Hi, I am the new guy....

[Anonymous]

to this site. Actually I have been into railroading since I was about 4 years old. I have had an HO layout, 2 N scale, and the beginings of a backyard empire in G. I have been out of the hobby for a few years, since I got into hot rods. Now that I am finishing my hot rods, I feel that I want to get back into my first love.

Since I really enjoyed N scale, that is what I am thinking. The problem is, I just dont have alot of room. I am thinking either a small railroad built into a coffee table or a 2 track mainline running around my office, about 8 feet above the floor. Help me....

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Bob

[Anonymous]

[#welcome] to the forum!!

Okay, now that that's over, we can start in on my opinions[:D]. You can get a lot of good advice on here, and you'll get a lot of opinions on what you should go with. For building into a coffee table, I would pick Z scale, 2 reasons: It will fit better in a small space, and is a great conversation piece, since it is one of the smallest powered model railroad sizes. Around the office, HO is the way to go. It will be easier to see that high up there, and is probably the most problem free size out there.

Good Luck,
Greg

[TurboOne]

Welcome Bob. Glad you came by, I am new, been here a few weeks, but there is so much info here, it is like being a kid in a candy store. I too like Z for the table, you can so much in very little space. But up high, HO, O, or G depending on how well you want to see it. HO has the most items, from entry level to high end, and its less expensive (if that is a thought) then the larger scales.

Also get a Walthers catalog in the scale of your choice, and enjoy the huge changes since you have been training. They now have sound, smoke, and lights, and better detail. WOW ! I thought I died and went to heaven when I saw all the changes since I have been around.

Again, Welcome

Tim

[AntonioFP45]

The idea of a double track main around the wall sounds good as even in a small room you can still run long freight and passenger trains.

Is this office in your home or business? Elevating the railine is a good idea, however, after a while you might miss being able to see the trains up close, easily. Is there any modifications that you can make so that your line could run about 5 or 6 feet above the floor instead? (eliminating tall book cases and getting horizontal ones, moving pictures up higher, etc).

As always, go with your preference. With N you get longer trains. HO, the larger size.
Make the locomotives interesting also and blow visitor's minds away with ditch lights or gyra lights. If you go HO, make them freak out with a BLI steamer or diesel! (Just keep the volume turned down, so you don't lose your mind!)

Let us know what you decide to do!

God Bless!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the ideas...I still have plans for something in G in the backyard. After my last n scale layout (2 x 4) was completed in 1997, I donated it to a childrens home that a friend of mine worked with. I kept most of my loco's and rolling stock since some of them I have had for 20 years. Now I want to do something with the N scale. I may have to settle for some kind of static display of my equipment, possibly a fully detailed yard diorama (12' x 6' long) I dont know. My office is in my home and it would have to be high because of 2 door ways in the office. I guess I could go just above the door. I was also thinking of using clear lucite material to mount the tracks on so you could see through it from below.

I love long trains and the idea of having 2 running around the room is exciting. I just want to get back into it.

Bob