new from alaska

[DDean]

Hello, my name is Danny I'm 26 and currently residing in Alaska. I registered here because when I was a kid I loved model trains. I got my first HO scale set when I was 8 and I was hooked. Time has passed and I've gotten older but Everytime I see a layout I still get that excitement. I am limited on space so I plan to venture into the world of N scale. I hope to learn as much as I can here.

 

[model-a]

Hey Danny welcome to the forum, glad to have you.

 

[Bruette]

Thanks for sharing your hobby with us!

 

[marriedshades]

Howdy and you are in the right place. you can get a lot of info here.

 

[logandsawman]

Alaska is a nice place, my sister has been in Wasilla since 85. Welcome to the forum. lasm

 

[DDean]

Thanks guys, i was actually just talking to the wife earlier about allocating some space upstairs, and it looks like I'll have some room for approximately a 5x5 table, maybe a little more if i do some rearranging. I"ve already started browsing around for stuff to get started with. When i was a kid the kind of products i had were Bachmann and Life-Like. I've done considerable amounts of reading on here since signing up and it seems like alot of people give lots of praise to Kato and Atlas. As much as i want quality i may have to sacrifice in some areas, I dunno yet still in the planning stages! People sell tables and random things around here all the time, so i'll be buying something premade. I actually did some measurements earlier and it looks like it'll be more in the 4x6 range. I definitely don't want to do just a plain ole oval, I'd like to give things a bit more depths than that, and i defintely know i'd like to be running steam engines. Any recommendations on any good starter kits? Brands? Start up tips in general? Don't really have alot of experience but i look forward to learning as i learn fast. I'm browsing Amazon and some other sites to add things to my wishlist. Could use the tips.

 

[marriedshades]

Have you thought at making a table or bench for it. its not that hard and there are a few vids on yoo tube to show you how. second have you thought on era eather steam or a a or more modern. As for brands a lot of people begin with a set. and then expand. bachmann is a good place to begin. though get a nickle silver track costs more but big improvement over steel track. Then there's the choise on dc or dcc. which is dc or derect current or dcc digital command control. with dcc tou can run multiple trans on your layout at once.. i know this a will give you more question. but your will save money if you answer them know won't need to buy a new setup later.

 

[DDean]

Have you thought at making a table or bench for it. its not that hard and there are a few vids on yoo tube to show you how. second have you thought on era eather steam or a a or more modern. As for brands a lot of people begin with a set. and then expand. bachmann is a good place to begin. though get a nickle silver track costs more but big improvement over steel track. Then there's the choise on dc or dcc. which is dc or derect current or dcc digital command control. with dcc tou can run multiple trans on your layout at once.. i know this a will give you more question. but your will save money if you answer them know won't need to buy a new setup later.

I haven't really thought much of an era specifically, but i do know i definetly want to run steam. I've looked at bachmann as something to begin with, it comes with the ez track and i've seen alot of mixed feelings in some reading about that kind of track? The two main complaints i've read on the EZ track is that your limited to the use of the track because of lack of flexibility and because their turnouts aren't reliable. I personally don't have an issue with the track so long as it works. I've been kinda leaning towards this one to get started with
http://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trai...6&keywords=N+scale+steam+locomotive+train+set
Any thoughts on that particular set?

 

[DDean]

I want to run Steam, i was actually looking at this as my starter set.
http://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trai...6&keywords=N+scale+steam+locomotive+train+set

 

[Trussrod]

Hi Danny and welcome to the forum, it's great here but things can get confusing to when your in the stage your in.

In trying to decide on the space you have, consider a few things.
1st. A free standing shelf type of layout, not attached to the walls, being about 30" deep, for the most part, and built approximately waist height make working on your layout a lot more enjoyable as most things are fairly easy to reach.

2nd. I've built several layouts and finally settled on the HO shelf type layout which is basically built in a 'U' shape although just an 'L' shape can offer a lot of great advantages over an oval as you can have to return loops on either end if you want but because the L shape offers longer runs over an oval you can still operate it as a Point-Point when you want to.

3rd. Now deciding on a scale, I'd take into account the fact that if you might want to start doing some scratch building, which I do myself, Ho is twice the size of N scale so it's much easier to work with in creating buildings or even equipment not that it can't be done in N scale but that a consideration to make as well as the fact that HO being twice as big as N is a lot more visible as well as easier to handle.

4th. building table work is really not all that hard if you have a few power tools but you also need to be cautious in their use if your not familiar with them. I have or had a number of shots of my table work on the forum, I think or I can again put them on here or send them to you directly also. It's light weight yet strong and convienient to work with.

Anyway Danny, that is some food for thought.

Take care and see you around on here.