New kid on the block

[Norseman]

I'm 63 retired returning to a hobby I have not been connected to since the mid 60s. I looked at 00 but due to space limitations I have decided to do my toes into N gauge. I am amazed at how small a space is required for a fairly decent layout. I'm not much good at the practical design so to start with I'm going basic. I am looking at the Graham Farish Highlander set. Small oval to start with DCC run the 37 engine around then in due course add a siding then outer loop. My future plans are to add an outer loop and maybe a couple of sidings to park up a couple of engines. I plan no larger than 4' X 2' unless I move then I will go larger or 00. I will incorporate crossovers (I call them points) I am amazed there is little or no manual point leavers out there am I missing something? I thought there would be little leavers you could screw in next to the points but no seems not. I am not ready to get into soldering wires just yet. Any advice for this old dog would be most welcome.

[dannyboy]

Hi Norseman and welcome to the forum. I like that you are starting 'simple' and intending to build up, rather than going in with a large complicated plan to start with. My first layout was 4' x 2' and I used WIT, (wire in tube), for point operation. Contrary to what a lot of people suggest, I used the cheap, (£1 from poundshops), gardening wire in, I think, silicon tubing. As long as you do not have too sharp an angle, it should work fine. There are lots of help on the internet and if you use the search function, plenty of advice on this 'ere forum. I have a couple of pictures of my WIT setup and will add them to the post if I can find them. Good luck with it all. 

Addit: Found one -

[port perran]

Welcome aboard Norseman.
As Dannyboy said, lots of advice freely available on here - just askas there are plenty of knowledgeable folk on here. I'm not one of them by the way.
We're a nosey lots, as you'll discover. Where are you based please?

[RailGooner]

Welcome aboard Norseman

[Norseman]

Thank you very much to you both for the quick responses. Have I done the right think by just clicking the reply or do I need to individually reply, I could not see reply to individual post. I have seen the tube and wire similar options I guess nothing commercial out there. I have seen some great layouts 4' X 2' advertised on eBay but after you add electronic 4-5 points the price goes over the £600 😱.mark. I have sourced from an art shop an A0 size ply art board plenty enough to experiment with the small Farish set. I was tempted to splash out but then I saw sense, simple is best to start. Once again thanks chaps.

[dannyboy]

Yes @Norseman - just click on the 'Reply' button. If you want to make sure a particular member sees your reply, type the @ symbol immediately followed by that persons forum name. e.g. @ dannyboy - do not put a space between the @ and the name. When you want to ask a particular question, look for the most suitable topic in the categories, click on that category and then 'New Topic' towards the top.

[Bealman]

G'day from Australia, Norseman, and welcome to the NGF! 

You're not mucking around... jumping straight into DCC! One of the advantages of starting out these days!

[Norseman]

Good evening from wet England. At my age I don't have time to go back to analogue so DCC it is 👍🏻😜

[Newportnobby]

Hi Norseman, and welcome to the forum
If you can extend the width/depth of your board to 2ft 6in you will reap the benefit of larger radius curves which, depending on what you want to run, both look better and generally give better running

[Norseman]

Yes 2'6" should be ok. Reason I started 4' X 2' the is a guy making boards DC DCC wired with or without points but quite expensive

[Philip.]

Welcome to the Forum Norseman 

[Caz]

Welcome to our friendly forum Norseman, great to have another member onboard.

[DarrwestLU6]

Welcome @Norseman - try the search function out - "search entire forum" on a topic of your choice - you'll see plenty of good stuff here. Try the key word "Beginners" to find a good guide....

[Norseman]

Many thanks for all the tips and advice