Gunnbrikt

I think there isn't an issue with the hobby fading away or that young people are too fixated by technology (just look at how well Game Workshop is doing selling miniatures at the moment). It's just that most new entrants to the hobby aren't your usual "young" people (i.e. 15-25 year olds) but more likely late 20s to late 30s. From what I've observed a lot of younger people get into the hobby from either having a trainset as a kid or having a fascination with train or model making in general. Then during their teenage years and early twenties they lose interest to in it due to things such as video games, relationships and generally from the geeky image model railways have. Then that spark returns in their late 20s to late 30s when they have the space and less cares about the stigma surrounding model railways. As with any hobby it will evolve over time and new people will start it and veterans leave it. The key though is to ensure that the hobby is as accessible, friendly and welcoming as possible to these new hobbyists

Thanks for the advice everyone, was really useful

Thank you both for the advice, I'll probably be going up to the L&b 262t/Russell sized locos in terms of size. The gradients I was thinking would be going up a curve so guessing the gradient would need to be less severe then?

I'm interested in a bit of 009 tracking planning but was wondering what the reasonable limitation (i.e. not the absolute minimum) are for track work in comparison to 00 gauge? Practically what is the tightest curve you can have for 009 which will allow most locomotives/rolling stock around reasonably? What is the steepest gradient you can get away with too? Thanks in advance

Not sure where this person is coming from, Hobbiton End is a breath of fresh air compared to the usual array of very similar layouts we see in magazines nowdays. Railway modelling can be anything you make it and the modelling, skill and creativity shown by Hobbiton End is beyond any of the usual layouts seen at shows. Don't really understand the youth comment too, Lord of the Rings has been out since 1954 so it isn't like it's anything new Best to ignore these comments though, for every naysayer they'll be a huge throng of people who are amazed by these fantasy/sci fi layouts

Personally found on some test track I setup on my coffee table the fishplate connections were pretty terrible (this was using code 75) and was unusable on DCC. When doing my own layouts I'll 100% be connecting each piece of track up with droppers, no chance of doggy fishplate connections then

Thanks for the advice everyone I'll definitely pick some up for my layout, just need to finish planning it first haha

Hi all, Sorry if this has been asked before (couldn't find using the search) but has anyone used the gaugemaster DCC80 with the NCE Power Cab? If so have you run into any issues or do they work fine? I'm looking at getting them but know with the frog juicer brand you have to get a specific version for the powercab. I've seen elsewhere people say that the powercab is very sensitive to shorts and is relatively low powered for DCC so wasn't sure if this would cause issues with the DCC80? Thanks in advance for any info

Wow, what an interesting thread, I never thought that anyone who enjoyed model railway or railways in general would hate preserved railways. The "modelling a memory" won't really work especially with younger modellers such as myself as we only remember identical EMU's or endless miles of container freight from our childhoods. Preserved railways are the only way we get to see steam and diesels operating at all and even these "tourist" operations are far more exciting that what I normally see now days. Personally I'm planning on creating a preserved line with a station and depot/engineering workshop. Should give plenty of interesting loco only operations (no different from the many diesel/steam loco only depot layouts), maintenance freight as well as passenger operations. I think as time goes on these layouts will become more popular as more railway modellers' first experiences of steam/diesel will be from a heritage line rather than from mainline railways.

Went on Sunday, was a nice exhibition with plenty of interesting layouts. Refreshments were nice too plus plenty of seating, would recommend visiting for next year

L gauge is the unofficial name given to the Lego train scale. No official standard but is amazing what people can built using Lego, especially the trains. Has quite an active community to and even it's own online magazine called RailBricks.

Personally have only bought from model shops but very close to trying online shopping for the convience and price. My local is very helpful by fitting DCC for free (after buying the chip of course) and running on the test track but have felt a bit limited by their stock and a bit ripped off at times too by the price. Worst I've found was gaugemaster's shop though, took nearly 2 hours to get there and I found a far more limited display of locos to pick from than my local store and refused to add the DCC for me. I'm okay adding the chip now but at the time as a new modeller having the service would have meant I probably would have bought something that day but went home empty handed instead.

Amazing layout Simon, spent the last hour reading through the thread after seeing your layout in a youtube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfzDcv5W6XY if you were wondering). The video really didn’t show the full extent of the great job you’ve done though to it’s fullest until I found this thread with a bit of googling. I’ve had in the back of my mind for the last couple of years a similar idea but using Warhammer Dwarfs instead but had the same doubts you originally had about if people would not think it “proper” or “standard” and thus not like it. From this thread, your awards and the great feedback you’ve had it seems those doubt were unfounded and you’ve produced an absolutely great and unique layout. Like others have said, the quality of the modelling either makes or breaks idea’s like this but you’ve easily captured the feel of Hobbiton and made it believable. Being a relative newbie myself at the hobby I think I’ll stick to keeping my first layout as “standard” 00 gauge railway to make sure my skills are up to par and keep in the back of my mind my dwarven layout idea for building in the future date. Hobbiton End has been a great inspiration though about how it is possible to achieve with the right modelling skills and imagination put behind it. Was wondering if you were at any shows south-east way anytime in the future, would love to see your layout in person. Keep up the good work , Mitch