OK, I’m brand new to model railroads. And I need your advice.
The only train we have is a battery operated one that goes around our Christmas tree. However this year it sparked an interest to look into model railroading. You see I’m retired and looking for things to do in the winter months. Also, I have a two year old grandson that just loves the train.
So I bought a MR mag and started reading and also looked on the net for any and all info I could fine. This peaked my interest, but also confuse things.
Here are a few questions I have, that I hope you can help me with.
For space I have a unfinished room in my basement. It’s my little shop. I have about 8’x16’ for the layout. It would be along the foundation walls. So what is best? a around the wall layout or something else? I would like to have a continuous run.
What do you recommend for scale?
I think I would like to start with DCC, if you think that is the right thing to do.
I’m sorry for rumbling and maybe not making much sense. But any help you could give would be appreciated.
First, welcome to the hobby and to these forums. I expect that you’ll get a lot of answers, often with different opinions, since there are so many different ways of doing things. But to start you off with my take on your questions:
Given your room size, yes, an around the walls layout (maybe 18" or 24" wide, would be a great option.
I’m in N scale, but given your space I think I’d recommend HO. Better selection, easier to work with.
Yes, if I were starting over in HO right now I would definitely go with DCC.
We all were at one time, so no question is too stupid, except maybe the one you didn’t ask but should’ve.
Generally speaking, an around the walls layout is usually best. You have a decent amount of room there, so I’d start by thinking along the lines of an around the room shelf style layout.
HO scale has the most stuff available, is the most popular, and is probably big enough to be able to see and work with without being too big to be manageable. I’d start by looking at that scale. If you have a local hobby shop you might stop by there and check out the different scales and get some good “hands on” with them and see which one speaks to you most. Each cale has advantages and disadvantages, so check it out before you take the plunge.
If you’re just starting out I’d definately look at DCC! It’s maybe just a shade more expensive in the end, but the advantages are huge. Since you’re just starting out there won’t be a huge changeover cost, so you should be fine. I switched to DCC a few years back and I’d give up the hobby I think if I had to go ack to DC!
[quote]
I’m sorry for rumbling and maybe not making much
I’ll second that opinion. Going around the walls will give you a longer run. You may want to consider a penninsula that juts out from the long (16’) run to break things up a bit. I am thinking about a shelf layout like this that would be no more than about 30" deep except at the ends and at the penninsula where it would be closer to 4’ to allow for end loops so I can run continuous if I want.
I model in HO and would suggest that scale for you. HO has the widest assortment of running stock and accessories and is not so delicate. Also it is easier in my opinion to model with greater detail in HO than in the smaller scales.
If you want to run more than one locomotive on the layout at a time I would suggest DCC is the only way to go. If you never plan on operating more than one loco at a time you could opt for traditional wiring with blocks and still have the opportunity to run two locomotives one day, but there is a lot more wiring and block switches etc. DCC, in the long run is much more simple to operate once it is installed and you have become familiar with it I believe. If you can, I would look at DCC. Most seem to think digitrax is the best system.
I guess I type too slow. [banghead] SOmebody already beat me to the punch…I third their opinions then. [(-D]
I’m 60 and will retire next month myself. Considering age into this HO or bigger is best for you(I’m HO) My eyes have enough trouble even at HO scale.
Take your time and decide what you want to do and the railroad and era you wish to model. Find a post by Spacemouse and read his beginners guide. Go DCC if you can , I’m not there yet but I will be. Read , Read , Read. There is so much info out there , including here. And for goodness sakes have fun.
Around the wall is great for your space. I made mine 24" and a larger table sticking out into the middle area.
Gappleg, I’m a year older then you and you’re right about the eye’s. There just not what they use to be and I have had cataract surgery on one eye already. I have read spacemouse’s beginners guide. In fact I have read so much I’m going blind[:)]
Here are some of the things I have thought about for a layout.
18"-24" down the north wall, which is 8’. Then the same down the east wall for 4’. Then a 4’x8’ island or what ever you call it back out into the room.
Same down the north wall then same for 12’, and then the island 4’x8’.
Hoever I keep wondering if I would be making it to big to start.
You might want to consider on30 as it is bigger and more rugged for the young one and also fairly cheap. Some just use ho track and other buy on30 track.
[#welcome] Howdy, new-old timer. Welcome to the forums.
Given your space, and a wish for continuous running, you might want to consider the folded dogbone as a basic design. That’s a long, skinny layout with a balloon loop at each end and two tracks running ‘more or less parallel’ through the middle. The middle can be bent in as many places as desired to fit the available space.
Don’t judge ‘big’ by the number of square feet or length of main line track. Big but simple is a lot easier to build, and to get running in a reasonable length of time, than is a microlayout that tries to cram Chicago into a suitcase. Benchwork, even exotic benchwork, is easy. Puzzle palaces of complex trackwork are difficult. (Trust me on this - I like puzzle palaces, but they put a definite hitch in the speed of progress!)
Since I have a much larger space, I made the dogbone longer and put more bends in it - but the basic principle remains the same.
Perhaps build the 4x8 1st, this will allow for minimal expense to determine which scale feels right, it will give you a feel of how big you want to go, and will give you a feel for layout height as well as how to plan the rest. You can also do 4’ modules (all of your dimensions listed were in multiples of 4) which if planned correctly could allow you to rearrange the sections down the road.
You could also run Point -to -point around the room with a “drawbridge” across the doorway to allow continuous running. Such arrandements eliminate the need for space-eating turnback loops.
Just to give you another option check out these S scale models. After starting in N, modeling in HO and O gauge I discovered S. I can actually see these models and they have great detail and operate beautifully.
I’m in HO but dabble in N. I like the HO for size and ease of operations, but like the N for the big scenery effect. I cannot see myself doing a lot of detail work in N–HO has small enough parts.
However, HO is large enough. I want as much railroad per space as I can get.
But before you buy anything, narrow down your plan. If you buy before you plan, you invariably buy shelf queens. You might start with my beginner’s guide clickable from my signature. Takes about 5 minutes to read.
Thats great advice, lots of people just go out and buy stuff without planning first. Pick an era, a railroad and what your ultimate goal is first. I think everybody gets a few “shelf queens” when they first start out so don’t be like us, lol.
I just bought an Atlas Trainman HO scale set for my son who is 5 for Christmas. It is a gift for both of us and and I have made an 4x8 table for us to set it up on. My questions are is the set I bought a good one ( I also bought the starter set for additional track, And can we make a decent layout on a 4x8 layout???
Welcome BlackHawk. Your train set is one of the better sets, which tend to be on the low end.
There are some good 4 x 8 designs out there if you look. There was a 4 x 8 design contest here a couple weeks ago. the results are here–4 x 8 Contest
However, if you want to start a discussion, you should start a new post. By changing the conversation, you are doing what is known as highjacking a thread. Your question is valid and deserves a lot of response–just not at the original poster’s expense.