Old Hornby train set from my childhood
Discussion
Hi
I was recently thinking back to my childhood and specifically my first train set, and after a bit of research discovered it was the LNER Heavy Goods Set from 1979. I found a boxed set on eBay and took delivery of it yesterday. I was going to mount the engine and tender on my bookshelf but I'm now considering building a modest track with scenery. I have read that given the track is 45 years old it should really be replaced, so would I be better buying a modern OO set to run my old engine (once I've refurbished it)? If not, what power supply/transformer should I use?
If there are any rail buffs on here I would be really grateful for some pointers!
I was recently thinking back to my childhood and specifically my first train set, and after a bit of research discovered it was the LNER Heavy Goods Set from 1979. I found a boxed set on eBay and took delivery of it yesterday. I was going to mount the engine and tender on my bookshelf but I'm now considering building a modest track with scenery. I have read that given the track is 45 years old it should really be replaced, so would I be better buying a modern OO set to run my old engine (once I've refurbished it)? If not, what power supply/transformer should I use?
If there are any rail buffs on here I would be really grateful for some pointers!
Gaugemaster are the usual go-to for controllers, large range, but something like the basic Combi will be all you need, and will work better than an old Hornby controller.
No reason why the old Hornby track will not function as long as it is clean and undamaged, but for building a serious layout you may be better off with Peco track, which is well - established but comes in a confusing variety of flavours - different rail sections, flexible or sectional, etc, so at that stage it is horses for courses, and what will best suit your style of layout.
The best advice for a beginner is always - get something running, however simple, and see if it works for you.
And rule no. 1 - it is your railway and you can run it how you like, doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
Enjoy!
No reason why the old Hornby track will not function as long as it is clean and undamaged, but for building a serious layout you may be better off with Peco track, which is well - established but comes in a confusing variety of flavours - different rail sections, flexible or sectional, etc, so at that stage it is horses for courses, and what will best suit your style of layout.
The best advice for a beginner is always - get something running, however simple, and see if it works for you.
And rule no. 1 - it is your railway and you can run it how you like, doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
Enjoy!
tim0409 said:
I have read that given the track is 45 years old it should really be replaced, so would I be better buying a modern OO set to run my old engine (once I've refurbished it)? If not, what power supply/transformer should I use?
I would try to go fully authentic for track - metal is still metal - and try period controllers too. My layout had two of these:tim today:
As Hawkshaw says the track in the set should be fine if cleaned. There are specialist devices for doing that but for starters the finest emery and/or isopropyl alcohol will do. The loco and/or/tender wheels are also likely to need a clean. If it hasn't been run for ages then it may need an internal clean and very light lubrication too.
If the track is steel (cheaper) then it's less likely to be long-term useful. Much track is nickel silver and that'll be as good as new with a clean.
For starters I'd be inclined to stay with setrack - the preformed stuff (as you have in your set) available in set lengths/radii with points (turnouts) to suit. With more commitment consider flexi-track where the only limits are your imagination, the rolling stock (and your skill!).
Peco do both setrack (Hornby formats) and flexitrack (Streamline).
I've Gaugemaster controllers. Plenty available 2nd hand (as were mine).
My work in progress:
tim0409 said:
tim next week/month/yearAs Hawkshaw says the track in the set should be fine if cleaned. There are specialist devices for doing that but for starters the finest emery and/or isopropyl alcohol will do. The loco and/or/tender wheels are also likely to need a clean. If it hasn't been run for ages then it may need an internal clean and very light lubrication too.
If the track is steel (cheaper) then it's less likely to be long-term useful. Much track is nickel silver and that'll be as good as new with a clean.
For starters I'd be inclined to stay with setrack - the preformed stuff (as you have in your set) available in set lengths/radii with points (turnouts) to suit. With more commitment consider flexi-track where the only limits are your imagination, the rolling stock (and your skill!).
Peco do both setrack (Hornby formats) and flexitrack (Streamline).
I've Gaugemaster controllers. Plenty available 2nd hand (as were mine).
My work in progress:
tim0409 said:
Hi
I was recently thinking back to my childhood and specifically my first train set, and after a bit of research discovered it was the LNER Heavy Goods Set from 1979. I found a boxed set on eBay and took delivery of it yesterday. I was going to mount the engine and tender on my bookshelf but I'm now considering building a modest track with scenery. I have read that given the track is 45 years old it should really be replaced, so would I be better buying a modern OO set to run my old engine (once I've refurbished it)? If not, what power supply/transformer should I use?
If there are any rail buffs on here I would be really grateful for some pointers!
That tugs on a few nostalgia strings! I had exactly the same set for Christmas in about '79 (give or take a year).I was recently thinking back to my childhood and specifically my first train set, and after a bit of research discovered it was the LNER Heavy Goods Set from 1979. I found a boxed set on eBay and took delivery of it yesterday. I was going to mount the engine and tender on my bookshelf but I'm now considering building a modest track with scenery. I have read that given the track is 45 years old it should really be replaced, so would I be better buying a modern OO set to run my old engine (once I've refurbished it)? If not, what power supply/transformer should I use?
If there are any rail buffs on here I would be really grateful for some pointers!
Period controllers often look cool and feel more solid than basic recent ones but I would be wary of them especially if one is of unknown provenance via ebay etc. Mains voltage into a metal box is a recipe for electric shocks or even fires if it is 40 years old unless checked over by someone who knows what they are doing.
I would support the suggestion of Gaugemaster, excellent controllers which should make engines run noticeably better than a Hornby trainset controller.
Have fun, it is indeed a rabbit hole!
I would support the suggestion of Gaugemaster, excellent controllers which should make engines run noticeably better than a Hornby trainset controller.
Have fun, it is indeed a rabbit hole!
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