Hello everyone!
I’m new to this hobby and have been really enjoying reading everything on here and getting started on a layout. I started by buying HO Bachmann set and some EZ Track extras. The more and more I read the more I see I might have started with the wrong company and/or tracks.
My goal is to do a 4x8 timber layout (mountain on one side and small town on the other. Pretty simple. But where do I begin and how do I start without getting overwhelmed? Are there any good “how to” books or websites? Any help is appreciated?
Thanks,
Joe
WELCOME ABOARD!
For starters, www.nmra.org and scroll down to “Beginner’s page”.
[#welcome] I started out with a Bachmann set and EZ track. It is great because you don’t need roadbed. I am happy with it. You made a good buy with Bachmann. It is a good beginner set.
Welcome. You have come to the right place. The atlas web site has some track layouts that might work for what you are looking for.
Welcome to the forums!!![:)][:D]
Hello Joe and Welcome[#welcome] MR magazine have done some articles showing you how to build a small layout, there is a video called Building your first Model Railroad (Kalmbach), visit www.greatesthobby.com for more information. the video guides you through building an 8’ x 4’ with bachmann EZ track, i would say it’s just up your street
Any where you start is good. That being said, don’t invest any more into EZ track than you have to. I put $200 into track and before I laid the first piece, I knew I had made a mistake. I built this out of EZ Track–16 turnouts.
I found the turnouts were very persnickety. Also, there is no margin for error in the layout design. The EZ track is a little larger than the standard tracks in the software programs. I ended up with a 4.5 x 8 layout. Also you will run into weird problems. I built a one-stall engine house this month and it would not fit over the track. I can get it in place if I forget the doors and cut the base.
Flextrack and good turnouts are the way to go for a layout you’ll be happy with.
Thanks all for the quick responses and links.
They look like a good place to start.
Welcome,
You are in good hands with the fine people in this forum. You wouldn’t believe how much I’ve learned in a very short time.
On the issue of the track type, I’ve gotta go with spacemouse on this one. It’s hard to go wrong with flextrack and quality turnouts. The Bachmann track can be made to look very good but there are some limitations to it. Flextrack on the other hand is far easier to work with as far as its limitations are concerned. You are not limited to the curve radius’ that are produced and you can vary the height of the roadbed. Open top bridges, like trestles will look much better too. There is a bit more work involved but it is well worth the effort.
As for track plans, there are tons available out there either in book form or on the web. I looked at a bunch and couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for so I downloaded some FREE track planning software from the Atlas website and made my own. It takes a little getting used to but you pick it up quickly enough. Since it uses their code 80 track in the software you might just leave a little but of fudge room if you go with code 55 as I did. I heard that they were going to include the code 55 in the software package but I don’t know if thats already been added. Coll thing about it is that the software even includes the footprints of some of their buildings to use in planning so you can work those in to your grand master scheme. Oh, and the price is right!
Anyways, welcome to the forum!
P.S. - Search back through some of the old threads or do some key word seaches and you will learn tons!
Welcome Joe
Boy, did you find the right place for help! First off, PATIENTS! Don’t go on a buying spree unless you have a game plan. A great deal isn’t so great if you it doesn’t fit or look right on your layout. Nothing wrong with Bachman. I don’t know if I would go with the EZ track.
It all depends on how real you want your layout to look. Don’t expect your first layout to look like the ones in the magazines. ( unless your name is Aggrojones, his stuff looks freakishly good for some one his age.)
I recommend Atlas track. Whether you use snap track or flex, code 100 or 83, you won’t
go wrong. You should go to the Woodland Scenic web site and get their catalog. ($1.75
or 5 stamps) They have layout packages there that are pretty good for a 4 by 8. If you choose one of those, Atlas has pre packaged track packs to go along with them.You can choose if you just want to buy the track, or track and scenrey,or even all the buildings to go with it. They’ve got some pretty good pics in the catalog. Kind of a no brainer way to make a real nice looking layout. If you want to shop for certain things, I like Discounttrainsonline.com or trainworld.com. Wide selections and really good prices.
These forums are a great source for info. Just take a few hours and surf through them.
Most of the questions you have ,have probably already been answered a few times. Use the links that people post here. ALL of them are incredibly useful. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! No one here started out as a pro and we’re all happy to help. You can do Google searches for anything. (weathering, track plans, structures,prototypes,) The more time you spend researching, the happier you’ll be with your finished product.
Hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!!!
loathar
Welcome, Joe. You gotta take a breath now and then on this forum. It’s like taking a drink from a fire hose!!! [:D]