Model Railroading Novice Qeustions..

[dslbtsfvr]

I'am a novice railroading entuhsiast..I have built a room just for the hobby, and now am stuck as to my next move.

I received two trains to start...The Overland Limited and the John Bull..

Q: Can anyone point me in the right direction to find information on the Limited..circa...location of runs...that sort of thing.

I have created approximately 46 sq.ft. of space for both trains...the Limited takes up one half..I sure could use some thoughts as to what I should be doing next...

any help would be muchly appreciated...Thank You,

Frank Sheetz, Alpine CA.

 

[Beach Bill]

Frank,

First:  Welcome to the hobby.  By already having a room "claimed", you have achieved something that many on this forum wait years to achieve.

I note that your entry is under "Classic Trains", and you will find better responses to modeling questions in the forums titled "Model Railroading" and the one titled "layout design".  Some folks stick to specific areas of this hobby, and some even get a little testy if the questions appear in the wrong spot.  

There is a frequent writer here using the name of Space Mouse, and I recommend his introduction to the hobby to you.  It is at:

http://www.chipengelmann.com/trains/Beginner/BeginnersGuide01.html

Your mention of the John Bull suggests to me that you have HO scale equipment (best to specify scale in posting inquiries as then we can better picture the size that may be needed for track, etc.).   Recognize that you have models of trains from two VASTLY different eras - items that would not be seen together under any normal circumstance.  The John Bull may become a "museum piece" visiting on your line, but if you choose to model that 1840-ish era you will find relatively little is commercially available. 

The flat place to run the train now for enjoyment needs to be there, by my suggestion at this point is that you read, read, & study to form that "vision" of what kind of model railroad you would like to create.  If your desire is to be able to run "one of everything", you are welcome to do so and the merchants will be happy to accomodate your purchases.  My opinion is worth no more than yours, but I believe that if you focus that vision on some general era, a general part of the country, and a style of railroading (main line? branch line?  Passenger-centered?  Urban? Backwoods?), you will be far more able to achieve a layout that is believable and affordable.   You will find examples of all sorts of styles of modeling approaches in the pages here.

Bill