Returning after many many years OO/HO.

I have used track from 5 manufacturers and of steel and nickle base -- some corroded and some just clagged up or painted! Some of it is equally aged as yours . All of it runs trains after cleaning with a scouring pad or even a stainless steel pad. A small rectangular warding or swiss file is almost essential to clean up the section ends to take a connector with good electrical connection - buy some new ones. I find my multimeter invaluable for checking such things.

If you must go the DCC route why not use the Bachmann system - it is relatively cheap, proven and not over complicated. Personal functional requirements for this being an HNC in button pressing or to be under 10 and over 5 ( you may count any experience with multiple TV zappers and employ the same curses as they are just as effective.) After a short training period it is possible to operate your system without actually looking at it -- this is of course rather like knitting whilst reading a book and watching tv.

My spares box contains no less than 9 different versions of the hook and bar type connectors and there are still others in use on my motley collection which I have yet to obtain spares for. Usually it is possible to glue connectors to bogie units or locomotives with no great difficulty. Most common types are available from Barrie at Modelspares 01282 771109 Fax 777784 or on ebay.

Good luck.

The nickel-silver stuff is much better and requires less effort to keep clean. I started out using a collection of old track from various sources and quickly replaced almost all of it. If you decide to re-use any of the track, start by buying a pack of rail joiners, because most of the ones on the old track will be loose and electrically unrelible.

The old Hornby tension-lock coupling has morphed into something slightly less obtrusive over the years. Most stock now uses some variation of the hook and bar arrangement, but much narrower. Some of these couplings have articulation to allow for sharper train-set curves. With some surgery, you could convert the Jouef locos. Another alternative would e to convert the lot to use Kaydees which many modelers prefer - I haven't bitten that particular bullet yet.

DCC is not for everyone, but is becoming more mainstream with Hornby and Bachmann entering the market. Converting older locos is not always straight forward. You need to be able to solder for a start. I've been running DCC for 18 months now and wouldn't dream of going back. On the other hand, I have 7 locos still sat on the shelf waiting for decoders...

No problem. I'm sure you will get the answers you are looking for. They are a friendly bunch on here.

Adrian

Going to the expense of DCC whilst economising on track would seem to be akin to spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar.

Dump the hornby points, they arent very reliable. Current Peco are fine but dont know about the older ones. Consider replacing the track with flexitrak - its quite cheap. Hornby is easier to lay than Peco. Avoid foam underlay - tis very difficult to lay track level on it.

I'm a big fan of hornby DCC, its cheap, does most things. Others are anti Hornby and will tell you lots of 'things' wrong with it. Consider what you want to do and how much you want to pay then ask more questions.... I've decided the elite - which is due out Feb, Mar ... does everything I want and is a good price.

Yep, the more questions the better, can spark lively debates that are usually pleasant.

Cheers, Simon

Right, so that's new track and probably new points too. What do you lay track onto? I have a few rolls of underlay; don't know what it's made of.

My old layout used to run two trains and a shunting yard. I'd likely want to do the same. The donated box of bits includes two 'normal' controllers, but they seem too be a bit on the poor side. So, I'd either need to buy three controllers and isolating switches, or a single DCC (and decoders).

Hmm, it looks like the big box of donated bits hasn't got that much usable stuff. Some European locos and stock that will need their couplings replacing, maybe some Peco points, and some model houses/stations etc.

Thanks all for your replies.