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Just Beginning

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Just Beginning
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 8:32 PM
            I am a beginner in the actual modeling part of railroading. I have read hundereds of books and magazines. But right now I am saving up money for a layout. I still need lots od tips from experts or people who have done this a while. I have both N and HO scale cars and locomotives. I also have simple lppos and branchs for both. More N than HO. I also want to begin DCC but I know squat about it. Can you offer books on the subject. Thanks.
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 12:47 AM

Hello.  If your local library (system) does not carry any model railroad booklets, perhaps you will find this guide about DCC useful.  Also, Kalmbach, our hosts here, sell reams of how-to booklets.  Check out their online store (click "shop" at the masthead at the top of the page to see if there is something you'd like.)

Here is an excellent guide to DCC found at Tony's Train Exchange.

http://tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm

 

  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: Colorado
  • 4,075 posts
Posted by fwright on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 8:37 AM

Spacemouse gave you some great advice on books.

You didn't ask, but to stretch your dollars for model railroading, pick a focus or theme for your layout.  Then sell what doesn't fit with the theme.  One example is having both N and HO scale rolling stock.  Decide which scale you want to use for your layout, and sell off the other.  For a small layout you operate by yourself, 2 good locomotives are all you need.  Again, consider selling off any excess, especially locomotives that you are not as pleased with as your good ones.

my thoughts, your choices

Fred W 

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: The mystic shores of Lake Eerie
  • 1,329 posts
Posted by Autobus Prime on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 2:07 PM

 youngrailroader000 wrote:
            I am a beginner in the actual modeling part of railroading. I have read hundereds of books and magazines. But right now I am saving up money for a layout. I still need lots od tips from experts or people who have done this a while. I have both N and HO scale cars and locomotives. I also have simple lppos and branchs for both. More N than HO. I also want to begin DCC but I know squat about it. Can you offer books on the subject. Thanks.

yr:

Start simply.  Don't even worry about DCC yet; just keep the equipment collection fairly small, and get everything working reliably, so the DCC transition will be easier. DCC is a great thing, but it's more important to have something that works reliably without derailing or stalling out, before worrying about extras like that.

Reading the books and magazines is a great idea.

It sounds like you have a couple of layouts built already.  What are they like? Do they operate well? Are you pleased with them? What problems have you had, if any?  It's hard to give general advice, but if we know where you're at, it's easy to point to specific things. 

 Currently president of: a slowly upgrading trainset fleet o'doom.

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