I’m new to model railroading. Do you know if there any books that would help me. And if it helps I’m going to build in HO scale.
thank you
W E L C O M E A B O A R D!
Visit the www.nmra.org scroll down to beginners page.
Welcome to the hobby. In addition to the nmra site also check out this site. In addition to the obvious beginner books I would recommend “Track Planning for Realistic Operation, Third Edition”
By John Armstrong. This is an excellent book for learning what the protoypte does and how to translate it to your layout, as well as how to go about planning a layout. It also has some good starter layouts. My first 4x8 came from this book.
Enjoy
Paul
I couldn’t agree more with Ironrooster. Kalmbach has some excellent books on starting out in model railroading, but in addition, get a copy of John Armstrong’s Track Planning for Realistic Operation. I think it’s an essential book. It’s full of good useful information, recommendations on what works and what doesn’t work and why they do or don’t, and step by step information on planning a layout that will accomplish your goals.
Have Fun,
Tom Watkins
I agree[:D]
May I reccomend the HO Scale Model Railroading Handbook by Robert Schliecher. Its very well written and keeps the beginner expressly in mind through out. There are lots of pictures, mainly black and white, and the projects are geared to take the bigginer from the beginning level, through to the intermediate level. The book also covers the construction of a 9 foot by 9 foot BN themed layout.
James.
there was a book once called “Build a Model railroad with Personality”…it is currently out of print but it was an excellent beginner’s book…if you ever see it at a swap meet or even in a garage sale i’d advise you to pick it up…I had a copy of it but i lent it out to a guy that eventually moved and never got it back…
thank you for all the advice. I became a member of this site because I have so many things that I want to ask you about model railroading. 2 years ago my dad gave me a train set that he got when he was a kid and ever since I have been trying to find out as much as I can about model railroading. I look forward to the advice that you all will give me in the future.
-anima[:)]
Cool!.
What scale is it in?
James
I also agreeably, AGREE.
I think Basic Model Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby (edited by Kent Johnson) is the best available book for beginners. It is relatively up to date (1998), although it is really reprints of a series that ran in MR in the mid 90’s. The basic techniques are covered and the book is organized into short chapters (articles, really) that make it easy to read about whatever project you’re doing now. It is available at your hobby shop and through Amazon etc.
Enjoy the hobby, it is fun,
Peter
Yes!!! I read extensively and have read many publication on various aspects of this hobby. This is hands down the best model railroading book I have ever read. It is the one resource I return to time and time again.
Also, read a variety of periodicals. MR is great, the best on general model railroading around in my opinion. I also recommend Railraod Model Craftsman (If that is allowed here) for specific info on the model building end of the hobby. Mostly I recommend reading everything you can get your hands on.
Ron