Welcome to the insanity!
This is a good site...
If you look up this site : http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums
It has a lot of information, and it seams that you see more action on it also.
Read all articles on both sites. Most of us started with a starter set, and just put it out side to see the WOW of it.
Starter sets come with track , a power pack , engine and a couple cars. Everything you need to get going.
When you do build , use the biggest curves that will fit!
You should look for used track, new is $...
USA ,LGB, Train-Li (http://www.trainli.com/) all hook up to each other.
Just ask and most of us will give you our ( Hint :Large scale central respond faster)
Good luck and you will also need to learn how to post pics..as " No pics it didn't happen" attitude is the rule " HUMOR "
Again Welcome and Have Fun!!!
Sean
PS: Fill out biography so we know where you are and..You might live down the street from someone in the hobby.
Well, in terms of books, I heartily recommend my Garden Railway Basics:
http://www.kalmbachstore.com/12468.html
Though I may be a bit biased. ;) As the title implies, the book covers the basics from tools to construction techniques, control systems, etc.
For the gardening side of things, there's Nancy Norris' gardening guidebook for garden railroads:
http://www.kalmbachstore.com/12444.html
On-line resources (besides this one), the two prominent sites are:
http://www.mylargescale.com
http://www.largescalecentral.com
Lots of neat projects and folks writing about various techniques for this, that, and the other, and both are free to join.
Later,
K
Welcome to large scale. I too, made the trip from HO to N to Z to G. Unlike our brother and sister smaller scales, G is NOT a defined scale. Everything from 1:19 to 1:32 run on the same size track. The difference being the spacing between the ties. I would suggest going to a train show or convention to see all the available scales within G-Gauge. Most train hobby stores have one one or two scales to chose from.
The others have listed the good reference sites so I'll not duplicate. I will add that the only dumb question is the one not asked. In the smaller scales there are several "Best Practices" being that they all are protected from the weather. The word "best" has caused many a heated discussion on all the forums, mostly due to our exposure to the climate. What works best for me (sunny San Diego) is a poor option in Minnesota. I am able to build directly on the ground using the trench back-fill method with floating track. Then again I do not need to allow for freeze/thaw heave. Just the occasional earthquake.
As mentioned above, "Starter Kits" are the way to go. I would suggest either a Bachmann or LGB kit. For two very simple reasons, first: the availability to acquire locally, and second: they both are somewhat mid-range in the scale spectrum, so will not look too out of place with whatever scale you end up using.
Rules: I have broken them all. Obviously we want to keep as much of our empire to a 2% grade or less. I was "commanded" to build a branch line to the top of the waterfall. My empire surrounds a Koi pond. This trolley line begins at 7% on the ground then to 14% on the first set of bridging then to 17% on the final segment. Knowing that this would cause some very hard wear and tear I purchased four of the same Bachmann trolley, one to run and three replacements. After 15 years the three replacements are still new in the box. Another "rule" is never put a ninety degree bend under a tunnel. The construction limitations required me to do just that. The only problems I have encountered have been due to collisions with wildlife in the tunnel.
Get yourself a started kit and start playing in the dirt. Then ask away with any and all questions.
Tom Trigg
For my 2pennys worth, I think most important is to make your track curves as large as possible. Try to stay away from R1 curves as I found out most of my locos won't go round them! I am about to start building in the garden and it does seem a bit daunting. My big problem is the heat and track getting distorted and ties melting or degrading but I am in Western Australia oh and the other problem for me is the cost of it over here too! Good luck and most important is have fun!
My two cents would be to allow for expansion/growth. I initially built a helix for the height clearance of a !;24 scale loco and then a couple months later I bought a 1:20 scale loco that wouldn't fit and had to do a major rebuild. Think about clearances when building tunnels and bridges. Make them bigger just in case things change as you grow with your railroad.
Most important of all is have fun!
Rex
The LGB brand by far is the most bullet proof of all of the major manufactures, espicaly the older pre Marklin ownership stuff. Thier track holds up the best of any I have ever used outdoors. Thier engines are top notch and rarely have problems. As to what brand you end up with, its more or less determined by what you want to model, American narrow gauge, American mainline standard gauge, European meter gauge ect. LGB and Piko dominate the Euro area obviously, and most all of them have USA prototype product. The LGB Mogul and White Pass & Yukon diesel are absolutly beautifull looking and running models. I have LGB both indoors and outdoors, and a mix of USA narrow gauge and European meter gauge trains. MIke
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
You will find most new product for our scale is DC, DCC ready, or DCC equipped. I am not aware of any manufacturer mass producing battery equipped locomotives. Live steam is alive and well in this scale, but the cost can be prohibitive for some (or most depending). If time is not a pressing issue, I would highly recommend reading Kevin's book and doing some soul searching making some basic decisions that will affect your enjoyment in the outdoor world for a long time to come, and save 'redos' aplenty.
Whatever starter set you purchase, make absolutely certain, if you are going to put something down outdoors, that the rail material is brass, stainless steel, or aluminum. The stamped steel rail that is typically provided with a Bachmann starter set is not suited to long term outdoor use. Bachmann does make a fine brass track product, but I don't believe it is provided in starter sets.
Kevin and others have recommended a couple of other fora for reading and research. Both are fantastic. Great folks with a wealth of knowledge not equaled in any single location.
Welcome aboard the fraternity of Feroequinologists.
Bob C.
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