Andy 17

Hi Mark @Billy Boy, Thanks for your reply. Do you mean covering the entire base board in cork, or just where the track goes? I've already been advised not to use any underlay as it makes the 009 track look unrealistically high when it is ballasted. But if I don't use underlay and apply ballast with PVA, it will be noisy. Some people recommend using Copydex instead of PVA for ballasting as it is more flexible and therefore quieter. Looking at prices of Copydex, it is very expensive though. Would you mind letting me have the name of the Ebay seller for the buildings, please? I'll keep you informed of my progress. Have you any photos of your layout? Best Wishes Andy

Thank you @009 micro modeller for your reply. Lots of information for me to consider. I've managed to get 28 inches as the width for my baseboard so I can afford to have slightly wider curves than I originally thought. 9 inches will definitely be the minimum I'll use. I've had a small oval of test track laid and had a play, it does seem very noisy on top of the 6mm plywood. When the track is glued and ballasted, will that help to deaden the sound? I do like the idea of no underlay for the scale effect. Best Wishes.

Locoman, can you explain what you mean by momentary or latching, please? I’m new to all of this!

I was looking at the Bachmann E-Z command but it did seem a bit too basic, I will probably go with the NCE Powercab.

Thanks Chris, I’ll investigate that one.

I'm about to start building a 5 x 2 feet 009 circular layout with DCC. It will only have a maximum of 4 locos but they will have sound. I understand that some DCC controllers are not able to handle all of the 30 functions that will be available. Can anyone suggest a good entry-level DCC controller which will enable me to make use of all of the functions, please? I don't want to control the layout through a computer or phone. Thanks

Thanks for your help Nearholmer, I'll have a look at Blue Lightning's thread - I had not previously seen it.

I was under the impression that it wasn't a good idea to lay track without some kind of underlay, I've not done this before so you'll have to excuse any dumb questions!! What thickness of plywood do I need?

Thanks for your reply Hando, I'll probably go with the mainline type of track with a cork underlay.

I'm about to start planning my first ever narrow gauge 009 railway layout. I'll be building the baseboard to fit on top of an Ikea desk. The space I have is 5 feet by 2 feet. Will a frame of 2 x 1 wood be ok, and is plywood or MDF best to lay the track onto? Does it need an underlay? I would like it to be a continuous run (rather than end to end) DCC layout as I would like to buy of the Bachmann Baldwins with sound. Would the E-Z Command system suitable for this? I'll probably only have 3 or 4 locos in total. Which would be the best track to use in terms of ease to put down and trouble-free running? What would be the minimum radius for the curves? Are the Peco "Show You How To" booklets worth getting, or are there better books available? I will also need a good source of inspiration for track plans too. I daresay there are lots of other things that I've not even thought of yet, so any help and advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Andy

Those figures really look great, your painting has done them great justice.

I’ve got a box of chinchilla bathing sand. You can have some of that if you want it.

Well I've tried again today, this time I didn't appear to fail the security check but I got this message instead. I guess they just don't want me as a member.

Thanks again Moxie, I’ll let you know how I get on.

I didn't see any photos to click on, I got asked what WHR stands for. Then it told me I had failed the security test.

Thanks Moxy, it will be nice to find out the answer.

I've tried to register for the NGRM site but keep getting told I've failed the security test. I know I've put in the right answer! Does the site actually still exist?