atseibert74 The biggest problem I have is SPACE. I dont really have a spot in my house to build a layout. I work with a guy who is big into model railroading and i could get some tips from him also. I would have to build a very small layout and maybe make it so i can build onto it later since my wife and I are planning to move to a bigger house in the future (next 2 or 3 years). Obviously i need to start with benchwork. Do i use a plywood base or do I put foam board ontop of the plywood? What should I lay under the track? Cork? Foam?
The biggest problem I have is SPACE. I dont really have a spot in my house to build a layout. I work with a guy who is big into model railroading and i could get some tips from him also. I would have to build a very small layout and maybe make it so i can build onto it later since my wife and I are planning to move to a bigger house in the future (next 2 or 3 years). Obviously i need to start with benchwork. Do i use a plywood base or do I put foam board ontop of the plywood? What should I lay under the track? Cork? Foam?
Two inch foam insulation is strong enough as to not need a plywood backing underneath it. Major drawback to foam is that fasteners (track nails, sheetrock screws, anything) won't hold in it. To fasten down your track you have to use stickum, usually acrylic caulking compound. Which works, but it's hard to ever get the track up, should you need to relocate it. Plain plywood works, but it doesn't take track nails well. The glue layers in the plywood are so hard that the nails bend over rather than going thru. I used to drill holes for the nails. Best material for laying track is Homasote. It takes nails well, and it deadens sound nicely. It isn't very strong, you need to back it up with plywood to prevent sagging over time.
Road bed is largely for looks. The prototype railroads laid track on a bed of crashed rock ballast so the rainwater would run off and not rot the wooden ties. The cork roadbed they sell looks about right, but track nails don't hold well in it. The best roadbed is wood, soft pine. I used a bandsaw to make all the roadbed on my layout. If I was doing the layout over and lacked a bandsaw, I might use commercial cork roadbed, and glue the ties down with acrylic caulk, and drive in all the track nails I could to keep the track in place while the stickum dries. You might also think of getting a bandsaw, I picked mine up off Craigs List for like $70.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
You can do a fair amount of RRing on a 8-12in shelf along the walls.A 2x6 plywood,foam or hollow door could be stood up in a cornor when not in use.
Your first[and perhaps 2nd 3rd] layouts will most likely be tore down at some point, so don't get too carrired away.
You can use plywood or foam, You do not need both, same for hollowdoors.
I do not use a road bed,track is guled/caulk right to foam.
Since you have space limitations, you might consider a small switching layout. If you can find an area 18" x 6 to 8 feet, you can start honing your skills, track laying, wiring, scenery and structure building. You can plan the track so it can be incorporated in a larger layout when you have more space. Many modelers have used a hollow core door topped by one or two inch thick blue foam board. Welcome back to the hobby and have fun!
IMO;you already started,
My thoughs; Decide on what space you have, get a sheet of plywood or 2in foam to fit said space. You will need some kind of table,be it a spical built bench or saw horse, or any thing in between. My nephew built a N scale layout on foam and stored it under his bed.
Get a hand full of track,flex or sectional and a couple turnouts. A decent engine, and power supply DC or DCC, and a few better pieces of rolling stock. I wouldn't put a lot of faith in what you have from way back when.
Lay some track even if its just a ovel and a few sidings, start running trains.
At this point ,do not spend a lot of time and money on track plans,benchwork or the latest and best whatevers.After you get your feet wet,you can narrow down what you really want;prototype,time frame .switching,passenger,ect,ect.
''I'' would not spend a lot of money on books and magizines,to be thumped tru and tossed aside.There is more info here and the on the web then you will ever use.Be prepared to ask the right question and able to disregard what you don't need to know.
Its a hobby, fun enjoyable not stressful
Welcome aboard. To build a layout, you need to find the space to put it. Then you want to start simple, get some trains to run, and expand from there. You have a choice between a 4 by 8 standalone table, and an around the walls layout. Around the walls will get you more layout in the same sized room. A 4 by 8 table makes the least demands upon your carpentry skills. You buy a 4 by 8 sheet of 3/4 inch plywood, support it on sawhorses or those little two drawer file cabinets or whatever. You can try out various trackplans with sectional track (snap track) until you find something you like. For extra class, buy a 4 by 8 sheet of Homasote, a paper based insulation material, and lay it on top of the plywood, the Homasote takes track nails far better than plywood. Lay your track on the Homasote. Paint the homasote a natural ground color, or a grass green.
Buy and read some Model Railroader and Rail Model Craftsman magazines. Get John Armstrong's "Track Planning for Realistic Operations". Go to some train shows. Build some kits. Read this website. Have fun.
Welcome back, I returned from about a 45 year hiatus about 10 years ago and boy, how things had changed! It's a different and better world now if your earlier years weren't in the DCC era. Don't start spending on hardware and scenery until you've really figured out what you want to do. Spend your time and a little money on research, get a subscription to Model Railroader and pay the extra $$ to have access to their archive. There are lots of good resources on the web indluding Model Railroad Hobbyist among others. If you've got a club with a layout nearby, stop by and pick their brains, maybe even consider joining. Also, consider joining the NMRA. If you're in an active region, you'll no doubt have some great opportunities to attend meets, clinics and shows.
Hello,
Years ago when I was a kid i had model trains. Of course I destroyed them. I'm thinking about building a layout. Where should I start? I have some HO scale stuff that made it through my childhood. Thanks
Andrew