Big questions from someone new to the hobby

[Anonymous]

I've been surfing this forum for some time now, and I'm probably the youngest around here, not to mention that I'm also a girl [:D] but anyway, before starting my very first layout, I just want to learn as much as possible, best be informed than jumping blindly into things I always say. So I would have a few questions for you (experienced) guys:

1) Is there a good book or magazine out there that I MUST have to understand DCC wiring? I baught "The Complete Atlas Wiring Book", but it's mostly all about DC and not much about DCC and the difference in wiring.

2) What are your materials of choice when building your benchwork and why?

3) Roadbed or no roadbed? And if yes, wich material should I use: cork or one of those roadbed system out there?

4) I could use any hints, tips, advices you can give me and point me toward some good reference books.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Hi Neerie...

Welcome to the hobby, and to this forum! You have taken the best approach - a bit (or maybe a lot) of research first, and then building. There is always something to undo or change, but you have minimized your chances with this approach. As for your questions...

1) The Big Book of DCC is a good one. Just search on the title. There are others as well. Tony's has a reputation as one of the best retailers for DCC. See www.ttx-dcc.com . Our local group uses Digitrax on home layouts and club layouts.

2) I used cookie cutter for my first layout benchwork. That's 1/2 inch ply over a frame of 1x4 pine. I am now working with the local modular group, and plan to build my modules like this:
http://www.railwaybob.com/Modules/MRIndex.htm -> that's the site of one of the guys in the modular club. He has some really good info on building modules and legs, and his DCC overview is very helpful too. Just follow the various links. (The module part is photo-intensive, so be warned if you're on dial-up.)

3) I use cork roadbed on the plywood, but I am tempted to leave it off when I use foam for the benchwork. If necessary, I might try this: http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/004/379dcjrm.asp click the adobe icon for the article.

4) I like the back issues of MR for variety. A lot of the "How-to" books from Kalmbach are compiled from old articles from the magazine. In any case, you can look for an "overall" book to get you started. Something with "from start to finish" in the title! From there, you can get more specific info on what you are interested in.

There is a ton of info on the web, including this forum and parent site (www.trains.com). Good luck, and post any other questions you have.

Andrew

[AntonioFP45]

Hello Neerie, Welcome Aboard. Great to have ya!

And by the way, there are quite a number of ladies that are modelers too, which is great!.

Neerie, for us to help you though it would help if you gave more detailed info about yourself. Do you like steam, or diesel? Do you favor a particular scale? What type of layout theme do you like? A big city, small town, logging, industrial, farm country, or a combo of these? What time period do you prefer? Modern, 1970s, 1950s, 1930s, Old West? Do you like freight and passenger service or just freight? These are some of the things that you could consider.

BTW: When you do post questions, I recommend doing it in the General Discussion cateogory instead of this one as you will likely get many more responses.

When I got into this hobby I was content to watch trains run in a circle. I didn't think this way until I started reading Model Railroader and talking to modelers at the hobby shops. I really got interested when a friend with a layout showe me how he ran freight and passenger trains on a schedule and performed switching duties; picking up and droppiing off cars to industries on his layout. This while obeying signals and avoiding collisions, just like a real railroad. I was Hooked!

For DCC go to www.litchfieldstation.com

You'll see rectangular squares that you can click on. Click on "University". When that opens up, you'll see more choices. Click on "Theory". When that opens then click on "What is DCC". It's an excellent breakdown on what DCC actually is and how it works. Your computer must be have Adobe Acrobat Reader for it to open for you. If you don't have it, just type Adobe Acrobat Reader on your search engine. There is a "Free Downloadable" basic version which is all you really need.

Regading roadbed. Cork has been the traditional choice but many modelers seem to be pleased with the newer black foam roadbed that' available as it's easy to work with and trains are less noisy as they run over it.

Take your time as you do your reseach, get Model Railroader issues, even used ones and you'll pick up ideas.

[Anonymous]

Neerie:

Let me also wish you welcome aboard. I'd echo the suggestions above and add one of my own. Pick an era and area you would like to model. It doesn't matter which you pick...this is a free choice...but making a tentative selection now will help focus your research and questions. You can always change your mind later if you want.

You mention you are young. You might want to look into joining TAMR (Teen Association of Model Railroaders) that organization will have helpful information for you as well as this forum.

Any questions you have please ask.

Good Luck

Randy

[DSchmitt]

2) I have access to scrap material from a molding company. It is good quality wood and straight so I usually use it. Size may vary a little but a lot of it is close to the same size as a 1" x 3" from the lumber yard. I've found most lumber yard material (except the expensive stuff for cabinet work) to be poor quality and usually warped.

If you can't get good dimensional lumber, creating your own using plywood is an excellent alternative if you have access to a good table saw..

Plywood works very well for the "table top" on a flat layout or a cookie cutter layout. Lately I've been using blue or pink insulation foam. I've tried the grades from Woodland Scenics terrain system. They work very well. However, since I generally model the Sacramento Valley which is flat county so don't have much need of grades.

3) Roadbed raises the track above the surface allowing creation of a more realistic roadbed cross section. I'm in N Scale. I use 1/2 width HO cork roadbed under most tracks, but to create slight differences in elevation and roadbed cross section I will often use N cork on sidings and no roadbed on spur and yard tracks, Somthing simular could be done in HO scale by using two layers of cork roadbed on main tracks.

My latest project is a switching layout based on the John Allen "Timesaver" It interchanges with track mainline along the front and although not "standard" is compatible with TTRAK modules http://www.t-trak.org/

4) good recomendation from Masonjar. I've been a model railroader for nearly 50 years, but I still nearly every how to book published.

There are many right ways to build a model railroad. A few good books can keep you from making serious mistakes. Get "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" especilly if you want to design your own layout or make major changes to a published plan. If you can experment with different techniques and materials to find the ones that work for you and for what you are trying to accomplish..

[:)]

[rogerhensley]

Check out the NMRA (National Model Railroad Association) 'Introduction to Model Railroading' pages for a lot of info for beginners from construction to tools to trackwork to couplers. You can get there at: http://www.nmra.org/beginner/

[Anonymous]

Thank you guys for all of your replies, I'll make sure to check these links out.

Also, to answer a few of the questions, I'm going for HO as it's the scale for wich I can find the most stuff in my hobby store. I'm also thinking of a mix between industrial and rural scenery and I definitely want to run passenger cars as well as freight. As for the time period, I'm not sure yet actually, I have not yet started to do my research on that matter and I've only been reading about the basics so far. I'm thinking perhaps something between the 1950's to these days, I like steam, but diesel is more appealing to me for what I have in mind.

My first layout will probably be a yard standing on a shelf type structure as I won't have much space for starters, but I view it as a way to try techniques and test my skills. It would also be something easily expandable for a later and bigger layout.

Funny as a few years ago, my friends would laugh when I told them I would like a model train when I grow up, and now, at 24, people are all like: COOL!!! [:D]

[Anonymous]

Heerie,

Rather than start with a yard in your limited space, you might consider a shelf layout. The 2003 Model Railroad Planning from Kalmbach has a number of possibilities. Later, when you have more space, the shelf can be a town on a bigger layout. In the mean time, a shelf layout offers more switching operational possibilities than a yard does.

Use your first (and, for me, subsequent) layout for experimentation. Try different construction techniques and materials to see what you like working with. I am building my second layout after a hiatus of almost 20 years, and this time I decided to try handlaying track. While slower, I actually prefer doing it this way. I find it fun.

The most important thing to remember, though, is this. If it's not fun, you're not doing it right. Enjoy.