Hello

[Jinty99]

Hi, I've just made a long overdue return to Railway Modelling . I used to have a good sized layout when I was a callow youth but then I discovered motorbikes and girls. The layout was dismantled and put away for a while, then I gave nearly all of it away (aaagh) to someone who wanted to build a layout for his kids. I've kicked myself ever since. I've started again from scratch with mainly new track, some old bits n' bobs and various bits from e-bay. I'm using generic Era 4 stuff mainly for now but I'll see how it goes. It hasn't taken me long to get totally absorbed again !

[Ninemil]

Welcome to the forum.
I only joined 3 days ago and, like you, am starting again after a break of many years.
There's lots of useful stuff on here and helpful friendly people too.

[darkscot]

Welcome on board.

[Mountain Goat]

Welcome. Starting back into the hobby can seem terrifying when one sees the prices! But don't let it put you off as there are always round things if it is a concern. For example, one can get perfectly good secondhand items to run and use which look the part and run well at a fraction of the price if one does a little homework on what is good and the few (Not many) to avoid and why to avoid them and why (Or how to overcome any issues etc).

I model in 7mm narrow gauge as I find it ideal for being large enough to see and yet I can model in a small space.

[teedoubleudee]

Hi Jinty99 and welcome to our forum.

[bulleidboy]

Welcome to the forum Jinty99 - it's a great place with lots of help, information and fun - not necessarily in that order. BB

[Bandit Mick]

Welcome to the friendly helpful forum. Motorcycles, girls and model railways - the three most expensive occupations known to man!
Sorry about the use of the word ‘man’ ladies. I’m still a bit ‘old school’.

[IanS]

Welcome to the forum - whatever the question, it's not too basic or silly to ask. If you don't know the answer and it's not already here then ask the question. Someone will know the answer and provide it or a link if it is a long one that's answered elsewhere.

[Brian]

Welcome to the forum.

We look forward in reading more posts from you.

BTW try to avoid old track especially that produced with steel rail. (Use a magnet to test - Steel attracts while Nickle Silver doesn't!). Old steel track rusts easily and needs a lot of cleaning. Its also a poor conductor compared to NS rail.
Older loco (from pre 1990's may have deeper wheel flanges too, so when run on modern track the item bumps-bumps along as the flanges hit the rail fixings.

[darkscot]

so when run on modern track the item bumps-bumps along as the flanges hit the rail fixings.

This came as a huge surprise to me about 20 years ago when I tried to run my Triang-Hornby Jinty on my newly purchased PECO setrack starter pack!