New guy needs to know where to start

[Anonymous]

I am 51 years old and interested in starting up in the model railroading hobby. I have limited space, so N gauge appeals to me, but my eyesite for small things is going, slowly, and I would definitely want DCC.

Anyone have any suggestions on which scale to go and what beginners books to get? I plan on doing a mining or logging layout, using steam, so before 1945 or so.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I am 51 years old and interested in starting up in the model railroading hobby. I have limited space, so N gauge appeals to me, but my eyesite for small things is going, slowly, and I would definitely want DCC.

Anyone have any suggestions on which scale to go and what beginners books to get? I plan on doing a mining or logging layout, using steam, so before 1945 or so.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I am an avid N-scaler, which I am fond of because of its potential for realistic scenery proportions and favorably large turn radius (a 24" radius in N-scale looks fabulous, while the same thing in HO is minimal).

However, if your interest is in pre-war logging, you're not going to want to go with N-scale. There are relatively few off-the-shelf models that fit this period, and for the logging operation itself you'll have to do a fair amount of scratchbuilding or customizing in any scale. I think HO scale does have a decent selection of ready-to-run logging equipment, and if you find you need to customize (kitbash) any of it, it will be easier done in the larger scale. A logging road can tolerate the tighter curves that HO will impose, mitigating this factor.

A mining railroad, on the other hand, could be just about anything. Do you mean a specific mine complex with its own short line railroad, or do you mean that you'd like to watch long trains of loaded hoppers trundling down the main line, running between mine and destination? I model a coal-hauler route, and my desire to see the long snake of black diamonds weaving through hills is why I went with N-scale; I can really "hide in the hollers" in this scale. There are plenty enough standard steel hoppers to choose from, although again I am modelling 1971 and not pre-war. My layout includes more than the mines, of course, but this is its primary focus. Incidentally, I've been using a groovy piece of software called Trainz (by Auran) as a modelling tool, to virtually construct my layout and scenery before-the-fact; you can go see some preliminary screenshots here:

http://members.nuvox.net/~on.paranoid/MyTrainz/screens.htm

If this is the type of road you'd like to model, with gargantuan mining complexes churning out long cuts of loaded cars daily, then go with N-scale.

[Anonymous]

I am an avid N-scaler, which I am fond of because of its potential for realistic scenery proportions and favorably large turn radius (a 24" radius in N-scale looks fabulous, while the same thing in HO is minimal).

However, if your interest is in pre-war logging, you're not going to want to go with N-scale. There are relatively few off-the-shelf models that fit this period, and for the logging operation itself you'll have to do a fair amount of scratchbuilding or customizing in any scale. I think HO scale does have a decent selection of ready-to-run logging equipment, and if you find you need to customize (kitbash) any of it, it will be easier done in the larger scale. A logging road can tolerate the tighter curves that HO will impose, mitigating this factor.

A mining railroad, on the other hand, could be just about anything. Do you mean a specific mine complex with its own short line railroad, or do you mean that you'd like to watch long trains of loaded hoppers trundling down the main line, running between mine and destination? I model a coal-hauler route, and my desire to see the long snake of black diamonds weaving through hills is why I went with N-scale; I can really "hide in the hollers" in this scale. There are plenty enough standard steel hoppers to choose from, although again I am modelling 1971 and not pre-war. My layout includes more than the mines, of course, but this is its primary focus. Incidentally, I've been using a groovy piece of software called Trainz (by Auran) as a modelling tool, to virtually construct my layout and scenery before-the-fact; you can go see some preliminary screenshots here:

http://members.nuvox.net/~on.paranoid/MyTrainz/screens.htm

If this is the type of road you'd like to model, with gargantuan mining complexes churning out long cuts of loaded cars daily, then go with N-scale.

[Jacktal]

I'm 52,so we are on the same ship.My eye signt isn't what it used to be so "N" scale is pretty much the smallest we can go.But it can be managed with good lighting in most cases,a point often overlooked.I suggest you get one of these magnifiers with a circular neon lamp,like what dentists use,very handy when detailing.

For a start,I suggest you get "Introduction to N scale railroading"(Book 6,Level 1) and "Nine N scale railroads"(Book 7,level 2) from Atlas.Both aren't much expensive and pretty much cover the basics(no DCC however).Most hobby shops stock them or can get them easily for you.
Going further,you could get "48 top-notch track plans"from Model Railroader.more expensive but well worth the investment.

I also suggest that you visit a few websites on which you will find a wealth of information,all for free.I have found these sites very interesting and educative:
Plum Loco of Colorado with their "Trackside" column
National Model Railroader Association(NMRA)
Loy's Toys(great DCC info)
Gateway Division NMRA
These are only a few but they're the ones I prefer as they are filled with infos of all kinds and easy to browse in.

You wi***o design a layout featuring before 1945,so using steam engines.However I've found out that steam engine choice is somewhat limited in "N" scale and they cost more also.Another point is that steamers will require more generous curves to look good so that you need more space for them.On the other hand you can get good diesel engines quite cheap that will run well and negociate fairly tight curves.The 50's would allow you to run some of both and still be realistic,if it's of importance to you.

[Jacktal]

I'm 52,so we are on the same ship.My eye signt isn't what it used to be so "N" scale is pretty much the smallest we can go.But it can be managed with good lighting in most cases,a point often overlooked.I suggest you get one of these magnifiers with a circular neon lamp,like what dentists use,very handy when detailing.

For a start,I suggest you get "Introduction to N scale railroading"(Book 6,Level 1) and "Nine N scale railroads"(Book 7,level 2) from Atlas.Both aren't much expensive and pretty much cover the basics(no DCC however).Most hobby shops stock them or can get them easily for you.
Going further,you could get "48 top-notch track plans"from Model Railroader.more expensive but well worth the investment.

I also suggest that you visit a few websites on which you will find a wealth of information,all for free.I have found these sites very interesting and educative:
Plum Loco of Colorado with their "Trackside" column
National Model Railroader Association(NMRA)
Loy's Toys(great DCC info)
Gateway Division NMRA
These are only a few but they're the ones I prefer as they are filled with infos of all kinds and easy to browse in.

You wi***o design a layout featuring before 1945,so using steam engines.However I've found out that steam engine choice is somewhat limited in "N" scale and they cost more also.Another point is that steamers will require more generous curves to look good so that you need more space for them.On the other hand you can get good diesel engines quite cheap that will run well and negociate fairly tight curves.The 50's would allow you to run some of both and still be realistic,if it's of importance to you.

[Anonymous]

If eye sight is a problem and you are going N scale, then go contemporary, with the large equipment and maybe have a feeder logging railway that is small. SD90's are quite large engines and are the same length as an HO F unit. The same is true with larger rolling stock; center beams, automax's etc are quite long and look almost TT in size.

In N scale also make sure your layout is higher, it will make a huge difference; more so than in HO. So I would recommend around 50 inches or higher depending on your height. I have a double decker at 37 and 57 inches. At 37 inches the SD90 looks good; at 57 inches the SD90 looks great.

[Anonymous]

If eye sight is a problem and you are going N scale, then go contemporary, with the large equipment and maybe have a feeder logging railway that is small. SD90's are quite large engines and are the same length as an HO F unit. The same is true with larger rolling stock; center beams, automax's etc are quite long and look almost TT in size.

In N scale also make sure your layout is higher, it will make a huge difference; more so than in HO. So I would recommend around 50 inches or higher depending on your height. I have a double decker at 37 and 57 inches. At 37 inches the SD90 looks good; at 57 inches the SD90 looks great.

[IRONROOSTER]

I'm 56 and S scale is the one I can see. Narrow guage in S scale can be done in the same amount of room as HO standard guage, but the pieces are bigger. Also, there is a quite a bit of stuff available although you may have to mail order it. But Sn3 (S scale 3 foot gauge) is popular especially Colorado prototype, but some East Broad Top as well. Some Sn2 is available as well (uses HOn3 track which is only a little bigger than N) if you're willing to kitbash HOn3 engines. DCC will fit in any scale (except maybe Z).
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

I'm 56 and S scale is the one I can see. Narrow guage in S scale can be done in the same amount of room as HO standard guage, but the pieces are bigger. Also, there is a quite a bit of stuff available although you may have to mail order it. But Sn3 (S scale 3 foot gauge) is popular especially Colorado prototype, but some East Broad Top as well. Some Sn2 is available as well (uses HOn3 track which is only a little bigger than N) if you're willing to kitbash HOn3 engines. DCC will fit in any scale (except maybe Z).
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

I'm 53, wear bifocals, and got into N scale last year. My eyesight isn't a problem because I buy all RTR and use Kato Unitrack. However, I think the eyesight issue is a myth because I know people a lot older than I am who model in N and do all kinds of detail work. In fact, I know a guy who's about 80 who models in Z scale and he wears bifocals.

Good luck!
Doug

[Anonymous]

I'm 53, wear bifocals, and got into N scale last year. My eyesight isn't a problem because I buy all RTR and use Kato Unitrack. However, I think the eyesight issue is a myth because I know people a lot older than I am who model in N and do all kinds of detail work. In fact, I know a guy who's about 80 who models in Z scale and he wears bifocals.

Good luck!
Doug

[Anonymous]

Unless you have a major eye sight problem, the eye sight issue is a non-issue in N scale, except re-railing - then use a re-railer if you are having problems.

[Anonymous]

Unless you have a major eye sight problem, the eye sight issue is a non-issue in N scale, except re-railing - then use a re-railer if you are having problems.

[IRONROOSTER]

As you can see, there are many different opinions and I didn't mean to imply that one scale is inherently better than another. It really comes down to what do you want to do and which scale enables you to do it best. If you can, go to some train shows that have layouts in different scales. Build a kit in different scales. I started in HO, moved to O and then to S before finding the one that works best for me. But no matter which scale(s) you work in, this is still one of the best hobbies.
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

As you can see, there are many different opinions and I didn't mean to imply that one scale is inherently better than another. It really comes down to what do you want to do and which scale enables you to do it best. If you can, go to some train shows that have layouts in different scales. Build a kit in different scales. I started in HO, moved to O and then to S before finding the one that works best for me. But no matter which scale(s) you work in, this is still one of the best hobbies.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

HI!

First of all I would highly recomend before you start buying equipment, pay a visit to a local drugstore or what ever that sells international press. By ac opy of MR related magazines and try to figure out what you like from what you see in those pages.

In general, Modell Railroader and RMC are good choises aswell English press. English people are masters of small but efficiant layouts. I don't know if you can read German, but they have in last few years upgraded their magazines and are filled with plenty of usuful information. This is highly my opinion, but I guess that they have quite often very good ideas of compact layouts, though they are bigger than English. If you do read German, the best bargain in the world of Modellrailroading is CD rom made by german Miba-magazine called "Modellbahn Spezilitäten" You get 56 issues of hard to find issues of Specials for a fraction of what they would cost at the newstand in printed form.
Beauty of this by buying magazines, current or earlier issues is that you haven't actually paid to much to find out if you are really interested or not.

One other importent thing to buy at this stage are Walthers Cathaloques, to make a picture what is available and how much it costs. By this you get a general idea of whole thing and perhaps new ideas.

For second, depending on the staff of your local or favorite hobby shop. You will get some firndly advide there, pay a visit to a local club. First visits you will be impressed by the whole thing and you need a few more to get a critical look. Talk to people there, and you get more personal tips and opinions. This is critical, so you can relate to what you really want and if you can afford it AND fit in the theme of your future layout. By this time you start to get the picture of your purhase list... Thogh the big Mallets or DD40X looks and runs like jewel they need more space eating curves and turnouts to look and operate better. At first go for smaller engines, perhaps a 0-6-0 switcher or a Alco S1-S4 or EMD SW.s.

Third,
We are finally getting ready to shopping, go for quality but cheaper pricetags. By a small unit and few cars and few pieces of track. Just to get a little taste of it. Thee are quite a few trainsets out there but I would recomend to buy the loco, track, cars and powerpack separtely and you will not be supriced by the fact that the pink Mickey Mouse car do not have a prototype...

You get what you want and most cases of better quality. What you need to check is the loco. Is it a smooth runner, does it have flywheels, does it pick current on as many axles a possible, is it serviceable and how much does spare parts cost and are they available?, as you told you are into DCC does it have any provision to easy add on a decoder. Does it easily accept Kadees... Make sure that the cars are easy rolling and so on...

The loco is main thing in my opinion, no matter the fancy powerpacks, plastic trestles, great operating track, does not the engine run well, it will ruin your day. Track cleaning is in my opinion not the highlights of this hobby, this is why my modelling has settled to H0-scale or larger. Though the last couple of decades the N-scale has improved quite a lot in every aspects.

four:
You got an engine (start with a small one) and few cars and some track. Couple the train together and the innocent looking car and the engine suddently becomes looooong and starts to eat some of the alloted space. Here comes the forth part, trackplanning or layout planning. There are numeroius Programs for computers available, the cheapest thing I know is offered on line by Atlas at their website. it is for free. If you wish not work on computer, you can photo copy some key pieces of track and downsizing copies to smaller scale and play around untill you get whatever you want. Or you can buy a book with trackplans and make them fit to your space and location. Kalmbach and others have a plenty of usefull books with this.

I hope that this does not scare you away, modell railroading sure is fun.
Ollie

[Anonymous]

HI!

First of all I would highly recomend before you start buying equipment, pay a visit to a local drugstore or what ever that sells international press. By ac opy of MR related magazines and try to figure out what you like from what you see in those pages.

In general, Modell Railroader and RMC are good choises aswell English press. English people are masters of small but efficiant layouts. I don't know if you can read German, but they have in last few years upgraded their magazines and are filled with plenty of usuful information. This is highly my opinion, but I guess that they have quite often very good ideas of compact layouts, though they are bigger than English. If you do read German, the best bargain in the world of Modellrailroading is CD rom made by german Miba-magazine called "Modellbahn Spezilitäten" You get 56 issues of hard to find issues of Specials for a fraction of what they would cost at the newstand in printed form.
Beauty of this by buying magazines, current or earlier issues is that you haven't actually paid to much to find out if you are really interested or not.

One other importent thing to buy at this stage are Walthers Cathaloques, to make a picture what is available and how much it costs. By this you get a general idea of whole thing and perhaps new ideas.

For second, depending on the staff of your local or favorite hobby shop. You will get some firndly advide there, pay a visit to a local club. First visits you will be impressed by the whole thing and you need a few more to get a critical look. Talk to people there, and you get more personal tips and opinions. This is critical, so you can relate to what you really want and if you can afford it AND fit in the theme of your future layout. By this time you start to get the picture of your purhase list... Thogh the big Mallets or DD40X looks and runs like jewel they need more space eating curves and turnouts to look and operate better. At first go for smaller engines, perhaps a 0-6-0 switcher or a Alco S1-S4 or EMD SW.s.

Third,
We are finally getting ready to shopping, go for quality but cheaper pricetags. By a small unit and few cars and few pieces of track. Just to get a little taste of it. Thee are quite a few trainsets out there but I would recomend to buy the loco, track, cars and powerpack separtely and you will not be supriced by the fact that the pink Mickey Mouse car do not have a prototype...

You get what you want and most cases of better quality. What you need to check is the loco. Is it a smooth runner, does it have flywheels, does it pick current on as many axles a possible, is it serviceable and how much does spare parts cost and are they available?, as you told you are into DCC does it have any provision to easy add on a decoder. Does it easily accept Kadees... Make sure that the cars are easy rolling and so on...

The loco is main thing in my opinion, no matter the fancy powerpacks, plastic trestles, great operating track, does not the engine run well, it will ruin your day. Track cleaning is in my opinion not the highlights of this hobby, this is why my modelling has settled to H0-scale or larger. Though the last couple of decades the N-scale has improved quite a lot in every aspects.

four:
You got an engine (start with a small one) and few cars and some track. Couple the train together and the innocent looking car and the engine suddently becomes looooong and starts to eat some of the alloted space. Here comes the forth part, trackplanning or layout planning. There are numeroius Programs for computers available, the cheapest thing I know is offered on line by Atlas at their website. it is for free. If you wish not work on computer, you can photo copy some key pieces of track and downsizing copies to smaller scale and play around untill you get whatever you want. Or you can buy a book with trackplans and make them fit to your space and location. Kalmbach and others have a plenty of usefull books with this.

I hope that this does not scare you away, modell railroading sure is fun.
Ollie

[Anonymous]

I agree with most of the above, but I think they are jumping a step...RESEARCH. First you need to decide what you want to do and get some books. See www.trainweb.org for some different types of layouts. Then see if you can get equipment in what scales unless you want to scratch everything. In logging and small mining ops a narrow gauge track with tight turns are the norm... ie. small layout in HO or S. In large coal mining N scale would be OK for a small area. If you want narrow gauge Shays, then maybe HOn2.5 would be more avaliable RTR. So like I said, decide what before scale. Also, some people like to do different thing. Some like detailing or scratching locos and rolling stock. Some like high tech power and wiring. Some like scenery. Some like assembling buildings. Some like scratching buildings. Some like hauling freight. This will also weigh in your decesion as to scale, location, and era. An example would be someone who likes building big city buildings doing a logging scene in Nn3. That would be a poor choice.

[Anonymous]

I agree with most of the above, but I think they are jumping a step...RESEARCH. First you need to decide what you want to do and get some books. See www.trainweb.org for some different types of layouts. Then see if you can get equipment in what scales unless you want to scratch everything. In logging and small mining ops a narrow gauge track with tight turns are the norm... ie. small layout in HO or S. In large coal mining N scale would be OK for a small area. If you want narrow gauge Shays, then maybe HOn2.5 would be more avaliable RTR. So like I said, decide what before scale. Also, some people like to do different thing. Some like detailing or scratching locos and rolling stock. Some like high tech power and wiring. Some like scenery. Some like assembling buildings. Some like scratching buildings. Some like hauling freight. This will also weigh in your decesion as to scale, location, and era. An example would be someone who likes building big city buildings doing a logging scene in Nn3. That would be a poor choice.

[Anonymous]

I learned what I wanted the old fashioned way- I went out and tried different scales and products until I found what fited my needs/ wants best. O fcourse every time you move or by a new piece this will change. HOn3 sounds like a good way to go though. There are a lot of products made that fit the logging and minning look you seek. The HOn3 will also allow you to go a bit smaller than regular HO and so youc an conserve on the space. The size will allow you to keep the DCC.
Midget rider/ Baghdad Modelers 'A bayonet is a hobby knife"

[Anonymous]

I learned what I wanted the old fashioned way- I went out and tried different scales and products until I found what fited my needs/ wants best. O fcourse every time you move or by a new piece this will change. HOn3 sounds like a good way to go though. There are a lot of products made that fit the logging and minning look you seek. The HOn3 will also allow you to go a bit smaller than regular HO and so youc an conserve on the space. The size will allow you to keep the DCC.
Midget rider/ Baghdad Modelers 'A bayonet is a hobby knife"

[vsmith]

I would look into On30 from Bachmann. It runs on HO track and could be done in a small amount of space (4x6,4x8)and look really well detailed. I am doing 1/2 scale but if I could start over I would consider On30, the cars are pretty good sized,and price wise very reasonable. Peco makes really good track in On30 (same gauge as HO but with larger ties) and their is a ton of items available for O gauge.

I would shy away from HOn3 or S as a starter only because they tend to be VERY pricey items, and you dont want to get into a scale that will bankrupt for funding.

[vsmith]

I would look into On30 from Bachmann. It runs on HO track and could be done in a small amount of space (4x6,4x8)and look really well detailed. I am doing 1/2 scale but if I could start over I would consider On30, the cars are pretty good sized,and price wise very reasonable. Peco makes really good track in On30 (same gauge as HO but with larger ties) and their is a ton of items available for O gauge.

I would shy away from HOn3 or S as a starter only because they tend to be VERY pricey items, and you dont want to get into a scale that will bankrupt for funding.