Hornby | Family Fun Project - How To: Getting Started (Part 1)

[@Poliss95]

In all my years of modelling I have never heard of anyone putting ballast down before laying the track. The surface for laying the track will be uneven if you do it that way. You should lay the track and then add ballast. Suck up the excess ballast using a vacuum cleaner with an old nylon stocking over the end or use a mini hand held vacuum cleaner with an empty dust collector. This will ensure that any ballast that has not stuck down firmly will not be loose and get into the loco mechanisms.

[@michaelgamble296]

I agree - it doesn't even happen that way round in 12": 1' !!

[@joeweider4896]

I agree with you!!!!!!!

[@andiedrums1]

They lay the ballast down first in real life!

[@RaysRailVideos]

@@andiedrums1 no they dont, hardcore is laid down and then compacted with wacker plates to give a flat level bed then the track is laid on top and then the ballast is poured over the track, its a long process to get a nice smooth track bed, theres many films on yourube showing exactly how its done

[@thatdude1207]

How would you add the ballast once the track is down?

[@gdwizzie848]

I would put a layer of cork on the board first, to dampen the noise.

[@jamtart606]

Its better if you lay down the track BEFORE you put the ballast on. It's much better that way as it would mean the track is smoother and it would look more realistic. But it does take more patience as you dont want ballast over the sleepers.

[@SuperOrlando60]

thank you for thinking of french belgium also thank you interested in my vouchers and for ordering the site !!! also

[@JasonBurtonTRAINS]

Hello I was wondering if you could use two separate DC controller's to control two separate train's on the Hornby track mat layout when completed fully also would switching point's over be a issue for either of one of the train's wanting to cross over or would i need insulating fish plate's i hope you can help me kind regards from Jason

[@nick1077]

Jason Burton TRAINS no, to control 2 different locomotives you would need dcc

[@irishtrains1396]

@@spaggtrait1608 They are yes

[@LeroyZee]

Now, there is the HM2000 controller which does what’s needed

[@michaelgamble296]

At 1:45 your Track-laying Engineer didn't listen to your instructions - and is putting the two ends of Track together OFF the nice, conveniently positioned flat surface!!

[@joeweider4896]

BALLASTING comes AFTER NOT first.!!!!!!!

[@jakemarch-jones2789]

To those getting angry and the ballasting…. This is a FAMILY FUN PROJECT! Not a 60 year old bloke who gets angry at everything and has all the time in the world to build and craft. Get a grip! Each to their own!

[@jakemarch-jones2789]

@Quattro Bajeena why would laying the ballast first cause issues running? If anything laying the ballast between sleepers and in between points would cause MORE issues!

[@jakemarch-jones2789]

@Quattro Bajeena you’ve misinterpreted my comment. I’m far from angry. As long as you lay out track and draw around it (as in the video) you can’t go too far wrong. But as I said before… each to their own! Hornby don’t want to make the process seem too hard or time consuming because otherwise they may put casual hobbyists off the idea of getting started.

[@jakemarch-jones2789]

@Quattro Bajeena you’re waffling now. I merely said that people can do as they please (like you’ve just said) personally we ballasted after laying track, but let people do what they want. Maybe for those new it’s easier to lay ballast first maybe not? Really what does it matter to individual? It shouldn’t.

[@jamesrossi2101]

Hornby railways are fantastic

[@davidsheriff8989]

Why don't Hornby do a complete starter train set with a mat and all the buildings combined together in one pack?

[@blairgowrieforestrailwayan2786]

I would have layed a 1mm cork sheet as a track bed before pinning the track down. and after pinning the track down would I ballast.

[@cameraacasa8194]

13200mm quite big!

[@sunj375]

where can i get this plz

[@Highervibesofficial]

get what ? you can purchase a hornby train set off their website or if your Uk based a local model shop should have one but if your not uk based they ship internationally , baseboards can be bought from a hardware shop like home depot or B&Q if in the uk ahha hope this helps !