Good idea.
What thickness foam do you think? Seems to be a wide range of products on the Home Depot website...what sort of price am I looking at for this purpose?

Thanks gentlemen for the responses. Think I will give the hot glue a shot.

Doneldon - thanks for the tip on the foam board. Saw a few youtube clips that showed people using that. Have the plywood set up already, but will look at the foamboard in the future.

Totally over engineered the plywood table as I do with all my projects. Used 2 x 3's because they were on sale. table is solid but way too heavy...good think I have teenage boys in the house to help me move it!

What do you recommend for fixing EZ track to plywood board? Dont want to glue as I want to experiment a little, assuming nailing is best, but wanted to see what you all thought
Thanks

Len - does the Bachmann EZ track book come with my set (hasn't arrived yet)

Jerry - I'm starting with a 4 x 8 for now. Could expand but it will require "planning permission" from the wife and kids.
I responded to your thread on the 4 x 8 layouts...be interested to see any more that you can post there.
Thinking I am going to experiment for a while before settling on something that I like.

So, after reading a lot of information on this board and asking a few questions I have decided which starter set to go for. I just ordered the DCC Digital Commander set at a very nice price on Amazon.
Also purchased a "bulk" lot of brand new NS track off ebay and I will be able to set up a double oval to start.
This is not the way I was thinking of going initially so I appreciate your input and expertise in steering me to this decision.
It's been over 30 years since I ran my last train as a kid...can't wait to get started again.

I would be very interested in seeing this. I would imagine there are many newbies like myself coming on here this time of year. i woud like to find a 4 x 8 plan that more experienced folks think is a good start

Thanks Joe - that makes perfect sense.

So, two electrical paths coming from one power source.

Does that mean the power going to each terminal re-railer is reduced or does the same current still go to both?

Joe:
Apologies if this hi-jacks Harvey's original thread.
A total rookie question for you...could you explain having a power connection on both sides of the connection? How do you do that, and what are the advantages?
Many thanks

Thanks guys...the table is a $100 WalMart special that's not too strong...but using supports would work...don't know why I didn't think of that. Thanks

Considering building a train table to lay on top of the ping pong table in my basement. 9 x 5 would be a good size for me to start with, just concerned about the weight.

It's a cheap folding ping pong table, wondering if would take the weight of a plywood train table on top without compromising either the ping pong or train tables.

Anyone tried this?

Jerry - I just checked out the Digital Commander set. Just spent some time checking out the EZ command system on youtube and that looks very cool...and like you said, come with the NS track and 2 locos.

This looks like the best value set I have seen so far.

Man, this is going to be tougher than I thought!

Thanks Rich - I have used Favorite Spot for slot car stuff in the past and they are very good.

So, think I am leaning towards DC - primarily for financial reasons.

With that in mind, I am now thinking that a starter set is not the best idea - they all seem to have the steel track and lesser quality cars, locos. Unless I am missing something.

Now thinking that a bulk nickel track package is the way to go. Then buy first train and power/control separately which would allow me to buy better quality than in starter set.

How does that sound??

OK, nickel track it is...that's the first decison made.

Now off to read through DC vs DCC.

Thanks for the info

Good Afternoon All:
First post on this forum. Found some excellent information so far.

As a little background, I grew up with HO trains and have been itching to get back into it for a while. I am looking to start small, see if I can get the kids interested in the hobby. Don't want to spend a ton of money off the bat, but also don't want to waste my money on something that doesn't last, or will need to be replaced in the future.

My intial plan was to get a cheap "starter set" and a track expansion pack. A few questions...

Is that the best way to start?
I was leaning towards steel track, but most of you seem to think the nickel is worth the extra expense...is that correct?
Am I correct in saying that the cars in the cheaper starter sets have plastic wheels? That's a concern if true, right?
Is there a starter set that comes with the better track, loco, cars?

I'm sure I'll have more questions, but that will work for now.

Any input and opinions would be greatly appreciated