Thinking About Starting A Model Railroad...

[Anonymous]

So I was just thinking about starting my own little model railroad ( N Scale ) and everything because of all that I have seen here and the museum in Chicago was a big inspiration. But I am not sure where to start , not just with layout but with like all the scenary and backdrops and such. If anyone has suggestions please help thanks[;)]

[simon1966]

The museum of Science and Industry is quite an inspiration!

I would identify the space you have to use as soon as you can. This will set some important limits to what you will be able to achieve. I was in the planning stage for almost 3 years (procrastinating stage more like!), but from day 1 had a accurate drawing of the space.

Then start reading.....

Read the Model RR web site sections on getting started.
Get one of the many books on the basics
Run searches on this forum for keywords you want to dig into more.
sunscribe to magazines about the hobby.

Answer the questions:
Where? ....... Do you want to model a specific place or get the feel of a specific region?
When? ........ Do you want to set the model in a particular timeframe?
What? .......... Are their any industries that appeal to you?

One of the great things about the Chicago model is that it has a clear understanding of place and time. The Chicago to Seattle theme anchors the whole railroad and gives a reason for all the scenes and industries shown. Of course they have a vast space and a huge budget!

Armed with these thoughts, start to develop a track plan for your space. If you are working with a typical 4 x 8 plywood sheet, you might consider looking at pre-designed track plans. I was not working with a space like this, but found it useful to study the track plans for the layouts shown in Model RR magazine for specific sections of my space.

As you develop the track plans, you should also consider how you want to use the layout? The Chicago layout has been designed for continuous running. It is just several loops of track on a huge scale. Trains will run forever and there is little or no scope for operating and switching the trains. On the other extreme, a small shelf layout may have no continuous operating capability, but lots of sidings and spurs to provide intricate switching challenges. Many like to choose a combination, allowing continuous running but with "destinations" to allow for operating interest.

Get yourself to a point where you have a detailed plan that you are happy with, for the space available. Then come back here and ask about the next steps.

Control system choice (DC or DCC)
Benchwork
Wiring
Track laying
Scenery
etc

Have fun

[IRONROOSTER]

I would suggest you get one of Kalmbach's books on starting - go to this page http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/model-railroading-books-model-railroading-for-beginners.html
there's one for N scale.

John Armstrong's book Track Planning for Realistic Operation is another good book.

I would also suggest you start a small layout and try things out. A 4x8 sheet of plywood (or smaller since you're in N scale - but at least 2x4).
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the comments guys I will keep them in mind when I start

[rogerhensley]

Don't overlook the NMRA 'Introduction to Model Railroading' pages at: http://www.nmra.org/beginner/

Ther is a lot of very useful info there.

[cwclark]

IN A NUT SHELL
1. plan your layout.
2. build the benchwork
3. lay your subroadbed
4. lay all your track and put in all your bridges
5. wire the layout
6. do your backdrop
7. build mountains, rivers, lakes, buildings, roads, industries, lighting, weathering, ect...(do the landscape and scenery)
8. enjoy your layout
9. put in new stuff after it's built (which may require re- doing what you've got done already)

Chuck[:D]

[Anonymous]

If you're looking for ideas for a layout, can I suggest you take a look at the Illinois Railway Museum ( www.irm.org ). A museum is a superb idea for a small layout in my opinion, as you can operate short trains, often with unlikely loco and car combinations. You also have an excuse for buying pretty much any loco or car you like the look of - my museum line often has a CSX Dash 8-40B sat in the yard waiting for a C&NW Erie built hauling bilevel commuter cars to clear the single track - CSX has trackage rights on this (fictional) line. Hope this is of help/interest, as previous posts have stated, it is important that you plan thoroughly before lifting a saw!

[snowey]

so far, you've gotten a lot of great advice; now let me add my 2 cents.
Atlas Model Railroad Company has aan EXELLENT fforum at WWW.ATLASRR.COM They're closed now until Aug., but when it comes back; be sure to visit it.
Also, get as many of the how-to books on Model Railroading as you can from Kaalmbach Publishing. They're readily avaailible at your LHS (Locaal Hobby Shop), online through this site or a lot of other dealers, and through the Kalmbach site at WWW.KALMBACH.COM/BOOKS Antother good ssitee is WWW.THORTRAINS.NET

When you finnaly DO get started -and I would advise readding all you can first.. If you feel you just can't wait, set up a small loop of tracck with a locomotive first-don't get frustrated when you make mistakes (and you WILL-we all do!) even if you have to rip up some track aand/or sceenery to correct it.
Just remember, it's YOUR railroad, aandd nobody's rushing you to geet it done. I''ve been working on mine for aalmost 4 years![:)]