Noel

Thank you guys. Despite the layouts age it is early days yet. I would love to get my teeth back into it this coming winter. This web site and the amazing layouts you guys have built has inspired me to get going again. It is 16ft x 12ft on six main bolted boards, plus a few removable smaller sections in case it needs to be dismantled or moved. I need to rethink how I will do the landscaping as modelling materials and techniques seem to have moved on somewhat since the chicken wire and paper mache day I learned with 40 years ago as a youngster. I am stunned by the quality of layouts and models on this web site. I will try and find the track plan as it's 18 years since I had it to hand. "Respect" to you guys!

I've just spend the past hour looking at some of the superb layouts and skills on here. This one is absolutely incredible. Respect.

Absolutely stunning. I'm new here. Love the layout and others I've just found here this evening. Still browsing the forum. What a find. Do you mind me asking what you needed to achieve that sound with the CIE/IE loco? The sound of the general electric is etched in my memory since a boy. Is it part of a DCC module, or a separate add-on. Is the sound generator stored in the loco or on the layout? Many thanks.

Our new layout as really an old project that stalled. I'm new here but have been a model train fan for nearly 50 years! Background My first memory of model trains was my Dad running Hornby-Dublo 00 GWR Castle class under my cot as a toddler. I've been collecting model trains and rolling stock for over 45 years. Everything from Hornby-Dublo (two rail), Triang-Hornby, Hornby, Bachmann and just recently some Murphy Models. When an 8yo I build my first very simple layout in my dad's attic, when 12 we moved house and I built my first 'scenic' layout in the attic of our then new home. The layout was effectively built into the attic structure, the track was all glued with ballast and pinned. When my Dad died a few years later and we moved house again the layout had to be left behind with only rolling stock and buildings salvageable. I vowed then that if I every built a layout again that it would not be 'nailed down' but semi-portable or at least transportable without too much damage. I dreamed up and designed many layout plans in those years (doodling with a ruler, pencil and compass), forgot about them and then eventually decided to built a layout once again when our son was born 20 years ago. I had still kept collecting rolling stock in the intervening years in the hope one day I might build a layout. The idea 00 layout - Hybrid Irish and English countryside Bolt together baseboards on foldable leg system. Four continuous loops with some sections hidden A large terminus station - a suedo mock up of Heuston/Kingsbridge with dual steam era/diesel infrastructure and some poetic license A main line junction connected to a branch line Operate as four loops or one long linear section effectively allowing steam loco to leave terminus and return facing in opposite direction Two turntables Steam Engine Sheds at Terminus yards The build plan The layout plan was a reworking of one I had designed in school study hall one night. But over 20 years later I was not about to start building it (i.e. 1993). I started with a design for the baseboards that facilitated bolt together joints where track could be cut at reasonable angles to the board joints. The base boards would have up to three levels to facilitate hidden sections, gentle curves, gentle transition gradients between the continuous loops on the upper and mid levels. I spend about 6 months building the base boards using mainly 9mm ply on 3"x1" structure, and legs made by 2"x1" lattice, butterfly bolts, and dowels for the joint alignment. After that I provisionally laid the track to ensure the curves would work with the geometry on the paper plans which often don't work out with the real practical world. Some adjustments and then laid the track (peco) provisionally on foam underlay. The long term plan was to get the track work wired and fully operational, then do the scenery and then relay the track by gluing it onto cork underlay using PVA, paint and ballast. Anyway I got the base boards finished, got the track laid, first fix electrical done for a 12v block section system, build a few control switch panels, scratch build the station platforms virtually all of which were curved, and drilled baseboard under all the points for future motorisation. The wiring and sectional insulation took forever, especially making up the control panels. I got most of the track running and then scratch built a few buildings, amended some of the old 'toy' hornby and airfix buildings I had since the 1970s. A few years had past so we 'played' with it and then a combination of family life and work commitments effectively had me abandon the project for the past 16 years. I did manage to move the layout over two days from a farm outbuilding to a converted attic space. 1993 - Build Baseboards and legs 1994 - Lay track 1995 - 1st fix wiring of block sections and isolation sections 1996/7 - build control panels + scratch build curved station platforms The plan now? Rewire the layout for DCC and remove all the old block section wiring. Start the scenery in sections - need grass embankments, hedges, some trees, and also city scapes with brick raised sections. Finish some additional scratch buildings (stations buildings + signal boxes) When initial scenery is done, relay track on cork underlay and fill track with simulated ballast using PVA, etc Motorise points Anyway, very rusty but hope to make a start back at it over the winter months. Looking forward to learning from folks on here and getting some advice from time to time. I feel humbled when I see some of the stunning layouts and craftsmanship on this web site. Our layout is meant to be fun, hence it will have an unusual mix of UK and Irish rolling stock from steam to diesel because that's what I grew up with and I love GWR and LMS rolling stock. DCC sees to offer much simpler operations without the need for all the isolation sections I have already wired, but I am quite excited about what sound and lighting possibilities DCC may offer. I'm sure the next 'phase' of building our layout will take anything for 4 to 10 years. Access roads to the terminus English style mainline through station Good night, looking forward to chatting to folk on here Noel

Thanks BosKonay, this is really helpful. They are impressive. I'll do a bit more web searching on the controller options. I need to figure out which DCC modules types to install in my old locos. I'll do this slowly a few locos at a time. I presume I can use the simplest types for power only modules unless I need lights, sound, etc, but I may install small running lights in some of the steam locos which presumably need DCC modules with more wires attached to power the lights, and on the few diesels I have change the lights based on direction. Have reliable automatic couplings been made for OO locos (e.g. bachmann/hornby style)? How does DCC sound work? Is the sound built into the DCC module or is it a separate module connected to the DCC module? Aside from horns, whistles, etc, are there sound modules the simulate diesel engine noises and steam engines running? Any recommendations for DCC module brands? There seem to be modules from €20 to right up to €120 For lights in coach rakes I presume I need to either hard wire the rake together with power pickups on one coach and a single DCC accessory module, or do folks put independent power pickups on all their coaches with a DCC module in each? Re scenery the way I learned 40 years ago was using various combinations of chicken wire, paper mach, 1/4 aero board, plaster, fabric + PVA glue, etc. I presume there are now more modern techniques using modern materials such foam insulations, ultra light weight plaster/filler materials, spray on foams, etc. The way I learned was a very messy and wet process, but there may be newer materials that are easier to carve/sculpt in place with a PVA skin applied later ready for painting and scatters, etc. If there are any web sites covering same I'd be grateful for a pointer and I will read up on it. If things have moved on, it may save me a lot of effort to use newer techniques and newer materials. The layout is made of six separable baseboards, so the scenery will need splitting at joints also for rare transportability or storage. Many thanks again for taking the time to answer my flood of questions, many of which I'm sure are rather silly ones. Noel Block Switch Panels I hope to make redundant with DCC

Thanks. The current track electrics are working via switched sections and scratch built twin rotary knob interia controllers (ie brake simulators), combined with old guage master electronic track cleaners which were very effective. Few further questions: Do DCC systems behave like the old electronic track cleaners which gave smoother 12v running? Should I just join all track sections and feed power to one area or multiple areas to avoid voltage drop? Should I consider replacing my points with electrofrog versions? Are there cab controllers with two knobs (ie power + brake simulation)? Thanks

Hi Guys New here. Great site. I've been collecting models for about 45 years from Hornby-Dublin, Triang-Hornby, Hornby, Bachmann, etc, and recently a few Murphy locos. 20 years ago I started to build a layout. Got as far as structural work with joining base boards, folding legs, laying track, first fix electrical 12v block system, scratch built stations, buildings, and built sectional block switch panels. About 15 years ago due to family committements I parked the project. I am now ready to start with the scenery and landscaping. But it looks like I should really adjust the wiring for DCC and put modules in my collection of older locos (70 approx over 45 years). I don't have an issue wiring in the modules as nowadays the modules look small enough to shoe horn into the smallest tank locos. Any recommendations for a DCC system? Need to be able to operate up to 8 locos independently at the same time - 5amp enough? Like the idea of wireless hand helds with rotary knob Like the idea of iPad integration for programming and control Layout is approx 17ft x 14ft on three levels. There seem to be a vast array of DCC module options. Any suggestions for older models? Any suggestions for simplifying the rewrite which at least is unobstructed as I haven't yet filled in the scenery. Advice much appreciated. Thanks in advance. Noel