Hello All, I am wanting to get back into the hobby after taking a 40 year break since childhood :-). Look forward and thinking about where and how to start, I have decided on N scale. I am wanting a heavily scenic layout with lots of 'life to it' - towns, small induscries, farms etc... I am thinking of doing a VERY loose theme of a double main with passanger and frieght, and also branch lines that represent local history and around 1950. My qestions come down to "how larger to start"?
Part of my wants to do a very nice small layout like some of the great 3' * 7' ones I see online, and when I get that done either 'add to it'. (I saw a nice plan of three of these connected llike a "C" shape).
Another part of me wants to start with a 'dream layout' that I would never have to change. I have a few spots where I could fit a 6' * 12' island style, a 12' * 12' l shpaed, or a 13' * 20' Around the room type layout (garge attic). My questions are
1) where would you start? and
2) If I started small, and in a few years wanted to start over on a larger layout, how much of the 'cost would I leave behind' in things I could not move over, like bench work, hard scenery, and things like that?
Thougths?
Thanks, Dan Dietz
Hi there. You can transfer a lot of stuff from a previous layout if you use the proper adhesives (that dilutes with water, for example). In fact, many items, such as buildings and bridges, can hold with gravity... But what would be more expensive is changing your mind about scale. Many modellers go from N scale to HO scale as they advance in age... The eyes and hands just can't handle the tiny things after a while. And that costs money.
Simon
Hi Dan,
There was a great article in MR last month about creating a small 2' X 4' shelf layout to develop your skills in benchwork, track laying and balasting, wiring and control systems, scenery, buildings and aquiring, detailing and weathering rolling stock. This could also be incorporated into a larger around the walls shelf layout. If I was just starting out again, this is the path that I would follow.
As Simon pointed out, most items can be either removed from that first layout or just kept in place to incorporate into a bigger layout.
Starting small lets you accomplish things quickly so that you can try different techniques and find out what works for you without having to invest alot of time and money. You will make mistakes(as we all have) and it's easier to make small mistakes.
It's really a question of where you think your skills are at this point and how much time, energy and money you are willing to put into it.
Scott Sonntag
John Armstrong in his book Track Planning for Realistic Operation makes the point that many layouts get abandoned, or the owner even leaves the hobby, because they created too large a layout to build AND maintain, and that it is important to get some trains running reasonably early to retain interest and motivation. Motivation plays a big role in layout building. And since most of us like model building, there is the danger that the many enjoyable distractions the hobby offers become more attractive than the slog of benchwork or of wiring or of troubleshooting the track.
Dave Nelson
Think about your layout space when you're looking to build that dream layout. I had a large HO scale layout in the finished room above my garage, about 24 x 24. It was very comfortable and I started with a 5 x 12 table and expanded it to fill most of the room. I did build too big. I got everything out to move to another home, but the new space is smaller and the original table is still in the garage and will be dismantled soon. I saved all the buildings, but most of the scenery and trackwork will eventually be tossed.
Consider time as well. I found that I spent about one month for every square foot of finished layout. This includes everything, even assembly and painting of any kits, wiring and other electronics. I am retired now, but I had a full-time job during most of this.
I must admit that I'm more of a builder than an operator. I spend far more time on trackwork, structures and scenery than actually running trains, so I don't know what I would do with a "completed" layout.
Cost can depend on your available funds, and what you insist in having. Look for sales on track. Walthers has a track sale every January, and other mail order places have periodic deals. You can get brand new, high quality rolling stock and pay for it, or train show leftovers and do some work to make them useable. I would recommend getting at least your first locomotives brand new, so you'll have something you don't have to work on. Structures can be scratch built for little money but a lot of work, or can be bought pre-built for a lot more.
Don't worry. You can develop skills you don't have yet.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Biggest expense is in buying stuff I don't need. good planning and discipline will keep that cost to a minimum. I have a small layout in progress.. happy with it.. no plans to build a bigger one.
Yeah, shiny thing cost a lot of money!
Anyway, I'd start out with a small oval layout with some turnouts to get your feet wet with the basics and once you've gotten some confidence and skill and experience, you can move to a larger size. That's generally a good idea.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
to the Model Railroader forums. Your first few posts will be delayed by the moderation staff, but that will end soon enough. Please stick it out and join in our conversations.
riogrande5761I'd start out with a small oval layout with some turnouts to get your feet wet with the basics and once you've gotten some confidence and skill and experience, you can move to a larger size. That's generally a good idea.
I am going to agree with RioGrande on this one.
Build a small layout, 3 by 7 is fine, and learn as much as you can.
Find out what you like, and what you do not like.
Build it to completion (or close to it), and build it fast... then cut it up and throw it away.
When you start you next layout, you will have a much better idea about what brings you enjoyment than we could ever figure out in here.
Every layout is different, and every model railroader is different.
Once you have built that first layout, you will find that many things on your "must have" list will be moved to another list.
Cost wise, maybe $1,000.00 total if you do it on the typical route. Half that on the cheap.
I have built two layouts with the intention of expanding them later, it never worked out that way. It was always better to start over on the next one.
Cutting up an experimental layout is something I have become good at.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
There's nothing wrong with starting with a small layout and leaving room for future growth. Such an approach avoids getting overwhelmed not knowing how to start. I have a much larger layout now and it's much easier to manage after starting on a smaller one.
djdietzI am wanting to get back into the hobby after taking a 40 year break since childhood
Hi Dan!
Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to the forums!!
Building a large layout is complex task which is better done with some experience under your belt. There are a couple of ways to gain that experience.
One is to follow the suggestions in previous posts to start small and learn from the process of building that layout. I can pretty much guarantee that what you will learn from building a small layout will save you a huge number of headaches when you advance to a larger layout. At the very least, you will learn what questions to ask here.
Having said that, that's not how I gained my own layout experience. Instead, I joined a club that just happened to be starting the construction of a new layout shortly after I joined. The combined knowledge and problem solving skills of the roughly 20 experienced club members provided me with a huge amount of information. So, perhaps you might want to consider joining a local club if there is one available. The National Model Railroaders Association (NMRA) has a fairly comprehensive list of clubs across the world.
https://www.nmra.org/clubs
This is not a complete list of all the model train clubs. It only covers those clubs associated with the NMRA.
Good luck with your layout!!
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Plan the big layout but build a section of it with lots of switching. You can finish that and then incorperate it into a larger space.
Hi there,
I have done an article on growing a layout on the British YMR site as well as having a freebie copy of an article on a 4x8 that will translate well down to a 7x3 N scale layout... just PM me and I can send you a copy and a link to the site. I have no commercial interests!
I agree with the idea that a maintenance frankenstein is not in your best interest... I have had a couple of extensions and the maintenance has gone up logarithmically!
Welcome back to the hobby,
Cheers from Australia
Trevor
I'm working on a small layout which I work on on and off as time permits. I will go months without so much as looking at it, and then I will get motivated and work on it for a few days. Thus far I've learned what I enjoy and what I don't enjoy, and this will help me when I eventually have more time to work on a dream layout later in life. I very much enjoy the buidling of the layout without getting too hung up on details... i.e. I don't weather my rolling stock or add details.. I buy it and use it as is. I spend more time on the structures.. will likely focus more on building my own trackside structures as these make the layout unique and "mine".
My suggestion is to build two 2x4 "sections" and put a 180 degree curve of track on each. Then I would put a 18-24" wide by 6-8 ft long piece between them that would connect one side of the two curves and then put a 6-8 inch wide board connecting the other side of the curves, making a big loop. The two curves and the board are disposable, the big piece is a keeper. Because its more or less straight, it can be incorporated into a permanent layout.
On the board you can put a couple sidings and use it for staging.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
to the forum. As you say you are coming back to the hobby, I don't assume you are a newbie and have to start as a beginner.
I got back into the hobby after 20 years, knowing I was going to move. I kept elevations to a minimum and did 2 modules, one 2x5 and the other 2x7.5. Not sure how I picked that later dimension, but it doesn't fit into an SUV. 2x4 modules make it very hard to design a switching layout, as a turnout falls into the seam.
There are module design standards, if you intend to interact with a club. TOMA is one of the standards, google TOMA
If you start as a switching layout there is room to grow. If you start as as circle or an elipse, it's hard to expand from that.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I suggest building a small layout that can serve as a test bed. Build it as a table top and try out different brands of track, trains, scenery techniques, etc. When you start the "big one" this one can still be a place to try out different things as well as a layout you can run while getting the big one up and running.
Personally, I have a tabletop 5'4" x 12' test layout where I can run trains, test curve radius, etc. At the same time I am building a 10 1/2' x 34' layout - benchwork finished and tracklaying under way.
Good luck
Paul