Looking for some advice on the best way to get started. I have big plans for a small room in my basement (10' x 12'). I want to start with DCC right at the outset, so I started tallying up the initial cost of purchasing everything at once (including guesstimates for buildings, trains/cars, paint, ballast, other electronics), and the number was mind-boggling. Assuming I want to stretch the cost out over the span of 6 months or more, how would you reccomend I proceed? Should I lay out the main line first, and then purchase turnouts, track, roadbed, etc incrementally as I go? Should I purchase ALL the roadbed and track first according to plan, and forego other expenses initially (such as some of the scenery, buildings, etc)? Should I look for cheaper options for track, buildings, trains, rather than buying the "best" I can find right off the bat?
Basically, what's the best way to stretch out these expenses and get a good start in the hobby, while at the same time allowing me to get at least one track up and running so I don't start to get frustrated and lose interest? After all, as much as I think I'll enjoy all aspects of the hobby, it's the running of the trains that I'm most interested in.
If this is your first foray into building a layout, I would suggest you start with a small chunk of the layout, and see what skills you have, and what you need to work on.
DCC is a good idea, and if you make that your first major purchase, you'll find that it's a good one. I use the MRC Prodigy Advance, which is easy to use, easy to learn, and easy to install. It's also the most economical full function system. Get that, or whichever system you settle on, and DCC equipped locomotive and some basic track to get started, then build a scene to a level of completion you're satisfied with. Try installing a turnout machine, solder some track and wires, ballast a little track, build a couple of structures... Make a tree, add some details... Do as much in that four or six square feet as you can so you can really get a feel for different aspects of layout construction.
Once you have your feet wet, then start planning "the big one".
What scale will you be working in?
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
DMESD wrote: Looking for some advice on the best way to get started. I have big plans for a small room in my basement (10' x 12'). I want to start with DCC right at the outset, so I started tallying up the initial cost of purchasing everything at once (including guesstimates for buildings, trains/cars, paint, ballast, other electronics), and the number was mind-boggling. Assuming I want to stretch the cost out over the span of 6 months or more, how would you reccomend I proceed? Should I lay out the main line first, and then purchase turnouts, track, roadbed, etc incrementally as I go? Should I purchase ALL the roadbed and track first according to plan, and forego other expenses initially (such as some of the scenery, buildings, etc)? Should I look for cheaper options for track, buildings, trains, rather than buying the "best" I can find right off the bat? Basically, what's the best way to stretch out these expenses and get a good start in the hobby, while at the same time allowing me to get at least one track up and running so I don't start to get frustrated and lose interest? After all, as much as I think I'll enjoy all aspects of the hobby, it's the running of the trains that I'm most interested in.
First, build the benchwork.
Then lay the roadbed and track.
Then wire it.
Then add scenery.
Then start adding structures. This could take a while--months, or more--'cause you'll have to build at least some of them.
I decided to go with HO. I REALLY wanted to get my Father's 1938 American Flyer streamline set going, but the space requirements were more than I wanted to deal with. I may yet do something with that on a smaller scale, but it's not something I want to experiment with. I also considered N scale, and while I loved the amount of track and detail you could put into the same size space, the HO just seemed more "substantial" to me. Personal preference I guess.
My plan is to model three of the more interesting industries close to where I live. There's a reasonably large grain silo and ethanol plant, a nice old (no longer used) passenger train depot area, and only a little farther away, a stockyard with some interesting track variety running through it. I hope to model these three areas with as much detail as I can reproduce. We'll see what happens after that :)
Sounds good. My suggestion would be to start with one of those scenes, and carry it as far as you can. Build your main line loop, but keep it "un-doable" so that you can make adjustments later as your thoughts about how the trains will operate evolve.
One of the first things you'll learn is that your estimate of 6 months before you'll need "all" the stuff is way off base. My layout is 5x12 feet, half the size of your room. Assuming you'll build around-the-walls, maybe with a peninsula, you'll probably end up with a few more square feet than me, but not by much. I started building my layout 3 years ago. I've spent a lot of time on it, relative to other activities. And my layout is somewhere around 2/3 done. So, I'd estimate that you may spend 4 years or more building your layout.
The first step is not to buy, but rather to plan. I've still got stuff in boxes that I bought before I planned. That's why it's still in boxes. I'm not sure when, or if, I'll ever get to use it.
New stuff comes along all the time, and old stuff gets better. 3 years ago, sound locomotives were rare, but now they are a standard option with most releases by the big manufacturers. There are new structure kits showing up all the time. (I'll admit, though, that some kits get "retired" and become hard to find.)
So, my first suggestion is to design your layout, paying particular attention to the overall floor plan of your benchwork. Then, you can build the benchwork (yes, this is something you do all at once.) Finally get some track, turnouts, and roadbed so that you can start laying track. It's not hard, but it's better to start slow and small. Get that DCC system. It's already the best decision you've made. And get one nice sound-equipped engine.
Oh, and welcome aboard!
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Welcome aboard!
The easiest way into the pool is to make a general plan of your trackwork, then lay your mainline loop, one runaround/passing siding and a couple of holding/industrial spurs. Detail that area with ballast, ground cover, buildings, cars, fences, people... As the urge to add more operating interest hits, add another runaround, a small yard, more industrial trackage, an engine service facility... After about ten years of doing this you'll be able to look around, smile and say, "Well, now that the rough-in is done, time to start adding all the really fine details..."
If, after six months, you can run a train in a circle, park it and run another, you will be progressing faster than I have - and I am not saddled with the crass necessity of making a living (nor do I have the stamina and flexibility of my earlier self.)
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - eventually)
Here is a nice place to start.
www.hogrr.com
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
I built my "table" three years ago. Storage underneath is full and over flowing to above. Level two, the O gauge train and Dept 56 is barely touched and the HO is at the point where a few sketches and track plans are being worked on. At my rate, I'll be done when my sons are out of college. Rather than over shoot my needs, I'm hoping to buy the rest of the lumber I need and take another step by the time summer has passed.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
SpaceMouse wrote:You might also take 5 minutes and read my Beginner's Guide to Layout Design. You can click to it from my signature.
Oh yeah, read President Mouse's Beginners Guide to Layout Design.
Don't let us, telling you to take it slow, scare you off the project. I think the general idea is that we don't want you to overwhelm yourself early on and become this guy-->
Assuming that the layout will be continous run, the best way to spread out expenses I've always found is to build the benchwork first obviously, then put down whatever you're using as sub-roadbed. Then lay the entirety of your mainline. The object, as you mentioned is to get trains running as quickly as possible, also since turnouts are the most expensive part, and unless you're doing special trackwork or curved turnouts it's very easy to splice them in as needed later for passing sidings and your industries. This also helps since no trackplan ever looks the same on paper as in in wood and foam (or other construction materials), so unless you're ABSOLUTELY sure where something is going to be, it's far more flexible.
Now that you've got a way to run trains you can go back and add the details/additional functions/whatever of the railroad as your schedule and budget allow.
Of course if you're not careful and push yourself you might end up like me and constantly rebuild and never get much scenary done this way.
-Matt
DM&ESD -
HO is a good choice. I always think one should use what "feels right." This is a hobby, and logic shouldn't get in the way of fun. One word of caution - never work against a self-imposed deadline - that takes all the fun out of it!
- Harry
After you've finished Chip's getting started guide, take a quick look at mine..
http://www.rolleiman.com/trains/clinic2p1.html
To add to it, I would NOT skimp on anything. Better to save for the purchase than to have junk, which will sour your enthusiasm in no time.