Have you thought of designing a layout in such a way that both 2-rail and three-rail stock can be run? (For example having separate circuits of track for the 2-rail and 3-rail stock?).

"Nostalgia" layouts always seem to create a lot of interest at shows.

An awful lot of "I had / my dad gave me, one of those". And because of the robust construction they just seem to keep going. I certainly regret selling mine all those years ago!

Nice condition. Painted metal looks like - painted metal! The finish on the HD coaches couldn't be bettered. Pity they were so short.

I've kept my old Hornby Dublo, but some of it was 2 rail.  Quite amusing when I was invited to a club open day, the only thing I had to take in OO was my 2-6-4 tank and half a dozen coaches, mind you they caused a stir when they went round!

Conversion to 2 rail can be done using the existing loco wheels, there were lots of articles on it in the 60s, or you may be able to get insulated wheels and pickups as spares. The Castle already has plastic wheels on the bogie and tender, so you're part way there.

Shame to lose some very original locomotives and stock by the conversion, why not sell and replace with two rail dublo?

don't sell them keep them, I must admit to having a collection of 3 rail myself and I'm constantly thinking about a layout, I have even a plan for installing a picture rail in the living room, which obviously will have a circuit running around it.

I have a thing for Duchess locomotives so I have in the past bought a few rough versions to re-build/restore I nearly have as many as the LMS had, just need to get enough time now to pass them through the workshops

While I have been interested in model railways for some time I have just got around to creating a decent layout. In my journey to this point I discovered Hornby Dublo 3 rail tinplate track. Compared with current offerings it is lovely stuff. Concurrently I have taken an interest in model trams and discovered 3 rail automation. HD track is actually no good for 3 rail automation, but Trix 3 rail track is. Not as good as HD track, but a challenge. My layout will now have a HD railway and Trix tramway. I like the idea of 3 rail for a tramway so avoiding the faff of a model overhead supply.

Aesthetically I have no problem with 3 rail. OK, it might not look realistic, but real railways do not operate in half mile squares either!

There are also good technical advantages in using 3 rail. Reverse loops and points being at the top.

Any hobby is a personal activity so need not follow fashion or fads. Model railways offer a very wide range of options, there is enough for everyone to have fun.

Why not convert modern two rail to three rail? While it might not look realistic, but the three rail sytem provides a realistic set up. The reverse loop is the most obvious problem not encountered by three rail. OK, you would have to make your own track, or at least add a 3rd rail to two rail track. I believe Wrenn three rail was fine but have not seen it very often. HD tinplate is an acquired taste. I like it  but it is not everyones cup of tea. Trix track is usuable by basically pretty awful for anything other than a museum display or experimentation.

Whatever, have fun.

David

Hi,  if you look under the Exley coaches thread on here you will see my modern Dublo 3-rail layout using Peco track on all the video clips.  Locos are all 3-rail, Dublo, Tri-ang, Bachmann and the Heljan/Hattons Beyer Garratt.  Using Peco track I could have wired it for both 2 and 3-rail but chose to wire it as per Dublo that is both running rails shorted together.  The Tri-ang locos have all been fitted with non insulated wheels to do away with any wheel pick-ups.

Here are two repainted Duchess/City locos with there respective Exley coaches.

Garry