Hello all
I imagine that my story is pretty common here - had trains as a kid, then had a tinplate layout to have fun with my children.When they were gone I left the hobby for a long time. I'm retired now and I'm excited to get back into trains.
I've watched a lot of youtubes and read the forums here (thanks to the forum members who share their knowledge!) to get back into the swing of things. I have a 20'x20' unobstructed train room, now to figure what to do with it...
I'll be far from the last to say 'we're glad you're here'.
Or to help you figure out how to fill that space with interesting things and excitement...
Switcher I have a 20'x20' unobstructed train room, now to figure what to do with it.
I have a 20'x20' unobstructed train room, now to figure what to do with it.
Rich
Alton Junction
to the Model Railroader forums. Your first few posts will be delayed by the moderators, but that will end pretty soon. Please stick it out and join in our conversations.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SwitcherI have a 20'x20' unobstructed train room, now to figure what to do with it...
Hi Switcher!
Congratulations on getting back into the hobby!! Also, congratulations on making your first forum post.
You have an advantage that many of us lack, namely a 20' x 20' train room. That has lots of possibilities for sure. Have you chosen a scale or a theme? Do you have any preliminary ideas for a track plan?
Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you get any negativity just ignore it.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hi new guy! Like your handle!I don’t have a train room, I have a train garage.I’ve been doing HO for 69 years, never lucky enough to have a train room just kicked the cars out. Get a photo host, we like lots of pictures.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Thanks for the kind words
I'm finding that a steam era mostly switching layout is appealing to me. I'm torn between o scale and HO. I'm not seeing much new o scale as I look around, although I might not be looking in the right places. Whichever scale I go with I'd want it to have great sound...
I'm looking for a slow paced relaxing experience with the trains.
DCC is a mystery to you then. Not everyone is sold on it, but it would be worth your while to get an introductory book from Kalmbach. John Armstrongs Track Planning for Realistic Operation is another must have.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
It might be worth your while getting ahold of Model Railroad Planning published by our hosts at Kalmbach Publishing. Or, maybe just wing it on paper a lot. Don't commit to anything until you've considered scale, era (modern, transition between steam and diesel, or early steam), and maybe a favorite spot where you watched trains years ago if...IF...you'd like to model a specific place and railroad.
There are some strong hints about getting started:
Play with track configurations so that you learn what you like and don't want. You DO NOT want to get bored and to waste money getting bored. Time spent on early learning and definition of preferences is time well spent.
Resist the temptation to build as much trackage as you can cram into a defined space. Railroads don't do that, and you really shouldn't either. Save the 'between' space for roads, hills, rivers, bridges, fields, forests...you will want to approximate a real setting, or at least a 'realistic' setting and let your trains run through them.
The space you describe would lend itself well to either N scale or HO. Try to keep your many curves wider than about 24" in HO and about 12" in N. There's a reason; while many importers/suppliers sell rolling stock and locomotives designed to operate on shorter radius curves, they increasingly take on a toy-like appearance, something an adult in later years might not appreciate after a few hours of watching it. Also, coupled passenger cars do better on wider curves, and if you ever develop a strong hankering for large freight-hauling steam locomotives, especially in brass, you'll want the advantage of pre-planning for that eventuality. Happened to me.
Welcome to the forum, and I hope you have a wonderful re-introduction to this excellent pastime.
Welcome on board.
Planning a layout.
Ask yourself what do you must have on your layout? Then ask yourself 'Why'?
If the answer is 'rock solid foundation' great. If in any doubt leave it out. Otherwise it will become a burden. Keep it simple to start with. Lay the track well. Get something running soon. Then gradually build on. If there is only you running the layout, ensure you can run trains easily.
Sounds simple and it is. The trick is not to complicate things so you lose interest.
Enjoy the journey. It is great fun (if you keep it that way). Looking forward to some pictures.
Oh! Remember Rule 1. It is your railway.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Welcome to the MRR Forums. Sounds like you have been "lurking" for a while. I did the same.
20'x20' unobstructed! Nice!
Mike.
My You Tube
I have built five layouts for myself, two with/for clubs, and two with/for other people.
Every layout I have built has been different. Some were ovals to run trains, some were switching layouts, one was a huge layout that required eight operators, some I could run alone. Some were N, some were HO.
I enjoyed every one of them, and they never got boring.
On all of them, I knew from the beginning that they were not my final lifetime layout, and I think that added to the fun. I was just building and playing with trains knowng that everything I learned would go into the next layout.
I would suggest you do the same right now. Build your layout, but know that it will be replaced by something better when you learn more about the hobby.
Believe it or not, know that the layout has a finite lifespan really makes everything a lot more enjoyable.
I am starting my final lifetime layout soon. My space is about half of yours, 22 by 11.
My Dad started me off with Lionel 027 in 1945. I got hung up early on with HO scale at 14 back in 1951. I had found an article about my soon to be mentor John Allen and his 3’7” x 6’8” Gorre & Daphetid Layout.My first layout was an around the room shelf layout that got me going in HO. My next two layouts were a copy of Johns G&D twice-around design.My fourth and final layout is a slightly modified John Allen twice-around layout.The way I went about designing my final layout was by making list of must-haves.MountainsRoundhouse and TurntableSmall yardTrestleHowe Truss BridgePassenger StationDouble CrossoverI ended up with all of the above and very content with my layout.I don’t think putting a lot of time and thought into building your layout is a mistake. And like a lot of the above post point out that its your first layout and it will be a learning experience which all model railroaders go through.Just make sure it’s a fun ride and have a blast doing it.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
That's brilliant, thank you!
Switcher, welcome to the forum.
Switcher to the Model Railroader Forums! Love your user name.
Thanks! It's truly great to be here
Switcher to the Model Railroader Forums! Love your username. I read the magazine as a kid, my first issue being the October or November issue for 2004 when I was 10 years old.I decided years later to join the forums of the magazine. Glad I did and hope you are too.
SwitcherThat's brilliant, thank you!
The "Must have" list is a great tool, just be sure that the "nice-to-haves" don't find their way into the wrong list.