Last night I was leafing through some issues of Model Trains, Kalmbach's magazine for beginning model railroaders in the late '50s and early '60s. As I enjoyed the reading (early '60s issues), I was struck by how much was expected of a beginner by Kalmbach back then.
In the two issues I looked at last night there were two articles on building Mantua steam locomotive kits, an E.L. Moore gem on scratch building an excursion passenger car, how to build tunnel entrances, a "railroad you can model" featuring the NWP terminal at Tiburon (one of the reasons I bought that issue), modifications to X2F (horn hook) couplers and coupler boxes to make them perform better, and of course the obligatory table top track plans with mostly Snap Track. IMHO, except for the use Snap Track and mostly island layouts, the modeling and layouts represented as much if not more effort and skill than is seen in many of today's Model Railroader articles.
The Portage Hill & Communipaw started off as a Model Trains project layout, not a Model Railroader project. Yet the PH&C series did more skills-needed or developed layout building than all but a very few later MR project layouts. The series included bashing low end brass locomotives, modifying figures, scratch building a turntable, and thorough DC wiring explanations in addition to the usual benchwork, trackwork, and scenery how-tos.
Judging my own efforts and skills, except for my handlaid track, I would pretty much fit in to the Model Trains "beginner" profile I get from reading the magazine - not anywhere near the big step up to NMRA MMR. Which is probably why I enjoyed buying these old magazines and reading the issues. But I see the modeling and layouts as quite a step up from what is considered a beginner today - both my own and that featured in the magazines.
There were RTR locomotives and cars advertised in Model Trains - but the articles didn't feature them.
I guess I didn't realize how much the hobby seems to have "dumbed down" with the complete take-over of RTR (at least in the model railroading media) until I started thinking about what I was reading. Although we have much more fidelity to prototype, and much better running locomotives than back then, I feel like the essence of having fun while doing is getting lost in the buy it off the shelf professionial appearing layouts of today.
These are of course just my opinions, and everybody has one. Yours might differ - and I'm interested in what the rest of you have to say.
Should a beginner be expected to be able to build more than a shake-the-box kit, decal, paint and weather, scratch a simple structure, and understand his layout wiring by the time he finishes his 1st layout?
Fred W
fwrightShould a beginner be expected to be able to build more than a shake-the-box kit, decal, paint and weather, scratch a simple structure, and understand his layout wiring by the time he finishes his 1st layout?
I'll pipe up early on this one.
Answer yes they should be able, but not expected to. The first layout should ample provide opportunity for doing all those things you mention. Often it doesn't. Everyone has different wants and desires for their layouts. I know a neighbor of mine who (I was told) has a wonderful complex layout up in his attic space. He has been building it for about 40 or so years. I went over to see it and it consists of a 4' x 6' piece of plywood with grass cloth stapled over it and a mountain with a vertical cliff with the same grass cloth and a couple of RTR buildings plopped down. He has 4 loops on it and one siding. The outside is a double loop of Old Lionel 3 rail with a crossover and a siding for storing a train. Inside that is an HO loop, and up on the flat top mountain is an oval of "n" scale. He loves it, enjoys seeing his trains run, and doesn't want anything more. That is no problem for me.
For me personally, I don't like RTR! I have some on the layout, but all my current buildings, scenery, and cars are from kits or scratch built. Only RTR are the locos, and even they had to be decaled for the SLOW. I consider RTR to mean "All Fun Removed"! For me the fun in model railroading is in the creation of as much built by me as possible. No! I don't ever expect that is the case for many others out there.
There are folks here at this forum who I know have physical limitations that prevent them from doing craftsman kits and scratchbuilding. And YES they are Model Railroaders too! Others enjoy the running of trains in prototypical fashion and don't care a bit about scenery and buildings except as it helps with operations. Some just like to watch a train go around and around.... Again that's OK.
I'm think, however, there are many that haven't tried to stretch their skills to include many of the things that had to be done years ago. Some of them probably wouldn't be in the hobby today if they had to. There are many places you can get scratch building supplies and craftsman kits today and I'm sure there will be for a long time to come.
Whatever you enjoy in this great hobby, HAVE FUN!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
fwright Last night I was leafing through some issues of Model Trains, Kalmbach's magazine for beginning model railroaders in the late '50s and early '60s. As I enjoyed the reading (early '60s issues), I was struck by how much was expected of a beginner by Kalmbach back then. I guess I didn't realize how much the hobby seems to have "dumbed down" with the complete take-over of RTR (at least in the model railroading media) until I started thinking about what I was reading. Although we have much more fidelity to prototype, and much better running locomotives than back then, I feel like the essence of having fun while doing is getting lost in the buy it off the shelf professionial appearing layouts of today. Fred W
A point I've frequently made here, much to the consternation of many.
For decades the hobby was based on real skill and craftsmanship. Indeed, even beginners were expected to have a range of fairly well developed modeling skills before they should considered entering the hobby. Those given to simply running store-bought trains on largely plywood empires were regarded as essentially part of the Lionel/Flyer crowd, not the more serious model railroaders (and why MR and RMC both turned their backs on such folks in the mid 1950's). Model railroading was considered a serious adult hobby, populated mainly by craftsmen of a calibur right up there with the likes of machinists, or the quality furniture making hobbyists.
Given the crude materials they had to work with, the efforts of many "average" modelers from way back when would have to be considered on a par with a lot of today's best of the best in model railroading.
CNJ831
While reading this I had a new thought about RTR. It allows the modeler, beginner or advanced, to do what he wants to do, and avoid some of those aspects of the hobby that he doesn't like to do. An Operations-oriented modeler can concentrate on his track plan and signalling, but buy his engines, rolling stock and scenery ready-made. A scenery guy like me would ignore the ready-to-plop buildings in favor of kits and styrene sheets, but still take solid, reilable engines out of the box and put them on the track.
Some folks like to dive into a pool without testing the water. Others want to put their toe in first, and still others wade in slowly from the shallow end. RTR lets you choose your path, and get started in the hobby without demanding an extensive skill set (and tool set) beforehand.
Few of us can do it all. I'm in awe of those who can. At the same time, I'm grateful that I don't have to hand-lay my own track, so I can concentrate instead on making molds for cobblestone castings for my streets. Without RTR, I would never be able to build the layout I want in my lifetime.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
First I agree with the sentiment that no matter what you like to do in the hobby, all who participate are Model Railroaders.
What I think has changed from those early years is that RTR has become so good that it is hard for people to equal it, much less exceed it. When Tyco and Lifelike were the RTR and Athearn and Roundhouse/MDC were the easy kits it wasn't hard to do better with a craftsman kit or scratch building. But with excellent RTR, why bother building.Personally, I like the building part. But when time is short, I focus on building the layout and use RTR cars, track, etc. Now that I'm retired I'll get back to building cars and locomotives from kits as well as scratch building. I have been stockpiling scratch building supplies and craftsman kits. I don't know that they'll be better than or even as good as RTR, but I'll pick things not available in RTR (easy to do in S) and just do my best while having fun. But I'll continue to use RTR as well.
Enjoy
Paul
See, I never cared for the "body goes on frame, screw on trucks, done" thing, so I don't particularly care about RTR cars. I like planning, designing, and building everything else. My layout is really just a big diorama right now, but I like that I can populate it with rolling stock quickly and easily. I only have six structures, but five of them are not from kits. Sure did buy mountains of Walthers and DPM modulars though.
Almost every one of us is a beginner in at least one aspect of the hobby. If one hasn't done/practiced/mastered a particular skill before, one's a beginner. A great advantage (or disadvantage depending on one's point of view) is that multiple skill sets are necessary. Fortunately, the more difficult and costly skills such as machining, etc., are mostly done for us.
Mark
Back when I was a beginner (and Harry Truman was President) it was expected that anyone who wanted to be a modeler (ANY kind of modeler) would have to learn how to use tools, assemble kits, paint, decal... RTR meant tinplate, or paying a professional to custom-build what you wanted (an 0-6-0? $300 1947 dollars!) or buying somebody's hand-me-downs. Even the simplest kits weren't all that simple. About the only skill a layout builder didn't (usually) need was plumbing.
Fast forward to today. A rank beginner often starts with the impression that he can simply open some boxes, push things together until the joints snap-lock, plug in the AC line cord and, viola! instant model railroad. Not only that, but he can start at 8 PM Christmas Eve and get a good night's sleep before going to the Nativity services at his church. Screwdriver? Pliers? Wazzat???
In my case, I was familiar with tools - both my father and my mother had considerable mechanical aptitude, and things that stopped working got fixed, not thrown away. There was a sizeable toolbox in the front hall closet, and I learned to use everything in it. Contrast that to today's 'throwaway' society. Many younger people have grown up in a world where even simple hand tools are the provence of professional mechanics (with framed certificates on the waiting room wall) and insurance concerns keep the curious away from the places where they get used. I can't tell for sure how many homes on my street can even muster a screwdriver - but looking at the curbside display on trash day makes me suspect that it's under 50%.
Now, I do not disparage RTR. Most of the little metal 'boxes on wheels' that simulate freight cars on my layout came out of their bought at the LHS boxes ready to drop on the track - except for the Baker couplers. Installing Kadee #6 couplers with the screws that once held the Bakers - no sweat for me, but a possible deal breaker for some. (Yes, I said #6. The geometry doesn't work for #5s.) That gives me time to build bulletproof trackwork (include hand-laying all of my specialwork) and do the other things that CAN'T be done with ingredients that come pre-assembled or pre-cut in boxes.
Does my ability to kitbash and scratchbuild my way to the (hopefully unique) goals that I've set for myself make me a better modeler than anyone else? NO WAY. Does it make me different? Probably. But think of how boring the world would be if everyone had the exact same set of skills and interests.
Chuck (Modleing Central Japan in September, 1964 - to the best of my limited abilities)
I think MRRing is just following the same progression seen in many other areas of today's society. Early Internet users had to pay a lot for very specialized equipment and had to know exactly where to go- no real provider to take you there. Same thing for cars- early car owners had to be their own mechanics. There are a lot of people nowadays who don't even know how to change their oil.
It's kind of just how things go, IMO. Nobody's going to make you do things any way you don't want to just because it's what's in at the moment.
One thing of note, the poster said that the engines run better now. I have known some craftsman that could make the older stuff run perfectly. One friend of mine got his MDC shay to run at a tie a minute with the supplied motor and all the gears on (I got the same results but could not get one of the outside gears right which I just left off).
I was looking for something notional called 'fun', and it was fun related to toy trains. I would not have entered the hobby if I had been expected to have designing, cutting, shaping, lathing, welding, soldering, and other skills required to form a working locomotive. I do not take pleasure from assembling things...not pressboard furniture, not model structures, not rail cars. In my youth I had a desire to build model airplanes, and I enjoyed some of that. Maybe 10 all totaled.
Now I have other demands on me, and when I want to have fun, I don't want to have to do un-fun things to have fun in the time available to me. So RTR has been most welcome, and I shall continue to pay those who provide it my money.
My creativity and energy lie in other areas, other pursuits. When I need a break, throwing a switch and pondering which of my nice RTR engines to play with is about as involved as I'd like to be. Well, that and deciding which type of beer to drink while I watch the train move.
-Crandell
First model railroading as a hobby isn't rocket science nor has it ever been regarded as a "craftsmen hobby" as CNJ claims..If that was the case 98% of us old heads would have left the hobby years ago.
All one needs is basic carpentry skills,understanding 2 wires to the track or one wire to each block if the modeler uses Atlas selectors and plastic rail joiners.If a modeler has experience assembling any plastic kits he can assemble a plastic building..If one can read and understand instructions he can mount KD couplers and build the majority of today's car kits..Thanks to Bachmann a beginner can use basic DCC.Instructions can be found on Youtube from ballasting to weathering.
I guess I am getting fed up with those that tries to complicate a very simple hobby! Why they want to complicate hobby is beyond me.
Guys,the cold hard facts is any 10 year old child can build a simple 4x8' layout using snap track and have tons of fun in his innocents.
Think not?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmwOINI_5Zw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0tymZyu2dk
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I too have some old issues of Model Trains magazine and yes, the articles do vary quite a bit in intended audience -- a mix of scale and Lionel/Flyer. So an issue might show a fairly simple Lionel track plan and then how to scratch build a caboose or whatever out of shirt cardboard.
I don't think Model Trains was aimed at promoting high craftsmanship, but it did expect the young reader to be prepared to cut wood or cardstock or metal with some precision, to assemble parts with care, to not slop up the paint, etc. I bet most readers of Model Trains also had various "shop" classes in school that promoted similar basic skills. And the "beginner" kits in the early 1950s, such as the Varney or Athearn metal line, were not craftsman kits but rewarded careful work -- it WAS possible to screw up. I think the original poster was trying to say that what was regarded as an "easy -- you can do this" article for kids back in 1952 somehow seems to be asking more in the ways of skill sets than is asked today. And it might be that the results that Model Trains would publish simply might not pass muster today, even if you could say "I built this." A steam locomotive boiler showing wood grain of the dowel it was built from for example.
I guess it is worth pointing out that in the bigger picture, Model Trains did not succeed as a magazine. Linn Westcott once wrote that it was doomed to fail because it was aimed at beginners and beginners have so many questions and things they want to do and know about all at once that they can't wait for a monthly magazine to finally get around to "their" topic. That is what Kalmbach books were supposed to do. But some of its articles remain good reading and even useful.
Dave Nelson
I liike RTR...I don't have time to build or kitbash or scratch build and furthermore you can create your own personalized layout just the same by selecting an LDE that you like and/or going freelance. No one thing on my layout is scratch built...however the layout as a whole is my personal creation...
BRAKIEGuys,the cold hard facts is any 10 year old child can build a simple 4x8' layout using snap track and have tons of fun in his innocents.
Well said, most of us started with those "cheap train set". The difference is that while we loved it, we wanted it to looks much more the real thing. And for that, nobody's gonna feed it to you. Just to see a string of brown CN boxcars pulled by a Zebra-painted pair of M420 with a Pointe Saint-Charles caboose, I went thought a lot of things in the last 23 years. And it's started wrong with a Bachmann CP Rail F9!!!!
And to make the best RTR stuff looks good, you still have to work a lot on many other aspects. I won't compare myself to old times modellers, I'm pretty sure there was a bunch of skilled guys and a lot of casual modellers among them just as you can see today. To me, scratchbuilding and kitbashing was a matter of necessity (modeling canadian prototype was a nightmare until recently and worst, doing scenery based on Quebec City architecture is like crossing the Styx river) to achieve my goal, but I quickly found out I loved tinkering and modifying rolling stocks and buildings.
But I will be honest, rarely my kitbashes end up on the layout, except if the original motor and frame is good. Often, I reuse cheap engines and since I'm not a mechanic fan, I never improve their running performance (my kitbashed HO Lionel CP Rail GP-30 is one of those bad dogs). So, for the layout, I use RTR engines for this sole purpose. My frankeinstein stays on my shelves.
What I love about this hobby is that it will take you as far as you want or can go, there's almost no ending... you can tore everything down and it is still just a new start. When I was watching my CP Rail F9 running on a 36" x 36" inches back in 1986-87, I couldn't possibly think that I should know carpentry, painting, decalling, detailling, electricity and mechanics, even history, geography and railroad operation. But steps by steps, each thing comes one after one. My old MR issues from the 60's and 70's were Chinese to me when I bought them 15 years ago, but now, I appreciate when I can understand an article that looked completely useless to me back then.
Matt
Proudly modelling the Quebec Railway Light & Power Co since 1997.
http://www.hedley-junction.blogspot.com
http://www.harlem-station.blogspot.com
I completely disagree that a beginner can buy a bunch of built-ups and RTR rolling stock, throw some snap track and a grass mat on a table, and get a layout that looks like a master craftsman built it. You can build a servicable layout this way, but not a great one.
On the other hand, the fact that these things ARE available reduces the entry barriers to our hobby. Speaking strictly for myself, I doubt I will ever assemble a locomotive from a kit. But over the years, I have replaced a lot of my scenery as I learned better techniques or mastered old ones, and have replaced many stock model structures with ones I have built or modified myself.
Even my 7 year old has lost interest in the cheap Thomas train set from Bachmann and has me helping him build a more realistic layout with a lot of my cast off stuff. Would he be doing this if the only way to get a structure for his layout was to scratchbuild it?
Definately, our hobby has evolved to the point where every participant can do what interests him, and find a ready made solution for the parts he'd rather not delve into. As we get deeper into the hobby, most of us push our limits and expand our skills as we go. And that's a very GOOD thing.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
dknelsonI think the original poster was trying to say that what was regarded as an "easy -- you can do this" article for kids back in 1952 somehow seems to be asking more in the ways of skill sets than is asked today. And it might be that the results that Model Trains would publish simply might not pass muster today, even if you could say "I built this." A steam locomotive boiler showing wood grain of the dowel it was built from for example.
Thanks Dave for saying it better than I did.
I guess I was amazed by the "easy -- you can do this" in the articles aimed at beginners. There is a definite contrast between these Model Trains articles and today's how-to's in Model Railroader. Of course, part of the writing style and theme of both MT and MR in the '50s and '60s was to encourage readers to give it a go. The aim was to get armchair model railroaders out of the armchair and into actual modeling, layout building, and operations. As you said, less than "perfect" results were acceptable, and would even get published in the photos.
Taking this in a slightly different direction, I find the various model railroading Internet forums of today to be less encouraging at trying something that might be a reach or stretch, or just plain new to me. And I can see how the forums can actually discourage a newcomer - I'm guilty of this - by citing the negatives to a proposed idea or method. For myself, the forums have become a way to procrastinate and avoid starting a project that I'm not sure I can complete successfully. When all I had was an encouraging monthly magazine to connect with other model railroaders, there wasn't anything else to do but give the "difficult" project a try. But now I can turn on the computer and read how difficult or fraught with danger or just plain stupid my proposed project is.
The other part that holds me back on modeling projects is that the cost of failure has risen significantly. If I broke the fiddly details assembling a Silver Streak reefer (which I did), well, it was a $2.98 kit. The same for cutting and changing the coal load, or repainting my $30 or less locomotives. Even though the Silver Streak kit was over an hour's wages, and today's kits are close to the same with inflation, the idea of breaking the plastic grab irons during installation on a $35 Micro-Trains car is a lot more intimidating. Even more intimidating is spending and then installing a $100 remotor/regear kit on a used brass locomotive. My potential screw-up costs tend to hold me back from getting started on the project.
Time to turn off the computer and get back to my Keystone Shays!
Fred
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Fred,Here's the kicker..
One doesn't need to do any of that even back in the 50/60s that was a choice one made..The most I ever did to Athearn shells or non brass steam locomotives was add details from Details West,Detail Associates,Cal Scale or Kemtron..I never did like car kits with a zillion ittybitty fragile pieces the exception being those old wood Main Line Model B&O cabooses that wasn't all that bad to assemble.
Today's new model has great models without all that heartache and pain of having to build and then (if one chooses) super detail those kits.
As others have said, this hobby allows you to focus on the parts you like while maintaining a good-looking railroad.
Having said that, I'm a beginner, and I'd like to do things on the list (decal, paint, weather, scratchbuild) but it's a fairly long list and honestly as a beginner it's a bit intimidating. Especially the scratchbuilding and weathering. I feel like I don't have the artistic ability for those things.
I think there are a couple hindrances to doing more advanced work:
So what I think would be awesome is a series of articles expressly for the beginner that starts at step one, has a parts list (including tools) with model/part numbers, and sources that have those parts. Ideally, the magazine could form a partnership with an online supplier so you could buy all the parts for the project as a package (maybe make the tools optional since you only have to buy those once). Give the reader a month or two advanced notice to order the supplies, then walk step-by-step through the project over a couple issues of the magazine.
(Instead of forming an online partnership, the magazine could just provide LHS's with a parts list and say this is the "official kit for the September project". And they could provide it to their customers if they so desire.)
Anyway, it's a thought for helping beginners get into more difficult aspects of the hobby. It may be more hand-holding that some of you guys like, but I think it would be a great help.
-matthew
One of the great things of our hobby is that it offers a multitude of options for people with different levels of skill. You don´t need to be an expert scratch builder to build a nice layout. With DCC, you can enjoy running multiple trains without having to be an electrician. And it offers the chance to grow your skills in so many different fields of art and crafts - at a pace you can set for yourself.
The only thing you cannot expect is an instant reward - this is not a computer game!
MisterBeasleySome folks like to dive into a pool without testing the water. Others want to put their toe in first, and still others wade in slowly from the shallow end. RTR lets you choose your path, and get started in the hobby without demanding an extensive skill set (and tool set) beforehand.
Actually not any more. With the popularity of RTR the low end and middle of the learning curve, the simple kits that taught people the basics and got their feet wet are for the most part, gone.
All that's left is the kiddie pool (RTR), 5 meter board (craftsman kits) and 10 meter board (scratchbuilding). Nothing in the middle.
Pre-RTR, as a modeler you were forced to learn because you had no choice. You couldn't stay in your comfort zone. Now you can contract with a company to design your layout, you can have a company build the layout complete with wiring, control systems and scenery and you can populate it with RTR cars and engines. All the modeling skill required is the ability to sign a check.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Ulrich: The only thing you cannot expect is an instant reward - this is not a computer game!
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I'm no longer sure about that with the various brands of Unitrack style track.My Untitrack M2 set came with a passing siding and I had a test layout up and running in less then 15 minutes by following the instructions!.. One could probably have a complete layout with yard and industrial sidings up and running in less the 4 hours using Unitrack.The scenery can be added by the modeler at a more leisure pace..
Larry - I received my Marklin starter set in 1963. It was an oval of track, consisting of 10 pieces, a transformer, a loco and two tin plate passenger cars. It took me 5 minutes to get it up and running. An instant reward for a 7 year old, but I would not really call it a layout ...
Dave H:Pre-RTR, as a modeler you were forced to learn because you had no choice. You couldn't stay in your comfort zone.
-----------------------------
Actually Dave,the BB kits and the majority of the structure kits took little skill beyond the basics.Even building a Hobbytown or Penn-Line locomotive kit wasn't all that complicated.I built my first Penn-Line steam locomotive when I was 10 and my first Hobbytown diesel(a RS3) when I was 11..Oddly I didn't need to build these kits at all but,my dad thought it would help me learn the basics of locomotive maintenance..
I can count on one hand when I actually needed the so called "advanced hobby skills".The basic hobby skills will suffice and if one can read and understand the written word or watch a video he can do whatever needs done.
As far as RTR there was RTR back in the 50/60s.
Looking at the topic from a standpoint of someone who re-started in the hobby after a 40 year hiatus, I think the ready to roll market provides a much broader opportunity to attract new blood to the hobby. In my case, the ready to roll equipment gave me a chance to get my foot in the door. Now I can take it to the next level by customizing, adding detailing and weathering.
There is so much information now available via the internet including tons of prototypical images that worul have taken much longer to find just ten years ago. The access to techniques via the internet, publications, and live seminars has also given me the incentive to go out and improve on the foundation that ready to roll provides.
By the time a 'beginner' finishes his or her first layout, he or she is no longer a beginner!!
OK, that's a fairly obvious answer, but you see, I got my first issue of Model Railroader and other magazines by competing publishers (you know who you are) around the time that Fred is referring.
Specifically, September 1964. So, I can give you first hand info, as can others...
Beginners always start out with little knowledge or skills, and usually spend a variable amount of time just reading up, perusing catalogs, going to hobby stores and buying whatever looks appealing. But slowly, things change. Knowledge and skills mature, and you wind up where I am now.
In Buffalo, NY, (Miami of the North,you know <wink,wink> with a favorite railroad which stopped carrying freight and the mail in the 1930's, but through a technicality, never actually went out of business!!
It's up in Maine, and the railroad is slowly being rebuilt as a museum.
...and the answer is:
The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington, a two-foot gauge railroad, which never got to Waterville OR Farmington, although they had big plans...
Just like all of us modelers, come to think of it.
Regards,
-Ed K
Five out of four people have trouble with fractions. -AnonymousThree may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. -Benjamin Franklin "You don't have to be Jeeves to love butlers, but it helps." (Followers of Levi's Real Jewish Rye will get this one) -Ed K "A potted watch never boils." -Ed Kowal If it's not fun, why do it ? -Ben & Jerry
krupa So what I think would be awesome is a series of articles expressly for the beginner that starts at step one, has a parts list (including tools) with model/part numbers, and sources that have those parts. Ideally, the magazine could form a partnership with an online supplier so you could buy all the parts for the project as a package (maybe make the tools optional since you only have to buy those once). Give the reader a month or two advanced notice to order the supplies, then walk step-by-step through the project over a couple issues of the magazine. Anyway, it's a thought for helping beginners get into more difficult aspects of the hobby. It may be more hand-holding that some of you guys like, but I think it would be a great help. -matthew
You should investigate the Kalmbach publications. There are a lot of books for real beginners that assume you don't know which end of a soldering iron to hold on to.
Published articles tend to be aimed at the mid-level hobbyist, who has already mastered the basics but is looking for new ways to do things.
fwrightShould a beginner be expected to be able to build more than a shake-the-box kit, decal, paint and weather, scratch a simple structure, and understand his layout wiring by the time he finishes his 1st layout? Fred W
Nice topic!
I think the beginning layout should mainly be an effort designed to get one's feet wet to whatever degree and manner seems appropriate. Some people might simply choose to put down some track and run trains until they get bored and want to change it up. Other people might take a more methodical approach and research the subject some, find out what kits, parts, trains, etc. are available and put together a plan to guide and focus the work effort. I agree with Howmus when he says that the beginning layout certainly provides the interested and motivated beginner all of the necessary opportunities to learn and develop critical skills. I myself am really looking forward to developing my skills in the areas of kit-bashing and even scratchbuilding, just as soon as I finish honing my skill at track-planning.... which seems to be my biggest hangup actually, though for (I think) some reasonable reasons... I'm getting there :-)
John
Let me start out with "scratchbuilding is always an option" The materials are there if you want em and you are free to try it wether it turns out good or not.
But RTR has made it significantly easier to get started in the hobby. Not necessarily cheaper but easier. Not to mention you don't have to invest in a large assortment of tools to build a RTR layout. Of course on can always start RTR then scratchbuild or superdetail after that as the skills and tools grow. Way back when RTR was junk or nonexistant it was quite intimidating to start into this hobby.
As for my personal situation, I guess I'm riding the red cars with Mr B. My job has me dealing with tools all day and there is some fabrication (scratchbuilding if you will) involved. My hobby shouldn't be as demanding as work otherwise it is work. So yes I'm scratchbuilding the benchwork but the rest will be done with RTR cars and loco's and even some builtup structures though for cost reasons most will be kits. I doubt I'll ever do a craftsman structure or loco kit but rolling stock kits would be acceptable. I have no interest in handlaying track, I find it tedious enough just nailing down flextrack.
Of course the ultimate in RTR is one of the railroad builder services that have sprung up over the years. Sign the check, here's your layout.
Modeling the Cleveland and Pittsburgh during the PennCentral era starting on the Cleveland lakefront and ending in Mingo junction