Fred Mills said:
Lisa;
Just out of curiosity....what do you think of radio control/battery operation.....and what are you using for ballast over there ?
What track/rail do you use ? Is there any interest in "Operation" ?
We find that "Young people" from as low as the age of 6, seem to get more enjoyment out of "Operating" a train, rather than just watching it go around and around.
When I say “Operation”, I’m speaking of dropping off cars, and picking up cars, in some sort of pre-planned order…they seem to enjoy looking forward to having their train meet another one at a passing track; both going in opposite directions. They also seem to like learning about the function of real railroads, through their involvement in operation.
Sometimes each week’s operation, gets them asking more and more about the history of railroading, and at the same time the history of their country and others…truely an educational Saturday morning, while having fun.
The adults, are learning at the same time…most start out without a clue, but the “Operation” leads to much more than just animation in the garden.
…do you notice this too…?
evening,
radio control to be honest is not my thing, (no real experience so cant comment) I am on DCC using a Massoth system powered by a wind turbine in the garden. (eco friendly). The massoth system allows me to run lots of trains from the one handset, we ahve 4 independent tracks on the bullar trees line. i do have 1 RC train that i bought this year when in NC it was hogwarts express, looked cute so is run one in a while.
re the ballast generally some 5mm alpine mix gravel, we have B & Q over here very similar to your LOWES but without the great Kobalt tools. - last visit to NC special visit to buy myself a set of Kobalt screwdrivers and gloves. 
Track, we started with LGB but now - mainly due to shortage of past couple of years have moved to aristocraft. like the connections and is cheaper.
Re the operation, we dont really plan like that, basically we decide what we fancy running, also depends on which track we run on and the weather. 3 of the tracks are linked and one is currently on its own. The single one is quite small (named england) and flat with radius 1 curves so the smaller locos tend to go on there. this is purpose built - built up on decking etc. no trees above so no leaves on the line.
the european bit in trickier as it is hilly, built on soil and around a huge tree and quite literally in the garden with all the issues with plants/weeds and leaves etc. this also have radius 1 curves so usually smaller locos but powerful to get up the hills.
the american section has 8 foot and 12 foot curves so we always run the american locos over that area.
i dont think we sit and watch it really except in BBQ weather :), tend to be tweaking, fixing, and clearing the track. we enjoy the running days and open days running different locos etc on different layouts with friends.
