Newest on the block... that's me!

[jacon12]

Just coming into this hobby I'm a little overwhelmed by it all. So much to learn and so little time. At age 61 and retired I have the time, but where to start and which way to go is a bit baffleing. I've been tinkering around with an O guage shelf layout in my computer room for a couple of years, mounted so that it runs above the doors. O guage is great but it is pretty expensive compared to HO. I've been reading everything I can find because I'm about to add a garage on to the house and I'm having a 12 x24 foot room included with it. Time to start thinking more seriously about an HO scale layout. So, that brings me to the questions:
1- should a beginner, like me, start with a 4x8 foot layout to learn the 'craft' ? I have Robert Schleicher's book " The HO Model Railroading Handbook" v3 that has detailed instructions or a variety of sizes and types of layouts, and the temptation is to build one of the larger 7x9 footers as a first try.
2- I want to go DCC and I defintely want syncronized sound. What brands, for the control system and for locomotives, should I lean toward and why?
3- what are some of the do's and don'ts, things to definitely do and things to avoid, things that you've ran into in the hobby that you wish someone had told you about in the beginning.

I wish I knew more about it in order to ask more intelligent questions, or better yet the RIGHT questions, but like all new people.. I don't. So if you don't mind thinking over those 3 questions, I'd be much obliged[:)]

[cwclark]

welcome to the world's greatest hobby...if i were you..first i would read anything i can get my hands on in the hobby...kalmbach publications has a vast array of books to get you started...then,design a layout ..put everything you want on it on to paper and try to draw it to scale as closely as you can..and make sure you get the radii and the distance between the rails you want down pat....next build the benchwork and the backdrop, then lay all the subroadbed and the track...then wire it...and finally...do the scenery stuff...if you try to build the scenery before you wire the layout you'll be heading for trouble...Chuck[:D]

[orsonroy]

Jacon, welcome to the hobby! It's definitely a load of fun. Let's see if I can help you with your questions:

QUOTE:
O guage is great but it is pretty expensive compared to HO.

True, and O scale also takes up a lot of space. On the other hand, how are your eyes and manual dexterity? If you have vision issues or "fat fingers", O scale (or three rail O) might be the best route. Alternatively, Bachmann has recently taken the hobby by storm with On30: O scale narrow gauge prototype trains that run on regular HO scale track. It's a very good compromise, is actually somewhat less expensive than regular HO (if you shop for bargains), and is very popular. Broadway Limited Imports (BLI) and a couple of brass manufacturers are jumping onto the On30 bandwagon with engines.

QUOTE:
I've been reading everything I can find because I'm about to add a garage on to the house and I'm having a 12 x24 foot room included with it. Time to start thinking more seriously about an HO scale layout.

12x24 is about the same size as my layout (mine's actually a 12x25 three level, but the basic footprint's the same). You'll be able to build a decent layout in any scale in that sort of space!

QUOTE:
1- should a beginner, like me, start with a 4x8 foot layout to learn the 'craft' ? I have Robert Schleicher's book " The HO Model Railroading Handbook" v3 that has detailed instructions or a variety of sizes and types of layouts, and the temptation is to build one of the larger 7x9 footers as a first try.

It can't hurt to learn the basics, but you don't necessarily have to spend 2-4 years completing a 4x8, just to tear it down to work on that garage layout. How about building a "timesaver" 2x4 layout instead? You'll learn tracklaying, wiring, soldering, and scenery basics on a small switching layout that you can actually use, and even incorporate into your larger layout. Model Railroader magazine has copies of their Timesaver layout available, as do several members of these forums. All you gotta do is ask for them! And in addition to the book you mentioned, take a look at Ian Rice's "Small, Smart & Practical Layouts" for additional ideas.

QUOTE:
2- I want to go DCC and I defintely want syncronized sound. What brands, for the control system and for locomotives, should I lean toward and why?

If you want DCC and sound, you've got several options. In HO (my scale), Soundtraxx makes very nice sound decoders, but they're expensive and tech-geek intensive. MRC has new low-cost, entry-level steam and diesel sound decoders which are a viable option. I prefer BLI's products, which are their own steam and diesel models with QSI sound decoders factory-installed. These are probably a beginner's best way into the world of DCC sound. The engines might look expensive, but when you factor in the costs of assembling a steam kit yourself and installing a comparable Soundtraxx sound system, the BLI engines suddenly become cost-effective. In O scales, Lionel and MTH both have their own sound and control systems. I can't comment on them because I don't do O scale. BLI also has one On30 engine on the market.

QUOTE:
3- what are some of the do's and don'ts, things to definitely do and things to avoid, things that you've ran into in the hobby that you wish someone had told you about in the beginning.

Take your time, do the research, and be prepared to make mistakes. Model railroading is both a mechanical and artistic hobby, and it takes time to develop the skills necessary to achieve the sort of results you see in the magazines. Find a local hobby shop (LHS), and ask questions. Join a local MRR club to learn from local "experts". And dig around on these forums for lots of modeling topics.

Hope this helps!

[jacon12]

Thanks Chuck and Ray for the information and advice. It will be heeded, hopefully, and I won't go of on too many tangents I'll reget later. I've read a couple of articles on On30 and found it interesting, but I wondered how O guage would look running down HO tracks. My initial thought was it wouldn't look right but having never actually seen it, what the heck do I know.. [:)] It certainly is an idea to consider.

"How about building a "timesaver" 2x4 layout instead? You'll learn tracklaying, wiring, soldering, and scenery basics on a small switching layout that you can actually use, and even incorporate into your larger layout"

I like that idea, I was hesitant to do a 4x8 considering the time and expense.

"I prefer BLI's products, which are their own steam and diesel models with QSI sound decoders factory-installed. These are probably a beginner's best way into the world of DCC sound. The engines might look expensive, but when you factor in the costs of assembling a steam kit yourself and installing a comparable Soundtraxx sound system, the BLI engines suddenly become cost-effective. In O scales, Lionel and MTH both have their own sound and control systems"

I have two MTH O scale locos now with Protosound 2.0 and it's awesome. If I do go HO I'll certainly look into the BLI inventory. I'm not gifted enough to assemble my own.

"if i were you..first i would read anything i can get my hands on in the hobby...kalmbach publications has a vast array of books to get you started...then,design a layout ..put everything you want on it on to paper and try to draw it to scale as closely as you can..and make sure you get the radii and the distance between the rails you want down pat....next build the benchwork and the backdrop, then lay all the subroadbed and the track...then wire it...and finally...do the scenery stuff...if you try to build the scenery before you wire the layout you'll be heading for trouble..."

Chuck I will especially remember that last sentence. Thanks

One other thing, how do you do the quote thing in replies to a post where the quote is in the shaded box.
Jarrell

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the family of railfans!

[jacon12]

I appreciate it!
Jarrell

[cwclark]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jacon12


One other thing, how do you do the quote thing in replies to a post where the quote is in the shaded box.
Jarrell

just like that...click the "quote " icon and take out what you don't want by either highlighting it by holding down the left click mouse and right click "cut" or you can just backspace out what you don't need..be sure that it stays between (quote) and (/quote)....Chuck[:D]

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jacon12

Thanks Chuck and Ray for the information and advice. It will be heeded, hopefully, and I won't go of on too many tangents I'll reget later.
Jarrell

[#welcome] The beauty of this hobby of ours is that is full of tangents. You get bored here then go there be it building kits, making trees/scenery or painting. It's all here. The Nice thing about this forum, though addictive, is it can be a motivator. I've hit pot holes and there is always someone to dig me out. This is a virtual club.

As for your question regarding size of layout. Try this:

Start with a 4x8 but with room and planning to expand. I started out with a 4x8 and with a bit of imagination I was able to expand it to a 11x 25 L shape and there will be expansions yet to come.

What maybe a siding can always be turned into a main line in the future.


Regards

Fergie

[jacon12]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cwclark

just like that...click the "quote " icon and take out what you don't want by either highlighting it by holding down the left click mouse and right click "cut" or you can just backspace out what you don't need..be sure that it stays between (quote) and (/quote)....Chuck[:D]

By george I think I got it..

Thanks Chuck..,
Jarrell

[jacon12]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester
[. The Nice thing about this forum, though addictive, is it can be a motivator. I've hit pot holes and there is always someone to dig me out. This is a virtual club.

As for your question regarding size of layout. Try this:

Start with a 4x8 but with room and planning to expand. I started out with a 4x8 and with a bit of imagination I was able to expand it to a 11x 25 L shape and there will be expansions yet to come.

What maybe a siding can always be turned into a main line in the future.

Fergie, I know what you mean by forums being coming addictive. I've been a long time member of the Nikon Talk Forum on DPreview.com and I know how much time you can spend in forums rather than working on the hobby itself. I've been in digital photography for about 4 years now and you can see some of my work here..
http://members.cox.net/jarrellconley/
I found that in digital you spend an awful lot of time sitting at the computer in the "digital darkroom" working on pictures. My doctor got onto me for that[:(], but he's right and I know it. I'm hoping that my interest in model railroading will get me up and working on a layout, get more active and still have time for photography. I think the two of them will go well together because I love shooting still lifes!
Thank you for the idea on the 4x8 and working it into a larger layout. Now if I can just decide whether to go HO, O or On30 without going nuts in the process....[:)]
Jarrell

[cwclark]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jacon12

I know what you mean by forums being coming addictive. time
Jarrell

I'm here at work all day long and usually spend my time here because it breaks the monotony of sitting here and doing nothing...any other time i'll be home working on my layout....Chuck[:D]

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