I've got a new lay out. what next?

[Anonymous]

I just got a basic n scale set with a loop. I nailed it onto a board, but i can still expand it. (inside loops, fig. 8, etc.) what should i do next? i have a limited budget and a TINY board

[ndbprr]

I'd add a couple of sidings for switching and then just run it for awhile. Chances are you will expand it some day or replace it and you should develop skills on this one. Adding scenery would be a valuable skill later on you could do also. Making a mountain with plaster and paper towells shouldn't be too expensive. I'd buy plaster at a home depot or similar place over a hobby shop though. Hobby shop prices on building materials are extremely expensive in my experience. Try your hand at some building construction also. Those kind of things can be reused. Build a road or two so you can do that in the future. Weather you cars and engines and track. Ballast the track. make a backdrop with sky on it. Even a piece of corrugated cardboard painted will do wonders.

[billski]

Welcome to the world of model railroading! Remember - the hobby can be as exspensive as you make it. The key is to grow slowly. Don't get to wild and build a bowl of track spaghetti (it's easy to do we've all doneit). Purchase a few books by Kalmbach Publishing on Track Planning for Realistic Operation, and How to Operate your Model Railroad. these books are a great reference. The fun part is the scenery - you can do it any way you want and it looks good.
Also - don't try to go overboard in one day - if you can't figure something out - grab a coffee and sit on the couch for a while - you'll get it.
Always ask questions either here or at the hobby shop - there are allot of us guys standing around at the counter of some hobbyshops. ENJOY

[tree68]

MR had a great article about this very thing a number of years ago. It included several cartoon, including one where the train had "worn" a groove into the layout going round, and round, and round.... And one where there were structures and scenery galore, but it was still a loop of track.

Operation is fun. If you have room, look up the "Time Saver" track puzzle and include it in your layout - gives you four places to put industries, and you'll go nuts figuring out how to switch it. But it's FUN.

It also helps to develop a "theme" for your layout - you can put in industries that make sense, and build your scenery to match as well, plus deciding what era to model. Many model railroaders have extensive "histories" that justify why they built the layout the way they did.

I have a collection of kits that I'm just starting to work on, not to mention the ones I've started and need to finish. "Armchair" modelling has something to be said for it. There have been a couple of well-known modellers who speciallized in it.

Most of all, enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you guys. Thanks for the advice. I think I'll put in a mountain, and some industries, and a loop that the book shows me... Oh yeah. I'll put in some sidings too... thanks again.