i’m new at model railroading, what are the basics that i need to know, i’m interested on HO and N models. any info is a big help. thanks
Hi, Spunky. Welcome to the forum. You seem to be keen to explore before you buy, and that is a winning combination. It is easy to buy impulsively only to find that you got the wrong stuff, or not very good stuff, or the right stuff but at an inflated price. If there are clubs that host model railroad sessions near you, they are often a good way to learn the ropes. Of course, you’ll learn the ropes the way they do it at that club, but that’s a whole 'nuther discussion. A hobby shop nearby could give you some pointers, including where to find the train clubs. Our hosts, Kalmbach, publish Model Railroader Magazine, as you probably realize. They have published several editions of the late John Armstong’s Track Planning for Realistic Operation. It is a meaty read, but is a real gem to help you to set up a first layout so that you learn and have fun, but also so that you can enjoy the final product before you realize you made a lot of planning mistakes. Otherwise, perhaps you have some specific questions.
You’ll find that there is more than one way to do most anything in this hobby, and some favour one over the others. Part of your learning will be to find out what methods and materials you like more than others. And please, keep your wallet and plastic in your pocket for now.
Crandell
Ho has more variety and is the most popular. It also depends on how much space you have to play with.rmabo1…
FIrst, welcome [#welcome] to the hobby and [#welcome] to the forum!
Find a good Local Hobby Shop {LHS} if you can. If you don’t have a LHS in your area, search here online, there are several available such as:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/HOProducts2.asp?Scale=HO&Item=a
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/default.asp
http://www.internethobbies.com/
and more. everyone has their favorites.
Look for books about model railraoading {MRR} at LHS or online e-tailers Hobby shops like those listed above.
Here, on this forum, we are fortunate in that our Hosts, Model Railroader Magazine and Kalmbach publications have Many Many books on the various subjects of MRR. CLick on the black toolbar for a pull-down menu under “our magazine” to subscribe to Model Railroader magazine if you like. Look under the “shop” on the black tool bar above for other shopping tools.
Get some books and do some research before jumping in and buying things.
Ho is more popular and cheaper, ahs more options and more road names/equipment available. It is an industry standard. The WAlthers big book of toys Catalog has about anything you could want for HO in their HO scale book. It is available online here:
They also put out a big book of toys for N & Z scales.
Nscale is smaller and requires less space for a layout…a decent sized pike can be had in N scale in a 2 foot by 4 foot area. It is less popluar, has less equipment available and can be more expensive, but not necessarily so.
Many will suggest you read read read. I would suggest also. It is easy to buy anything that looks tempting, catches your eye, or is in your budget {could mean cheap, could mean more expensive} and later f
Hey, Welcome to the group!
There are many folks here that will want to help you with any & all questions you may have. I was a fan of model railroading & now it is more of an obsession. Please check out the weekly “Weekend Photo Fun” or “WPF” on a search & see some of the cool things people do here. Both your scales are popular & enjoyable.
Say, do you have a 911? I’m a 928 guy myself, had a few 944’s but always wanted a 968. Sorry to be off topic.
Start asking questions, what do you want to do with ‘your’ railroad?
Chad – are you sure the OP has an interest in German sports cars? He might just be a dispatcher who enjoys an engaging conversation.
Seriously, welcome, Spunky!
I’ll repeat the mantra: read, Read, READ. All you can find, and more. Pick up a couple of general books on MR’ing, and I’d spring for the Walthers’ Sourcebook (catalog) as well – because some of the things that are available can really spark your imagination. Also, the section called “The Magic of Model Railroading” has some really nice layout pictures. If you can find them in a library (or a friend’s basement), read some back issues of Model Railroader Magazine as well.
At this stage, it’s hard to know what you really like to do. Most newbies envision a loop of track on a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood. While there’s nothing wrong with that, there are other ways to skin the cat. So I’d recommend that you start small and play around a bit, either by building a couple of dioramas or a small layout that you know in advance will not be your “final” one. Admittedly, you can get very attached to this first layout, but really, treat it like what it is, a learning experience. Hopefully, you can afford to experiment a little bit.
Welcome to the worlds greatest hobby. The January issue of Model Railroader magazine is usually a good first step. They general put something about all of the scales in that issue, usually comparing them to each other. Your local hobby shop would be another good source of information. If you happen to live in an area that has a model railroad club, that would be the best. The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) has a website that would be worth your time.
Welcome. Have fun and do not be afraid to ask questions. The only dumb question is the one that you do not ask. You will find model railroad people to be generally friendly and willing to help out others regardless of skill level.[swg]
Welcome to the forums and model railroading.
As stated above, reading and finding folks in the hobby are the best ways to get yourself going. If you don’t have a good local hobby shop (LHS) you can go to the top of this page to SHOP. There you will find a listing of the many books that MR magazine has available. There is a good selection of beginner books on benchwork, wiring, track laying and scenery.
Once you have started reading you will have questions. You have many great folks here ready to help you. Remember, no question is a dumb question, if you don’t know the answer. If you go to the right hand column on these pages you will come down to a “Search our Community” box (not search this site). Put in a word or two on the subject you are researching. You will get a lot of suggested threads. Look at some of them and they should help.
If you can find a club or individual in your area you are in luck, You can go to the very top of this page on the thin, light gray line and find Resources. Under that you will find a listing of clubs and events that may help you find activities in your area. Even attending a train show and asking a few questions, while the layout is right in front of you, can be very helpful.
There is no real right or wrong way to do things, just what works best for you. The experiences of other modelers can steer you in a direction. If it feels comfortable, continue, if not try another method. You may find yourself adapting several ideas into a method that works best for you.
Have fun,
Spunky, welcome to the community of both model railroading and our forum here at MR. what does a beginner need to know? wow talk about a deep subject. everyone above me has given you some excellent suggestions, especially read. go to your local library and see what they have. don’t forget that the MR site has a glossary of terms under the “How To” section as well as track plan databases that you can look at.
the first thing is patience with yourself and your learning curve. there may be some ways of doing some things that may be better technique but the right way is the way that feels right to you, what helps you fulfill your vision of what you want.
skills you will learn along the way will include electronic assembly (soldering the wires and boards ) mechanical assembly (building the benchwork) compromise (with your own vision and of course if you have one with your spouse on the financial end of things) research (looking up prototypical buildings, cars, ads, etc) drafting ( drawing up your plans for your layout) the list goes on and on… read the forums, even if it seems like its not something you will use there may be something someone says that will be of use to you. one thing that i have learned is that we can and are always learning from each other.
some questions to think about, what time period
what locale
freight or passenger?
how accurate do you want it to be, is it to run trains or do you want it do be a fairly accurate representation of a time and place?
the answers will change and grow as you do as a modeler. remember that the only foolish question is the one that doesn’t get asked.