Starting my new layout.

[Anonymous]

I have been in the hobby for a few years now and have had two HO scale 4x8 layouts. I am currently working on my "trainroom" for a 12x22 foot layout of the North East Corridor with Amtrak and Conrail. I am not too experienced and can use all the andive I can get.

1) Is DCC really worth how much it costs and is it a fun and easy way to control a layout?
2) How should I create me scenery, I have read about all types of methods like plaster and foam, which method is not too time consuming but results in very nice detail?
3) How can i run trains close to their prototypical lengths on a 12x 22 walk in layout? Are there any "under the table" tricks?
Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

[Anonymous]

I'm not very experienced either but with regards to your second question a stiff foam you can buy in hardware stores like home depot would work well. Its really good for hills, mountains, and as a sub roadbed that can be carved into for rough ground etc...for roads and rocks use plaster mountains can also be made quite easily with cardboard strips as a skeleton and gause with plaster on it.

is that the kind of scenery do you mean?

[ndbprr]

You don't say what era of Amtrak and CR you are modeling but the corridor is a busy place regardless. The relationship between Amtrak and CR went downhill over time. Amtrak saw CR as a way to make money and basically forced them off the corridor due to the prices they wanted to run freights plus the delays. Early on there would be much more CR traffic. SInce I am building a PRR version (original owner) I intend to do all four tracks through a portion of Philadelphia plus the Ought track and the five track which were the local switching tracks on either side of the main so that is six tracks wide. I don't see how this could be done with anything beside DCC. the four mains will be dogbone loops with hidden staging in the loops at either end. Switch a local and cut the mainline loose with four or more trains. Since the main will be long enough in my case that two trains or more could be running on a given track having them run at the same speed will be critical so I don't have to be looking over my shoulder all the time. DCC is the best solution currently available for that. If you are going to do a high traffic volume corridor the only other choice is a LOT of operators in my opinion. You could do what I plan to do on a bigger scale and run the mainline diagonally accross the room. use the area in the hidden triangle for a staging yard and storage. leave the other half for a viewing area. the corridor is flat so you will need more building then hills as it is all pretty much urban except for some areas between DC and Maryland. there are no grade crossings on any tracks on the corridor. they are all overand underpasses. I would put a backdrop and false backs of buildings behind the railroad for industries and names on the facia with sidings for the front ones. An occasional loading dock or building on the front side will add to the illusion. The other thing is there aren't many sever curves so it is going to be pretty straight.

[jhugart]

QUOTE: Originally posted by xdevilx11

1) Is DCC really worth how much it costs and is it a fun and easy way to control a layout?

It probably depends mostly on what kind of operation you want to do. If you want to run multiple trains with multiple people, it seems worth it. For myself, the next layout I do will be DCC, because I want the sound and fine control you can get.

QUOTE: 2) How should I create me scenery, I have read about all types of methods like plaster and foam, which method is not too time consuming but results in very nice detail?

As far as I can tell, this is something that's a matter of personal choice. Both plaster and foam are used to create the scenery base; after that, you do a lot of the same work to get the finished look. Foam is lighter, but plaster may involve less dust. Some people who use foam end up using plaster over it to get a more organic shape. (You generally put something over the scenery base as a way to cover the joins and such of the scenery base.) On the other hand, plaster can be a drippy mess, and you have to work fast.

Consider making a couple of small modules or dioramas to test each approach and see which you prefer.

QUOTE: 3) How can i run trains close to their prototypical lengths on a 12x 22 walk in layout? Are there any "under the table" tricks?

If you are using HO, you may be pushing it for prototype lengths of mainline trains. Something like a communter train or a local freight might work out. If you want to get closer to mainline-length trains, get more train room or switch to N scale.

[Anonymous]

YES! to DCC. Its true that DCC is more expensive when you're starting out, but the advantages of easy wiring, smooth and easy control, beautiful lighting effects, and sound make it well worth the investment.