I am wanting to start a layout and I would like to know what kind of material to put my layout on and what size it needs to be.
Thanks
FT;
Before starting a layout, you need to answer a bunch of basic questions:
what are you trying to accomplish?
what aspects of railroads are you interested in?
what era?
which railroad(s)?
what region of the country/world?
how much space? indoors or outdoors ?
After answering the above, you can choose a scale.
If you end up with HO or N scale, take a look at back issues of Model Railroader magazine, various books published by Kalmbach and Atlas, and pick a layout. Typically, at the beginning of the year, MR starts a project layout that goes three to four issues or more.
Feel free to contact me (email below) for futher discussion.
Nigel
nfmisso@cox.net
Hello “FThunder11,”
You didn’t mention what scale you want to use. For the most commonly used scale, HO, a 4x8-foot tabletop layout is the way most people start out. I’d recommend that you get a copy of the January 2003 MODEL RAILROADER Magazine and look at the article on building the Turtle Creek Central layout.
That shows how to build an all-plywood table with a foam insulating board top that we’ve used for several small layout projects. The article explains how to build it and lists exactly what you need to buy. Even if you don’t follow the Turtle Creek Central track plan, you can use the methods in that and the subsequent articles in the series to build almost any small layout.
If you don’t have the January MR, go to the “Shopping” section of this Web site to order a copy.
Glad to have you with us, and good luck with your layout.
Andy
Andy Sperandeo
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine
Your layout should be as big as you can get away with minus a space for operating it. 
–David
Check out World’s Greatest Hobby at http://www.greatesthobby.com/wgh/site/downloads.asp for some downloadable .pdf booklets that will help.
-Jer
also, look at the Jan. 2001 copy of “Model Railroader” for the article on building the “Rock Ridge Central” layout in HO gauge. It tells you how to build a sturdy, lightweight table for a layout, and lists all the materials to buy, and how to put it together.
well most importanly , your locos and rolling stock has to be all southern pacific cos they once and still are a good railroad and there ant much products left that are in southern pacific , well not in australia there ant …