I’m just getting started in model railroad and picked up this book. Is this a good book to start with or is there a better way to get started
Thanks,
Steve
Steve - Welcome to trains.com! [C):-)]
Since that book was published nearly twenty years ago, KATO has changed the layout sets that they offer and the specific set “3-101” appears not to be available. So if you were planning to use Unitrack, you’ll need to count out the individual pieces that you need for the track plan and compare them against the sets that are available now.
This issue was discussed in at least one earlier thread on this forum, although I’m not sure that all the information cited there is correct.
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/179465.aspx
If you are planning to use Atlas or some other track components instead, this won’t be an issue.
It’s unusual to build a layout from foamcore board, as the book suggests to do. But It’s been done and can work. It’s more common for folks to use plywood (or rigid extruded foam sheets – the pink or blue foam board) for the top of the layout.
One nice thing about that plan is that it uses a surface wider than four feet for the HO layout, so that the curves may be broader. This is important for models of modern equipment, which can be longer and often run better on broader curves like 24" radius.
That said, the track plan is OK, with a couple of odd quirks that might be more important to folks after they have run trains for a while: All of the industries but one very small one are switched with the train running in one direction. Some might find this a little monotonous after a while.
But as a starter layout to get some experience with different skills of the hobby, the track plan is better than some suggested for newcomers.
Another book from Kalmbach that’s much newer is more of a general guide to the hobby, it d
I love this book. Even though it may be a little old its a neat layout. I’ve read the one at the local library death. Good place to start in my opion, though if you read more, you’ll learn more.
If N-scale would work, check out the Carolina Central layout in Starter Track Plans for Model Railroaders from Model Railroader; it’s a Kato Uni-Track design.
Then there is Jeff Wilson’s Building a Ready-to-Run Model Railroad. Since it uses Atlas sectional track, it could be assembled with True-Track.
I appreciate the feedback, I am using bachmann EZ track as this is my first layout. I bought the ahern train starter kit and it came with a few cars and the EZ track.
The only downside of this kit is that is uses 18 radius curves rather than the 24 inch radius. But since I’m running a lot of short cement cars its not to bad.
I have also made some modifications to the plan.
- I don’t recommend the card board boxes at all, I bought precut 2 x 2 from lows and built a frame for the foam out of 1 x 4’s and attached the 2 x 2’s its not the sturdiest but it beats the boxes.
- Business district- used Merchant Row 1 as this gives me 5 different shops.
- I used the Medusa Cement Factory (which receives the cement cars) and ships it through truck,
- Walking/bike trail near the lakes i have a bike shop in Merchants row.
- I have also added a small industrial warehouse to supply the shops and cement factory, this is located where the team track is, and the team track is going to have to be where the gravel dump is supposed to be.
Anyways I will post a few pictures later, I