Picking your brains...

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone. I am new to the board and will be asking lots of questions in the months to come as I endeavor to make my 4 year old happy.
I'm about to get my first sheet of plywood and start the process but I have to admit, seeing so many different layouts and degree's of intense detail, it can be a bit intimidating. Can someone direct me to a good source of information on the web? Something with diagrams of layout idea's and how-to's for the simpleton like myself? (grin) [^]
I'd really appreciate it.

Andy

[skiloff]

I highly recommend picking up the World's Greatest Hobby DVD hosted by Michael Gross (from Family Ties). They take you from start to finish of building your first 4x8 model railroad (although you can use a different plan and just adapt the concepts). To buy it on its own is only about $10-12 or it comes free in the track packs for the layout they build in the video. At the very least it will get you an overview of how it all works. Check out the World's Greatest Hobby web page - http://www.greatesthobby.com

Welcome aboard and hope you enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Welcome, Andy
I started my layout with a plan in a book from Atlas I would see, which one looks best, and buy the book; it won't be the only one you buy. Mine had suggestions for scenery wiring diagrams, and a list of necessary track pieces and their cost. These might be helpful.https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/itemdesc.asp?CartId={22235EF6-72D5-405C-9EVERESTF2B-8235ED6F4644}&ic=0009&eq=0009BOOK&Tp=
Or if you use true track: https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/itemdesc.asp?CartId={22235EF6-72D5-405C-9EVERESTF2B-8235ED6F4644}&ic=0015&eq=0015BOOK&Tp=
Fantastic and King size layouts: https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/index.asp?CartId={22235EF6-72D5-405C-9EVERESTF2B-8235ED6F4644}&Code=BOOKS&Moveby=0&Nbm=0103%2D3&Pbm=12207K&Key=I&iFromFeatured=0
Hope these help I modified a track plan out of a book and I am very pleased with it.
These books are helpful, but not as how-to as some might want: http://store.yahoo.com/kalmbachcatalog/model-railroading-great-model-railroads.html
These are ones you can download and then print or read off your computer.
Western layouts:http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/model-railroading-downloadable-articles-layout-visits.html
Track plans: http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/model-railroading-downloadable-articles-track-plans.html
Here are some more books, you might want: http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/model-railroading-books-model-railroading-for-beginners.html
Home layout Ideas:http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/model-railroading-books-home-layout-ideas.html
More track plans:http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/model-railroading-books-track-plans-and-layout-planning.html

As far as a website, I don't know of any I would get a book anyways. If you stay around here long enough someone is always putting his or her layout ideas on the forum.

[SpaceMouse]

There is a section on this site that covrs the basics.

This fellow made a good start to fini***utorial.
http://www.cooncreek-and-tumbleweed-springs.co.uk/

Here is the National Model Railroader's Association's beginner page.
http://www.nmra.org/#beginner

When you have read these come back and ask questions. There are also a lot of good books out there. But read the web pages first.

[pcarrell]

Rizz,

Normally I'd say that if you're trying to pick my brain then it's slim pickins around here, but, I may actually be able to help! This may be more then what you wanted, but you can find tons of info here. I've spent many hours crusing this site and I still haven't seen it all. It doesn't really get rolling until you scroll down the page. It's at;

http://www.urbaneagle.com/pers/bookmarks/bookmarks030711.html

Hope it helps!

[Anonymous]

Go to website http://www.thortrains.net/

It has everything you will need for you and your 4 year old.

FYI: K-line Battery Operated Trains Sets about $40.00
There are Coca Cola and Souther Pacific - Pennsylvania Train Sets.

They will run on all O-Gauge Track and their plastic track.
They are Loud and Noisy! Just What Mom and Dad wanted

But a decent price for fun.
Santa Set:
http://www.k-linetrains.com/products/viewprd_new.cfm?prdID=2199E568-BEDA-4CE8-B37DCB391F217B4C&secID=B17A068D-6D44-11D4-ADA90060B0576B82

Coca Cola Work Set:
http://www.k-linetrains.com/products/viewprd_new.cfm?prdID=247F3481-1F99-4D43-86E6CBF22314DC08&secID=B17A068D-6D44-11D4-ADA90060B0576B82


Best of Luck in all your Train Endeavors
Grandmaster II