Hey guys,i live in texas and am interested in building a layout and am trying to build the 4x8 stoney creek layout from the model railroader magazine. I would like to know what I need to get started and where i should start. Also I would like any advice that you modelers might have. Thanks!![:D]
read every post here for a couple of weeks . go to your LHS (local hobby shop) look at the books they sell there , maybe buy one or two if they have the info you need .
sorry to not be particularly helpful , but your question is way too broad for anything less than a book-length answer
Ok, I’m confused. If you have the magazine, this question is exactly what the articles are going to tell you.
Have you followed the directions and completed the “tabletop” and “benchwork” that the first article describes (page 53-54-55)? That would be where to get started.
My advice would be to choose a more interesting track plan with at least one more industry track branching off in the the opposite direction.
You’re getting good advice. If you’re reading this, you already have the best resource possible: This forum and the entire internet… The magazine article is exactly that - how to build the layout. Follow along and complete the steps as they come up.
If I add anything it would be to strengthen ereimer’s suggestion: Go to the LHS, go to Amazon.com, ask a more specific question on this forum (e.g. “Which 4 books are the first ones I should buy for a beginner trying to buidl the Stony Creek”). But at the end of the day, buy some books. Kalmback books ain’t cheap, but you’ll save far more than you ever spend in avoided mistakes and the money they would waste.
You could also consider going to your local library. Mine is quite small, but through inter-library loan, I’ve been able to get many, many model railroading books. You’ll probably want to own the appropriate books at the end of the day, but the library is a good way to “preview” them for free and decide which ones to buy and keep.
I also second the motion saying the Stony Creek is kind of boring. Consider not doing a 4x8 at all, but something of similar size in a different format. Certainly consider a more dynamic track plan… Stony Creek is, in my opinion, not an interesting layout to run, it’s more an excuse to showcase a 4x8 diorama than a real layout built for operation. There are many sites that offer track plans in small spaces (ask a question here, you’ll get tons of responses, and it’ll help direct you to the good ones). There are plenty of books on full of track plans, and books on how to make your own track plan. Check some of 'em out.
Casey
Railroader - go straight to page 103 in the February issue of MR. They list four books there that cover all the basic knowledge needed to successfully build a layout. Neither this forum, or anything I’ve yet seen on the Internet, will equal or approach the guidance you can get from such printed material. I’d also recommend Ian Rice’s book Small, Smart, Practical Track Plans, for further layout ideas, available through Model Railroader (see page 90). You will be 100% better off spending some money now on instructional books than finding yourself asking on-line how to correct mistakes after they’ve been made. Use this forum to pose questions about specific facets of construction that you don’t clearly understand from the books.
CNJ831
http://www.atlasrr.com/
Click on the layouts tab. There’s a bunch of track plans way more interesting than the Stoney Creek. Atlas sells complete track packages for each of these layouts so it’s a no brainer about what you have to buy.
This is all great advice, I spend most of my time reading this forum and finding other info on the net or in books. Most topics come up over and over again.
If you are really dying to have some trains running and you have nothing then I would suggest you feed that need by heading to your LHS and finding a reliable engine and some freight cars, some track and a good transformer. Set this up and run your trains. There is something great about running trains. You will also find out that you may want add more to your track plan.
I was able to find some used section track at my LHS (Not snap track) for a dime a piece and had a transformer from an old set I had. This kept me happy for a few months and gave me some ideas on what I wanted in a layout.
Many people may say hold off on buying anything because you may change your mind in the future, but for me, I really wanted to see the trains move. I still use much of the old track in my freight yard and the old transformer can be used for accesories. My son (4) gets the old reliable (Yet not detailed) engine to play with.
good luck
Aw, shucks, 4x8 is fine. Don’t listen to those guys. You’ll working for weeks on just the 4x8 alone. Not everyone can come up with a great point to point layout on their own, or even wants one! Start with one of these plans, buy the track they tell you to (well, DON"T get that code 70 stuff the article tells you to in MR, just get code 100 or code 83 Atlas snap track at your local hobby store), and play along at home, i.e., do what they tell you to in the magazine. And if you decide, AFTER you have it built, you want something else, just tear out a section, put in a switch and away you go!
But don’t let the naysayers here stall you out. Plow ahead with your plans, it’s the only way you’ll ever get done.
John
What naysayers? I think all the posts here have been quite supportive and positive.
I stand by, and reiterate my comments on 4x8. I’m not saying don’t get out there and plow ahead, just saying consider your options a moment first before you plow ahead with something that quite possibly ends up boring.
But you don’t need me to tell you that. Look at the sites suggested, look at the books suggested. You’ll see all your options, and decide what’s best for you. And it might be 4x8 and if so, I’m all for it.
Do anyone have any ideas on what layout is good for me as a beginner? I have a limited space and the biggest I could fit would be a 5x10 with a not so big budget to deal with. I want to have alot of detail and I also don’t want a boring track that you just see going around in circles. I would like something that is interesting and exciting. I will be building this in my garage and will be on pullys so I can drop it down and pull it up when I am finished for the day. I like challenges. I have got the book idea but I want to know which one(s) I should get. Thanks again.
kalmbach has a DVD out called Dream, Plan, build…try to get hold of this DVD…it has a section in it of a really nice 4 x 8 layout that is showcased for building from the ground up by Michael Gross (the father on that sitcom “Family Ties”…he’s also an avid MRR’er)…also, go to www.kalmbach.com and order the publications covering, benchwork, track laying, wiring, and scenery…where in texas do you live?..if you are close enough, we may be able to get together and i can share loads of material with you…i have a 23 X 25’ layout in Crosby, Tx…(near Houston)…chuck
I live in Sugarland just outside of Houston… Would you happen to know where they would sell that DVD?
Read the following article by Byron Henderson, a member here and professional alyout designer. It’s called , Why waste space on a 4 x 8?"
I am still looking for more advice so please help!!![:D] I already have an HO Scale Engine just need the layout and materials I need to get started. I don’t know much yet but if you would like to teach me more about the Hobby, it would be GREAT!!
I remember reading somewhere around here that if you have a layout on pullys, you want to make sure you have some folding legs for the table. That way, it wont be suspended in the air while you work on it.
How much are your able/willing to spend?
Do you have a hobby store in your area?
Hey, I recently received an offer in the mail for a years subscription to Model Railroader and they would toss in a free magizine that included several great 4x8 layout plans. You might want to click on the big Model Railroad Magazine to see what they offer if you subscribe.
I am a beginner myself. Being here on the Island of Oahu (Hawaii) and only having 1 LHS that has a very limited supply (My nieghbor has more surplus then the store). I have found that if you tune into Work’n on the Railroad (Do-it-Youself network) there are some good tips and ideas. Go for what you think you want and start googleing it. Try and find multipule sources that can help you out. I have found out that this hobby has many different options, it depends on what you like. Like myself I think 4X8 is better for me then having a room that looks like a shelf is running around it, but then again that is my preferance. This forum has people on it that will help you out. But the bottom line is it depends on what you prefer. Hope you are succesfull and please post pictures of your progress.
I do have hobby stores in the area(the whole houston area) and I would like to spend under 200 on it but I figured it problably wont work out that way… I would like to know how much I could do with that .
What do you already have?
What materials do you need?
Do you want to have running soon?
I need everything else besides that listed above. I would like to have it running by June or July. If someone thinks that is to soon let me know!! I also have the power supply.
Will I just spent $900.00 just to get everything I needed to do the Woodland Scenics River Pass Layout. (includes layout kit, scenic kit, building kit and track pack, engine atlas gold seriers DCC, rolling stock, MRC prodigy advance. I still have to buy the materials for the benchwork, wire and accesories, switches etc. I try to set $400.00 aside a month.