Further to Ray's explanation of a "fiddle yard". It is used with the 0-5-0 switchers that everyone has.

Eric UK

Reminds me of the old Noel Coward song  --"Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun".

Eric UK

Ray,

Wonder if the model has been wrongly assembled and the 'thin' bearings should be on the center axle. Trying to copy the up market locos with sprung center axles.

Eric UK

The plan I posted was drawn in AnyRail and uses the 11 1/2" #5 turnouts.

Eric UK

Using AnyRail you can mix makes and scales of track to design a Mini/Pizza. Using HO turnouts of choice with Flex-track and N scale curves you can do quite a lot with the 50 piece allotment of the free version.
I am also an Arendt fan.

Eric UK

Ray,

The ex Mantua 0-6-0 and 2-6-6-2 reissued by ModelPower are supposed to be updated (modernised) versions. Not having one, do not know how good they are. The ones you have off Ebay are probably originals.

Eric UK

The Anyrail software has an EZ track library (plus virtually every other make) but the free version is limited to 50 pieces. However you can design various parts of a layout on a grid to a common scale ,print them out and put them together as a whole.

Eric UK

Since Cody is using EZ track it is pointless to give "improvements" using anything else.

Eric UK

Cody

Have redrawn plan (on a 3" grid) to reduce width a little. The centerlines of the straight tracks on each side are now 2 1/2" from the edge on a 5ft.width. Have added Tyler's idea of a return loop. There is a very small gap (about 1/2") on RH side of loop which can be 'lost'.



In consideration of your age nearly all track, apart from section of return loop across the middle,are within 18" of the outer edges. The remarks posted about 2 1/2 feet reach apply to the average Adult. If you leave out the return loop you can have a 2ft.x 4 to 5ft. 'pit' in the middle and operate from inside.

Eric UK

You do not require special wiring for DCC. In fact you do not need the block wiring and switches required in DC to run multiple trains under individual control.

Eric UK

Cody,

Remember the reachability factor which will vary with the height of layout(and as you grow up). All track should be easy to reach without stretching.

Eric UK

Jim,

My reply was specific to the question asked----running US and Hornby stock together on DCC.
In his last post Dan states that all but one(already DCC fitted) of his locos are DCC ready. They are wired to suit the fitting of NMRA decoders--possibly with NMRA sockets.
I am aware of the other types of 'DCC' systems but assume that when anyone is talking about DCC in US or UK stock in HO/OO, they are talking about NMRA DCC. Zero 1 never took off and can't really be bracketed with such as Marklin.
I expect that his Grandfathers locos are also suitable for conversion; unless they are the original (collectors fodder) Hornby Dublo running on Litho printed tinplate roadbed with three rails. Since Dan was only 8 when he got an 'Intercity', I doubt that his grandad is old enough to have seen Dublo.

Eric UK
82 y.o.a. but counting backwards since retirement 25 years ago. 

Cody,

Just a few questions. 
What is the size of the space in which you intend to build this layout?
Which turnouts are you using?
What length of tracks are you hoping to have in the yard?

Eric UK

DCC is DCC--there is only one (global) standard system but different makers change around some of the 'bells and whistles'. Like any electronic equipment DCC is evolving with extras functions being added, but the decoders becoming smaller in physical size.
So long as the loco is designed to run on 2 rail with 12volts DC supply to the track, it will run on DCC when a DCC decoder is fitted.

Eric UK

 Another thought. If you have access to both sides of layout, all turnouts can be manual type.

Eric UK