Before I start to lay track…Should I have have most of the structures that I wanna put on the layout??..Or just plan for them as I lay track?? The way I wanted todo it was…to lay track…and then wire track and so on to make sure I`am running smooth before I start to proceed on structuers and all…Let me know…Thanks[:)]
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get a good strong, and rigid foundation,
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lay track, make sure that it is working mechanically well - see Micro Mark for a clear plastic freight car that is good for visual inspection, also get a NMRA track guage.
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wire
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scenery, roads, structures, trees,
To nfmisso’s general steps, I would add
Step 0 - Research and planning!
I know all you want to do is get going on the layout, but even if you choose to run “anything” in a generic location, you will still want an interesting track plan to keep you entertained.
What is it that you want to achieve with the layout? Do you want to replicate some part of your hometown, or a well-known location, or what? Do you want trains rolling through mountain scenery, or a gritty industrial district on the “wrong side” of the tracks? The answers to these and other questions will dictate in part what type of plan you choose, what buildings to get, which rolling stock is appropriate, and so on.
If you want to do a completely fanciful layout, then that is certainly possible, and nfmisso’s list is good guidance - high-performance trackwork is a priority.
Andrew
yes, masonjar has a point there. my previos layout i didnt plan the track very well. Once it was built, there was not much to do but watch trains run around and around. this time im going to really take some time planning my track and you should too.
Masonjar advice is very good. I was going to rush into a layout but after reading the forums I decided to slow down. I originally bought my kids a small train set with EZ track in it. So I bought a little more to keep them satisfied. Now I’m slowly planning a nice layout, and I get input from the kids on what they would like to have in it. I also started going to my local train club with the children every other week and when time permits. Right now I’m working on a 2x4 module with the kids at the train club. The best part about this, is I get to experiment on the module before trying it at home. Good luck.
Orion
The overall plan for the layout is good, benchwork… track…etc… scenery. But early on get your backdrop in or you’ll be like so many guys who are going to do it “some day” which translated means they are intimidated by it and are afraid to start. Doing backdrops after scenery and structures are in can be a contortionist’s nightmare. I have known guys who have been there done that.
Iam looking for Industrie/construction layout..Then once I get into the hobby full time..Ill add a city theme as well…Hope this helps masonjar!!
The first step, before laying any track, is to have a track plan drawn up. A good, accurate track plan will let you plot out where you want to put structures. You don’t need to actually have the kits yet, just an idea of what you want there and how much space it will take up. The Walthers catalog (or the side of the kit box) gives the dimensions for most kits so you can plan spaces for buildings you don’t own yet. A piece of cardboard cut to that size with GRAIN MILL or FREIGHT DEPOT or whatever written on it can serve as a temporary place-holder.
For now–since it appears that you’re really into getting something running NOW, take a piece of plywood, nail down a quick loop of track so you can run trains NOW. Don’t worry about planning, just make a loop. Then set up a train and let it run.
When watching the train go round and round gets boring, grab a pencil, some paper and a book of track plans and start doodling and planning. Do this for a while. Repeat until you have a track plan you really like–THEN start building it.
The lessons you learn setting up that simple beginner loop (on how to make the train run well for hours on end without derailments) will serve you well when you create your “real” layout.
Thanks again…All this info helps out alot!! Thanks
Call Julie, before…you dig?
One more thing that’s very important… Run your train over ALL the track at least. once or twice afte every phase of construction. That way, you’ll be able to find aand fix any smaall problems before you get so far along in the construction phase that fixing them may become a big problem, maybe entailing taking up some scenery, replacing track(s) etcc,