I am glad that you and your dad are going to work on a layout together. A 4x8 foot layout with DCC sounds like a better beginner layout than a 9x6 foot layout. And with the DCC you can always expand from your 4x8 layout.
Good Luck with the layout.[:)]
I’M WITH YOU 100% NICHOLAS!!!
Fantastic! I have a 4x8 layout (for the last 15 years) and with the track plan I have (I got it out of one of the Atlas books, I think it is called the “yard master” or something to that effect) there is room for expansion.[:D] But don’t think of that yet, just get the basics down first. With DCC I’m sure you will have a blast, I am thinking of switching to DCC as soon as I can get the money[:(].
“You can do it Nicky…”
-Little Nicky
(sorry, I just had to say that)
Great, loco10 !!! I wish I had your space. I also have a hard time respecting my parents too. keep us posted !
I to am building my first true layout. I am about your age so don’t think that you are too young to build a model railroad. I on the other hand am building a 9ft 11in x 9ft 2in layout!
If I may I would like to give you a few pointers. You should get a good idea of what you need in your layout. I think you said a Chicago area layout. Try and find pictures of small buildings in Chicago. When you have the pictures look at different hobby stores and web sites to find buildings that look right for the layout. I would recommend you make a spread sheet with the hobby store or web site you saw the item, the item number, a brief description of the item, quantity, and finally price. I would recommend the first URL below to get some ideas of what you need.
Also
You may want to look at woodland scenics for some good trees, foliage, bushes, and so on. See the last two links. But remember not to go to fast. Any good layout can take years to fund and build.
http://www.internettrains.com
http://www.internettrains.com/scenery-woodland-scenics.html
http://www.woodlandscenics.com/
I strongly advise against RCC, because at the present time there is only one supplier, and it is a proprietary system - like Apple Computers. There will be a niche for it, but it will always be more expensive.
In addition, you mentioned that the club you went to has DCC, I would suggest that you go with the same brand - if you can - so that you have a pool of support for when you have questions.
Who ever mentioned RCC[?]
After reading what “nfmisso” said I must agree.
I never liked Apple computers. (See last psost)
Had one and the screen would turn green. Looked kinda like night vision![#offtopic]
locomotive10,
I’m glad it seems to be working out with your dad.
I’d like to tell you a couple of things from my experience; if that’s OK (I’m a 52-year-old dad with two adult children).
Dad’s aren’t any more perfect than you are. We try to do our best, but we are still human and make mistakes. It’s not like God hits us with the ‘perfect stick’ when we become parents. We still struggle with some of the same things you struggle with. You like to be cut a little slack when you make a mistake. Please cut us dads a little slack when we make one.
This is something I was really bad with when I was younger. I was so concerned about keeping my children from experiencing failure that I was reluctant to let them try new and different things. Sometimes in our effort to make things as ‘perfect’ as possible for our kids, we end up screwing things up. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized (both for my kids AND MYSELF), that you need to be willing to take the chance of failing if you are ever going to be really successful. This realization doesn’t always come to us as soon as it should. But try to understand that your Dad may just be trying to protect you when he says things like he said to you.
Try your best to love your dad and get along with him. I know it can be hard. I didn’t get along with my dad. But now that I’ve had kids of my own, I’ve been able to understand why things can be hard for parents. I really wish I had gotten along with him better. Its been a big empty spot in my life.
Actually Model Railroading has just taught you it’s first unexpected lesson. You learned that it many cases it’s timing and method of how you approach someone that determines success. I think your excitement lead you to surprise your Dad. You also didn’t think that he might not be as excited as you about a new layout.
It seems both you and your Dad calmed down and worked things out. I think next time you’ll take a better (and more sucessfull) tact with your Dad.
Good luck with your new layout Nicholas. Also enjoy your time with Dad.
I speak as someone who is both a son and a Dad.
Also when you fail or encounter difficulty the best thing is look at what you learned not what the ****** you were thinking.
DT
Model Railroading can teach so many unexpected things.
Planning & preparation will be a big part of expanding your layout. Take a good look at your 4x4. What part did you like? What went wrong? Can anything be salvaged? Could a track link in some way the new space with the old?
It’s the process of going through these questions that will become important. Then you can asses your skills, and take the time to learn how to do them. THere ought to be something that you are good at. Have fun and try to be thankful for the time that you and your family will spend together.
Locomotive 10
I think your dad doesnt nescasarilly think you cant build it he may be using that as an excuse. It might be he doesnt want you to have the trains take away from your school work or he doesnt want a table that big.
Is it in your bedroom?
Could you make it 4x8
also try and talk to your dad about what he thinks.
I also wanted to build a small layout in my room but my parents wont let me even though they know I will pay for it and if it is some thing big i can ask them to get and I pay them back.
It could just be the money
EDIT I didnt read the entire thread Im glad to hear you worked some thing ou with your dad
Yes Conrail,
It is in my bedroom, I have reduced it Down to 4x8, and I plan to use digitrax Zepher DCC in a box, and then change to walk around control.
To see the rest of my desicions, I will be posting a new topic today.
Nicholas Parker
By the way Wdlgin005, I don not want to save my 4x4. To see more, see my nem topic.
,And they all lived happily ever after.
The end.