Good day! New Engineer here :)

[Anonymous]

I remember at 8 when i first got my set, had a nice 12x12 my Father put together, now im 22, and looking into getting started. I pulled out racks of old trains, over 50 in all, so i can review and test them on a basic oval shape layout, soon hopefully I can grab a track kid this weekend so i can begin thinking of a design i want.

Basically im going to start fresh on a 4x8 till i get use to modeling, hopefully i plan to finish a whopping 18+ by 18+ room.

For a guy who hasnt crashed trains since i was 8, this should be a quite interesting hobby. Especially being in college, i have 2 years to put together this :)

Basically, i need everyones input. First i need a Book / magazine that gives out Intermediate track layouts, nothing fancy dancy, just a 4x8 set up.
Any good books you know of? post them here, i plan to buy monday.

Secondly, i need a book on repair kits. I have a few busted up old trains, with no freight trucks *am i right?* and couplers. I have noticed they are different so bleh, i have to figure out what goes with what.

[mcouvillion]

Hawkeye501,

If you are getting back into the hobby and don't know where to start, these forums are an excellent place. You need to be a sponge. Don't do anything but listen, pay attention, and write down/save stuff that interests you. Get a subscription to Model Railroader and Trains and read. Start writing down your ideas and comparing them to what pops up in the forums. If you know of someone who has a layout where you can operate, drop by and see if you can join in. Offer to help someone who is building a layout. The fastest way to learn is to get your hands dirty. Join a local club. After you have been exposed to the hobby for a while, and you have an idea where your interests are, then seriously start designing your layout. You will have greater success and less frustration if you gain a little knowledge first before diving in.

Welcome to the hobby and to the forums.

Mark C.

[Anonymous]

Hawkeye, [#welcome]

1. Hang out here often!
2. MRR has a book basic model rairoading-startw/ that
They also have a repair & maintenaince book (very good book)
3. get the Atlas wiring book, it's cheap and very informative & detailed
4. subscribe to MRR magazine, you wont be disappointed & will learn tons
5. Start easy & build up, you'll avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Have fun!! [:D]

[Anonymous]

You gents have excellent advice. good job!

mcouvillion - Honestly im passing out fliers this weekend to start a model railroad club in my home town, which is suprisingly big, without a club at all. A local train store about 50 miles away is my key advertising, anyone can call, in central florida, we chat on sundays about all stuff, see each others models.
:)
Pretty impressed myself.

[BRVRR]

Hawkeye501,
Welcome. You will certainly enjoy the people on this forum. Very few personality conflicts and many, many knowledgeable people. Whatever problem arises, someone here can start you in the right direction. Follow the suggestions above on publications and you will have the foundations of a good beginning in model railroading.
One thing to remember, when criticism starts to get to you: It's your railroad!
Good luck,

[challenger3802]

A good place for lots of layouts, from the 4x8 upwards are covered in this website http://www.thortrains.net/

(Some of the layouts have parts lists included)

Ian

[Anonymous]

Crticism wont get to me, because this is my model. I have decided on a few things for example: i am using a north-western theme, based in the 70's

mostly taken from runaway train, with the all black engines, also a few mountains, and one city, and one rail station. interestingly enough :)