Ok, no worries.  Thanks!

Yes, but I thought that was just with the smaller width table.  I was seeking clarification on whether the initial track layout would work if the table was expanded to 1.2m, and also if the table was expanded to a H shape, so that the middle part was 2.4 x 0.75, and the two ends were 1.8 x 0.75 (with the longer end of the end tables being up against the shorter end of the main table).

What if it looks like this:

O=O

??

Ie, the train is not going back on the same track - it's a one way track.

Doneldon - I meant they were tiny in comparison to real trains.  They are HO, trust me.

Jward - So all problems will be solved if he widens the width to 1.2m?

Sorry for all the questions - everyone has been very helpful!

Wow.  Who knew such tiny trains needed such large curves!

What if he added two tables to the end of the first table, which are 1.8m x 0.75m.  Would that make any difference?  The layout would then look like a very wide H.

Thanks jbsmith!

Joe Satnik, we don't have the track yet.  However, our local train store has HO track which is flexible, so he can make the corners pretty much whatever he wants (from what they have reported to me - maybe they weren't telling the truth?).  The table is 4.8m by 0.8m, but the radius of the circles at the end will be approximately 25cm (or diameter 50cm, or circumference 157cm - bearing in mind they won't be perfect circles as they will be coming from a straight track and going back into a straight track).

Doneldon, Is the wiring difficult?  As I said initially, he was given the flat cars by his grandfather, and he hasn't previously done anything with trains.  His grandfather recently passed away and he wants to start up to sort of honour his memory, I think.  As for making a large oval around the table, that might be possible, but I think he had plans for the sides.  I will have to ask him.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Thank you so much!

I think he was just initially looking at a straight track with two rounded ends (the circles of which have a radius of about 25cm, but what that equals to as a curve, I don't know).  Essentially, the track is coming straight up the middle of the table, then doing a circle, and going back down the middle and doing a circle at the other end.  The entire track is only 12m long, and is completely flat at this stage.

Would something like this engine be suitable?  http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200476682536&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Hi all,

I know absolutely nothing about trains, and this might be a stupid question, so I apologise in advance!

A friend of mine has about 10 of the above cars, and I was wondering what sort of engine he would need for them?  He was given them by his grandfather, and has never run them before.  I wanted to buy him the engine as a gift.  Would any Bachmann HO engine be fine, or are there specific ones required to run all 10 at once?  Or would he need multiple engines no matter which one it was, given the number of cars?

Thanks in advance!