Ideas, Tips and Suggestion on new layout welcomed.

[Anonymous]

Before I get too far into my actual layout I will ontroduce myself to the board.

I am 27 years old and have experince with NS and CSX as both a conductor and Engineer. I currently work for a short line railroad as a dispatcher. Been interested in trains since I was young and volunteered at local railway museums since I was 13. Lately (maybe it's the weather?) I have been considering getting into modeling HO scale and have my layout figured out but, I am always welcoem to suggestions, questions, tips and ideas.

First the layout is going to be a shelf layout in a 10x12 spare room. The layout is loosely based on a layout plan that was in Model Railroad a few years back. I don't plan on basing this layout on a actual place but, will look like the Appalchains, at least the best I can make it look like that. The era will be current (with the exception of that steam special I gotta have!) The layout is going to be mostly for running trains and not for switching, although I will include a few industries here and there and possibly one "large" industry in front of the hidden staging. Ok, enough about that.. on to my questions.

1) I am going DCC all the way to start so, can any controller run any DCC locomotive or does the controller have to be spefic to the maker? (If so I am NOT going DCC)

2) I would like the layout to be fairly close to my shoulder level but, I am 6'1" and I realize many people are not that tall so, how tall should a layout be?

3) I plan to use L-Brackets, Plywood and Foamboard for the base of my railroad so which comes first... laying track or planning the rivers and building the bridges? Seems like with foamboard you could lay the track then come back and and cut the foam out and put the bridge in your new river basin.

4) Are there any easy to install signal systems that model ABS or Directional Running signals? I don't want to put in any switch motors except for those I cannot reach but, I would like signals in case I have a few engineers over plus I like to watch them work.

This is going to be a very basic and somewhat cheap layout but, something I hope that gets me started in the right direction. Any suggestions and ideas are welcome and thanks in advance.

[ereimer]

1) any dcc decoder should work with any dcc command station . that's really the whole point of the NMRA dcc standards

2) layout height depends on how tall the operators are , but in general mid-chest height is more common than shoulder height because it's difficult to reach so high for switching turnouts , uncoupling couplers etc. without damaging scenery . so anywhere from 40" and up

3) i suppose you could do it that way . again it's more common to lay out where the track is going to go , then carve out the excess foam and then lay the track

4) i'll just say yes , but i'm not sure about the easy part . i'll leave more detailed answers to those who have done it already

[SteelMonsters]

1)The cabs go with the brand of system as it's outside of the NMRA standards. So you have to use the same cab with command station. You can mix and match boosters (power supplys that feed the DCC signal interposed into the track power) and decoders in the locomotives themselves. They work with any system.

2) I would say 48-50 inches. It's good for most people.

4) There are several ways to put in signals. As for cheap methods, they require a bit of skill to get them to work. Once you get past the learning curve you will be able to do it. It's an involved process unless you pay someone else to do it for you. You have to form the logic by some means. TTL logic works if you wire it up ok as does relays. It's quite difficult as you have to think things through completely. Computer interfacing is involved but easy to program and wire up, it's also a bit pricey.

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jcmark611

You probably know more about railroads than most of us do but I would still recommend the book, Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong (can be purchased from Kalmbach or Amazon if you want to save a couple $$)

QUOTE:
1) I am going DCC all the way to start so, can any controller run any DCC locomotive or does the controller have to be spefic to the maker? (If so I am NOT going DCC)

The decoders are pretty much universal and are chosen based on features wanted.. Sound, flashing lights, load compensation, etc.. The Controller (throttle) Is manufacturer specific.. In other words, if you buy a digitrax command station, you'll need digtrax Throttle(s) to go with it.

QUOTE:

2) I would like the layout to be fairly close to my shoulder level but, I am 6'1" and I realize many people are not that tall so, how tall should a layout be?

It should be as tall as you want it to be but remember, you are going to have to build it as well as maintain it.. Do you really want to do that from a step stool?? About a foot or so below armpit height is probably optimal.. That way you can reach over most stuff without knocking it off of the shelf.

QUOTE:
3) I plan to use L-Brackets, Plywood and Foamboard for the base of my railroad so which comes first... laying track or planning the rivers and building the bridges? Seems like with foamboard you could lay the track then come back and and cut the foam out and put the bridge in your new river basin.

As many ways of building them as there are people building layouts. Your idea will work but make sure the shelf brackets are good and solid.. Accidents Can and WILL happen. I like the idea of using a plywood base under the foam for the added strength.. Others will disagree of course, that's just my opinion.

QUOTE:
4) Are there any easy to install signal systems that model ABS or Directional Running signals? I don't want to put in any switch motors except for those I cannot reach but, I would like signals in case I have a few engineers over plus I like to watch them work.

Since you've already chosen to go DCC, you might want to look into the detection systems and signaling systems available For DCC.. Many options are available, just pick what you want to do.

QUOTE:
This is going to be a very basic and somewhat cheap layout but,

Wanna bet?? It may be basic, but won't be cheap.. Not by my standards anyway.. By the time you get your first DCC train running, you'll be $500 - $600 (or more) into it. I don't want to discourage you but be prepared for a little sticker shock..

Good luck,
Jeff

[Anonymous]

Would I be better off in investing in DCC locomotives but staying with DC or should I just go DCC all the way?

I am prepared for the price of locomotives but, since I have no local hobby shop I haven't really looked at the prices of systems

[Anonymous]

I think the cost differential between DC and DCC is shinking daily, and DCC will make operation much easier. There's is a cost to all the switches, etc. in DC that is often overlooked, and it eats into the percieved cost difference. Also, DCC will take much less time to set up, most likely. I wouldn't start with DC under any circumstances.

[Anonymous]

I would recommend DCC unless you are planning a small layout that operates only one train at a time or have a full roster of older locomotives or Athearn Blue Boxes. By starting out with DCC you can purchase locomotives that are already equipped with decoders.

I cut into my foam to create rivers before laying the track. One thing I recently learned how to do is carve our bridge abutments right from the foam and paint them concrete color. For an Appalacian theme, figure on at least three inches of foam.

Even if the primary purpose of your layout is to sit back and watch trains, you probably will want some industry.

[Anonymous]

The reasons why I want to lay track then build the bridge are...

1) I would like to get a sense of how the layout will look in the room, then start planning the buildings and industries, then lay track and run trains and see where a birdge would look the best.

2) I want to get to the "running trains" part sooner rather than later and I tend to overthink things and I would probably spend way too much time planning where my river lays.