Hi, looking for fee based help getting started with small layout in Maryland.... N-Gauge
Welcome aboard!
Unfortunately, you're ten years too late - John Armstrong (Silver Spring) died in 2004.
Fortunately, 'The Dean of Layout Planning,' left a number of books on the subject. You might look for Track Planning for Realistic Operation and John Armstrong on Creative Layout Design., both published by our gracious hosts, Kalmbach Publishing Company. You might check under SHOP (top right of the page) for current price and availability.
While his own layout (O scale) and many of the layouts he designed were large, there were some smaller - and ideas from the larger layouts can be adapted to layouts of any size.
Once again,
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - in Twice N, 1:80 scale aka HOj)
You could try gettimg some free help right here.
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
IIRC, Lance Mindheim lives in Silver Spring. He did the benchwork and trackwork for a friend of mine, I'm not sure if he is still in the business but you might try contacting him. He's a member of the forum but I can't remember what his "handle" is...
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
Lance Mindheim website:http://www.shelflayouts.com
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Obviously, the cost of hiring a professional layout builder varies dramatically depending upon the size of the layout and the extent to which the professional is retained to do continuing work beyond construction of the framework itaself. So, track laying, electrical work, landscaping and ballasting, signal systems, structure building, etc. all add to the cost.
But, I wonder if someone knowledgeable could give us some examples of cost to build a small, medium, or large layout, summarizing the additional costs as work is done beyond the basic framework.
Rich
Alton Junction
These are great replies, thank you.... I was looking for boots on the ground to help with the project as oppsed to contract out for a layout.. Help with actually building out the Woodland Scenics sub-structure if we decide to go that way for example....
Where in Maryland? You don't need to be specific ---- just tell us what county.
halkuff These are great replies, thank you.... I was looking for boots on the ground to help with the project as oppsed to contract out for a layout.. Help with actually building out the Woodland Scenics sub-structure if we decide to go that way for example....
I htink this is a wise sentiment. With due respect to the professionals, I think you will get much more satisfaction from your layout the more of it you do yourself. As others have pointed out, there are a lot of amateurs here (and a couple of professionals) who will be glad to help for the asking. Some members here have traveled to help for the price of room and board and maybe a little gas money.
I would also advise you not to be afraid to try it on your own. There is no shame in trying something, having it turn out less well than you wanted, and doing it ovrr. Most people here have done so many times.
I will point out, though, that if you are in Maryland, you are not far from one of the greatest model railroading shops: Model Train Stuff (MB Klein) in Cockeysville. I would drop by there and see what kind of help is available.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
CTValleyRR... I will point out, though, that if you are in Maryland, you are not far from one of the greatest model railroading shops: Model Train Stuff (MB Klein) in Cockeysville. I would drop by there and see what kind of help is available.
And if your not close to Baltimore but further South or West, there is another excellent hobbyshop called The Moose Caboose in Winfield [near Sykesville]. And there is a well-known modular club, the Four-County Society of Model Engineers, made up of people from Carroll/Frederick/Montgomery/Howard [and more] counties. Most of the guys who come to my op sessions are from that club.
halkuff.
How small a layout were you thinking...?
8x8 will need to weigh whether to use woodland scenics sub-teraain or something else
richhotrain But, I wonder if someone knowledgeable could give us some examples of cost to build a small, medium, or large layout, summarizing the additional costs as work is done beyond the basic framework. Rich
Lance's FAQ page states that cost generally start in the $20,000 range for something small and basic. Now I would assume this would be a stellar looking layout, not with grass-mat feilds, kitty litter ballast, and out of scale back grounds. I'd figure this was a layout one could enjoy without thinking there needs to be more to it, but I wouldn't expect the Franklin & South Manchester either.
So, either Lance is out of sight with layout build pricing, or he's right in line with the other services offered in the backs of the model rail road magazines; labor probably being 90% of the cost of a contracted layout. Your call, but that's a publicized example.
D94R richhotrain But, I wonder if someone knowledgeable could give us some examples of cost to build a small, medium, or large layout, summarizing the additional costs as work is done beyond the basic framework. Rich Lance's FAQ page states that cost generally start in the $20,000 range for something small and basic. Now I would assume this would be a stellar looking layout, not with grass-mat feilds, kitty litter ballast, and out of scale back grounds. I'd figure this was a layout one could enjoy without thinking there needs to be more to it, but I wouldn't expect the Franklin & South Manchester either. So, either Lance is out of sight with layout build pricing, or he's right in line with the other services offered in the backs of the model rail road magazines; labor probably being 90% of the cost of a contracted layout. Your call, but that's a publicized example.
Except that the OP doesn't sound like he wants something designed and built for him, but someone he can hire for a couple of hours if he gets stuck.
While I'm sure Lance's work is top notch, that figure sounds a little high for "small and basic" to me. On the other hand, it's possible that it's anexercise in expectation managememt, so that prospective customers understand that they are embarking on a major investment, not something they're goimg to pay for with chump change.
halkuff -I have a 3'8" x 6'2" layout that needs a good home. It is bare cookie-cutter benchwork, with a handsome pine fascia. Also have lots of N-scale goodies to get you on the right track (yes, punny). I'm near Baltimore. Send a PM if interested.
A person who models Maryland should go with Western Maryland. Nothing wrong with modeling the Chessie System, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Wheeling and Lake Erie, Winchester and Western and others.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
He posted here, but he didn't explicitly mention that he also provides model railroad consulting services. For that reason, I will post another link to his site. http://www.layoutvision.com/index.html
Great site even if you dont end up contacting him
big daydreamerHe posted here, but he didn't explicitly mention that he also provides model railroad consulting services.
Thanks for the thought and the link, but I don't offer construction -- my modeling barely satisfies me, let alone anyone else. I do layout designs and ops planning only -- less eye-hand coordination needed.
If you are a NMRA member and you sought out the nearest Division, you may find exactly the person you are looking for. We tend to be quite helpful at the Division level. If there is a local club, they sometimes are willing to help as well, though many are very busy with club construction.
I am in Howard county Maryland. What kind of help do you need ?
Kelly
www,finescale360.com
I'm doing an 8x6 N Gauge, trying to decide if I want to do elavations -spline, woodland scenics, peirs etc and also general help.. how involved do you like to get? Please switch to kuff@tessco.com or call 410-365-6802
I'm in Charles County, MD and looking for a N scale layout builder in the area. Aside from BANTRAK, are there any N scale clubs close to the DMV area?