Best way to get started

Hello everyone,

For the past month I've been reading alot on model railroading, the forum here, Model Railroader Magazine, Model Railroader Hobbyist, 101 track plans, etc...

I find it hard to get started, so many things look intersting. From my readings, you should start small, but what is consider small in N scale, 2x4, hollow core door, 4x8...

Also, I've seen a couple of articles on modular layout, it seems like it's a good way to get started, small modules that you build one by one and your layout expands as your skills improve. However, I'm a bit lost with all the different type, NTrack, T-Track, oNetrack, free-moN... Can someone explain the differences, wich one is the best for a beginners, is modular a good way to build a small home layout?

Thank you

Charles

 

For me it was all about what you have: space for, an appetite to maintain, $$ to spend and experience level.

So 1. I had a fair space (8 ft by 11 ft) with plans for more 18 ft by 11 ft),
2. my wife can attest I hate cleaning so small is better
3. $$ it can get expensive, cost out even a 4 x 8 and it adds up quickly
4. this is a big one, just as any kit builder will tell you, try the simple and work up to the expert full scratch build

so said another way, if you like the idea of this being social and this is your first kick at creating a layout, go with the modular and then you can create whatever size layout you want and space/budget/experience/maintenance allows.

 

My advice would be to start off simple and expand from there since it sounds like you have never done this before. That way you will get your trains up and running with minimal frustration. The Modules are mostly point to point and not continuous running and take some skills in wiring.
Buy a 4 x 8' sheet of plywood 3/8" thick some modular track like Kato Unitrak, or Atlas modular Track a decent transformer, one nice Locomotive by Atlas, Kato, or Athearn, a few pieces of Rollingstock and build a simple loop and assemble and your off and running.
Continue to read around the forums so you can learn some more and expand from there as your knowledge grows. This way you'll save your self money and frustration.
As a true beginner you want your trains up and running so you can avoid frustration.
If desired as knowledge grows you can always cut your plywood sheet up and build your modules if you desire so no money lost. Stay away from Boxed Sets they put cheap components in them that you will quickly be dissatisfied with.
I hope this helps and some other knowledgeable folks will soon be along and add there opinions to what I've stated.
Above all Njoy

 

A HCD is always a great start. Get a 32 or 36 inch wide one. I have a thread on one I hung on the wall because of space problems...

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine...-New-hanging-HCD-Layout&highlight=hanging+HCD

Start with Unitrack. It gets trains running in no time at all. Unitrack also allows you to change your track plan around until it gets where ya like it and want it.

Above all...have fun

 

I'm going to agree with the previous posters. I'm a new modeller as well, and have spent about 4 months figuring out what i'd be happy with.

For sure, measure your room, and decide how much of it you want to dedicate to your layout. Don't forget to include enough space to walk around it, and reach the insides.

Next, you have to decide what you like most: mountains, city, desert, etc. Do you want to turn the trains on and let them run or have a lot of switching action?

Once you get that all figured out then really you're on your way. I started with a lot of design and plannimg on the computer, and decided to take up most of the livingroom. I'm building it in smaller modules so i can move it when i move. I picked a city environment with exclusively passenger traffic. I'll be building the benchwork from 1x4s. Later on i'll build a module in a different room for freight and mountains.

The more time you spend in planning and design, the clearer the answers will be for you. Personally, i decided to take a long time to build what i want, taking every step very slow, rather than building a layout i'd get tired of in a year.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

 

There is an article in the May 2010 Model Railroader, where the author Jeff Kraker, talks about building a layout. Title: Less space, better railroad, pg 34. Here Jeff describes what I would consider to be a rather elaborate railroad in a small space. Basically, an around the wall with an island in the middle of the room. Worth the read if you can get a hold of it. Perhaps why it still has a spot in my front room as I found this issue interesting in it's entirety.

The key to getting started, for the first time, is to remember this is the layout that will teach you. You will learn the basics, wiring, track laying, scenery and it will prepare you for the next layout. You simply can't go wrong. Most of the gals and guys that started out in the hobby to later become household names, all started with a loopity loop railroad. John Allen, one of my favorites started out with a tight radius loop layout and later expanded it into the Gorre and Daphetid. He even used illusions to make it look larger then life. He had friends that influenced his modeling and you can see tell tales of those layouts in his. Why not?

There is nothing original under the sun but you can make your miniature railroad your railroad world. So, let's get started. You won't learn anything being a lazy boy, arm chair, quarter back. Get yourself a door and start laying some rail.

Some advice from the for what it's worth department: Do try to stay away from the 9 3/4" radius curves. Widen those curves out and you will be able to use this layout to as a base when it comes time to expand. I use a 12" radius as a minimum for industrial switching and 15" radius curves for my minimum on my main lines. Allow N scale to give you the advantages other scales cannot.

Most important...you make the rules, you set the standard, it's your model railroad and plan on having some fun, I said paraphrasing one Jim157.

 

Boxcab,
Don't forget Bend Track!

It can be setup with as little as two balloon modules with two mainlines. It can also grow to as large as you need with or without any clubs.
Like with oNeTrack & Free-mo the modular benchwork can be built to fit any area you wish or need.

Here's the link:
Bend Track

 

As a new modeler, I would also recommend to you -- "Kato Unitrack". It is great for a "starter" layout, as it will let you get trains up and running fairly quickly, without a lot of the frustration that comes with initially learning to lay "flex" & etc.
I have been in "N" scale now for close to 20 years, and honest to God, I wish that I had switched over to "Unitrack" long ago!!! There are more "prototypical" ways to lay track, but I guarantee you, there is not a better sectional track system ON THE PLANET!!! I am an un-apologetic supporter of "Unitrack"......try it, you'll LOVE it!! "PM" if you would like more info or tips................Jim J. (nscalerone)

 

No problem Boxcab!
Didn't take it that way.
We're just not as well know as the others.............yet!
LOL!

 

Thank you all for you replies,

I have another question, concerning the track plan, do beginners usually recreate a published layout or do they design their own? To design your own layout, do you use a software or do you go with the paper - pencil combo?

Charles

 

Charles,
Welcome to Model RailRoading! Now get your wallet out . I heard somewhere that it will cost about $75 per square foot ...

I am new to this myself having built an HCD in Jan/Feb for my grandson. I took the E, Z & Kwick from the 1990 edition of Beginners Guide to N Scale Model RailRoading and then used RTS from Atlas (free software) to change it up a bit. Now that little experience really caused me to get the bug and so I bought AnyRail and started playing around with designs for my own layout which I am now building the benchwork for.

Lots of good advice from everyone so keep asking questions ...

 

"PLUS ONE"!! on the "Anyrail" software........very intuitive and easy to use. I played with it for about 1/2 hr. before diving in. It is one of the few, (maybe the ONLY software) that has a "track library" for "Unitrack"............ used it to re-design my room sized "Unitrack" layout after some help and GREAT tips from the guys here on "TB".

 

Charles,
This is where the Unitrack can really help. It is so easy to set up and take down that you can lay out any plan quickly and make changes just as fast. You'll learn that some plans or parts of plans just won't work well. It also gets you up and running which I have found stimulates the desire to add and do more.
As others have said, purchase some quality locos and rolling stock. Definately quality over quantity is the way to go. A quality loco with Unitrack will give you virtually trouble free operation right out of the box.
CG