I have finally started the layout, the bench work is complete all but the legs. Bench work without legs?? Currently it is sitting on my table saw and it's extended table. This is because it's final resting place will be at a back breaking 24 to 30" , just right for a young lad but not for me.
It's basically a double loop, one going over the other at one end, 3 inside the loop spur lines and one outside spur which will go to a future module housing the roundhouse.
Most of the Bachmann Thomas stuff has already been bought by relatives and friends, about 30 pieces of rolling stock and 12 locos and the round house with 3 additional stalls. I picked up a Digitrax Zephyr and just one decoder with steam sound. The other locos will be tackled one by one later $$$Ouch! I still have a bunch of Peco 100 flextrack and switches from my own layout from 20 years ago.
Now I just have to install the foam and then I can see how the track plan actually looks and operates on the bench work.

I won't bore you with photos just yet as a bunch of 4"x1" lumber is not too exciting.
Wish me luck.

Which would be the best way to build a 4 x 8 layout from modules.
Should the 2'x4' module run down the 8' side or across and what's the pros and cons?
The layout will be basically 2 loops, at one end the outer loop will run up a grade whist the inner loop will run down a grade to go into a tunnel under the outer loop.
Thanks Andy

Does Toby do anything other than pull Henrietta?
To make life simple I figured I could permanently couple the 2 together and place the decoder and speaker in Henrietta.

Today I started the job of changing the couplers on all my grandsons rolling stock and locos, we are going from the hook and loop to KD couplers. So far I've only attacked rolling stock and the hardest part is removing the small round molding where the screw goes though. I'm using a an Xacto type knife but one it's slow and two there's the chance the knife will slip and I'll loose a small piece of finger.
Anyone found a better way of removing this molding?

Thanks Andy.

Who makes OO/HO vehicles that move along a road? Not slot cars. There was a system where vehicles follow a wire beneath the road.

Thanks

I'm building my grandson a layout and for storage need to be able to remove the buildings. Tidmouth sheds is a large building  so here's the question; once built can the roundhouse be separated from the turn table and how sturdy is the roundhouse. i.e. will it fall apart if it gets moved on a regular basis?

Any tips for installing DCC/sound units in the newer Thomas small locos with glued on roofs?

I'm still preparing to start the layout for my grandson this coming winter.
Friends and relatives have bought him Bachmann Locos, what system do you guys suggest I buy?
I am told that some of the Bachmann Thomas locos will be difficult to convert, is this true?
We would like the system to produce sound too.

Anyone tell me how well these go together, are they realistic, will they accept weathering, will ground cover (Ivy) adhere to them?
I would like to know before I mail order them from the UK as they are not available here in Canada.

Does everyone stay with the stock Bachmann couplers?
Will the Thomas rolling stock accept KD's or some other coupler to make them compatible with non Thomas rolling stock?
Or alternatively can the Bachmann couplers be fitted to other rolling stock?
Are un-couplers available for the Thomas rolling stock.

I notice many of the HO locomotives are missing the white lanterns. James has one Gordon and Henry don't yet they do on the series. Who makes these?

Apart from Bachmann what/where/who is a good source for buildings that fit the Thomas theme?

Is Sodor printed on the water tower? I don't see it in the advertising picture.

Where can I find or can someone here supply me the dimensions of this item.
Preferably from the front of the turntable to the rear of the roundhouse and the width of the roundhouse at it's widest point.

Thanks Andy.

Sorry I should have said the HO model.