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Hi I am Michael Nowakowski i enjoy Railfanning, Model Trains and Logging i have an o gauge train set but i decided i want to switch to HO i would like to build a 8by8 layout with yards, signals, sidings to get me started where should i begin like books of websites i would like to include DCC but i don't even know where to start with that to
I suggest you start with a book from Model Railroader by Linn Westcott. It's title is '101 Track Plans For Model Railroads'. It's available in most public libraries. They have plans for point to point, out and back and continuous run, some you just won't believe.
Exactly what I did before expanding. I would read up some first. If I had to do it again I'd probably use wood smaller than 2x4's and plywood of only 3/8 thick or even 1/4. When all is done you'll find that it really doesn't have to hold much weight. Another big thing is access. An 8x8 will need an access panel or hole in the middle to reach the entire layout.
Here's an early pic of the 8x8 portion with the access hole.
anyone have advice for a beginner with DCC and where should i start with good quality and low price track and does DCC provide the power for the track for the trains
If you are running currently sold track and turnouts, you can select from any of the starter or advanced DCC sets and be up and running in minutes. There are plenty of forums on the strength and weakness of the different systems available but plenty of info to make a decision. Power for the track is provided by the DCC system.
Hi Mike. I am also just currently starting to get serious about my build and I am also a newby when it comes to DCC. I am interested in it as well. Do you know anything about it. I have done some reading and check it out a bit. Basically its the easiest way to wire up your system. All you do is really supply power to the track, then you code your trains to run off your controller.. It does get more detailed, but its the way to go if yoru starting fresh imo.
SO hopefully we both can help each other along the way. I have just been collecting for the past year and storing it away. I just yesterday went out and bought a bunch of items and thats why i want to get a little more serious now.
I was hoping to room permitting,do a 5x10, but thats not possible at the moment but future for sure. For now because i am new to it, am thinking of just building a small switch yard to learn the proper ways of hooking up, wiring and getting a good idea on scenic stuff.
See what happens. I'll keep everyone posted. Keep me up to date what your doing. Do you have any HO stuff yet?
Google "Heart of Georgia" - it's an alternative to the usual beginner's layout and is made from a single 4X8 sheet of foam or plywood. It's designed for DCC but can be used with straight DC.
I have some old HO scale trains like American Flyer and a locomotive and cars from the 70's but no new stuff yet i am starting to make room for the layout and a work area tommrow i am going to buy stuff to start making the table
Whoaaa...Mike...Slow down some. Get some kind of idea in your head as to what you want to do....Maybe put a track plan on a piece of paper keeping in mind what kind of railroad you want to have....Plowing full steam ahead with no destination in mind can lead to frustrations and wasting money for stufff you don't really like, or just doesn't fit your idea of what you wanted in the first place.
Tearing stuff up and redoing it over ain't no fun....
Yes, make yourself up a plan based on the track and equipment you have. You'll be much happier in the long run. Proceeding without a plan and simply throwing the track together is like an architect designing a skyscraper with no idea of the bedrock and area it will be in.
I dont have any modern HO trains or track thats why i am kinda starting from scratch with the new stuff i am going to start to plan the track on a piece of paper i am going to build a 4by16 table
Not a good idea. The particle board has no linear strength, and has to be supported "all over" to prevent sagging. Never mind that its also extremely heavy compared to other material types, and the glue used to hold the structure of the board is water soluable and swells tremendously as it dissolves into dust.
To try and save some money I started my 4th layout on particle board, and it was the biggest mistake I ever made on a layout base. I also burned out 2 sabre saws trying to get that stuff cut. By the time I replaced it with regular plywood, I wound up spending twice the monies I needed to.
Get 1/2" or at most 5/8" GIS sub-floor plywood and support it with joists on 18-24" centers. The joists only have to be 1 X 4, although I would bet 1 X 2 would be fine if they weren't longer than about 36".
Note that this assumes you are not going to be up on it and kneeling all your weight in the middle. If you are a hefty fella and need to get up on it, you would definitely need 1 X 4 supporting 1/2" plywood on 18" centers.
Glue or caulk the foam to the table. Just make sure whatever you use is foam-safe or it'll dissolve the foam. I use acrylic adhesive bathroom caulk and / or Aleene's Tacky Glue, depending on the application. I believe Liquid Nails for Projects also works well. I also use them to glue cork or foam roadbed to the foam base (tabletop) and track to the roadbed.
Make sure you put weights on top of the foam while your adhesive dries to insure a good bond.
And as was mentioned - take your time and think about what you're doing. It's easy to get excited and rush through things, but a good foundation / plan will save you tons of frustration in the future.
