total newbie wants 4x8 layout

[Anonymous]

I am a total newbie and want to get into to model railroading. I figure 4x8 is a good layout, but i need help picking a track plan. please leave comments and or links for plans. Need alot of help ----------thanks

[dgwinup]

First, you have to determine what you want in a model railroad. Do you just want to run trains around in a circle or do you want to do a lot of switching, or both. Do you want lots of buildings and scenery or just track and more track? Do you want to model early or modern trains (steam or diesel or a mix)? Do you prefer one railroad over another (Union Pacific or Santa Fe or something else)? Try to decide WHAT you want to model first.

Then go get some track planning books at your local hobby shop (LHS) or at your public library. The books will have all sorts of layouts, many suitable for the 4 x 8 size or smaller. Look through the plans to see if there is something you like. Then you can ask questions about a particular layout and someone on the forum can help you out.

We call that doing your homework. (And you thought you were going to get away from homework! HA!!)

Many modelers enjoy this homework aspect of modeling a railroad. They enjoy looking up the history of a railroad and translating that onto their model layout. Others don't enjoy the process as much, but find that it's the best way to get started. Sort of like you have to crawl before you can walk.

Do some homework and get back to us. A whole bunch of people on the forum are willing to help you out. And don't be afraid to ask questions, no matter how dumb you think they are. The only dumb question is one that isn't asked!

Darrell, full of questions, but quiet...for now

[selector]

I don't have a link, but the Atlas site has several, I believe. They're free for the taking.

BUT,...and we give this little spiel to all newbies...please settle down a bit...we know you're all keen and everything... but if you want everything you can get out of this wonderful hobby, you need to slow down and do some reading. There are rectangular 4X8's and then there are the "holy cow, I didn't know you could DO that?!!!" 4X8's. If I have aroused your curiosity, please heed my advice and look for good basic books at your hobby shop or a Kalmbach Publishing, on-line.

Others will Chip in ...er, I mean...chip in. Welcome to our hobby!!

[Anonymous]

Read up and make descisions about what you want. Do you want steam or diesel trains. What scale? I like switching, but I always keep at least 2 loops open to just run trains around. Depending on what you want to run, you may need to design differently. For example: In general steam engines need a larger turn than diesels. Also passenger cars need a larger turn than smaller freight cars. And dont get ahead of yourself. Dont go out and buy a train set, because train sets are junk. It will cost a little more to buy better components seperately, but you will be much happier. Come and post again when you have a basic idea of what you want and how you might go about doing it.

[tstage]

foshizzymydizzy,

First of all, [#welcome] to the forum! Good to have you aboard! [:)]

Darrell and Crandell have given you some very good advice so far. First, take a deep breath, take your time and read, learn, and figure out what you want to model - i.e. steam, diesel, or both. As Crandell already alluded to, there's so much to learn and part of the fun and adventure into this wonderful hobby you are embarking upon is the learning process. At times it can seem to be overwhelming; at other times, it can't come fast enough.

Personally, I find that most of the free layout ideas don't hold much interest for me. Most of the time they appear unrealistic and not very prototypical looking - i.e. the railroads would never run a railroad like that. With that said, here's the link for the Atlas web site:

http://www.atlasrr.com

Click on the "Layouts" tab in the upper part of the page. They have both HO and N-scale layouts to look at. The best layout is one that you've researched and designed yourself. (Kinda like creating your own "art work" or making your own layout "statement".) The vast layout ideas and varieties are just endless.

Also, foshizzymydizzy, don't be afraid to ask what you might deem to be a "stupid" question. There are none here. When you ask a question, their are usually 10 others who wished they had asked it but didn't because they didn't have the guts. Keep in mind that pride will only keep you ignorant - so...ask away. Most of the folks here are delighted to answer any questions you might have anyhow. Some may only use just a few words; others will elaborate more extensively.

Lastly, come back and hang out on the forum as often as you can. There are so many here who are knowledgable on the various aspects of MRRing, and we all end up learning from one another. No one has "arrived" yet. (I think even the great John Allen was STILL learning in his latter years.)

Anyhow, hope that's a help to you, foshizzymydizzy. Come back and visit us often. [:)]

Tom

P.S. BTW, foshizzymydizzy, do you have a real name? Call me old fashion but I just prefer to address folks by something other than their profile name. If you don't want to then that's quite all right, too. [:)]

[Anonymous]

The Atlas layouts are all table top, with no along the wall set ups. Very hard to reach in unless you have 30" arms

[Anonymous]

Um, let me say that my opinion of the Atlas layouts is pretty low. They are a great way to get people to walk out of the hobby shop with a load of Atlas track. But beyond that I am not sure they serve much of a purpose.

Kalmbach, the publishers of Model Railroader and owner of this site, have a number of really GOOD layout books. None better in my mind thatn those by Iain Rice. There is this one: http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/12229.html on small layouts and another on medium sized layouts. The small layout book will tell you exactly why the 4x8 is not such a good thing! Please do yourself a favour, get a copy, read it, think about it, erad it again and then see what sort of layout you want. I don't think you will regret it. I know I sure as heck didn't!

John

[Anonymous]

First off, welcome to the hobby. As everyone on here has noted, their are no such things as dumb questions. Just dumb not to ask. :-) Another thing that I would like to suggest to you is to research if there are any HO model railroad clubs in your area that you could stop by. These clubs are a tremendous resource, and will allow you to find out what you like about the hobby before you dive in and build something that really doesn't fit. I don't want to sound like a broken record, but the people above know what they are talking about. There is no easier way to get turned off from model railroading than to sink some money into a layout and find it doesn't bring you the reward you hoped it would. Take it from someone who in a few short years has taken down several. I am a member of a club here in Chicago, have been researching my ideal "house layout" of the future and in the meantime, have started work on a modular layout that I will be able to incorporate into the larger "house" railroad in the future. Find things that appeal to you, and make those focal points of the railroad. Do you like a particular railroad or era, building scenery, detailing models? The possibilities are endless. Take it from someone who has managed to get their girlfriend to enjoy the hobby (suckered her in with the Soo Line interesting paint scheme), there is something for everyone. And remember, you can get a lot of great railroading in a four by eight space. It just depends on what you think will make that layout great!

Welcome to model railroading!
- john

Chessie's Michigan Divsion - the Cat's OTHER merchandise moneymaker

[Anonymous]

1. get a trainset and a bunch of track.
2. keep plugging that track together and running those trains until you come up with something you like.
3. check around, look around, visit the forums, and develop your own opinions.
4. share with us what you discover (we might want to borrow some of your ideas).

[hminky]

I am chronicling my 4x8 layout construction on my website at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/4x8/



Thank you if you visit
Harold

[Tom Bryant_MR]

Welcome to the hobby. I won't repeat the sound advice above. Here are a couple of links for you to start Dreaming. Then comes the Planning, then the Building. [;)]

http://home.earthlink.net/~mrsvc/index.html
http://www.trainplayer.com/layouts_101.htm

Regards

[RMax1]

I started with the Atlas layouts and modified the one I chose a bit. They are a nice way to start out because all the parts are listed and you have a shopping list. It is the fastest way to get up and running with a layout. While you are working on that layout reading is highly suggested. Find out what kind of trains you want to run. Passenger trains are not recommended for the Atlas designs. If you want to tinker a bit and just see if you like the hobby they will keep you out of trouble and keep you from being overwelmed. There is a lot of train stuff out there and you can be burned up quick.

RMax1

[Anonymous]

welcome to you. you are in right place to learn all you need to make that RR come true for you.

good folk full of knowledge here that can and will answer any questions you come up with.

the track planning software might surely help you find your ideal
track plan. its called right track i think,

best regards and happy railroading, john

[jecorbett]

If I were going to start with a 4x8 layout, the one thing I would definitely do would be to run a double sided back drop down the length of it. This will allow you to model two distinct and separated scenes. It will also make it less obvious that your trains are running around in a circle but instead are going from one place to another. It will also make your small layout seem a little bigger. You could run the scenic divider down the middle of the layout giving you two 2x8 scenes or run it diagonally to give you a little more depth on one end of each scene.

John

[Anonymous]

heyy!!! Welcome Too MRR Forums!! First id like too say that if you want too start a layout what i always do and believe me i am 13 ive been in this for a year so try this. I always sit down and think think and do some more thinking! i think of what i want my layout too look like! What Scenery do you want a wye...how about a turn table do i need tunnels too dig threw the mountains. All these things are somehing too think about. And remember that it is your layout and you can do what ever makes you happy! so if you can draw the track plan and i will be glad too add scenery features and put it in too scale for you! just put your layout on this forum and i will have it ready for you! just remember that you always want too take your time you will thank us all in the end! model railroading is a great hobby but it takes patience! just think and be creative and always listen too MRR favorite saying...DREAM PLAN BUILD!!!

Have a blast and happy model railroading!!!

[:D] Keith

[Anonymous]

I have a 5x8 in "O", no less. I'm very happy with it, and given more space to use, I'd build other small layouts in other scales. In fact, I'm now working on a 2x4 "N" layout. Advice given so far is good, and I have nothing to add to it except don't feel bad because your layout is'nt "the biggest one on the block". Have fun! Joe

[SpaceMouse]

Chip Chipping in.

If I had to build a 4x8 layout--wait a minute, I did build one--I would want one similar to Harold's above. There are a lot of opportunities for operations, which are something you'll hear about more often as you go along.

IF I had to pick a 4x8 layout out of a book I'd choose John Armstrong's Pennsylvania and Potomic. (#26 from 101 Track Plans)



John Armstrong wrote Track Planning for Realistic Operations a must read for anyone thinking of designing a track.

All that being said, there are beteter options than 4x8 for a beginner. IF you consider walkaround space, The space the layout occupies is about 9x13. If you build a 9x13 layout in a U or O sahpe, there is much more you can do with it.

Byron Henderson, a guy who has appeared in MR mag and gives clinics at the NMRA conventions, has a lot to say about the 4 x 8 design limitations. Here is a link to his article.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mrsvc/id28.html

[ClinchValleySD40]

A really great source to get started is the project layouts Model Railroader magazine does from time to time. It's a several month (several issues) step by step project loaded with lots of great modeling skills. I believe they are about to start another one or check some older issues for one.

[selector]

Wow, Chip, you HAVE been doing research! [tup]

[dgwinup]

For as long as SpaceMouse has been in this hobby, (what? About a year, now?) he has gotten his feet wet all the way up to his eyeballs! Lots and lots of research and asking questions and participating in discussions.

I've been in the hobby since I was a kid, (what? About 49 years, now? Yup!), and I am learning from SpaceMouse!

Take the hint. Do your research! Your layout will appreciate it and it will treat you nice all the time! LOL

Darrell, learning to be quiet...for now