Hey guys Im new to all this model railroad, i want to start making a model train layout, and buy some trains and cars. Well, i don't know what i should start buy, im limited on space, so i chose N scale, but what's next should i buy tracks and a train with cars? I've heard wiring is needed, so is it hard? Where shoujld i buy trains etc. inside EU CHEAP?
Welcome to Trainboard For a simple starter layout you might consider a set with Kato Unitrak. There is little wiring to worry about and the track performs very reliably. That way you can have trains up and running in a short time and try different track plans to find what you like best. I am sure many folks become discouraged using more complex track systems and give up before they really get into it. You can easily do a web search to find the different sources of N scale model trains close to you.
thanks, the problem is that i live very far away from the rest of the civilazition, and in denmark too. So i would have to travel many km to get to a store with model trains if they exist in denmark xD
Welcome to N scale model railroading. Some links with good info: The White River and Northern Model Railroad http://www.wiringfordcc.com/index.htm Dawson Station Also check out the advertisers link above in the header
I agree with Russell...a Unitrack starter set will gett you up and running in no time. You can add onto it at anytime. You can even set it up on a kitchen table and run trains ! Once you get into it more...you can do a simple or complex layout on something as easy as a hollow core door (HCD). Model railroading is a blast. Just dont take on to much at first if its your first time. You dont wanna be overwhelmed...you wanna HAVE FUN !! And...welcome to TrainBoard ! .
I am sure there are many internet sources in the EU where you can buy train on line and who have good prices and give good service. However, due to past problems here on this forum we have a policy here discouraging the posting of links to specific vendors. We do encourage members here to send private messages with links to their favorite vendors.
I (re) started my involvement in model railroading by reading. I didn't want to waste money, so in my case, advance knowledge was useful. In particular, I bought some of the Kalmbach paper-back books for beginners in N-scale. Most important was the unfortunately out-of-print N-scale Clinchfield layout book. These days of course, you can supplement such books by using the Internet. If I were to start over, I would start with research (above), and would build a small N-scale module, maybe 6-8 feet long and 1.5 feet deep. The module would be loosedly based on a section of a specific prototype, and might consist of a section of main line with one or 2 industrial sidings and a run-around track for switching the industries. Completing a small module (track, wiring, and scenery with backdrop) allows development of basic skills, with a reasonably short completion time. If you try something elaborate, you risk burn out, and also lock yourself into the intial plan made when you were inexperienced. The module would be designed to allow later expansion via attachment of additional modules at each end. To allow temporary continuous running, you could connect both ends of the module via an un-scenicked oval of track running around in back of the module (temporarily set up on a table, perhaps). MH
KISS I subscibe to the KISS method: K eep I t S imple S tupid Kato Unitrack is a great way to keep it simple. Wiring is nice and easy with color coding. They also allow for ease of spacing feeder wires as well. Performance is excellent and is a perfect way to start off since you are able to get up and running in a matter of minutes rather than days/weeks. I totally agree with starting a small module first. There are numerous facets to this hobby: wiring, scenery, woodwork, electronics, buildings and many other things. I have learned many a thing by reading these forums. Just remember to have fun! Its a hobby you know.
Welcome to the fold. As others have said your first purchase should be information. Dave Frary - Model Railroad Scenery sells instant delivery e-books, for the beginner. They're inexpensive and you can read them right away. No waiting for the post. If you are far from everything the mail order shops on the internet are perfect. The best shop where I live is a 200 km round trip. I don't go there often but the advice and friendships I find there are worth the trip. As to track, Kato Unitrack is great but Tomix Fine Track has more variety, if you can find it. Once you understand wiring, it is not that scary. With the right connectors you do not need to solder. Avoid buying the cheapest trains they will disappoint you the fastest. How much space do you have for your trains? My layouts range fro 30x60cm to 2x2.5m. Just ask us we are here to confuse you. (And maybe give you some answers)
Also check out the HCD Layout Society group here on trainboard. a cool HCD layout Dave Vollmer's N Scale Juniata Division
There are two things that new modelers should know: There are good locomotives, and there are really, really bad locomotives. These are not labelled as such. List price is far too much to pay for anything. The general rule of thumb is "buy two, get one free" compared to list if you shop around.
I do want to keep it simple, but i still want to have something to do, not just a circle where the train is going round and round. i want some freight trains, can you suggest any tracks and cheap freight trains
Depending on what railroad you would like to build will have an influence on the price you'll have to pay for your cars and engines. Ebay can sometimes be a good place for low cost material. Most of the modelers here used North American equipment So their advice will be concentrated on NA suppliers and equipment. Do you want to model trains fro Europe, Japan, North Amerca or somewhere else in the world?
Aglet – Welcome to the board and a great hobby! Guys – you can PM aglet etailer suggestions, but you know the policy. Also, J he will never find xxxxxx.com, unless you PM him cleverly, but I digress… This is my third attempt. It is 6 AM, I’ve been up since 3 and twice hit post only to be told I wasn’t logged on and my typing was lost! So bear with me, I’m typing in Word, emailing it to myself, opening TB under my wifes login and will cut and paste this time. Aglet – As you know, you will need: Space A design A power supply Track Freight cars (until you decide passenger is cool too!) Locomotive(s) Time – It is a hobby after all Space – I think you said small. You can start by looking at this web page, but the possibilities are endless: http://www.cke1st.com/m_train2.htm Also as mentiond our HCD group, the size will be good, but I don't recall any light hollow doors in Europe that could be used as a base. Price… I can’t define cheap. J You will once you see what’s out there. Power Supply - Make sure you get one that is advertised for N scale use. N maxes out at 12VDC. Most power packs go to 14 – 18VDC, so I mark my dials. Stay away from O scale power packs as they put out AC. Track - When you build your layout, your design and whether you want to ballast the track yourself and whether you want to lay custom curves, will help you decide which type. To start Kato Unitrak and Tomix Finetrack are great preballasted, snap together, run it on any flat surface track to get a loop going, while you design and build your layout. Many folks have said that having trains run while they build is important, or just fun. This leads to wiring. If you are going DCC, you will want to take time to learn more (read and look at our DCC forum). If you are staying DC, wiring is very simple. The preballasted track is plug and play. As you go on and want to hide wire, it is easy to learn. If you aren’t handy with a soldering iron, you will be. Radius is something that will come in to play most stuff will run on 249mm radius. I have radii down to 177mm on a shelf, but only small stuff will run on it. Things look better on wider radii, some things just won't run on small radii.When you design your space you may want to find maximum radii, but that can come in a bit. Where to start on cars and locos?..? Ebay, Of course!!! NOT to buy (at least not initially), but to get a look at the broad range of available trains. Once you see some things that catch your eye, google the manufacturer and model number. This will work for the track as well. You will often find better deals online and better warranties. Also, a quick google of Danish N Scale locos, had a number of good hits. If you want to stay affordable be wary of what for me is the candy store effect on ebay and etailer sites. It will all look good and before you know it, you have bought too much and your wallet hurts. Freight cars – If it looks nice to you and you like the price, you will probably be happy with the cars. Some have better wheels and couplers, but they can often be swapped out. Before I get to locos, which will be the most expensive part of the hobby, there are 2 more things to consider: 1 - Couplers - they are described on this web page. The biggest thing to know is that Rapidos and knuckle couplers don’t mate, but often a coupler can be swapped for the other type. The exception being the European standard is the NEM pocket that takes a Rapido coupler, but we can worry about that later. http://www.nscaledivision.com/information_on_couplers.htm 2 - What do you want to model? For me, if it looks nice, I run it. But, if you are looking to start off affordably, an early consideration is what prototype do you want? Steam, diesel, electric? Do you want Danish Livery? More general European, US, Japanese or other livery? If you choose European or Japanese, they use predominantly Rapido couplers. In my mind, the only drawback of the Rapido is that it is not made for automatically uncoupling on the track. Some don’t like the big bulky look, but at a few feet away… Many US modelers do yardwork and switching and they have knuckle couplers designed for the task. All couplers come apart by hand. If you want to uncouple European models that can’t take knuckle couplers, on the track, Fleischmann makes a Profi coupler and special uncoupling track, but I’m not familiar with the uncoupling. Dang it, this guys been sitting up with a head cold for 3 hours and hasn’t given me a recommendation on a good cheap loco!!! Sorry. After you look around a bit, let us know which locos and cars appeal to you and seem reasonably priced. Then we will be able to tell you if they are good runners. The options are just too varied. I have a $300 US loco and a $80 US loco out to the manufacturer for warranty repair. I have $30 Steam and Diesel I love. I have 4 loops running in my house right now. I have a $70 British Terrier pulling 2 $6 salt cars. I have a $250 German Steamer (for many way overpriced) pulling 15 beer cars that cost between $10 and $40 each. I have a 4-4-2 US Steamer pulling 6 cars. The whole set cost me $300. I just put way an Amtrak set that I was running with 4 diesels at the head ($200 for the cars, $65 each for the locos) I’m either going to take out a Japanese Steamer and passenger set (total cost under $200) or a small $30 US steamer pulling a few $10 passenger cars. My least expensive diesel and steam were about $30. My best and favorite locos run from $70 to $300. Cars run from $10 to $40. European models, are for the most part more expensive. Doesn’t matter why they cost more. Matters, if you want to but them. Lastly ENJOY, ENJOY and keep asking questions. I mentioned time on the list. Taking the time to learn about this will help you keep it affordable. Marty - Who is now going to shower and wake up the family to head to my sons Soccer tournament.... Maybe I can sleep in the car between games...
