You can view our most recent how-tos, tutorials and layout updates below, or visit our YouTube channel to browse all of our videos and playlists direct on the platform.
…and please don’t forget to subscribe and select to receive notifications for all new videos so that you always keep up-to-date!
-
Hornby Ringfield Motor Upgrade Kits - Plug & Play!
After months of careful design, development and testing, I'm thrilled to reveal my brand new Hornby ringfield motor upgrade adaptors.
All-but plug and play, they allow you to quickly and easily convert your old Hornby ringfield models to smooth running, far quieter CD motors...all without the new for hot glue or drilling out the chassis!
In most cases, the conversion is fully reversible and the motor can easily be switched out, either to replace it or to put back the ringfield should you have changed your mind.
And if you've got a Co-Co or Tender Drive steam loco, gone arr the days of having to glue on the central wheel...just reinstate the axle into the adaptor and away you go...simple.
---
Jump to:
00:14 - Introduction
01:00 - Hornby kit overview
03:40 - Stripping down the ringfield bogie
07:05 - Installing the adaptor & new motor
11:55 - Trimming the new pinion gear
16:50 - For Co-co/Tender drive: Reinstalling the central axle/wheel
---
Find out more about the adaptors here: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com/hornby-ringfield-motor-upgrade-kits-are-now-available
Grab yourself an adaptor here: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com/product-category/ringfield-motor-conversion-kits/hornby-replacement-motor-kits
#RingfieldMotorAdaptor #CDMotorUpgrade #StrathpefferJunction
---
Thank you very much for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe!
Visit us at: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com
---
Please note: If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility. -
How to Make Magnetic Set Squares - DIY for Railway Modellers (3D-Printing)
Magnet set squares are invaluable for railway modelling. I've bought a few sets in the past, but they can be quite expensive for what they are.
I wanted to find a cheaper option, so once again turned to my 3D printer. In this video, I show you how to make your own magnetic clamps at home, using my free 3D printer STL file.
You can download the 3D model to print at home for non-commercial use via these links:
https://www.strathpefferjunction.com/3dmodels
https://www.strathpefferjunction.com/magneticsquare
Here are some affiliate links to materials used in this project. They don't cost you any more to use, but I get a (very) small return from each item sold, which helps me keep the channel going.
Neodymium magnets (eBay): https://ebay.to/30owV5R
Neodymium magnets (Amazon): https://amzn.to/2WMmzur
EMA Plastic Weld (eBay): https://ebay.to/2VvAYcS
EMA Plastic Weld (Amazon): https://amzn.to/2VrvaRv
I tend to use Rigid.Ink filament where I want quality and strength. It's not the cheapest, but it's by far and away the most reliable filament I've found. Plus, their customer service is excellent: https://amzn.to/2JtPMr5
---
Thank you very much for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe!
Visit us at: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com
---
Please note: If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility. -
A quick look at the HobbyZone SM1 Paint Pot Holder & Brush Stand...easy DIY!
I've found the HobbyZone products to be excellent for organising my modelling desk. They do a range of drawers, shelves, paint racks etc. and the beauty of them all is that they are magnetic and clip together to form a rigid structure.
While others have covered unit construction, I thought I'd do a quick video on their wee paint stand (SM1). Just a quick look at what it is and how it goes together...a simple and easy job!
---
If you'd like one of these paint stand yourself, or something else from the Hobby Zone range, please consider using one of the affiliate links below. Anything bought via them helps me product content on Strathpeffer Junction 🙂
Here's the product on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2VslTxp
And here's the product on eBay: https://ebay.to/2Ji37CL
You can find a large range of HobbyZone products here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2DYXchn
---
Thank you very much for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe!
Visit us at: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com
---
Please note: If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility. -
Use any old CD motor with this adjustable Lima ringfield adaptor!
This time last year, I produced a video about a 3D-printed motor adaptor, which makes converting Lima ringfield motors to CD/DVD drive motors a doddle.
After a few queries from fol asking about what motors are compatible with it, I decided to tweak the design a little to create a new adaptor that can accommodate most of the common motors available online and in the shops.
In this video I talk a little about the design differences and demonstrate the installation and conversion process.
If you'd like to buy an adaptor, you can grab one here: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com/product/generic-24mm-cd-dvd-drive-motor-adaptor-for-lima-ringfield-locomotives-la4
#Lima #RingfieldConversion #CDmotor
---
Thank you very much for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe!
Visit us at: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com
---
Please note: If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility. -
Lima Replacement Motor Adaptor: Finding the Perfect Fit!
Today we're having a look at two alternative techniques for improving the fit between our ringfield motor adaptors and the CD drive motors that go in them.
Normally, the motor will fit into the adaptor with an interference fit and will sit snugly, but sometimes manufacturing tolerances mean there may be a little play.
These two options resolve that issue for good, and take only seconds to do...
01:01 - Method 1 (Permanent)
03:01 - Method 2 (Reversible - Preferred Option)
You can grab yourself a roll of 8mm Kapton tape here: https://amzn.to/2VeQz4y
To get yourself a conversion kit for your own Lima loco, head to: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com/shop
---
This is a follow on video that supplements our previous video on upgrading a Lima ringfield motor to a CD-style motor, using our special 3D-printed conversion kits.
You can watch that earlier video here: https://youtu.be/A8Pgx9IUDRM
For full step-by-step instructions, please visit: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com/instructions
#RingfieldReplacement #Lima #Hornby
---
Thank you very much for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe!
Visit us at: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com
---
Please note: If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility. -
Making a Model Railway Layout Sign
Every layout has a name...every layout needs a sign to go with it!
In this video, we take a look at assembling Scale Model Scenery's layout plaque, which will eventually go on the wall in the loft, above Strathpeffer Junction itself.
They have produced a great product that's pretty easy to use, but to get a really smooth finish, it's best to use spray paint, give it plenty of coats and finish with gloss varnish.
If you're interested in getting a sign for your own layout, you can buy Scale Model Scenery's one here: https://bit.ly/2G9MbKC
#StrathpefferJunction #LayoutSign #ScotRail
---
Thank you very much for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe!
Visit us at: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com
---
Please note: If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility. -
Lima Ringfield Motor Adaptor Kit...a word about alignment!
This quick Strath's Shorts tutorial takes a closer look at the best way to align our Lima ringfield motor adaptor kits to ensure that the gears don't bind or jam.
This is a follow on video that supplements our previous video on upgrading a Lima ringfield motor to a CD-style motor, using our special 3D-printed conversion kits.
You can watch that earlier video here: https://youtu.be/A8Pgx9IUDRM
For full step-by-step instructions or to grab yourself a conversion kit for your own loco, please visit our website: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com/instructions
#RingfieldAdaptor #Lima #Hornby
---
Thank you very much for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe!
Visit us at: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com
---
Please note: If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility. -
#41 Layout & Channel Update (January 2019)
Happy New Year! It's 2019: a new year and a new video. After a break of a couple of months, we're back to with a general layout and channel update.
Watch to hear about progress on the layout, modelling studio developments, background projects and the layout card board. I also talk about layout lighting and my new control panel.
++ Ringfield Adaptors ++
If you'd like to get a notification when the Lima ringfield adaptors are available to buy, please join my mailing list: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com/mailinglistsignup
++ Layout Cards ++
If you're after a Strath Junction layout card or you'd like to send me one for inclusion on my board, click here: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com/layoutcards
++ Railway Modelling Community links ++
Visit Kirkton Road Junction: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkcK9BBtpYNWaGDmyZk753Q
Visit Strathpeffer Spa Railway: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhtF1Jr-F28Rei_wbeLOqw
Join the Model Rail Network: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAu_DzB3v-SzDDdShZi8sTg
Visit MRYCG: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOw5PQM897D1TOpjcJIA9mg
---
Thank you very much for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe!
Visit us at: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com
---
Please note: If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility.
#StrathpefferJunction #ModelRailNetwork #MRYCG #2019 -
#40 Part 2: Fitting a Stay Alive Capacitor Unit to a Hornby TTS Sound Decoder
This is Part 2 of an in-depth two-part series looking at home-made stay alive devices. In this video, we look at adding a stay alive/keep alive unit to Hornby's TTS sound decoder.
If you wished to add a stay alive unit to Hornby's R8249 decoder, the steps would be similar (although the negative leg would have to be soldered directly to the negative side of the rectifier).
We made the stay alive unit in the previous video (Part 1 - Making a Stay Alive Capacitor Unit), and if you've not seen that video, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/S2BmPiurl-0
Please note: the steps covered in this video do require a steady hand and competence with a soldering iron. Working with DCC decoders and tiny surface-mount components leaves little margin for error and it is very easy to permanently damage sensitive electronics if you are not extremely careful.
+ Video Contents +
00:00 - Introduction
00:20 - A quick recap
01:20 - Examining the decoder
06:08 - Soldering it all together
14:52 - Testing the solder work
16:10 - Fitting it all into the chassis
18:05 - A word about CV settings
19:08 - Testing the stay alive unit
20:53 - Conclusions
+ Components +
You can buy items used in this video tutorial using the affiliate links below. Using these links helps to support the channel and is very much appreciated.
Hornby TTS decoders (Amazon): https://amzn.to/2PbRM9x
Hornby TTS sound decoders (eBay): https://ebay.to/2S1P4Ca
Capacitors (15,000 uF 25v): https://ebay.to/2AljFnF
Resistors (100 ohm 1/4w): https://amzn.to/2yzLtDx
Decoder wire (red & black): https://ebay.to/2NR9fj1
Decoder wire (Multipack): https://ebay.to/2PGEYoK
Diodes (1N4001 50v 1A): https://ebay.to/2CXBifB
Diodes (1N4001 50v 1A):: https://amzn.to/2ODFqYo
Heat Shrink (multipack): https://amzn.to/2PdO0N5
Heat Shrink (various sizes): https://ebay.to/2EvWI54
Kapton tape (10mm x 30m): https://amzn.to/2OBEpjB
Kapton tape (various sizes): https://ebay.to/2R2H2aU
Liquid Flux Topnik No Clean (Amazon): https://amzn.to/2Al6HpP
Liquid Flux Topnik No Clean (eBay): https://ebay.to/2CXy7EO
0.3mm Lead/Tin solder: https://amzn.to/2NT7pOy
0.3mm Lead/Tin solder: https://ebay.to/2S6Jpe0
Hakko Soldering Station: https://amzn.to/2CVLzca
Blue silicone electronics mat: https://amzn.to/2Pbv7ug
A2 green cutting mat: https://amzn.to/2P8aKy3
A1 green cutting matt: https://amzn.to/2P8aKy3
#StrathpefferJunction #HornbyTTS #StayAlive #KeepAlive
Thank you very much for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe!
Visit us at: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com
+ Disclaimer +
This project does require a steady hand and competence with a soldering iron. Working with DCC decoders and tiny surface-mount components leaves little margin for error and it is very easy to permanently damage sensitive electronics if you are not very careful. If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility. -
#39 Part 1: How to make a Stay Alive Capacitor Unit (Hornby TTS Sound Decoder and Others)
This is Part 1 of an in-depth two-part series looking at home-made stay alive devices.
In this video, we look at making a stay alive/keep alive capacitor unit for use alongside a Hornby TTS sound decoder.
The principles and steps outlined in this video are, however, applicable for most other stay alive scenarios, including coach lighting, end of train (EOT) lamps and so on. The stay alive unit made could therefore be used in multiple situations, not just with a Hornby decoder.
As well as showing you how to make the stay alive unit itself and assemble all of the components, there's a brief explanation of the background to stay alive devices generally and the role that each of the components plays in the overall circuit.
+ Video Contents +
00:00 - Video introduction
01:08 - Intro to making a stay alive unit
02:18 - Overview of the components required
04:11 - Using resistors to manage in-rush
05:00 - The components in detail
06:26 - Circuit diagrams
08:40 - A quick word of capacitor sizes
10:58 - Putting it all together: soldering
15:40 - Adding hookup wires & heat shrink
17:22 - The finished article
+ Components +
You can buy items used in this video tutorial using the affiliate links below. Using these links helps to support the channel and is very much appreciated.
Hornby TTS decoders (Amazon): https://amzn.to/2PbRM9x
Hornby TTS sound decoders (eBay): https://ebay.to/2S1P4Ca
Capacitors (15,000 uF 25v): https://ebay.to/2AljFnF
Resistors (100 ohm 1/4w): https://amzn.to/2yzLtDx
Decoder wire (red & black): https://ebay.to/2NR9fj1
Decoder wire (Multipack): https://ebay.to/2PGEYoK
Diodes (1N4001 50v 1A): https://ebay.to/2CXBifB
Diodes (1N4001 50v 1A):: https://amzn.to/2ODFqYo
Heat Shrink (multipack): https://amzn.to/2PdO0N5
Heat Shrink (various sizes): https://ebay.to/2EvWI54
Kapton tape (10mm x 30m): https://amzn.to/2OBEpjB
Kapton tape (various sizes): https://ebay.to/2R2H2aU
Liquid Flux Topnik No Clean (Amazon): https://amzn.to/2Al6HpP
Liquid Flux Topnik No Clean (eBay): https://ebay.to/2CXy7EO
0.3mm Lead/Tin solder: https://amzn.to/2NT7pOy
0.3mm Lead/Tin solder: https://ebay.to/2S6Jpe0
Hakko Soldering Station: https://amzn.to/2CVLzca
Blue silicone electronics mat: https://amzn.to/2Pbv7ug
A2 green cutting mat: https://amzn.to/2P8aKy3
A1 green cutting matt: https://amzn.to/2P8aKy3
#StrathpefferJunction #HornbyTTS #StayAlive #KeepAlive
Thank you very much for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe!
Visit us at: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com
+ Disclaimer +
This project does require a steady hand and competence with a soldering iron. Working with DCC decoders and tiny surface-mount components leaves little margin for error and it is very easy to permanently damage sensitive electronics if you are not very careful. If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility. -
#38 Hornby Class 37 TTS Sound - Mega Bass Speaker Upgrade
The is the first in a two-part series on upgrades and improvements that can be made to a Hornby Class 37 locomotive with TSS sound.
In the second video, we'll look at adding stay-alive capabilities to help keep the running smooth and steady, but for now, we're upgrading the stock speaker to something a little better...megabass!
The steps outlined in this video are applicable to all TTS sound decoders (and many others). The only differences being that in some locomotives - not least most steam locos - the space inside can be rather limited and you may not be able to fit such a large speaker into the body.
Remember that in all cases where a Hornby TTS decoder is used, you must also use a 8 Ohm speaker (or two 4 Ohm speakers in series, adding up to 8 Ohms). This is different to LokSound V4 decoders, which can use a 4 Ohm or 8 Ohm speaker.
Speaker impedance and decoder specifications for all common sound decoders are explained in more detail in our free guide, which you can download here: https://tinyurl.com/dcc-sound-speaker-guide
---
You can buy some of the components and consumables used in this video, and give a wee bit of support to the channel, using the affiliate links below:
Megabass speakers: https://ebay.to/2N4VMnf
'No Clean' Solder Flux: https://amzn.to/2E9oOmK
Selection box of heatshrink: https://amzn.to/2zTbhv5
Black tack: https://amzn.to/2OCYhCg
---
Thank you very much for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe!
Visit us at: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com
---
Please note: If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility. -
#37 Model Railway/Railroad YouTube Channel Layout Cards
I was chatting to Paul at the Galgorm Hall model railway layout a few weeks back about railway modelling on YouTube, and model making and creativity online more generally.
One thing that we both loved about other maker channels, particularly amongst the woodworking community, is that folk share 'shop cards' with each other as a way to support other channels and give visual 'shout outs'.
So, we decided we'd knock up some 'layout cards' for our own respective model railway YouTube channels and share them with each other to get the ball rolling.
And no sooner had we exchanged cards, when Simon from Liverton Central dropped us a line to get involved - and so it began!
If you'd like a Strathpeffer Junction layout card (I've currently got magnet and sticker variants), you can request one here: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com/layoutcardrequest
---
You can visit Galgorm Hall and Liverton Central here:
https://www.youtube.com/galgormhall
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQlAB8h66gOulcw-HD7QIw
---
Thank you very much for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe!
Visit us at: https://www.strathpefferjunction.com