MrsMallard

Thank you, it's seeming a bit clearer now! I've bookmarked the links and will have a proper look through them. MM was very impressed with the link to the track with Thomas you posted! Ok i've ordered the baseboard materials, track and controller and i've found a model shop nearby that will fit decoders to engines. I'm taking Thomas and Percy over there next week for him to look at and see if they're ok for the decoders (he said it can be difficult with some older models). Still need to get the wiring bits. Then once everything has arrived/been sorted Grandad can get down to business and start setting it up! And no doubt i'll be back to ask more questions Thank you again, it's much appreciated. K

Thanks for all the info Ian I think cost-wise we are going to have to go for the Hornby Select to start off with, with buying baseboard materials, the track, controller and getting a few of his current engines fitted with decoders it will take up the budget that we had set aside for now. If the track was set up for DCC from the beginning we could look into upgrading to a better controller in the future, I think? So when we have the layout set up, adding Digital electric point clips to the points and connecting to a controller do we then need to do additional powering to the second oval and central sidings? It's the thought of wiring that is baffling me! Thanks, K

Thank you Ok so we'll definitely go for DCC, my list so far: * Peco track pieces required to make the layout posted by Ian on the first page * DCC controller * See about getting Thomas & Percy fitted with decoders. He is planning to buy James with his birthday money and it says James is DCC ready so that just means we need to get him a decoder to click in - is that right? No soldering needed? The Hornby point power clips mentioned, is that the R602 or the R8242? And where best to place them? Also do we need these? http://www.Hornby.com/uk-en/Hornby-digital-electric-point-clips.html We are in Lancashire btw Thanks, sorry for my barrage of questions! K x

We were looking at DC (either the Hornby HM2000 or GaugeMaster Model D) but now wondering if DCC would be the best way for him. Budget is quite flexible, we want to set him up with the basics then he will add accessories/extra trains with birthday/Christmas money. It's definitely not a passing interest or phase (complete obsession since 18 months old) so we don't mind spending what is necessary to get him started. Don't have a soldering iron but i'm looking for a shop that could do it for us. Will the decoders be able to be added to such old engines? Thanks x

Hi Ian Thank you so much for this diagram, this is exactly what MM wants for his layout - 2 loops around and space in the middle for sidings/shunting. Please could you tell me how powering it would work and what products we would need to buy? His engines that he already has were passed down to him, he has a Thomas, Percy, Annie & Clarabel plus Mallard (his pride and joy!) and Flying Scotsman and assorted wagons/carriages. These were his Dad's so bought in the mid 80s. Thomas and Percy still work as we managed to try them on another track. Mallard and Flying Scotsman need some fixing so have just been on display on a shelf. I am so grateful for everyone taking the time to answer my questions, thank you MM x

Ha! I am definitely real, just not been able to get online much this past week, Master Mallard has been poorly Thank you all so much for all your help and advice. Master Mallard is thrilled with the layouts that have been suggested. My Dad is coming over tonight to do some more measuring and see if we can perhaps make it slightly wider. Also looking into the hinged board option, we may have space if we re-jig his bedroom layout. As soon as we know for definite the size of the board then we can work out which layout to use and order the track accordingly. Another question though, could anyone recommend a controller to start him off? Would a Hornby controller work with the Peco track mentioned? Thanks again K

Hello My boy has always been train obsessed since he could toddle and for his 8th birthday in a few weeks we want to set him up with his own Hornby set. He definitely wants OO gauge rather that N gauge as he already has some engine and coaches that he was given. The trouble is that the only place to have it set up is on a board that will roll away under his bed, we've measured the space and with a few cm either side for manoeuvring the size of base board we're looking at is 180 cm x 97 cm (5.9 x 3.1 feet). We could maybe go a bit more than the 3.1 feet width. Will this work? He wants to have an outer loop and an inner loop plus some buildings. Thanks MrsM