Is model railroading for me?

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K

KMAN101

New Member
Hello,

After visiting my first train show I took an interest in model trials and would like to build a layout myself, but I have no experience in wiring, woodwork or any of the other skills required to do so. Would picking up these skills and others be very difficult if I enter the hobby?

I have loved trains pretty much my whole life and am planning to build a L-Gauge layout but wanted a bit more realism as well, that is why I am pondering entering N or HO scale modeling, not sure which one yet.

Thank You
 
I definitely think you will enjoy the switch to ho or n scale there is so many more possibilities than Lego layouts and it is very satisfying when you make that perfect realistic model. =)
 
If you're into L-gauge, I'd suggest to stick to it. Where are you located at? There might be an LTC in the area that you can hand out with to learn the ways, or maybe a scale club, like HO, or N, and you could meet up with them to see if you'll like it, before you spend to much.
 


I'm afraid none of us can answer your question adequately any better than you, but my bet would be that your own answers will serve you better if you figure out what you want from your toy train hobby. For example, why are you interested in the larger scale already? What has led you to conclude, so soon, that the other scales have something different, or better, or not so good to offer?

I'm not trying to sound unwelcoming, but you have to start somewhere to get to where you are going. Where are you? Characterize your interest for us. Do you like steam, diesels, long trains, short trains, colourful trains, black locomotives and drab cars, hilly and varied terrain, prairie flat, steam to diesel transition era trains, or modern diesels and excursion steamers? Would you be interested in making a realistic railroad that has pretend revenue work, or do you just like to watch trains run? Would you be content with a large oval and some sidings, or would it be better after a while to have some approximation of the type of switching and train movement like on the real thing?

These are examples of questions you'll need answers to so that we can give you a sense of what skill development you might need, what cash outlay, how much space, what type of tracks and turnouts (switches). Are you thinking you'd be happy in Direct Current train handling (DC voltage), or would you possibly like the more realistic DCC system (Digital Command Control)?

To help you out a bit, when I started four years ago, I knew diddly. I knew which end of a soldering iron to pick up, but a kid would probably have a solid grasp of that by age 6 just by looking at it. I had never done woodwork, never joined two sections of HO rail, never wired up a layout or used a DCC system. I can do it all now, but it came about with trials, patience, a horse-choking chunk of change, some mistakes in purchases, tons of fun and skills development, and now I count myself as a seasoned modeller. Still a long ways to go, but I am content and pleased with my progress. I am sure, with some discussions, visiting local clubs, attending train shows, watching some layout building videos (there are many), reading here and on other forums, you will have a blast. You will grab the wrong end of a soldering iron at least once, but it will be an honest mistake....you were thinking about something else..not long, mind you. :p

-Crandell
 
Sounds like you got the bug after a show. I'd suggest that you sleep on it and after that visit a local hobby shop before jumping in. If you run out and buy something and it's the wrong choice you could regret it and give up when all you had to do is chose a different gauge. Try googling trains and check out some You tube video's and read on some forums as well. When ready get a small layout and have it running even if on a table top or floor. After that start the layout, but always have a running train throughout the process. Good Luck and have fun
 
I personally do not like to model things that are very realistic in LEGO, that is what led me to HO/N scale models.

The types of trains I am interested in are Modern Diesel and High Speed Passenger Trains. I am not too interested in realism but would like to at least develop a basic layout to run trains on. I was thinking of starting off with a basic oval track but would eventually like to expand into more advanced layouts.

In terms of space I could probably manage something along the lines of 3x6 or 4x8. I think I would be content with Direct Current train handling.

Budget will not be too large for now but I am almost certain it will grow with time. I am hopefully looking to start with under $300.

Thanks
 
In that case I would suggest you visit a hobby shop and check out a few starter sets. Try not to jump at the first thing you see. There are plenty of options out there. Bachmann have a few good starters available. Also understand that many here will put 300 bucks out for a single good engine with DCC and sound, but just as many run DC systems. My suggestion is to start with a freight train and go from there.
 
Generally, I agree with starting with something you aren't deathly afraid of, either in terms of cost, complexity, or fragility/durability. And something simple and manageable, as suggested in some responses already.

This is my own philosophy...yours may be at variance: the engines are what make it form me, they and the rolling items. I don't like fiddling with junk. It ruins things for me. I know others relish the challenges of getting junky stuff to look and run really well (and more power to them!). But I get angry and frustrated because my hands and skills aren't great. So, I pay up front. There is no reason why you shouldn't invest, to use the term loosely, in a quality set or individual items that can be had for a bargain at sales, online at sales (they're always discounted....always at one site or another). The point is that you can use them on this oval, and later on the more complex oval, and if you take care of them, on two or three ovals of any nature after those. A cheapo train set (say under $90-100) is unlikely to net you a quality item. These days, a good diesel, minus DCC, is going to cost somewhere between $70-140, depending on where you get it and how many there are languishing on the shelves...unsold. At the low end price, what's left in the cheapo set that will be worth a whole $29?! A power pack, some track, and three cars. They don't sound like a bargain to me.

All this to say, $300 is a bit light...maybe. In HO, the least you'll want for an oval and some buildings and trees, plus reasonable curve radii in the oval ends, will be a 1/2" GIS plywood sheet supported by something. You'll want enough track sections to cover most of the area around the perimiter of that sheet of ply so you can reach them easily without your elbow knocking stuff askew or damaging it outright. Track is generally cheap, but not if you buy the "snap" track sections with the fixed radii curves and plastic black or grey ballast stuck to the ties. A decent power pack is probably a good investment, but you'll have to ask someone else what they're worth. I bought a simple MRC one at my hobby shop four years ago for about CDN$70. The guy said is was a good one. (shrug).

Just to reiterate, before I end here, a quality locomotive is a joy for many years. It will look like a million bucks on any layout. If it seems that you will have to do with a set for now, then get a good one. Find out what that term means, though, first.
 
You've gotten some very good advice from everyone.
I would suggest as well that you go to more train shows and hobby shops and talk to the people there. Ask lots of questions before you buy anything. As was mentioned before, ask yourself what you want in a model railroad, what aspect of it are you most interested in, operations, continuous running, scenery or what? The question of whether it's right for you is one only you can answer, but everyone here can help you once you decide. They've helped me. :)
 


Yep, keep going to train shows, talking to other modelers, and checking out sites like this. I can't tell you if you'll like model railroading but the lack of experience shouldn't be a deciding factor. All of us started out knowing nothing and learned as we went. I'm about as dorky as they come mechanically and I've managed to put together a layout which has neither collapsed or exploded (yet). :) You can do the same if you really want to.
 
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