A Complete Model railway/railroad in a small box of drawers

[@andrewpalm2103]

Please tell your wife "Great job" regarding that backdrop. The colors and level of intensity really makes those trees look as though they are in the distance. Cheers from Wisconsin!

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks I will, much appreciated

[@TheJpec361]

This is just brilliant! Your missus did a wonderful job on the backscene. With you, her and Douglas, you have quite the talented family!

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks, happy Christmas 🌲

[@dibsyardshuntinglayout]

What a great little concept. Who needs a suitcase train, when you can have a chest of drawers train, instead!

[@raymondgawthorne6570]

“Stands back in amazement”. Your enthusiasm is boundless.👏

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks

[@emdcale]

The Ikea name for the drawer unit is "Moppe" and I am definitely going to get one after Christmas, to build my own micro layout. Thanks for the brilliant idea.

[@Andy001z]

Thanks was wondering which size unit it was.

[@emdcale]

@@Andy001z Ikea lists the unit as 18 x 32 x 42cm outside measurements. I haven't found the inside measure.

[@martingreen999]

Excellent. Before I watched this I was thinking "Clever, but what about the fiddle yard", then you opened the second drawer. Brilliant! I've been toying with the idea of N gauge for ages. This has tipped me over the edge. I have to make one of these. All it needs is a set of cards for the shunting game. You need to patent this before one of the big guys steals the idea.

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks lol

[@ianroper1960]

Just love this idea. I'm now scoring charity shops for a small set of drawers to replicate your idea but for 009.

[@BudgetModelRailways]

It would work really nice in 009, now you have got me thinking about my little 009 collection of locos and rolling stock!?

[@ianroper1960]

@@BudgetModelRailways could you tell us the basic dimensions of your drawer unit please. It doesn't look very big. I have a specific space I could keep one in. I have to be careful I have four other layouts under construction all to a greater or lesser degree inspired by what you do. You got me into 3d printing which I love. All my buildings are printed . I'm currently working on a Cornish engine house which has taken 6.5 hours to print but looks quite good. Thanks for all your help and inspiration

[@ianroper1960]

Just sourced an identical set of drawers to yours...009 layout here we come. Just perfect for my new quarry Hunslet. Thanks again for the inspiration

[@BudgetModelRailways]

@@ianroper1960 great news. I've just started a second one as a little 009 harbour

[@ianroper1960]

@@BudgetModelRailways I'm thinking the two middle sized drawers could provide a fiddle yard at either end of the large drawer. Can't wait for the unit to arrive.... New year project

[@diedertspijkerboer]

What a creative idea!

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks

[@chazzyb8660]

The best things come in small packages, isn't that what they say? Sorry i missed this before. Great idea beautifully executed. Have a great 2023 all at BMR.

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks, happy new year

[@brucejohnston8510]

Gettings again Mike. Just watched your video again but this time I showed my wife she thinks it's brilliant idea I'm now inspired to try something like that next year in ho scale with my nz trains switching yard p.s I'm now confined to barracks with covid cheers from Bruce and debbie from sunny blenheim south island nz

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Get well soon, happy Christmas to NZ

[@jennadoel5748]

very cool enjoyed this video

[@andrewretallick4614]

Love how you constantly think outside the box (😉) and come up with new and ingenious ways to save money and space. And its n gauge...brilliant 🙂

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Many thanks happy Christmas

[@andrewretallick4614]

@@BudgetModelRailways Happy Christmas to you Doug and family. Keep up the good work🙂

[@mikemcginley6309]

Brilliant! It's a shame the makers of trains haven't come up with a similar idea. I think it could be a great way for beginners to get started in the hobby.

[@bangboats3557]

You've either outdone yourself or, gone totally mad. There was a craze for N micro layouts some years back but many were like novelties, layout in a pizza box sort of thing, but this at least functional, and the famous Inglenook as well. With the dissolution of my previous situation - all my OO packed away for years and some sadly damaged/destroyed by flooding, I am now living in a tiny apartment but this has made me look at N gauge again and go "Hmmm... I wonder..." Great video, great ideas, thanks again.

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Happy to help, thanks

[@dh9033]

I like the hand-painted background on your Ninglenook 🙂👍

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks

[@southjersey10]

Very innovative idea. A terminus design works well in such a small space. The fiddle yard/controller section looks like a real space saver. 🎉

[@timothyturner6661]

All I've ever known is N gauge and have a tone of it. We have a lay out but it was one of the Graham Farish layouts so there wasn't any design input from my dad or me. This has given such inspiration, Im so excited for my Christmas leave so I can get designing something. Thanks for sharing

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Glad we could help

[@route7railway567]

Hi…. Great little set up. Ready made baseboards and backscene boards. A compact and fun project 👍

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks

[@naddy37]

Brilliant idea for those who are short on space. Great stuff!

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks

[@PebProductions46]

I adore this idea! Now you've got me thinking about where I might be able to hide some of that new TT stock that is coming out...

[@tezza72uk49]

Great job, very cleverly designed and built.

[@keithwreyford999]

I can see IKEA running out of thier nice little chest of drawers great idea well done once again Mike

[@billybobbassman]

This is amazing. Given me some great ideas for my n gauge layout 👍

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks, it's proved very thought provoking

[@billybobbassman]

@@BudgetModelRailways the other half loved it, I was trying to work out where I could put a layout in our home (which is pretty small) that wouldn't get in the way of day to day family life. This just looks ideal. I feel a trip to the local charity shop coming up to see if there is anything suitable about

[@BudgetModelRailways]

@@billybobbassman I have had a few people make a similar comment lol. I read a magazine article recently that said never start a layout by working out what size you have, which is crazy! If you don't know where you can store it and run it what's the point lol. This solves both problems. Thanks for the support

[@brettany_renee_blatchley]

*Lovely Idea & Implementation* 😌💜

[@daviemaclean61]

Brilliant idea, and so compact. And even new those storage boxes aren't expensive. Cheers

[@michaelthompson1208]

Great idea for a small layout my trouble is a layout is never big enough and I'm adding bits on all the time and not realising how big it actually is look forward too more videos

[@timsully8958]

You know what? I think this is your best project yet 🤔 I thought the continental N gauge layout was awesome but this is just one bit better, purely because of its completeness, because you can pretty much store it safely anywhere and transport it safely too, complete with controller and tool kit! 😎 This really should go to an exhibition mate. People would swoon at its simplicity and cleverness 😜 Cheers fella, brilliant video 🍻🍀👍💡

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks so much. I was wondering about exhibiting it. Just started making a 009 version

[@davidportch8837]

Brilliant idea Mike... Never seen anything like this before...love it...

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks, it's been very popular

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Hello, what a brilliant idea for a layout in draws,back to back and use it anytime, awesome video.

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks

[@djwarren5081]

You never fail to amaze me with your ingenuity.

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks

[@simongrace5095]

Great idea, thanks for sharing. I have been thinking of making a small n gauge shunting layout for a long time now. I really like the idea of it being self contained with all the locos wagons etc all in one unit.

[@richardtarr2745]

Wow, we've got a couple of those boxes, but I doubt the wife would let me steal one out of her sewing room. I like the concept though and the best bit is that it lends itself to two separate landscapes. Well done for thinking sideways again😀

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks, some serious buttering up required lol

[@richardtarr2745]

@@BudgetModelRailways omg, you want MORE??? Lol

[@brucejohnston8510]

Great stuff Mike awesome good idea for compact n guage merry Christmas from blenheim south island new Zealand all the best p.s well done your wife for the water color back drop very effective looks real

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks, happy Christmas to New Zealand

[@Maurice00PA]

Brilliant! I have a couple of these from Ikea but they are committed to other uses. Sometimes they are available with different combinations of drawers, for instance I have one that is three of the largest drawers. That would make the fiddle yard even easier as a one piece. The short British prototype wagons really make this layout work. For American prototype, I would recommend narrow gauge mining or lumbering railroad which tended to use shorter cars. Thanks for sharing!

[@BudgetModelRailways]

I have another smaller set but with full width drawers so watch this space

[@djwarren5081]

I was wondering if the wife would notice that my socks and pants drawer had been transformed into a railway layout?

[@BudgetModelRailways]

@@djwarren5081 now there's an idea?! There is always the floor for clothes lol

[@johncourtneidge]

Very lovely! Thank-you!

[@jwpalfrey]

Fantastic concept! It got me thinking of this could be scaled up to 00 gauge and a full size old chest of drawers….. would beat being in the cold garage with my larger layout.

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Nice idea

[@BudgetModelRailways]

You could then put the layout on top of the chest of drawers to operate it?

[@conecuhvalleyttrak]

Nice work! I love micro layouts.

[@Detsteve]

Brilliant. I wonder how big a box I would need for TT:120 if I try that gauge. Food for thought. Thanks for this!

[@BudgetModelRailways]

I think it would be possible in TT, sadly the 08 is not due to the spring and the Pannier not until 2024+

[@peterb1543]

Well thought out. I always thought the 14xx locos were always quite difficult to get. OO gauge or N gauge, but nice locos.

[@edgein7892]

Nifty idea, this takes shoebox shunting to a new level 😄

[@SBCBears]

You've a showpiece there, Mike. Brush up the paint job and a few dibs and dabs on the layout and it's a contender.

[@johnslade3104]

What a smart and clever yet simple idea. I wonder what one could fit in a 5 drawer high boy. I,ve seen them cheap second hand. That would make people think at a show

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Would be very impressive

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice video Mike. What an awesome idea! N scale is really good for doing things like that as it doesn't take up space. - Nicholas.

[@OlivierGabin]

Superb ! That encourages me to go ahead with my idea of an N layout in a suitcase. I have to find a sufficient large one. A 80 cm/125 litres luggage can do the job.

[@pault1289]

Great idea Mike, really nice idea. Thank you for sharing, I'm sure it'll be inspiration for many people. I'm looking at a shunting layout that'll pack away into a box for my son, so he can quickly get it out and play with it, as I think he'll get more use that way, than a larger layout stored under his bed. But that'll be OO - it's stretching the budget as it is! 😀

[@BudgetModelRailways]

I realise that N is a bit smal but the Kato Pocket Line shunter is only £40 inc two wagons, and both Kato and Peco make very cheap wagons. Take a look at the Traintrax website

[@pault1289]

@@BudgetModelRailways that's a good suggestion Mike, I wasn't aware of being able to access N so cost effectively, thank you!

[@BudgetModelRailways]

@@pault1289 I'm hoping to do a short video on the Kato range. Take a look at Kestrel buildings by gauge master, cheap n gauge building kits

[@pault1289]

@@BudgetModelRailways cheers Mike, will do! 👍

[@chrissouthgate4554]

I had thought of using lose track to join my layout, (00) when I do it. Thanks for confirming that the idea will work.

[@BudgetModelRailways]

It will work better with OO , it's a bit fiddly in N

[@railway187]

What a fantastic idea, I wish I could do this in H0-scale! I would consider to build a station area in two parts and then have track to close the loop around the back of the modules. But of course, that little set of drawers for H0-scale would be rather big to carry around… Maybe I should consider switching to N-gauge, with your beautiful layout it is tempting 😊

[@BudgetModelRailways]

It seems to have got people's minds thinking. HO might be tricky because of the larger wagons?

[@alegorailwaymodeller3115]

Awesome model railway idea Mike👍

[@raymondmarkesteijn3198]

Great idea i am thinking about something like that for a while now

[@SimJackson]

Really neat little idea that!

[@PaulStirk]

Would it fit a kato tailchaser if you put the top and middle drawers side by side instead of end to end?

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Probably, neat idea

[@luketinkley4806]

What a great idea!

[@davidsheriff8989]

Simple modelling trick for you :- Pour baking soda into any desired shape then drip superglue on top and lo and behold you have a very strong model...

[@andrewmasters5020]

My wife wouldn't be happy if I built a layout in her drawers (ahem). I'm using a 3.5mm stereo jack to link the two halves of my boxfile project electrically. Also helps with the track alignment across the join.

[@SteamSuperHEater]

As an N scale American modeler who is really interested in building micro layouts, I'm honestly kinda jealous because you British modelers get to work with shorter models and rolling stock, and so you can easily make much smaller layouts to accommodate them. This layout would barely be able to fit two 40ft boxcars in one siding!

[@BudgetModelRailways]

I've looked at US in both HO and N, and I have a few HO items, but was amazed/appalled when I realised how big they are.

[@samuelives20]

The idea is amazing. I absolutely love it. The only thing stopping me from doing this would be shunting in N gauge, how do you easily uncouple the wagons?

[@BudgetModelRailways]

I use an uncoupling hook made from a paperclip and a coffee stirer and the hand of god, it's not worse than OO

[@daveday5507]

Peco do a magnetic uncoupler using magnets (mermanent or electro) which really works. With permanent magnets its really cheap.

[@Andy001z]

Nice job, did you have to do anything special to get the link track height right both sides? Also, I guess you could add a clear front to the top draw to see your setup while on the self. Additionally you have given me an idea for using an existing cupboard space I have that would make a great little space to Ngauge up.

[@BudgetModelRailways]

I used a piece of mounting board to raise the level of the fiddle yard, you can see it in the video if that helps

[@daveday5507]

Your idea of making baseboards from cardboard boxes kickstarting my railway modelling after 70 years of dreaming. Now here you go again. There must be tons of sets of drawers waiting around for something to do. In my case, I just might build an O gauge boxfile layout, but don't hold your breath.

[@BudgetModelRailways]

As always glad we could inspire

[@Modelrailwayslimited]

Are used to own a model railway shop, but the cost to me sometimes because I was a small independent shop was a fortune. I would only make £5 on a model railway set the budget once Hornby used to sell individual sets.. then they changed their policy and I had to buy for model railway sets. The same coaches came in force. Wagons came in force locomotives came into or force.. the southern regional coaches that came out that had different running numbers. When you have a customer who wants to brakes with different running numbers, two firsts and two seconds I couldn’t afford to buy them and sell him one of each because I would have to buy a box of four coaches.. then when you looked at the big retailers, the discounters the rails of Sheffield, the Hattons, there was no way on this earth I could compete with their prices because the more you bought from Hornby, the bigger the discount, so small independent retailers like me, go out of business as we cannot compete. A shame as I really enjoyed running my model railway shop and helping customers.😢

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Such a shame, I've seen it in several trades, suppliers forcing out the smaller retailers. Andvtge big boys just don't offer the customer service, just had my second awful experience with one of those big retailers selling mis described un-inspected 2nd hand items, I will get a full refund but that's not the point.

[@ThoughtandMemory]

We used to have a few model and train shops in Swindon. Sadly they are long gone and all we have now is one hornby shop in the outlet centre. Limited choice, high prices, no secondhand items, staff with no idea. It’s a sad position to be in for customers and the knowledgable proprietors we used to have on hand.

[@ronaldchapman4830]

Great idea and great out come but can you post the first video you did on a railway in a small box of drawers as it seems to have disappeared a list of track would help me as I have no N gauge stock but I have the drawers

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Hi, not sure which one you mean as this is the first chest of drawers railway I have done? I don't tend to give track lists as I often use old track and it does of course depend on the size you have available. Anyrail free software is great for working out track plans

[@ronaldchapman4830]

@@BudgetModelRailways I am looking for the video that you used a Ikea set of drawers you got from your wife which she used in her sewing room

[@BudgetModelRailways]

That's this one?

[@BudgetModelRailways]

It was the one before this, but it was only a brief look, this one has all the info. Basically a classic inglenook has two points, one left one right and straight track to fit the space you have as sidings. The fiddle yard can be either a short length of your choice or you can add a right hand point and have two roads. Hope this helps

[@BudgetModelRailways]

If you want a cheap loco and rolling stock take a look at the Kato Pocket Line Range . They do an electric shunter and two wagons for £40, and a two car EMU tram for £44, both excellent runners. Take a look at the Traintrax website

[@BSMR955]

Do you know when you will have your controllers back in stock? If so can you let me know ASAP as I want one for Christmas

[@BudgetModelRailways]

We have stopped 3d printing now Doug is at University, but if you DM us we can probably sort one out, but given the royal mail strikes, not by Christmas

[@samuelgroce6299]

Wonderful

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks

[@johnhindson5316]

Great idea

[@robinexcell3601]

You should put a patent or copyright on that ASAP before the big boys nick the idea, that is pure class. How much does it weigh do you think?

[@BudgetModelRailways]

Thanks. Not much it's only 5mm ply

[@grahamsouthamn9798]

Again you have ripped it. I love the idea, unfortunately we dont have the Ikea draws down here.

[@BudgetModelRailways]

You could use any similar draws, even a small bedside table

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

Very kool

[@maryginger4877]

Very inspirational

[@BSMR955]

Do you know when you will have your controllers back in stock? If so can you let me know ASAP as I want one for Christmas

[@BudgetModelRailways]

We have stopped printing now Doug has gone to University , but I can get you a link to another source. No chance of getting it to you by Christmas I'm afraid with the royal mail strikes