Question on O-gauge layout building

[Anonymous]

Hi, i'm new to the forums. Anyways, i'm 18 and ive recently reaquired my thirst for trains when I was in Minnesota and seeing all the CN, Wisconsin Central and other trains on the "Iron Range". Anyways, I always wanted to have a somewhat realistic looking layout with terrain and cities and everything in it. I'm building with 4x4, 4x6 and 4x8 tables.
I've got my layout planed using O-31 because that supports 95% of O-gauge trains. I'm not sure what my approach I should be when going ahead and building the layout. I want to use a lot of trains and cars I saw as a kid in Northern Minnesota (CN, DMIR, BN, etc.) but at the same time use the current****nal of Lionel trains i've got (Amtrack, New Haven, PRR). Should I be going for a "prototypical" layout or more of a layout with a lot of railroading action and based on what I saw as a kid but not limited to it.
One of the problems I understand with O is that it's big and space limiting.
I also do not understand how to power the entire track and run multiple trains on layout.
I've searched the internet a little but but most information I get back is about HO scale.
I'm using primarily O-gauge Lionel trains, all information is EXTREMELY useful. I want to get started on my layout as soon as possible.
(I took a trip to the Hobby shop, planning to spend 40 bucks maybe on scenery supplies, and ended up spending 350 dollars on a new Duluth Missabe Iron Range GP-38 diesel, maybe I should leave my debit card at home next time. lol).
Please help.

Bob

[tmcc man]

[#welcome]
I have some ideas for you, if you want to go for a realistic approach go for lionel fastrack, you cannot see the seams in between the track sections. If you want to go wireless, depending on the locos you have, go with Lionels TMCC system or MTH's DCS system. with the lionel track, there are wires already leading from a piece of track that you can hook up to a transformer. If you go with tmcc, and you have no conventional engines (not command-command means there is power directly to the track, and the engines do not move unless they are adressed by their own unique number. Conventional is transformer controlled, which means that as more power is directed to the track the train speeds up)you can have power to the track at all times. What make is your engine. does it have command features. If so, you can keep on going in that direction or you can go back and forth, and have command engines, as well as conventional, and have a regular transformer hooked to the track to power your conventional locos.

The easiest thing to have with tmcc is the direct lockon, which applies power to the track. The fastrack system has an adapter track so you can hook up tubular track to the new track. the lionel lockon clips right on the tubular track and with another adapter track you can go back to your fastrack system.

With the trains, start out with buying small amounts of rolling stock, and motive power. as you get more int the hobby, you can move up into the technological advancements in the O gauge market.

Hope it helps

[Anonymous]

Well, Bob, nobody can really tell you what you should do, because that's something you'll have to decide for yourself.

My advice would be to go with the more realistic approach--complete with scenery, accessories, and details, but that's just because that is the approach I would follow myself. The problem with too many O gauge layouts, in my opinion, is that they tend to beomes spaghetti bowls of track, with very little purpose for being. There's certainly nothing wrong with that approach, if that's what makes the individual happy, but my own preference is for layouts with somewhat minimal but functional/purposeful trackage and a good amount of scenery and other items to give it a purpose for being and a distinctive appearance. I also like the railroad to have a theme: a specific era, a specific railroad, a specific industry or industries being served, a specific season of the year, a specific geographic region, and that sort of thing. One or a combination of those "specifics" help to focus the railroad, limit your hobby spending, inspire you to learn more about the specific railroad you're modeling, and generally lead to a more purposeful layout.

The track I prefer to use in O gauge is Atlas O. Others will have their own preferences, but that it mine. I like it because it looks good, is easy to assemble, is reliable, is readily available, and comes in a wide variety of curve sections, switches, etc. It costs a bit more than some other types, but track is a critical component of any model railroad, and I don't mind paying a bit more for such an important part of the overall layout. I use Woodland Scenics foam roadbed under my track because it is easy to work with, and I like to ballast my track. My personal feeling is that hand-ballasted track invariably looks better than track with molded-in roadbed.

I have and have used both Lionel's TMCC and the MTH DCS control systems. Of the two, my personal preference is for DCS, simply because of the great many features it offers, including some features I will probably never use. Nevertheless, they are there if I want them, or if I want to play with them some day in the future.

There are literally hundreds of recommendations I could offer, but there are literally hundreds of equally valid recommendations that others could offer, as well. There is no right or wrong, best, or worst, or anything like that in the hobby. Whatever is best for you is. . . well. . .best!

Read some of the many magazines and books that are available on O gauge railroading, and absorb all the recommendations you'll get from folks on these forums. With all the information that's available, you'll quickly find yourself forming preferences of your own. Once you get to that point, go for it! Don't let yourself become an armchair railroader (there are many thousands of them around). Get at least a simple oval of track up and running, and then grow from there. You'll discover your own interests as you increase your involvement.

[eZAK]

[#welcome] Bob

Given what you have said so far it sounds like your on the right track!
And have come to the right place.

I like to mix a little proto. with a lot of action.
After all they are just toys!

There have been some very good layouts done on a 4'x8' table, there are also those built by pros.

You can run mutiple trains on the same track using a simple block system or control them from the palm of your hand using TMCC.

Its all up to you and what you want out of your railroad.

Here are a few things to consider;
Will your layout be more or less temp.?
Will you change you track offten?
Do you have a starting budget?
Answers to these q's will determine what track is best for you.

Have you considered building a semi-permanent bench work?
Do you want alot of scenery, buildings, & acc's?
Answers here may determine what your buying habits should be.

For starters check out the various co's web sites.
i.e. Lionel, K-line, Mth, Gargraves, Ross, & Atlas to name a few.
Also check out CTT's home page for starter books.
OGR & Model Train Journal are some other good sites for info.

Keep the questions & posts coming!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allan Miller
[
. The problem with too many O gauge layouts, in my opinion, is that they tend to beomes spaghetti bowls of track, with very little purpose for being.

I agree. It seems most small layout plans I've seen cram every square inch with track so you can "operate". They may as well be on plain wood as far as I'm concerned. My small 5x8 layout has 2 loops of FasTrack, one O36, the other O48, with one siding. This has given me room for lots of scenics and annimated stuff...but that's just my way of doing it. Everyone gets to be "King of their Empire".
For smaller layouts, don't overlook using plastic sawhorses to support them. Saves a lot of work, and you can move the layout if you want/ need to. Home Depot has them 2 for $29.(I used 4). Have fun! Joe

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone.
I plan on making my layout modular, that way if I move I don't have to take it apart or destory parts of it, my layout is 3 tables combined (4x4, 4x6, 4x8) so around 72 square feet.
Does anyone have any tips on the best track. I'm not to keen on the way fastrack looks and MTH's similar product, and i'am 18 so that means of course im on a budget :D. I like the look of the hand laid ballast it makes the track and environment blend more togeather. Is there a preference over MTH, Lionel or other track?
If I want to use TMCC later on, should I stick with Lionel O gauge track (tubular)? I've seen pictures of lionel track with wooden ties added on to make it look realistic. Any information on what type of track I should be using would be helpful.
Also, im planning on getting started with the building on my layout (scenery) i'm very excited i've got blue dow chemical foam, plaster paper, and lots of old newspapers and some extra wood to build things up. Should I lay the track on a small 3-4" section of foam so it looks built up?
Also should I lay the track as im building the scenery so that I'm right on path for the track when it is going through tunnels and around the sides of mountains?
Also, I agree I don't like the look of a layout with lots of twisting and curving, I plan on having a lot of scenery and something that would look more like a railroad and not an onramp to 8 different expressways in chicago.

Bob

[Anonymous]

I use, and very much like, Atlas track. I lay the track on Woodland Scenics foam roadbed, but cork roadbed is also a decent alternative (I just happen to like the foam product). The track is then ballasted with a glued-on ballast. I do this with my track in all scales from Z through Large Scale; not just O. However, I do not apply ballast to the trackwork until after I have completed most of the trackside scenery, landscaping, etc. This way, when ballast is applied, it will look as if it is covering the "earth"--as it is in real-life railroading.

Atlas track is a bit more costly than some other brands or types, but since track is the single most important item on a model railroad (you can't have a layout without it, at least if you want to run trains), I prefer to spend what is necessary and get the best I can.

I would recommend that you lay your track first--and get some trains up and running smoothly--before you get too involved in your scenery construction. That way the scenery will not need to be disturbed if you find some flaw in your trackwork, or want to make route changes.

[Anonymous]

See this website for help www.thortrains.com

[waltrapp]

Bob, I hope you get all of your qeurries answered, but you're asking questions of which BOOKS have been written about.

I had to stop and reflect on your "ive recently reaquired my thirst" comment - very interesting considering you're 18!!! [:)]

My situation isn't exactly like yours but yet I can relate to some of the struggles that you are going thru.

I only set up a Christmas layout, albeit a 14'x14' one that takes me over 120 hours to set up each year (it changes every year). One thing I've learned about O-Gauge, which you already know but may not appreciate fully yet, is that unless you're Tony Lash you have to compromise. I try to make my layouts somewhat realistic, scenery-wise, but have concluded that even 14'x14' offers very restrictive options.

I've settled on a layout that meets 2 conditions:
1) it's fun to run. This means things like using switches, reverse direction, share tracks, change tracks, run multiple trains concurrently without them just being concentric circles (I ran 7 concurrently in 2004), use operating cars and accessories, etc.
2) it has nice scenery. I even ballast my track to help out.

My other option, given my space, it to one one or two trains and switch one or two cars at a time. The problem becomes complicated the more stuff that you own.

If I want to run less trains and pick them off the shelf when I want to run them then I might design a switching layout. But all of the ones that I've seen, even in CTT itself, that claim to be a switching layout look as though they would become tiring very quickly. O-gauge plain and simple needs space. I don't want to run 2 trains and pretend that if I go around the loop 8 times I went from Minnesota to California. Know what I mean?

In my opinion, when it comes to the 'philosophy', not the hardware, of your layout you best think realistic based on your limitations. Be happy with what you design.

- Walt

[Anonymous]

I think you're right, I always dreamed of having a huge layout, but realistically I can't. When I was 10 I lived in Detroit (Rochester Hills), i'd spend 2 months in Northern Minnesota (Orr, on US 53, right next to the CN mainline) thats where I took in seeing all the trains. Believe it or not, my mom was friends with the wife of the Vice President of Lionel trains in Mt. Clemins, Mi so I always saw the massive layout they have running there.
Anyways, i've got my layout planned, i've got it designed so that I can expand it very easily without having to destroy much. I've decided to go with Lionels O-31 track it seems to be the cheapest, and besides that i've got a bunch of old O-31 track too I can use. Right now i'm ordering track from www.wholesaletrains.com, if there is a better website for purchasing track that'd be helpful.
I also did run out and buy a few books on layout building. I spend every extra minute I get reading them at work too, my manager thinks i'm crazy.

Thanks again everyone,

Bob