A good comprehensive book on Wiring.
A good comprehensive book on scenery and structure construction–I need to build a mountain pine forest and Hogwart’s Castle.
Also, is there as site that runs classified ads for model train equipment?
BTT Anybody?
Spacemouse–Kalmbach offers books on wiring and scenery that are pretty comprehensive. I don’t have them handy for titles, but I believe one is called “How to Wire your Model Railroad” and the other one is “How to create Realistic Scenery” or something like that. Sorry I can’t be more specific, but my copies seem to have vanished temporarily. Anyway, get on the Kalmbach website here, and you’ll find them. They’re both really comprehensive.
Tom
Andy Sperandeo’s book for Kalmbach is comprehensive. I think they have published an easier book for beginners. I think Andy S’s book is the one you want
Kalmbach’s prior wiring book by Linn Westcott is also very comprehensive but it spends time talking about wiring systems such as progressive cab control that few if any modelers are likely to need – if you get that advanced, you’d want DCC which Westcott does not address (Sperandeo does but in my edition DCC had not yet fully flowered as it has now). The Westcott book will seem old fashioned in spots but for good basic DC wiring it is clear and understandable. If you are going conventional DC the Westcott book certainly covers what you will need. And if you plan on using Atlas DC components then Atlas publishes, or used to publish, a very practical how to type book on wiring.
Dave Nelson
I have seen some plastic kits for castles from European manufacturers like Faller, Kibri, Vollmer, Pola. You can see pictures of them on www.walthers.com. Don’t tell Walthers I said this but I often look at walthers web site to check on what is made, how big it is, etc, and then go to a dealer to buy it. You don’t have to be buying directly from Walthers to benefit from using their web site as an electronic catalog… probably the best one in the model railroading hobby.
Wiring: Sperandeo’s book Easy Model Railroad Wiring (2nd edition) is up to date and comprehensive. You can even view some of the pages at www.amazon.com. Westcott’s is fine if you want your model railroad to use the technology of the 11950’s and '60’s, but I don’t understand why Kalmbach kept it around so long.
Scenery: How to Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery by Dave Frary is the most comprehensive, and only a bit dated. Unfortunately it seems to be out of print, and the used copy at Amazon is $45!!! Still, you can pick up a copy on eBay, 2nd edition preferred, but the first is the old standby. I also like Lou Sassi’s scenery books, but Kalmbach’s current philosophy of book production seems to prevent them from putting out anything really comprehensive, so now you have to buy two or three $20 books to get the information that used to be in just one $13 book.
Happy New Year
Peter
For used and out of print books, try www.abebooks.com. It is a conglomeration of used book dealers and you can usually find a few bargains. Got this site from Mark Hemphill. Don’t tell him I am spreading the secret!
I need a book that presents good illustrations on joining flex track and the use of rail joiners, etc. Can someone recommend a book that’s great for beginners?