New to MRR..

[Anonymous]

For the passed 2 years I have been looking into HO scale layouts!! To me this is the best for looks..Now at the age of 26 I am ready to start...I have been doing homework and notes for the last year and half..But I find myself scared to start...Not sure where to start at! I wanna go with a 4 x 8 layout...Wanna start small to learn the ins and outs of the hobby! Would like to have 3 locos on this layout along with a Industrie/construction layout..Once I learn more this 4 x 8 layout will expand into a lager area..City and farm layout as well..I could use some good tips and help..Also I would like to use DCC power. (Is this good?) Going as real as I can on this layout..moving vehicles and so on...

Also for my bench work i`am going to use plywood and foam for the layout base!! On this layout I would like to have a main line loco pulling over 60 cars..and then a b line loco pulling around the same..and a yard loco that moves freight and other cars around..real into the locos with over 60 cars..I live right next to the tracks..We have about 12 diff locos that use these tracks daliy..And pulling over 100 cars at a time..

If anyone could please help and point me the way I need togo would be great!! Thanks[:D]

[simon1966]

I was in your position for about 2 years. I had the space, the plan, the lumber and an ever growing roster of locomotives and freight cars. Something was holding me back from getting started. What I did was to make a small diorama. Something that I could practice the techniques and be happy to junk at the end of the process. It was just what I needed to get started.

[Anonymous]

Welcome aboard, i sugesst you get a copy of John Armstrong's "Track Planning For Realistic Operation" Available through Kalmbach Publishing, http://www.kalmbach.com/ , or Amazon.com as well as other outlets.

They also have several other books that may be of intrest to you to help you get started. A 4x8' layout is perfect for learning, but will not allow the 60-100 car runs you desire.

If you want to jump in and learn the various aspects of the Hobby, you could pick up one of Woodland Scenics, http://www.woodlandscenics.com/ , 4x8' Kits. I'd recommend the "River Pass - Complete Layout" package, as this will introduce you to almost every aspect of the layout you'll ever need and is a fine beginning of a lifelong hobby.

Also see you haven't mentioned a timeframe to run, this will influence what is recommended in terms of Locomotives (steam, deisel, Electrics) and rolling stock for you, since a 36' boxcar would not be used in a 1980's setting, and conversly a 50' boxcar wouldn't be seen in 1890.

As for DCC, I would recommend it, the intial investment is high, but well worth it. but you don't need it right away, and you can work towards it, there are several books on how to wire for DCC to get you preset for it as well as Digitrax's big book of DCC to read up on first.

In looking at the initial investment, if you bought the above mentioned River Pass kit, a good quality DCC system, 3 quality Loco's and 20 cars, you'd be looking at an initial investment of around $1500 US. Yes it sounds big, but again you can work towards it, the River Pass complete set is around $700, but you could buy the individual pieces (like the track plan for the river pass for $60) and maybe 1 Loco and 5 or 6 cars to start out with and work up from there.

Good luck and please post any thoughts ideas and questions as you need them, we're all here to help. Also, if you haven't already done it, visit the Atlas forums, http://www.atlasrr.com/ ,as there's even more people there that are willing tio help, as well as the best DCC forums there is.

[Anonymous]

Ok I do have few Books on Basic Model RailRoad Track Plans! This is by Kalmbach..Ok to use?? I have looked at the kits that you can buy and put together..But I`am the type that would like to do it all my self..This way when I mess up..I will learn a thing or to..This way may take longer but in the long run I feel it will help me along!! Thanks for the help..Also you said that DCC is something that I can work for..So whats good to start out with as in power??

[Anonymous]

Also I would like to run trains from 1990s to present time..I like the look of them and the way they look..Hope thats ok..Just is what I like..Any help on this would be great!!

[Anonymous]

Darren, the woodland Scenic Kit's are not just slap together and that's it, these are basically boxes that give you everything you need and handy instructions on how to get the desired look (IE what's on the box).

take the componenets of the riverpass kit i cited:
the base level one (ST1484 - River Pass HO Scale Layout Kit) gives you all things you'd need to make any subterrain setup, thus giving you a way to pratice your skills with instructions.
the next level would be scenery (S1488 - River Pass HO Scale Scenery Kit), this gives you everything you'd need to make trees, water, and ground foliage, again another way to hone your skills.
then you have the buildings (River Pass HO Scale Building Kits), the third level of detail to make a layout realistic. here you get the componenets needed to make all the buildings (or kitba***hem into other buildings) of a city you'd need on the layout.
And finally you have the Track itself (ST1184 - HO Scale Track Pack for River Pass), here we have a working trackplan that has 1 big loop and 1 point to point setup on it, a very ideal way to practice your track laying skills.

They also have mini-kits for each aspect, if you'd rather buy something to mess up on. Hit their site, Getting started->teaching aids for video's and books, or Learning Kits for anything from rivers to moutains and everything inbetween, for $12 each you'll be able to pratice without fear.

For power supplies, i'd get an MRC (Model Rectifier Corp) TECH 4 200 for the time being. if you're interested in DCC, you should check out and call Tony's train exchange (http://tonystrains.com/) they're the best for DCC and will point you in the right direction for what you need. If you get a MRC power supply, you can always use it later on for your accessories (lights ect) when you do upgrade to DCC.

As for your era, I'll leave that for some of our Diesel Fans to help you out with (i'm a pre-1900 steamer), but I do know there is alot of post-1970 stuff on the market for you to use.

Good luck!

[rogerhensley]

To help folks like you get a better feel for starting out in the hobby, the NMRA has put together a section of their web site for beginners. It is their 'Introduction to Model Railroading' and you can find it at: http://www.nmra.org/beginner

Enjoy the hobby!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help guys..Seems like I have more homework todo!! So would it be better togo with a Kit?? [:)][:D] Also I have the Proto 2000 series SW9/1200 Locomtive is this a good Loco?? I found it on sale from 75.00 down to 55.00..let me know if this is a good Loco...Thanks Once again guys..

[Anonymous]

Darren,
I would suggest you do some more homework and give up on the 4 by 8 - especially if you want to run 1990 to present loc's. The reason I say this is that contemporary loc's need wide radius turns, something you won't have on a 4 by 8, which traditionally runs 18 inch curves or smaller. With some engines you have to take the minimum radius they will run on seriously - ask me how I know. If you take that same 4 by 8 sheet and cut it into two lenght wise, you'll have a really enjoyeble switching layout that is 10 by 6, and two feet wide. This layout will also look better and more realistic as the "real" RR's don't run round and round. If you want a "gimmick" to get new cars on and off the layout, build a barge area that can take a barge. The barge will carry new cars to be switched and removed already switched cars. This still happens here in Vancouver with a BNSF barge that is very active, out of Vancouver, BC.

IF you have the dollars start out with the Zephyr Digitrax DCC unit, it comes with power supply and command station, which you need. You will save yourself money in the long run by going directly to DCC rather than purchasing a traditional power or two - you need more than one power pack to run more than one train. You can get power packs with dual control, but this gets interesting when you run your trains with a buddy.

I know you would like continuous running (train goes round in a circle) but this gets old very very fast and you will wish you had a more interesting layout. The WS layouts you purchase - as recommended above - are simplistic in track plans - which means early onset boredom. Many of the guys with the large layouts run the trains "point to point" (no continuous running) and they have a great time with the layout because the track plan provides for interesting and different options to run your trains and engines.

The proto 9/12 switcher you have is "okay". I would keep it and use it especially if you do an "L" shaped layout as I suggested. Its still very much in use today.

[Anonymous]

So you think I should go bigger with the layout size?...Ok..i have wanted to..But Have always heard that 4 x 8 is the best place to start..What is to big??

[Anonymous]

I`ll be posting my new layout in few days!! Please when i do so..let me know what you would change..and so on!!

[Anonymous]

Ok..Need help./..Have talked the wife into letting me get the power and all today..I do wanna go with the DCC(after reading for about for 5 hour) it may cost a bit more..But thats what i`am going to start off with!!! thanks

[Anonymous]

I'd second the suggestion to avoid the 8x4 design. Continuous running gets very boring after a short time, and also you'll have problems with curve radius. I'd suggest you build along one or more walls as a 1ft-deep shelf as this allows you to use the space in the centre of the room (and also makes it seem as if your trains are going somewhere).

As far as motive power is concerned, I'd suggest you have a look at some of the Walthers Trainline locos - they make a nice-looking Dash 8 (4-axle version) that would be ideal for short trains on branch lines. I have one on order at the moment (eBay). They also do a GP9 and GP15 that could be used with a little modeller's license (a lot of shortlines kept older motive power running long after the main lines had retired it). Athearn blue box and Proto 1k are also worth considering (though to the best of my knowledge there are no modern prototypes available in the Proto 1k range - there are a few in Proto 2k).

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the help guys..I`am sure within few months you will be seening pics of my layout!!

[snowey]

aall of the model railroading books by Kalmbach are GREAT! I highly reccccomend theem.
Other than that, I ccan't add anything to all the advice you've gotten so far, exept tto say that if you want to run 60-100 carr traains, you might want tto look into N scaale, instead of HO.