DEANO

I have never ballast my layout I have used roofing felt, I would imagine you can’t move the track once the ballast has fully set. I used tracksetta tools and long straight edges. Deano

I don’t worry about themes or scale it’s important to enjoy your hobby and trains I run my flying Scotsman with my class 66 and sometimes I run my Thomas tank engine collection lol.

Very impressive collection of A4s there Mick.

Great work Tony, Amazing to see your layout coming together and your determination to build your dream layout.

I am in favour of giving more publicity to this great hobby but I always feel that people look down on us as eccentric train spotters who wear anoraks lol. Sometimes you do see good ideas on the show and it’s always great to see a model train out on track and working rather than being in a display case. However I feel it gives beginners false ideas that a layout can be built in a few days. I don’t publicly announce that I love steam trains and that I have a running layout but I’m not ashamed but I always feel that they look down on you. I have met someone amazing people in this hobby and made some great friends and enjoyed many hours building layouts and running trains.

Very impressive Mick

I use a gauge master controller it was a Birthday present in April, But I just checked hattons are doing them for £34.

I found these pre wired fish plates very helpful as I to struggle with soldering.

My New Hornby class 66 “Golden Jubilee” on my layout today. One of the most quietest smooth locos I have used.

Hi Tony, I agree it’s a limited market for Dc controllers, Gaugemaster master controllers look good and some good reviews. My local model railway shop has them advertised on his website, might be the way to go. Deano

Hi Mick, Thanks for the reply, The budget won’t stretch as far as Dcc so I will be sticking to DC, I was just looking at Gaugemaster controllers bit expensive so will be looking at something second hand. I would also like one with spare outputs also. Deano

Good Afternoon, I am looking to replace my train controller in the near future and was wondering what controllers others are using and what people recommend? My layout is DC and I am using the Bachmann standard controller but I am looking to upgrade it. I have heard that the old ones used in 1960s and 70s are better than modern day ones is that correct. Thanks in advance Deano.

Hello Andrew, Fantastic photographs great to see a Tomas model. Deano

Very impressive bridges and track work Thomas, Are the bridges scratch built or are they from a kit? regards Deano

Very impressive Tony, That’s a serious amount of wiring looking forward to seeing a few locos running.

Hi Tony, Thank you, I live in Derbyshire uk weather men say today will be hot and sunny I do hope so got some jobs to do on my layout today. I do plan to build and an extension inside the track I have already layed using a separate controller so I can run 2 trains at the same time but due to financial reasons I scaled down my plans. keep up the great work Tony. Cheers Deano

I am a massive Thomas tank fan and my layout will be bassed on that.

Hi Tony, Yes mate loco’s have been running around my layout happily thank you, Still got a small amount of wiring to complete. yes I’m very happy with the roofing felt I wrapped it around each decking board then nailed it underneath using galverised nails before I screwed it all together. The weather here is a cold and wet today but has been really nice over the last few weeks. My layout is now permanently under the carport so I can run in any weather. Lets us know when your wiring is complete and hopefully see a loco up and running. cheers Deano

Hello from a cold and wet uk, Today arrived my new EBay purchase a small goods shed. Condition of it is quite good very small amount of damage but easily fixed. Overall very happy only paid £4.20.

Hi Guys, Thank you both for the reply’s. Tony I will be sticking to DC for me old school all the way bit on the expensive side as well. Thanks Deano.

Looks good Tony won’t be long before your running trains, Will you be adding buildings and landscape or is it just to enjoy trains? Deano

Tony you could try looking for a Thomas toy of a simular size cut the funnel of that and stick it onto your body, might be cheaper and you get to keep the original body

Hi Tony, So sorry to hear about your Thomas model it must have huge sentimental valve included in this post are photos from my Thomas model hope it helps. It's a Hornby model and there latest and last model they will make