The Ffarquhar Branch Operation Guide

This video shows how the Ffarquhar Branch model layout is operated from an operation programme covering a morning's work. In this guide the engines; Thomas, Percy & Toby, operate the movements that are carried out during this programme.
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I had been asked several times from fellow viewers of my layout to do an operational video of it working. But I had never had the time to get one made. However, at the time this video was being filmed, I thought it would be a good time to tick that project off my list of things to get done. Many would ask why Daisy and Mavis are not in this video? The answer is that this operation guide covers the movements in the 1959 guide when the 3 engines worked the line with Duck acting as 'Spare Engine'. A guide to work the two diesels in has been written up but it's quite complex and some of the wagons on the layout can't navigate round various parts of the layout without derailing.
I will do another operation video with Daisy and Mavis, but this will be done on my Ffarquhar MrkII replica which is ATM still a WIP.

[@cadenthecadburyengine8198]

I love how you’re trying to get your models as accurate to Wilbert Awdry’s original models as possible.

[@connormclernon26]

I like to think this is what the models looked like while they were still new

[@TidmouthYard]

This was such a lovely watch. The music really fits with the feel of the RWS, especially this part of the island. The shots down at the models’ level were definitely my favourite, really shows off how gorgeous the layout looks!

[@juliacrask5905]

The music is from the Railway Children, isn't it??

[@ghostengineer]

Your channel is my new favorite channel. I’ve been modeling the T&F characters but without faces as if this is how they would look in real life and then I discovered your channel and realized that’s how the Rev awdry did it. Thanks for keeping the spirit alive 👍

[@JamesSmithStudios]

Very soothing and relaxing to watch. Thoroughly enjoyed this!

[@marcoandresrosario8474]

You know, those other people making the Thomas shows shouldn't have ruin it by changing into what's been going on. Like about gender equality.

[@connormclernon26]

@@marcoandresrosario8474I’d be fine with having female trains so long as they kept it with realistic action based on real life stories like Awdry did. I mean he did add Mavis and Daisy after all. Hell, we could have some of Gordon’s brothers and sisters in a story where he’s talking about them. Or some other engine. There’s emotional depths to be plumbed that could work

[@thesudriana016]

So relaxing to watch the model engines run. And very informative and educational about the operational guide, too!

[@traindude456]

I like how relaxed I’m am watching this video. The music is nice and the trains are exquisite.

[@Watermillfilms]

Nice video. quite relaxing to watch. I didn't know Thomas did push-pull services, interesting. I bet you also have a lot of fun operating your layout. lots of manoeuvres.

[@MrNoUsername]

I love how you use the same low camera angle technique that the T&F TV series used, it just adds a touch of realism which is what the TV series managed to capture so well These shots are my personal favorites because of how prominent the low angle is, almost as if you are really there standing beside the line 1:51 2:21 3:00 (My all time favorite shot) 3:18 5:40 6:34

[@sparkshot]

Been wanting to see the sequence played out for many a year. Music worked well, relaxing too! Nice one. 🙂

[@CMFYTOfficial]

u know sparkshot its great that you made the rws green gobling v1 AWDRY model that look just like that model in the video

[@dannypalin9583]

I love you. There's something so calming and satisfying about seeing model engines going about their work.

[@josephmarrison4606]

Well done mate. This has a very Awdry and Juniper Junction feel to it.

[@lordluffington2351]

Juniper junction is underrated

[@penninefilms4714]

Very relaxing film to watch, and a very timeless model railway.

[@StationMasterJoe]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@KameronCousin]

This is lovely Michael! Well done! :D

[@welshrails]

You've captured this wonderfully! Well done!

[@spicybecca4899]

I absolutly love this. almost brought a tear to my eye

[@No1thomasfan2010]

the was brilliant, just very relaxing and satisfying

[@Polaris5664]

Absolutley amazing!

[@zacharyspinks6207]

Wow! so relaxing, i really enjoyed this.👍

[@sudrianrailwaystudios676]

That was so Amazing. Keep it Up.

[@lordsnooty4138]

Very good indeed, in every aspect.

[@WoodenToby]

This was very interesting! I noticed that Toby had always changed directions whenever he returned from the quarry. Did Rev Awdry envision that he could turn around there, or would he have faced backwards for one of the trips?

[@NemesisHero123]

So relaxing.

[@iforgotmymoney5823]

This helps me relax and fall asleep

[@thesplendidredengine5james865]

Love this;)

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

In Chester Model Shop, the new Bachmann 00 gauge Thomas Train Set is awaiting the day when I can purchase it. In a new model railway video of mine, it will run on the Cat Valley Steam Railway in tribute to the Reverend Wilbert Awdry. Without Wilbert Awdry's creative genius, we wouldn't have come to love Thomas as we still do to this day. Thomas, we love you.

[@MrKenichi22]

I love this

[@bateaubaybubble3730]

Nice video, I love to see original Thomas, instead of the animated film on TV nowadays. Just one comment: Should Percy be facing in the other direction? AFAIK, Thomas should be the only engine facing towards Tidmouth on all Awdry based layouts I have seen. Keep up the good work on your modelling.

[@WhitehouseFilms]

There are some photos of Percy facing the other way. in fact if you look at a small snippet in the TTTEM documentary you can see the original Percy facing the other way on the Ffarquhar branch MrkI

[@bateaubaybubble3730]

@@WhitehouseFilms ok, thanks. I should have refered you to your video of 30 Aug 2013 in my last comment. I'll find that doco and have a look. Thanks for all the work you've done on these replicas. I live in Australia, and don't think I'll ever see the originals.

[@danieljliverslxxxix1164]

The trains will run on time!

[@SteamLance]

Ooo, love the Railway Children music, where did you get it from?

[@loganduckthomas1best697]

I wish Michael was given full range for writing Big World Big Adventures.

[@noahhahn161]

Wow! This is incredible, I love it! I've never a coupling system like that before, how does it work? Does everything work automatically or do you have to manually couple and uncouple everything? Just curious

[@WhitehouseFilms]

It's called the Spratt and Winkle Coupling. Basically it's a hook that is pulled down with a chain, or in my case some paper staple, to a micro magnet that is glued in the area on which I want the train to be uncoupled. The original layout used this method and I think it works quite well for me. All my coach stock and wagons are fitted with these couplings, though the locos don't need a hook. They just need a bar placed across the buffers so that the hooks have something to hook on to.

[@Damocles178]

@@WhitehouseFilms Thank you. I know I'm not that one that asked but I was curious about that too when I saw a video about the Reverends own layout. Much appreciated.

[@14thStreetProductions]

What is the coupling system and how does it work?

[@marcoandresrosario8474]

😶To be honest, looking at the front of Toby is like looking at his back.

[@robobird3383]

In one book, he had two faces, one on each end.

[@marcoandresrosario8474]

@@robobird3383 really he did? I'm not surprised but I didn't know

[@lordluffington2351]

That was an illustration error on his cab

[@marcoandresrosario8474]

@@lordluffington2351 plenty of errors have been made in the old thomas series

[@MagiTailWelkin]

A little odd hearing music from The Railway Children in a video about Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.

[@trainzman-harperman]

If I may ask, what gauge is your layout and models,is it HO or another gauge?

[@MrNoUsername]

It is in OO gauge as per the original layout by Wilbert

[@marty6779]

3:44 Is that Terence I spot on the right? :)

[@WhitehouseFilms]

Yep.

[@AlcoLoco251]

Was there ever a schedule made for the mainline from Tidmouth to Barrow-in-Furness?

[@WhitehouseFilms]

There is one made, but I need time to study it should I wish to operate it on my club's replica layout.

[@AlcoLoco251]

@@WhitehouseFilms I would love to at least see a general rundown of what it was. I've been looking for one for a while, as I was positive Awdry made one, but have been unable to find it.

[@joelcartagena953]

Didn't the Rev.W.Awdry's models of Thomas and Percy have those footplate steps on the sides of their cabs?.

[@WhitehouseFilms]

I think Thomas got his steps later on during Ffarquhar MrkI's time. Percy had always had his steps. My Percy model has since been updated since this video.

[@joelcartagena953]

@@WhitehouseFilms okay because I've just been watching some random CGI Thomas & Friends and with some close-ups on the wheels both Thomas and Percy did indeed have the footplate steps.

[@WhitehouseFilms]

@@joelcartagena953 well that is for the CGI series. I focus on the original models.

[@joelcartagena953]

@@WhitehouseFilms Yes I know it's just that I've looking at every little detail on screen.

[@SodorTrain1225]

Will you add faces to your models? I believe I understand why the Reverend's models didn't have faces, because they themselves weren't on Sodor. Edit: 3:58: Terence!

[@MrNoUsername]

Wilbert’s models didn’t have faces to begin with because he wanted them to be realistic even though his characters in the books did have faces

[@talesfromsodor]

Is this the Rev. W. Awdry’s timetable or your own invention?

[@WhitehouseFilms]

Yes. I'm reading the operation guide as it was written in the Railway Modeller article. A 2nd operation guide will be made once I've everything sorted for it. A new Daisy model will be needed as my last one was sold in 2019 to a fellow Thomas fan.

[@talesfromsodor]

@@WhitehouseFilms brilliant, thanks!

[@johnylitalo4163]

How did you make your model trains & layout look like the Rev. W. Awdry's?

[@WhitehouseFilms]

Over 10 years of research...and maybe some helpful profile shots of the original engines and stock.

[@johnylitalo4163]

@@WhitehouseFilms 2010?

[@setheatontheautobot4586]

HOW COULD YOU DISMEMBER THEIR FACES!?! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@WhitehouseFilms]

This is a recreation of the original model railway movements. the models on the reverend Awdry's layout never had faces. So I'm staying true to the original theme.