Hello all, this is my first post. I currently have several trains and a little oval, however, I have a large crawlspace that is unusually high and plan on building a perm. layout there. Since I'm building this from scratch I thought I would ask for some suggestions on books to read, magazines to subscribe to, tips and tricks from the experienced, etc etc... At this point I'm trying to wrap my brain around how to build the benchwork. I'm trying to avoid pitfalls so I don't have to tear it up later and waste a lot of money.
My trains are O gauge and while I have a small amount of track I'm not married to it (MTH RealTrax)
Thanks for your time
Welcome to the forum. The first layout is always an adventure.
1. Are you sure the space will last you several years. If not, consider modular so it can be moved when you want to.
2. Bench work: for a flat layout - braced legs, 1/2 ply, 2 inch foam and away you go. For hills, valleys, mountains and canyons and great bridges L girder is my favorit.
3. Magazines, I am a Modlerailroader fan, but I am in HO
4. MOST IMPORTANT - What do you want the layout to do/be? If you know that, the planning kind of takes care of itself.
Welcome to the forums!
Your crawlspace provides you with a unique opportunity - you can dig out your aisleways (just not close to the foundation or the supporting posts) to assure yourself safe head clearance, then assemble modules on the ground with a minimum of underlying tablework.
The most useful book I have ever found for intelligent layout design is John Armstrong's Track Planning For Realistic Operation. For a short course, find a Spacemouse post and click on his Beginner's Guide. Then, check the shop icon above - Kalpubco has a variety of titles on almost every facet of model railroad design, construction and operation. If you are interested in one specific railroad, Google the name and you should find a link to its historical society.
One thing to watch about railroad histories. They tend to put more attention on shady deals and boardroom shenanigans than on the construction and operation of the physical plant. One I bought has a fine collection of paintings and photos of past presidents, and not one image of the railroad's distinctive and world-famous locomotives.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Allow me to point out that MTH Real Trax is a three rail system and is discussed more on the Classic Toy Trains forum (click on the forums link above). You're are certainly welcome here, but you'll find more folks there using MTH. An important early decision is between Toy Trains and scale trains. The difference is the flanges, couplers, AC vs DC power, and third rail. Engines are not easily modified between the two.
I don't know how much head room you have, but I suggest before digging that you get an engineer knowledgeable in soils to look over your crawlspace and soil composition.
If you have enough head space that can you roll an office chair around then consider putting down some kind of hard surface that seals like concrete.
Also, depending on where you live you may want to heat/air condition the space, put in a ceiling, wiring, etc. Nothing kills the fun like a poor train room.
I would suggest that before commiting to the crawl space you build a small layout in the house and see how you like the hobby - use screws no glue so you reuse the lumber.
Again welcome to the most fascinating of hobbies.
Paul
Model Railroader is good to read. So is Rail Model Craftsman. Everyone should read the John Armstrong book in the layout planning stage. A copy of the Walthers catalog for O gauge is worth its price.
Tell us about that crawlspace. For me, I want full headroom, a real floor (not dirt), and good lighting in a train room. Does your crawlspace measure up?
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Build your layout in a comfortable area that you can fully stand up in or it will detract from the enjoyment. A too hot, too cold, too damp space that you have to bend over in isn't much fun. It's better to have a smaller layout in an area you enjoy being in than a larger layout in a place that's not comfortable to be in.