Welcome aboard. It's a great hobby, and your children will love it too. For books, John Armstrong's "Track Planning for Realistic Operations" is the best one out there. Everyone thinking about building a layout wants to read it. Other resources are the magazines, Model Railroader and Rail Model Craftsman. They have photographs of layouts, prototype scenes, how to build it articles, and advertisements.
Model railroads are never finished, there is always something more to be added. But a big milestone in any layout's history it the first day a train runs on the layout. You should think in terms of starting small and getting trains running as soon as possible. You can enlarge it and add features as time permits. Plenty of modelers have started with an oval of Snaptrack on a piece of plywood and gone from there. Seeing the trains move under their own power is much of the fun of the hobby.
As far as suitable equipment goes, the companies that advertise in the hobby press all make excellent equipment, you cannot go wrong buying any of it.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
I have accumulated many great model railroad books over my many years in the hobby but if I was young again I would concentrate more on videos with fewer books. To watch something being done works so much better for me than to read a hundred pages about the same subject. Also seems that videos are getting better and better with prices quite reasonable while book prices seem to rise day by day.
Mike B.
Thanks! I went to my local library and checked out what they had. It wasn't much, but they did have a book from the 70's with a lot of good, basic information. I also went to Half-Priced Books and found a half dozen books on N and HO scale. So I'm still researching but developing a pretty good idea what I want to try. Getting kind of excited actually. I'm thinking of getting this as my first engine...
http://www.micromark.com/BACHMANN-SPECTRUM-HO-STANDARD-GAUGE-RICHMOND-4-4-0-AMERICAN-MODERN-WITH-SOUND-PAINTEDandUNLETTERED-,9039.html?sc=WGB&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=GoogleBase
Any thoughts?
Another few things worth reading:
- the link on top of this page that says "New to model railroading? Start here" :-) Will take you to an article collection.
- The web page of the St. Louis Gateway Division of the NMRA (National Model Railroader Association):http://www.gatewaynmra.org/
- The Layout Design Primer of the LDSIG (Layout Design Special Interest Group) of the NMRA:http://macrodyn.com/ldsig/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Primer
Smile,Stein
I would also vote for Dave Frarys. How to build realistic model railroad scenery, 3rd revision.
Basil Thanks, to everyone, for the point in the right direction. I look forward to the research. I have a small building currently used as a reptile house, that'll be used for my next hobby. It is about 9x11 on the inside. The reason for the hobby change is that my 2 year old son takes up most of my free time and so it's harder to devote time to the reptiles. So I need a hobby that I can put down and pick up when time allows. I'm thinking of HO or N scale. I like that N scale would leave me a lot of room for modeling, but it sounds like HO has much more availability. I'm also leaning towards modeling a steam engine circa 1895. But that could always change as I learn more. Is it more common for someone to model after an actually existing railroad/line or invent one of their own? Thanks again, for the help, and I'm sure I'll have many more questions in the future.
Thanks, to everyone, for the point in the right direction. I look forward to the research. I have a small building currently used as a reptile house, that'll be used for my next hobby. It is about 9x11 on the inside. The reason for the hobby change is that my 2 year old son takes up most of my free time and so it's harder to devote time to the reptiles. So I need a hobby that I can put down and pick up when time allows. I'm thinking of HO or N scale. I like that N scale would leave me a lot of room for modeling, but it sounds like HO has much more availability. I'm also leaning towards modeling a steam engine circa 1895. But that could always change as I learn more.
Is it more common for someone to model after an actually existing railroad/line or invent one of their own?
Thanks again, for the help, and I'm sure I'll have many more questions in the future.
Yeah, those kids can suck up a lot of time that would otherwise be devoted to a hobby. Hopefully, one will follow in your footsteps.
As far as which is more common, my own gut feeling is that it's a pretty even mix. For my own, it is loosely based on a real location, but I vary enough from the prototype to run what I want to, rather than be forced to faithfully model reality. I think you'll find that's very common as well. But remember, it's YOUR pike, do what will make you happy. Everyone here is giving advice, not handing down stone tablets.
One last tip. Don't be afraid to try something, and rip it out if if doesn't turn out the way you wanted. Most of us learn better by doing, anyway.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Oh, another thought based upon your statement of : "I look forward to the research. I have a small building currently used as a reptile house, that'll be used for my next hobby. It is about 9x11 on the inside. The reason for the hobby change is that my 2 year old son takes up most of my free time and so it's harder to devote time to the reptiles."
Advantage! You don't have to clean the cages of your model trains! Don't have to feed them, either.There was a prototype diesel locomotive made by Alco in the 1960's that had a long short hood and was known as an "Alligator"....Bill
Basil Is it more common for someone to model after an actually existing railroad/line or invent one of their own?
I'm not sure of the accuracy of any studies on this, as many hobbiests likely wouldn't respond to a survey. Based on the model railroad layouts featured in the primary magazines dedicated to the hobby, it would be my estimate that around 65% create their own "history" for their railroad. Many create a fictional line that connects a couple of their favorite "real" railroads, and this allows them to then run specific locomotives or trains that they like on their own line. Some create a fictional branch line off of an existing or once-existing railroad. Others have conceptually done things like projecting a "fallen flag" railroad into the future. Some just create based on a certain era and section of the country.
Those that follow a specific section of a specific railroad (as in the August 2010 Model Railroader story on the Pennsylvania's Horseshoe Curve layout by Larry Reynolds) can create magnificent layouts that can visually take one to specific sites.
You will encounter all kinds of observations and advice on this aspect of the hobby. Some folks can get rather insistant that their view is correct, and one must always remember that the hobby is for your enjoyment and you get to build it the way that you wish. For me, though, the layouts that look the best aren't determined by whether or not they follow a specific prototype, but rather whether all of the different pieces "fit" in a sense of time and place. If you want to run modern Amtrak double-deck streamlined passenger cars behind a Civil War era steam locomotive you certainly can do so, but having the trains and scenery and structures and vehicles and the attire of the little citizens all sort of match the same time period or section of the country seems to make for a better layout IMHO.
Bill
I concur with the suggestion to visit your local library for some free opportunities. This is model railroading, so somewhere along the line you will have to make some decisions on what kind of railroading that you want to model. Are you interested in modern main-line, modern short-line, modern industrial, transition-era (steam to diesel change time), heavy steam, "Period" modeling of a specific time, logging, mining?
There are simply too many products on the market to do it all, so give some thought to what kind of trains you want to run in miniature. Looking through those books from the library might sharpen that interest, and there might well be a few images that cause you to say "I want to re-create that." Then you can build on that information which in turn determines things like minimum radius and length of passing sidings. I have several books in my library that have those key photos that I find inspiring, and I go back and page through those books every once in awhile to help re-focus or re-motivate.
I also concur with the suggestion early in this thread for Armstrong's track planning book. That book applies to all scales and gauges, so it is a really good one to have to help you start to visualize how you can fit things realistically into the space that you have.
Also, enjoy the journey. There are so many aspects to this hobby and that is what keeps most all of us learning and growing.
My first recommendation would be to hit the local library. Some of the books are a little dated, but they can still give you some good ideas. But the price is right, and if you don't find it useful, just take it back. If you find something you like, go buy a copy.
You can also hit your local hobby shop or book store. I have two introductory books that I bought for less than $10 (although quite a few years ago) that I used every day for a while.
Some books that have been of help to me are 'ABCs of Building Model Railroad Cars', 'Model Railroad Scenery and Detailing', Model Railroading with John Allen', 'The HO Model Railroading Handbook', '303 Tips for Detailing Model Railroad Scenery and Structures', 'HO Railroad From Set to Scenery', 'Model Railroading in Small Spaces', '101 Track Plans', 'Model Railroad Benchwork'. I also found the Kalmbach video 'The Basics of Model Railroading' to be helpful.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Check your local library.. When I got my first train for Christmas I hit the library and they had several Kalmbach books. The Kalmbach books will answer lot of question and answer some you did not even know to ask yet.
~G4
19 Years old, modeling the Cowlitz, Chehalis, and Cascade Railroad of Western Washington in 1927 in 6X6 feet.
Click on this link to be taken to the Kalmbach Store. They host this forum and publish "Model Railroader" monthly. My best advise to a newbie is don't spend a lot of money on equipment until you've done plenty of research and decide what you want to accomplish. You need make decisions on your scale of choice which is often governed by how much room you havefor your layout, what if any specific era you want to model, what road name(s) your model railroad will have and what region and industries your model railroad might include. If you are in an area where there is one or more clubs, it can't hurt to visit and talk to the members.
I agree with Motley that your most important decision is the scale do you want to work in. This decision will be largely influenced by the space you have available and the type of experience you want - mainline running or local switching or a combination of both. Motley's suggestion of visiting a hobby shop is a very good one and if they have an operating demonstration layout you can get a feel for the size of the scale they have running. Some shops have O scale and HO layouts and others N so shop around. Finally, ask a lot of questions both at the shops and on this forum. There are a lot of knowledgable people in this hobby who are willing to share their expertise.
Joe
In addition to the books mention, just go to your local Model RR hobbyshop and look around, ask questions.
The very first thing you need to decide is, what scale do you want to model in. There is the most popular HO scale, N scale which is significantly smaller. And there are bigger scales.
So when your at the hobbshop, take at look and see what scale interests you. Ask plenty of questions. That's how I got started.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
"How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork" from Kalmback is a good basic refereence
The "How to Build Realistic Layouts..." and "Model Railroader's Guide..." series of books are good when you are thinking of a specific thing you want to build - like scenery, freight yards, servicing, towns, industries, etc also from Kalmbach
If you have a specific prototype railroad you want to model, the publisher Morning Sun has many books with lots of pictures. One caution, the books cost $50 to $60 new.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
I would recommend Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong. I think it is the best book on our hobby.
Enjoy
Paul
Hello everyone,
I am a complete newbie. In fact I have not even purchased anything yet, but I'm looking for a new hobby and MR looks like something I would enjoy. I've gotten a few magazines, but I wanted to ask if there are any good books you would recommend for the complete novice. I have no concept of what should be done in what order, ect.
Also any words of wisdom would be appreciated!
Thanks,
DFW, Texas