Hi everyone.
I am totally new into model railroading. In fact, I am thinking that, because of a lack of space … I would probably prefer to create mini railroad and villages dioramas.
By that, I mean that I would like to model a little village or a city and add some railroad tracks but I probably wont get any trains moving.
As a beginner, what would you suggest me to do to begin in this hobby? What kind of equipment would you suggest me to buy?
Thanks for your help!
I had built a small section to see if I could get my grandson interested in trains, that failed big time. Trains can’t compete with IPads and Tablets.
So I’m turning it into an HO diorama, it is 48” long by 18” deep. A bit large for taking pictures but it was just sitting there.
I have one track near the front with a country road running up to a crossing. I made a area for placing my scratch built homes with a gravel driveway to the road. I placed connectors in the road and driveway for vehicle lighting, I scratch built a couple of RR signals at the crossing.
Click to enlarge
A lot to be done and its been slow going but a lot of fun.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Your might be surprised at what you can do in a small space. Do you have any space at all for a small layout? Even a small switching layout?
Jim
Something else to consider would be to plan dioramas in a way that can be combined into a modular section (here is the NMRA introduction to the idea). That way you’d be able to expand into ‘operation’ in a variety of ways, without at any time being overscaled but without any risk of having to ‘throw away’ the results of hard work and time.
I use foam sheets for the diorama base on top of thin plywood. Sculptamold works great for a scenic ground base and Plaster of Paris for rocks. Woodland Scenics has several rubber rock molds as well as several other manufacturers. I also use WS flocking for color and there are many static grasses available. I made my static grass applicator after watching a Luke Towan video, he has a bunch of videos on YouTube about making dioramas. He goes into detail describing the material and tools he uses.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Hi, and [#welcome]
Have you taken a look at some of the ideas, tips and hints that are offered right here on the M-R Site?
If you click the Get Started or the How To menu items in the black banner it will open a considerable library of valuable information and inspiration.
Some fellows have built dioramas on top of inexpensive, smooth faced hollow core doors. These are sturdy and lightweight.
Here’s an example of an N scale layout built on a door:
Another option that doesn’t take up too much room space is the “shelf layout” where brackets are mounted and the foundation is semi-permanently attached to the wall. Sometimes larger areas are made at the ends forming a “dog-bone” shape where a small town or industry can be modeled.
Hope that helps, Good Luck, Ed
Hello to xploringrailroads . Welcome to the hobby and the MR forum. I hope the response in this thread are helpful to you.
I noticed Jim of City Classics was kind enough to chime in with some thoughts. City Classics makes HO and N kits for buildings. Because I saw he posted, I am reminded I have some buildings I made from City Classics kits which I have mixed in with buildings made from kits of other HO manufacturers.
My City Classics Super Market, for example, is one of my favorites.
If you are thinking of building a layout against a wall, you can choose to install a backdrop to make the scene look bigger.
For example, there is a backdrop I acquired from a hobby shop behind these streetcars.
Best wishes.
As for what to buy, do you currently have any tools? You will need a hobby knife and cutting pliers would help. Sandpaper and small paint brushes. You can paint buildings with rattle cans. At some point you will need groundcover materials depending on the scene.
Are you going to buy building kits or try to make them from scratch? That will determine other tools you may want.
You might consider looking at these book resources for inspiration for small spaces and dioramas:
If you get into interurban and trolley, you can do a huge amount in a very small space. Lots of trains moving there
Shane
Why has no one asked about the scale he wants ? What Size area does the person have to use ? City classic kits are great ! I have built a few !
Hi guys and thank you very much for your help.
To answer a few of your questions;
I am interested in N scale Because I could fit more stuff in the same area.
I have a little bit of room left. In my little office, I have enough room for something that would measure about 70 inches by 24 inches. It would be against the wall.
I also have way more room in my living room (72 inches by 72 inches) but I don’t think it’s a good idea to put something as large as this in my living room even though I live alone.
I also have some tools because, at the same time, I am starting scale modeling. Here is a photo of most of my tools.
You have a good start on tools. I use the same cutters that you have and a few more. Depending on what you are going to work on you may want something for more delicate work.
Sandpaper will help smooth out sprue nubs and putty. You might need a metal ruler in addition to your square.
Early in my foray into this hobby I got a Dremel. I use that probably more than any other power tool I have for many things on and beyond the layout.
I also like using this applicator.
I’d go with a liquid cement like white label Bondene. Those tube cements put out too much volume. The liquid cements wick into the seam.
If you have no modeling experience, scratchbuilding it too big a first step.
Look into using background buildings, building flats and scenic backgrounds. Since you have only a small space, you can get a lot out the back inch or two.
Any structure can be a background building if you are willing to cut the sides back a lot to lessen the depth. Think about cutting the sides differently and mounting the building at an angle. It is usually a good visual impression to do it that way.
Don’t be afraid to cut buildings down. You might want to look at buying a razor saw for this.
Hi. Thanks for your help.
In fact, I have three sanding blocks with different syze of grains.
Good luck and have fun in this great hobby! Try out a few kits to develop your skills and start thinking about what kind of “theme” you might want. 70" x 24" is plenty big for an HO modular layout, and you could get lots of operation in i.e. switching a “timesaver” scheme. If you want to go into superdetailing, the small space could keep you busy modeling for years. About 5 years back I realized that I would not finish the giant layout over the garage before it was time to retire and make a downsizing move, now immenent. So rather than “waste” effort on further scenicing the layout (which was largely operational), I started to build some Fine Scale Minatures (FSM) and other craftsman kits - these are built on plywood or gatorfoam bases. At this point I have a half dozen superdetailed structures that can be “plopped” on the new layout after the move. In the process I also realized … that building and superdetailing structures is my favorite part of the hobby, which will influence the direction of the new layout.
Most of all, have fun whatever you do!
There are also sanding sticks. The ones for acrylic nails are a lot cheaper than those sold for modeling.
70x24 using N scale you can do a lot more than a simple modual. You have a good number of options there. May I point you to the section of this sight that has track plans. Also N scale is about half the size of HO. so seeing an HO layout you like, cut the dimensions in half and see if that size will work. in your space.
Shane
Hi everyone. Finally, I will be able to build a 68 inches by 36 inches N scale layout 