A few weeks ago I bought some HO equipment and embarked on a project with my grandchildren. I didn’t realize it at the time but what I was really doing was opening the door on a new obsession. For the past 2 days I have been designing and redesigning layouts. I don’t know if this is typical. I think model trains should come with a warning label much like cigarettes.
Yup. It’s too late. You’re in the vortex.
That happened to me on my 8th Christmas back in 1945 and it’s an incurable disease, it gets worse with time. It’s very addictive but bearable with temporary fixes from the local hobby shop.
Glad to have you aboard! Hope you infect your Grandkids too, we need some younger blood in the hobby.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
You are now in big trouble. I got into the hobby in the same way, more or less. Let me guess, you have a simple over/under figure 8 that will end up on a 4X8 sheet, and now you need more room, the 4X8 is either gone or on its way out. You are looking into DCC. You are scouring the internet for track plans. Yup, it is a familiar story.
Welcome to the club! Gotcha!
Yes, that seems to be typical. Before building my first HO layout, I went through 3 distinct design changes, with over a 100 variations between them. I ignored good advice to not model a division point in the middle of the layout (or in my case the ends of two railroads), and thereby cut my train running distance in half.
Freight Yards by Andy Sperandeo and Track Planning for Realistic Operations are two good starting points. If you really find you need help, joining the LDSIG (Layout Design Special Interest Group), or asking for design help at the National Convention (from the LDSIG masters) when in swings by your area is also a worthwhile hobby expendature. You can even find some LDSIG and other forum members here who are willing to help you along, you just have to ask.
Just be forewarned, and dont try to shoehorn in too much of a layout in your available space.
Just don’t visit Colorado and ride the narrow gauge until after you have your addiction under control.
And, stay clear of the traction crowd.
Though on the other hand…as Cervantes once wrote "“He lays down the melancholy burden of sanity and conceives the strangest project ever imagined…”
Have Fun!
Kevin
Doesn’t the Kool-Aid taste great (or is it less filling?!) Welcome to the club. Get ready for some interesting discussions about various topics.
Welcome to the world of model railroading! I’ve been in the hobby since I was 13 and received my first train set that my father bought me. He built it on a 4x8 sheet of plywood and then did the Addams family crash for the heck of it. I took away the engine from him and I’ve been hooked ever since. Take your time. A lot of great advice already posted here.
I wonder what kind of birthday present my wife will give me for my 60th in July? Shall I drop hints now?
Neal…
HI! MY NAME IS NEAL AND I’M A TRAINAHOLIC. MY LAST EBAY PURCHASE WAS THREE DAYS AGO
The first few designs are throw aways.
[#welcome]
My parents infected me when I was five.
Five months, that is. My first Christmas. I teethed on a Lionel tinplate box car.
You are beginning to climb a steep learning curve. My suggestion is to make the first layout something that can be dismantled quickly with minimum damage to components. You WILL want to change things, or even go for a complete rebuild, as your knowledge increases and your interests evolve.
Yes, Model Railroading is HIGHLY addictive. Fortunately, it’s an allergy that has beneficial results. Do your best to assure that your grandchildren catch the bug, too.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
You’re done for.
Tom
Huh? I must admit - There’s an addictive overhead in traction!
Incurable – Yes
Fatal? Fortunately not, although it could be considered “terminal.” [swg]
I bought a train for the grandkids as well, but at some subconscious level it was for me. It got me going and I am hooked!!!
At least it is a healthy addiction: spawing creativity, ingenuity, and learning.
And like any new addict, you’ll tell yourself “oh, I could quit any time I wanted.”
Ha!
As Mark Twain said, “It’s easy to quit smoking. Why, I’ve done it thousands of times.”
Dave Nelson
Model Railroading should be classified as a Catagory 6 Dangerous Good -
RIS - Infectious Substance.
It is the best addiction to have and I hope your grandchildren become addicted as well. They will be using one thing that the kids playing with video games and Iphones will not use; it is called - Imagination. It will give them things to think of.
“It’s easy to quit smoking. Why, I’ve done it thousands of times.”
One of my favorites from Sam Clemens.
[#welcome]
Yes. First it’s trains. Then it’s layout plans. Then it’s more trains. Then it’s benchwork. Then it’s more trains. Then it’s track. Then it’s more trains. Then it’s buildings. Then more trains. etc. etc. etc. for the rest of your life.
[(-D] [(-D] [(-D] [(-D]
Paul