Another Newbie

[Anonymous]

Another Newbie in research mode here. I don't really have too many specific questions at the moment, but I'd like to point out a few things that I'm learning and hopefully gain some insight as to whether or not I'm on the right track (no pun intended). Maybe I can also help out other noobs in a similar situation, as they have no doubt helped me (through forum posts, etc.) in the past.

As others have stated here, I also have a 4 year old son who is a "Thomas the Train" junkie. I believe his addiction started when he was about 2 1/2, when someone played a Thomas video at his daycare. As they say in the drug world, the first taste is always free. Anyway, since then his whole world has revolved around trains. It's all he talks about. When he was 3 he told me that we needed to go to the "traction rod store" because his Thomas trains don't have traction rods! So, over the last 2 Birthdays and Christmas's, family and friends have helped create his little wooden empire. I built him a 3x4 train table for his room and they pretty much took care of the rest. That was lesson number one: Have a Thomas themed Birthday party and inform guests on proper gift selection etc. You can also make out pretty good by getting the Grandparents to compete over who can buy the most expensive accessory. Evil I know, but you wouldn't want to disappoint your only grandson would you? ;)

We got him his first electric train set this past May when we went to Disneyland. It's an HO model of the Disney train that consists of an EZ track oval, a steam engine, tender, and two passenger cars. The set cost about $80 and was intended as a transition for him. I knew before I bought it that he was too young for it, he was gonna break it, he needed to be supervised, etc., but I still let him pretty much learn the basic do's and don'ts on his own. First thing they try to do is pu***he trains like they do Thomas. Second thing they do is get frustrated and throw the engine across the room. Result being a severed headlight and a cracked smoke stack. That upset him. He doesn't throw his trains anymore. He's also learned about "horn hook" couplers. "Daaaaaad, they won't couple up. They won't couple up".

This has all lead to the next obvious transition. My son still enjoys his Thomas set. And he likes running carpet circles with what's left of his Disney set. Now I'm looking at the next few years. I'm looking to build a permanent layout in the garage as a project we can do together over time. I never had trains as a kid, so I'm really looking forward to it.

I've yet to buy anything but books. And what I've learned from them is that I may need to buy a few more books! There's so much information!

After considering several issues, I'm leaning towards a basic HO 4x8 layout. For me it's the best compromise between size and cost. One concern I have about it though is that it will be hard for my son to reach across the layout. And a narrow shelf layout may limit operation and make it boring for him. So, still thinking it through.

Benchwork is still an issue, but I'm thinking plywood base with a 2 inch layer of foam on top. This way I can carve into the foam but still have a sturdy base.

Track, I'm not sure yet. EZ track is tempting but I hate the way it looks. Flex track may be too difficult. I mean, I could probably do it, but the process just doesn't look like a lot of fun to me. And if it feels like a chore, I may lose interest myself. So, I may be leaning towards sectional track. I'm open to suggestions on roadbed, but all methods seem pretty straight forward.

Wiring is my biggest fear. I'm absolutely setting up for DCC. And I was relieved when I read about it for the first time. Prior to that, all I had read were older published, two train wiring articles that gave me nightmares for a couple of days. I think DCC is definitely the way to go, but I'll have to read a lot more on DCC, as well as basic wiring, before I get started. I just downloaded the DCC primer from Tony's trains so, that's a start.

Ok guys, I just realized how ridiculously long this post is. Sorry about that. Basically, I love researching new things and playing with my kids. So how can I miss with model trains ("gulp")? I'm open to suggestions on anything you guys may have to offer. A month ago I couldn't have told you the first thing about model railroads. Now I find myself thinking about whether or not to use manual turnouts so my son can still have some "hands on" operation like he's used to. Crazy.

Anyway guys. Sorry for the long post. I'm looking forward to future discussion, feedback, etc.

Later for now,
Jay

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you are heading in the right direction. Sound research before laying the first piece of track is always the best plan of action as this will reduce the frustration factor and the overall cost when things are bought that wont quite fit as we thought (I still do this occasionally but not as often any more. Kit Bashing is often the order of the day)
I use cork to provide the track base. Nickle Silver track is the best of what is currently available. Watch out for the various codes (rail Height) Code 100 is the usual starting point for trainsets (in Australia at least).
My Daughters love our On30 christmas tree train. They often turn up with the loco or carriages and say train broken Dad fix for me.

Peter.

[ARTHILL]

Your are on the right track. I went a different dirrection, but that matters not. You are close to where it is time to build something. Nothing will be perfect . Make your choices and start. I'm sure you have found the Woodland Scenic books. You can use that style with less cost by going generic. I have made some nice stuff with dumpster foam. I don't do DCC because I had old engines I was not ready to convert. Starting with DCC seems to be the only way. As you proceed you can learn all the techniques as you go. Let some of these artists show you the magic. Good luck

[Anonymous]

I built a 4 by 8 for my son when he was five. I've since added to it.

Here are a few comments:

Kids want rivers, bridges, mountains and tunnels. You can do this with foam over plywood. Just make sure your basic benchwork is sound.

Don't be intimidated by flex track. Though it is a skill, with the right tools (Xuron rail clippers) lots of patience and maybe find a few people you meet at a local hobby shop or an open house at a local club who can help you out you will find that it is a very learnable skill. 'Tis the season for open houses at clubs.

Starting with DCC is probably the best way to go. However, it will keep cheaper locomotives out of the picture. Initially, you can run DC on a 4 by 8 and convert later. Just make sure you use turnouts that are DCC compatible.

[MisterBeasley]

I hope you are somewhere close to a Local Hobby Shop, or LHS as we call them here. A good one is the best resource there is. A bad one, of course, might as well be a shoe store for all the good it will do you. If you go to Google and look for "Train Shows" you will find a number of them, particularly this time of year. Add your state name, or any nearby state you don't mind driving to, to cut down the listings a bit. (I live in New England, where I can drive to any of 3 other states in an hour, and two more an hour later.) Train shows are a combination of layout exhibition and flea market. Kids are welcome, and generally admitted free.

You can freely combine sectional and flex track. Most of us do that anyway, because all the turnouts (the "real" term for what I called "switches" when I was a kid) are sectional anyway. Flex track isn't hard to use, and it makes it so much easier to correct those slight misalignments that you will inevitably get. Get a set of Xuron rail snippers and you will be on your way.

My best advice is to plan your space, start small, and don't hurry. You are not going to have this done in time for Christmas. Back last March when I started my back-to-trains-after-40-years-in-boxes-in-the-attic layout, I thought that Christmas was a reasonable goal. Well, now make that Christmas, 2006. But, I'm enjoying myself so much, I'd hate to see the construction come to an end.

And welcome aboard, to both of you. You've come to the right place.

[SpaceMouse]

Before you choose to build a 4x8 read this article.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mrsvc/id28.html

I built a 4x8 and there are many problems you might not consider. Go with the flex track. I spent a lot of time makeing the EZ track work and nothing will turn your kid off like a bunch of derailments. So you have a trade off, EZ track easy at first, hard making it work. Flex is a little harder to lay, but easier to make trackwork run smoothly.

Lastly, post you plan here before you build. Guys her can give you some good hints on how to make you plan a little better. Planning is everything in this game.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback guys. In response to Mister Beasley, I'm in Sacramento and surrounded by good train stuff. The old gold ru***owns ya know. We see prototype action every day. We've been here 2 1/2 years and I can't recall a day that's gone by without seeing a train. As for hobby shops, we have a great one about a 20 minute drive from the house, Bruce's Train Shop. http://www.brucestrainshop.com/ If you follow the link, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "Take a look at the store". That's exactly how the store looked the other day when I was there buying a book. Really cool and my son loves it. We also have about a 10 minute drive away, The California State Railroad museum. http://www.csrmf.org/default.asp They have a kids club where if you're a member, one child and one adult can go as often as you want for the price of membership. I could ride a bike there it's so close. Also, coming up in a couple of weeks is the International Rail Fair. http://www.internationalrailfair.com/ We took my son in 03' when he was just getting interested. Too young to appreciate it. We missed it last year for some reason, but this year he's gonna have a blast. Outdoor garden layout, and at least 3 buildings packed with layouts/merchandise. I think you're right ARTHILL, almost time to build something. November's model railroad month right? No better time I guess. I'll keep you posted.

[jwar]

First of all Jay, Welcome to the forum.

Sounds like a fantastic way to train a kid, (pun intended LOL ) At your LHS check out the Pico turnouts, they snap over with a positive alignment and your son can operate them.

My granddaughter love's to help her dear ole Gram-Pa and we do scenery, make pine trees and just run trains, is allways a higlight to my day. You will enjoy and have great memorys, that will be Priceless as well as your young lad sporting a railroad hat, with your camera at hand.

If you ever head North to Oroville, let me know, coffee pot is allways on....Take Care....John

[Tom Bryant_MR]

Welcome onboard Jay.
Since you mention books, another good resource is 48 Top-Notch Track Plans published by Kalmback books. The first section has some good tips on how to use plain old paper to "doodle" on - get an idea of a plan that will fit in the space you have etc. Browse through it at your LHS. It's a good one. I just started in the hobby and have referred back to it many times as I'm planning.

And that hobby shop where you live just 20 minutes from - I'm jealous [:P]

[Anonymous]

welcome i just wanted to say hello and that i am very sure thomas will be the reason many
great RR of the future will be built. and too share the RR experiance with your son is imho
of the highest joy/

this is a great place (these forums) to learn any thing you might want to know about MRR
these guys and gals too will always guide you right and keep you on the right track :)

and dont worry about long posts as i seem to be very guilty of them and the crew here
has always welcomed me no matter how frazzeled my posting :) so no worries about that .

with the wiring it seems daughting but with the books and guidance from these forum members you wont have any problems.

best regards and continued successes, john

[MisterBeasley]

QUOTE: Originally posted by John Hall

and dont worry about long posts

The way I figure it, if you can take the time to type it, I can take the time to read it. [:D] It's usually better to have too much information than not enough.