Ask for comments on Newbie's first scene ideas

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I'm a newbie on rail modeling and want to build my FIRST scene
- on a 178cm x 67cm place (very limited size)
- with one or two trains (depending on the feasiblity)
- a hill
- a small river/waterfall
- some buidlngs
- some lamps so that it can light when dark

my ideas:
- since the size is limited, i may have to use N scale
- it's first work that not have a good skills and don't know any suitable layout found. i found there's a product, Mod-U-Rail [http://www.woodlandscenics.com/nnb/Mod-U-Rail1.htm] that may help me build firstly. i think 2 straight one should give me the size i want

my questions:
- is there any similar layouts as i found most of the layouts are in 4 x 8 feet? can i just easily scale it down?
- is there any software helping me to draw and test the feasibity of my layout first before i try
- is there any module (hardware/software) that can operate the train by the computer. [future add-on/enhancement]

thanks a lot!

cheers!

[ARTHILL]

Welcome. Thosse are grand ideas and can happen. It is also a lot to start with. Read some books and mags. MRR has good ideas. Listen to the guys here, especially the N scalers. There is good software, but I never learned to use it. I did a full scale mockup with masking tape on the floor to solve first round of problems. No matter how much you plan, expect to change things as you go.

It also would be helpful to meet some railroaders and see their stuff - Club??, Model Shop?? Train Show??

Have fun. Hope to hear from you often.