Another New Guy

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M

Michael_e

New Member
Hi Railfans, Mike here from Denver, Co.

A guy i met while searching for various Ford Model A & T parts to build my speedster project got me re-interested in HO scale railroading. I've been interested in HO forever.

Over the years i've been to the Railroad museum in Golden, Co, been on the Drango-Silverton narrow guage, the Cumbres-Tolteck (sp?) and, just about all the various shows in Colorado over the last 20 years. I'm sure there is a lot i'm forgetting, but, time moved forward.

Had a good job, a short vintage auto racing adventure, heart attack, layoff, found our retirement location, and then the housing/economy slump got us. So, here i am, unemployed, 1/2 moved to our new retirement dream, got a house that just doesn't want to sell, and want to start a railroad. Kinda nuts, huh? Gotta keep my sanity somehow.

So here's my first real question; Is there a database of track plans that i can view to get ideas?

What i'm thinking about to start with is a shelf switching type of layout. I seem to remember in past, i saw a diagram of one that was on the order of 3-4 feet long and 18-24 inches deep. And there was a fair amount of vertical rise in the layout. In the very front would be a main-line that could connect to other sections if and when they became reality. But to start with, i want to keep it somewhat small, portable, and easy to manage, and also to keep costs down. Over the years i managed to collect a small amount of rolling stock, a couple of locos, some kit structures, and several wooden bridges.

YIKES, i guess i blabbed it up a bit long here.

So thanks and look forward to getting started...

Mike in Denver
 
Hi, Mike, and welcome aboard. Things are rough in the job and real estate markets right now, no doubt about that. I sold my house in California in 2005 and got out before the collapse, thank goodness. Even if you can't build a layout right now, there's nothing wrong with getting some ideas on what you want when you can.

The first thing I'd recommend is the NMRA beginners guide at http://www.nmra.com/beginner/. That will get you up to speed on what's available in HO and what the new electronics are in model railroading. There tons of sites with track plans to look over. A selection of small layouts is at http://www.thortrains.net/poorhox.html. Atlas has a bunch of layout plans at http://www.atlasrr.com/Code100web/index.htm. I don't really like a lot of them since there is too much track in too little space but they price how much the track will cost for each layout. That will give you an idea about just the cost of track alone. Model railroading isn't the most expensive hobby in the world (vintage auto racing is probably way worse) but it's not cheap either. Once you have an idea of your budget and space available, you can start looking seriously at trackplans. Until then, just google "HO Trackplans" and you'll find lots to look at.
 
Hi and welcome Mike. Keeping the new layout relatively small and portable sounds like a good idea. While digging around for track plan ideas I'd suggest checking out some plans and info for modular layouts. By using those standards you can build what you want for now and add on sections as time and finances permit. Should the need arise to move the layout it is a simple task to separate the modules and quickly reassemble them in the new location. Many modellers have a modular section or two in their home layouts that can be joined with others from their club at a show, etc. Just an idea.
 


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