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hey im just getting ready to start a 4x8 layout in my basement(im only 19 so im with my parents .....) well just checking where everyone is getting there supplys from, internet, hoppy shors ebay etc. and if there are any begineer guides. im going to the train show on saturday on saturday. thanks
just take it one step at a time and you will do fine
E-bay and internet. As much as I'd like to support my LHS, the owner is bit of an @$$, so anything I get there tends to be impulse buys rather than planned shopping trips.
1st off, you're hitting that time of life when a lot tends to happen, and fast. From the start I'd be planning a layout that can moved and/or be put into storage. Stuff is going to happen that will force your attention away from "playing with trains" for a while, but years from now it may be the rediscovery of this layout that gets you actively back into the hobby again. That's my own voice of experience, your experiences may differ! I was 18 when I had to dismantle my layout and for the next decade I pretty much had to be satisfied by occasionally playing with sectional track on a table or going overboard with the train around the family Christmas tree.
Hello, Blackk5350. Do you have a first name we can call you? I'm terrible remembering screen names.
I'd suggest a good first read is a beginner's guide done by one of our members, Chip (spacemouse). You can find it at
http://www.chipengelmann.com/trains/Beginner/BeginnersGuide01.html. It's an easy five minute read but will get you started thinking about what you want from your layout and model railroad. While you're at the train show, look for anyone who's selling Kalmbach Books. If you can find
Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong, snap it up since it is really the bible for track planning and has hundreds of nuggets that will help you build a better layout. Resist the idea of starting to buy anything until you absorb some reading material and do some planning. Some of the worst layouts happened because they were planned for what the owner already bought rather than buying what was best for a good layout plan.
I agree with Jim.
I haven't actually picked up a copy of Track Planning yet. But as for Chips, if Track Planning... is the bible of track planning, I would say Chip's guide is the bible for railroad planning.
One other thing, if you can, download Model Railroad Hobbiest and take some time to read the sections on radius (new curve guidelines), s-curves (parallel lines) , and Comme-N-tary. The N scale one gives a nice graph on rail code sizes and they prototype counterpart. Another good one is Reverse Running on the last page. I think that one is the most important. Being as we are around the same age (just a couple weeks shy of 19), we have plenty of time to build chainsaw railroads. Basically it means don't be afraid to make mistakes.
I don't know if it interests you, but go railfanning some. I got the John Armstrong book early on, after being away from the hobby for almost 20 years, and some of the concepts and terminology was so new to me, I had no concept. Of course, I learn faster by doing than by having someone tell me or just reading a book.
I still don't know what everything is or does, but the greatest difficulty I've had of late in design and tweaking of my layout, is how the railroad serves its customers. So much now is handled by truck (in some areas), so you'll have to look around. My railroad design is freelanced, but I've taken elements from places I've actually been, and tried to incorporate them together.
Before you know it you will be having operating sessions! Feel free to share your progress.
Go to the library first. Check out some books and videos on Railroads and Model Railroads. It will help you understand what you want to get out of the hobby. Plus hopefully it is fun, it has been for me.
at 19 trains were the last thing i WANTED to play with!!!
im now 35 with 2 girls and a few other hobbies! i think
ive read all posts here and on TrainBoard.com about i want
to build my first layout. im in the middle of cleaning the garage
to build mine. THE MOST important thing is info study and ask questions
and learn form others mistakes!!!! best of luck and enjoy
blackk5350,
It's a great hobby that can stay with you for a lifetime, and you never learn it all. The guys on this forum are always a source of inspiration to me. Look at their photos and read how they do things. My advice: Don't do something too fast just to "get 'r done." Half the fun of this hobby is learning new things. Check things out, read up, and then give something a try. Also buy the "good stuff" when you can, not cheapo trains and equipment. Good luck!
thanks guys. i went to the model railroad show yesterday with my girlfriend. she is artsy so she wants to do this stuff too. weathering, scenary etc. i will have to check the librarys and bookstores soon. Is there a begineers guide somewhere. you know what to do first? im more of a car guy. i have no probolms workin on cars so i hope this shouldnt be a problom.
Like I said, model railroad hobbiest had some great beginnerish articles, at least will help with some basics.
Otherwise, any of the books mentioned are a great source.
There are some excellent videos at
http://www.greatesthobby.com/ that take you through the basics of building benchwork as well as a lot of other beginner information and links. Keep reading and follow the steps there as a start. The most important things is a good plan before you start building.
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