Model Railway Forum

Thanks for all the hints and encouragement - I'm taking note of them all! Barry, your 'string-compasses' idea is good, but I'll probably cut a bit of scrap 2x1 in two and use a nut & bolt, plus a nail and a pencil, to create a real (giant) pair of compasses. Mick (Bandit), you surprised me by su...

So, today I learned that flexitrack can be used for 2nd and 3rd radius curves! I didn't realise just how flexible it is! That simplifies things a lot. I'll get a bundle of 25 lengths, and even if that's a few more than I need it'll still be cheaper than buying assorted curves and straights for my la...

Thanks for the suggestions. Actually I'd already begun to think there should be a siding or two in my initial layout, but of course that bumps up the initial cost. My first, newbie thought had been to cobble the layout together from cheaply bought, second hand track. But my experience (so far) of bu...

Thanks RogerB. Yes, the loops at each end of the layout are 3rd radius . I wasn't sure whether to install crossover points from the outset, or be prepared to insert them when I make additions to the layout.

Okay, now here's the thing. After an 82-year gap, I decided a month ago to revive my desire to play with model trains. I bought the "Flying Scotsman" set. Sadly, the 3rd-radius curves that come with it are marginally too big to allow me to set up an oval on our dining-room table, so now I'...

Thanks everyone! What a big, friendly welcome! Well, you've already given me plenty of thought between you. My plan had been to cobble together much of the fixed layout from track that came with the (sigh) three train sets that I now possess. But I can see a lot of advantage in putting that collecti...

Hello from me, another Brian, living in the furthest west part of south west Wales. I'm not exactly new to model railways. I remember being given one of those clockwork Hornby sets as a child, with a gleaming circle of track, a station and (I think) a level crossing. I still remember Dad setting it ...