Probably cheaper than any other 'keeps you young' formula!

But I find myself still being drawn to analogue. After all that was my childhood! I remember watching my dad teaching me how to service a locomotive with tips and tricks along the way...

The loco mechanisms remain 12V DC, and it is essential these perform well whatever control system is used, so all you learned earlier remains relevant.

Alternative control systems such as DCC have caught on for a reason. On my return to the hobby at much the same age as you are now, I was sceptical of DCC as the DC layout worked very well, but friends persuaded me to try it. The intention had been to trial DCC for a year or more alongside majority DC operation - I had a switched section layout which made this simple - but a couple of hours operating three decoder fitted locos over the weekend, and my order for 60 decoders went in on the Monday.

As you may have noticed, the selection of locos (and stock) has expanded dramatically; and the ability to park as many locos as will fit on any vacant length of track with no isolation required, still puts a smile on my face.

 

But i find myself still being drawn to analogue.

Me too, when I rejoined the hobby after I retired, I decided to leave DCC alone when I built my layout. DCC is out there, and it's amazing what it can do, but I didn't want to go that way, which probably puts me in the minority these days.

Don't discount the possibility of using DCC, but it is, after all, a hobby, so you just go in whatever direction you want and enjoy.

 

I agree it’s very impressive but it’s expensive