I have always been enthused and fascinated by model trains etc, but I have never really gotten into the hobby itself. I have a small layout myself, HO scale, but nothing to short of “basic”. Here recently I have a little more time to work on my layout and a little more money to spend on it as well.
At first I was wanting to just “spice” up my current layout, but I have decide to just scrap it, I’ll be saving most of my stuff to reuse, and start fresh instead. I really want to do this layout right for the get-go and hopefully get it to turn out the way I envision it. What I am after is a good model train book that covers the basics of the hobby, something along the line of a complete “How-to” book. I have look around myself, but there seems to be an endless supply of books to choose from, so I have turned here to get some suggestions. I am also open to suggestions to websites and any other helpful information.
Thank you for your time and hope to keep in touch here.
“Track planning for realistic operation” by John Armstrong is considered the “guide book” of rules on how a layout should be planned.
You might want also want to consider “Dream Plan Build volume 1 DVD.” It’s around $24.00. They cover the entire process A->Z from bench building, plaster techniques, rock mold casting, foam board use, painting and basic weathering.
So how big do you want your layout to be? And do you have a time period or specific area of interest you wish to model? There’s city, country, dockside, industrial, mountains, logging, yard work, servicing stations, passenger service, and more. Some of us might be able to recommend books or trackplans. (I have quite a few books myself)
Model Railroader magazine does a project layout almost every year that covers building a small (usually 4x8 HO) layout. These usually cover 3 or 4 issues and start in January. There is one starting in January 2007. Last year Jan-April 2006 had one as well. You can purchase back issues thru MR, or they might be in your local library.
I’ll just give alittle background as to what I would like to do. Right now, I am not looking for a large layout ( I can expand the small layout as my interest grows). I would like to keep it sort of small for now so that I can sort of perfect my skills before jumping into it to fast. As of now I have roughly a 6’ x 6’ (Which I will probably add another 2’ to make it 6’ x 8’). But for now I would like to try to keep it at that. Also I’m looking into just making-up my own scene and not modeling it after a certain line or anything.
A few ideas that I have are:
The main industry is probably Coal and ? (Would like to have a few small industries as well)
Have a subtle mountainous scene. Nothing to towering or to big.
Small town somewhere among the scene.
I’m mainly just looking at running maybe 7 or 8 car trains. Mainly frieght train and coal train. I already have a small amount of track, two diesel loco., and a handful of frieght/coal cars.
I will also add that all I am out to do is have fun doing this.
P.S. Just exactly how hard is it to model say a 1960’s or so layout? Just curious.
Even though you already have your layout started, Iain has some unique ideas as far as modeling is concerned. His Steeltown USA track plan intrigues me immensely.
John Armstrong’s book below is also a good book, if you are interested in learning how to design and run a layout more prototypically:
One of the first rules of model rail roading is NEVER make a layout deeper than you can comfortably reach. Generally this is about 30" from each side, or 5’ is both sides are accessible.
You can do most of what you scenicly require with a 4x8 and a 2x6 branchline add-on. MRR did this with the turtle creek in the January 2005 issues->March 2005 issues.
If your wood working skills are okay then you might want to consider an around the room shelf layout. It would make transitions between your numerous scenes a lil easier and might give you a little more working room, have bigger curves, and allow you to work in sections. The tradeoff is it takes longer to build and will require either a duck under or swing gate to enter. (I’m not sure how your room is setup to accomodate this) If you decide to go around the room approach, you will want to look up open grid, and wall mounted shelf layouts. They are covered in great detail in kalmbachs benchmaking books.
Iain Rice writes several books including “Smart, Small, & Pratical Track Plans” I find his plans to be track heavy, over scenic heavy. But he does make very clever use of space.
Sounds like you have some good ideas of what you want. You shouldn’t have much of a problem at all. So I’ll just shut up now and let others contribute. Good luck.
Following up Don H’s note, concerning benchwork, I’d strongly reccommend Linn Westcott’s “How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork,” another Kalmbach book.
A 1960s layout would not be difficult. It would be mostly freight trains, as almost all passenger trains and steam locomotives had disappeared by then. There is a good selection of first generation and early second generation diesels available. Quality and price vary widely.
GE U18B, U25B, U28B, U30B, 44 Tonner and 70 Tonner
Fairbanks Morse Trainmaster, H-12-44, H-16-44
Baldwin S-2, S-4
Most buildings can be used, old buildings last a long time in real life. There are also a lot of late 1950s and 1960s vehicles available.
Do you have a Walthers catalog? There is a wealth of information in there.
Do you have a favorite railroad you want to model? There are more models available for the larger or more well known roads. If you like a smaller road, then you may have to learn to custom paint and decal your locomotives and rolling stock. That may seem to be a stretch for a new modeler, but something to keep in mind as your modeling skills improve.
For a different and/or a different insight into the hobby get a copy of “Playing with Trains” by Sam Posey and for inspiration have a look at “My Life with Model Trains” by Howard Zane.
I must [ditto] what was said above, “Track planning for realistic operation” by John Armstrong is far and away the best conceptual book on Model Railroading–and for that matter the best book on the hobby period–that I have ever read.
If it is motivation you are looking for, try Allen McClelland’s book “The V&O Story” about one of the all time great model railroads - now torn down but being replaced.
Most of the MR books in the Kalmbach series are very good. I only wish more of them could be done for Nscale! I’d recommend a Morning Sun color book of the RR’s in the region you model. Then you can adapt what you learn there into your own “V&O story”. If you try to stick with a 60’s era RR, you can avoid models that may slide into the 70’s. Amtrak dosen’t exist yet, nor does Conrail or BNSF. Or you can reinvent history & keep the abandoned Tennesse Central going a few more years under new owners!
