Good evening,
I have a very limited budget for my first phase of my layout, a 2x12’ long section. At the moment, I have enough money to 1. Put up benchwork and buy most of the track I need, 2. Buy another locomotive (should be the last one I need), 3. Convert my other two locos to DCC, or finally 4. Buy a walkaround controller and the rolling stock I will need. I think I will complete the benchwork and trackwork first, but where should I go after that? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I would say:
Well, first, in terms of control, what do you have at the moment? Do you have your DCC system? (It seems that you do).
After benchwork and trackwork:
Get yourself up and running first. New locos can wait, and you’ll always want more. As long as you have some, you can do ops. If you don’t have the DCC system yet, this is the way to go, and get one using a walkaround throttle.
If you have your DCC system (since you want a walkaround throttle, I’d assume this would be a fixed system like the Zephyr?), and since you are talking about a 2x12 section, I would say go with the walkaround throttle so that you can freely manuever about.
However, this is assuming you have enough rolling stock so that you can do some ops. If you don’t, this is the way to go first.
The way you descirbe it, it looks like this is only part of your layout correct???
If it is then I would say do track first, then build up your rolling stock fleet, dcc up your locos, get the throttle, then get the 1 loco you want. Then get to work on the next section (or maybe some scenery??)
Tm
I vote for option #1. If you do so, you’ll at least have plenty of work ahead of you to keep you busy while saving money to proceed to the next stage. If you start at #2, you have another locomotive but no place to run it. Regarding #3, if you already have 2 locomotives and they run on DC, I’ll assume you have a DC power pack. By implementing step #1, you now have track to run your existing locomotives.
By taking your time and building your benchwork and track correctly, you will allow yourself the time to save more money to proceed further into the hobby. You’ll learn new talents along the way and apprciate the hobby even more.
I hope this helps,
Don Z.
Thanks for your help. Sorry for the late response, I forgot about this thread. I think I will go with the benchwork and track for now, then rolling stock. BTW yes this is one side of my layout, and my DCC system is a Command 2000.
If you already have at least one loco & a car or two, you should run them over each section of track as you lay it. It’s easy to realign a section of track thats not tied down on one end and a real pain in the lower back to fix a track problem in the middle of a run - or worse yet, next to a switch!! DCC or a new DC pack can come later - the train set pack will at least make your loco run enough to test track! Don’t ask how I learned this little trick[banghead][#oops][:o)]
Good question!!! How about a trip to Vegas or down to the corner bar and grill!!! Better even yet; send whatever money you have left over to me; I know exactly where I would spend it and it doesn’t involve steps two through four as listed above.
I think budgeting and waiting for operating cash is an interesting facet of the hobby. A big part of the enjoyment of wanting anything is the anticipation. Some might call it sweet sorrow. Also gives you time to reflect and say to yourself “What was I thinking”.[swg]