Hello all, New to the forum and model railways, I am 61 and have a 5 year old grandson who is train mad. So decided it was time to find a new hobby.

I have a plan (modified version of one of CJ Freezers plans) so will have loads of questions for you all no doubt.
Anyway thanks for the welcome and look forward to getting involved.

Hi and welcome

On thing on CJ Freezers plans is that most need a bit more room than they are drawn.

Hi Graham and welcome to the club.

A very warm welcome from France Graham.

Hi Graham,

Welcome to the club from a very sunny Virginia (90°F).

The previous comment on CJF is spot on, allowance needs to be made for the much bigger curves that modern locomotive stock needs. Looking at a plan at the moment -15" radius curves.  Some of his plans have 13" . OK with vintage stock or narrow gauge, lots of issues with current models in OO. What are you planning - OO or N?

Nigel

Thanks all I am planning on OO gauge. I have allowed extra room  on my baseboard and have laid out the track and ran the only loco and trucks I have and all seems well (not fixed anything down yet) I am atm making up some card buildings to add as I may need some help on the Points Wiring side of things.

Here is a screen shot of the layout taken from the Scarm setup I used to work out what track I would need.
after laying out the track I have around 6 inches at either end and about 3 inches each side so I can add a bit of scenery in.

Hello Graham and welcome to the Club from sunny Spain.

A nice ambitious project you have there so please keep us posted with photos and updates from time to time.

What era are you intending to model and will your motive power be by DC or DCC?

As I am completley new to this I was thinking to start off with DC, But would it be advisable to go DCC as I will be moving upto that later.

Hi Graham, 

You might want to start a separate topic on the layout rather than use the welcome  section. That way you can detail what you have done and ask questions/opinions. 

DC or DCC? Depends on what you want to do and how you want to do it, plus what you have done so far. Many here have tried both, so can offer real practical advice on this subject.

Nigel

Your comment  "as I will be moving up to that later" says it all Graham.

If that is the case, then start on DCC now.

It's more expensive initially than DC but converting later will waste much of the DC equipment you buy now plus, you'll still have to chip the locos you have.

As Nigel says, start your own layout thread then this one can remain for saying hello.

Hello Graham from a fellow new member

Thanks all, I will start a new thread for my layout.

Hi Graham

Welcome to the forum.

I am a big Cyril Freezer fan have built 2 variants on the plan you have chosen - one for me and one for a friends son.  Both were in OO Set-Track with manual points and basic scenery.  Both were great fun so I think you have made a super choice.  I know you are heading off to a new thread but I would leap into DCC now (coming from a hardened DC user, thats tough to say, but its the best advice)

Barry

Hi Graham and welcome.  Loads of good, helpful, practical and above all wise advice from members here - they have helped me no end!
Enjoy the new hobby

Michael