Old Hornby train set from my childhood.

[tim0409]

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!

[Hawkshaw]

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!

[popegregory]

You’re down the rabbit hole now! Get a 6x4 board and let the inevitable take place

[tim0409]

Many thanks for the helpful advice. It very much feels like I'm going down a rabbit hole, but with all the doom and gloom in the world, that's fine by me! I've already subscribed to a model train YouTuber, and some magazines via Readly!

[Arnold Cunningham]

popegregory said:

You re down the rabbit hole now! Get a 6x4 board and let the inevitable take place

Buy a 2nd bit of 6x4 and screw them together to make a 6x8?

[bigpriest]

If you're buying any new track stick to 'Code 100' which is what standard height track is called. It allows those older models to run without catching on the plastic sleepers.

[popegregory]

Arnold Cunningham said:

popegregory said:

You re down the rabbit hole now! Get a 6x4 board and let the inevitable take place

Buy a 2nd bit of 6x4 and screw them together to make a 6x8?

Read his replies, he’s not fighting it. He wanted this to happen.

[Simpo Two]

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:

[blackmme]

One thing I would recommend is popping up to the North Norfolk Railway and seeing a LNER B12 face to face.
Magnificent locomotive, and quite a bit larger than you might expect.

[fooman]

Now kids have left home I'm contemplating a train set up in the front room, maybe say it's a Christmas train then leave it till the same time next year.