this old Class 26, I can understand. And have a look at the magnificent ballasting job. I love Neil’s photos and the detail of his work.

And finally, some photos of Tom’s magnificent layout. I love BR Blue and, so, obviously does Tom. These next 5 photos are breath-taking.

It doesn’t get better than this. Below we have BR Blue at its best and even that green Class25 (I think) doesn’t spoil this next shot

That’s all folks for now.

If you would like to read more blog posts from Phil check back every two weeks or sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date on site news or when the blog posts go live.

The views and opinions expressed within the content are solely the author's and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Trackside Signs or its affiliates.

Yellow Card - a Blog by Phil Cooper

Yellow Card

by Phil Cooper

Now here’s some “how to” videos

Ballasting

Soldering

Fitting Points

Fitting Lights

DCC

Model Making Tips

Model Railway Layout Planning

Model Railway Planning Software

Model Railway Layout Construction

Model Railway Layouts

Just Plug Lighting System (it’s brilliant no soldering needed and easy to fit)

Sculptamode -how to use it and make it free at home

Train-Tech They sell fantastic pieces of electrickery

Some more of Sean Selley-West (the man is a genius)