Hello. I’d like to get into model railroading local hardware, but I’m not sure the best way to do so. I kind of have an idea of what I would like to do, a larger scale like O scale or G scale would be best, and I’d like to use DCC, but I’m not sure about wiring. Is there any advice that you guys can give me? Please feel free to ask me any questions if you need a better understanding.
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Welcome to the forum, Tyler.
Do you live near a railroad hobby store? When I started, I found the best advice there.
If not, I’m sure there are modelers on this site who can give suggestions. Don’t be afraid to try getting started. Sometimes trial and error works until you get an idea of which direction you want to take, what scale to buy, etc.
Have fun! 
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Welcome on board, Tyler.
Good advice given by York1
Choose a scale you are comfortable with. Eyesight can be difficult at times (as I am sure you know).
Start at a gentle pace (there is no rush). It is a little like learning to walk; small steps at a time. Ask questions, somebody here will know the answer. Enjoy the journey. Keep it fun; after all it is a hobby. Do so and it will repay you a thousandfold.
David
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Given your partial blindness, O scale would be a wise choice. G scale is even bigger, but it also takes up a ton of space. The suggestion to visit a local hobby shop that focuses on model railroad equipment, particularly O scale, is the best advice. Not only will a local hobby shop have a wide inventory of track, locomotives and rolling stock (freight cars and passenger cars), but the expertise will be superior to that of a general store clerk.
Good luck, keep us posted, ask a lot of questions, and stick around.
Rich
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Have fun @Tyler_Collins
Thanks for the support and feedback. My main concern is with wiring the track. I’ve done a little bit of research and I would like to get into DCC for the simple fact that it has sound on board plus you can run multiple trains, which is something that I would like to do. Are there any suggestions for wiring that do not involve soldering?
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I use strips like this. The connector crimps onto the end of the wire, and doesn’t require soldering.
To join the wire to the track, these track joiners with wires attached are available:
There are a lot of more experienced modelers on this forum who know more than I do, so I hope you can get some good instructions on how to build the layout.
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Those wired rail joiners suggested by York1 are a great idea as an alternative to soldering feeders on your own to the track. If you go this suggested route, make sure that the rail joiners fit snugly to avoid loss of connectivity. In the past when I used those wired rail joiners, I would first lightly squeeze the rail joiners with a pair of pliers to ensure a snug fit.
Rich
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Error posted in wrong thread
David
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Why stop?
These dioramas are spectacular. Start a separate thread to draw more attention to this young talent. I cannot get over these scenes. They are like fine paintings.
Rich
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It is in the wrong thread that is why. 
Dawn was asking questions and I clicked the wrong one. 
David
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LOL. Yes, wives do talk over husbands and do ask questions at the most inopportune times. My sympathies!
Rich
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welcome Tyler,I understand completely I to am losing my sight to ,I collect American Flyer S gauge it’s not to big but big enough to still see,this forum is a great place to start the people are fantastic , also like York1 said try a hobby shop near you they can help, most of all just have fun that’s relly the only reason we do this.
Chuck
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Another word of advice …
I had a friend who planned, planned, planned, … bought some things, and planned some more.
The bad part is he never got around to actually building anything.
After some planning, I would suggest lay some track, even if it’s a simple oval, and run a train. For me, nothing inspired me to keep working and learning more than just watching a train run a little bit!
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So true. Get something down. Run trains. Build something. It’s the only way to learn imo.
David
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Even O scale needs a layout the size of a room which he might not have. When we were kids and I mean little kids my dad built an S scale layout on the underside of a ping pong table. We could flip it over to run trains or play ping pong! S is really easy to use.
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No ping pong table, I just had a 4 x 8 piece of plywood on the basement floor.
Rich
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We had an old ping pong table my dad took apart and put under our Christmas tree we ran two American flyer trains on it along a set of switch’s witch allowed us to have three.
Chuck
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Thanks for all the great advice. I plan on visiting Legacy station as it is the closest shop that mainly focuses on model trains. There are some hobby shops in my town, but I don’t know if they have model trains there, plus I’d rather go to a shop that primarily focuses on model trains as I think the staff there might be more experienced.
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Yes. A store that sells only railroad items will have staff giving you good advice (imo).
An ordinary toy store that sell trains has staff more concerned in getting items out the door with poor customer service. (Once again in my opinion.)
David
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