If you are not, the following guide was designed to convey my idea of how the Newbie should proceed when they decide they are ready to build a layout. I expect that I will get plenty of disagreement. This is the place to voice that disagreement. I may or may not adapt my thinking and writing.
Note: I have include a few pictures of some nice layouts. If I used one of your pictures and you would like it removed, please let me know. I have given credit provided links to your site. I have also written you an email asking for permission.
I for one think you’ve got a great start here. My reaction was two fold:
a) great advice and well stated, b) where are pages 5 - 1 million?
Also your strong recommendation of Armstrong’s book is right on target.
It looks like you’re well into creating a fantastic web site.
On a technical note, there is one small typo on page 3, 1st paragraph:
“They know that if you build that layout, your will find a million things” (you)
Also missing the bottom part of the left hand menu.
Keep going, ignore the flamers and do consider any good-faith advice.
Pretty good reading Chip. I like many have started with no vison and just want to see the trains run. I have all so wasted money on E-Bay for stuff I no longer use.
My main regret is the bench work. It grew to fast, to wide and placed against the a wall on 2 sides. Bench is 45" wide, at 6’4" I can hardly reach the back line so track is not laided very well. Bench is U-Shaped which I like, but in the conners I cannot reach the track unless I am laying on the bench!
To any one that is getting ready to start 2 things I would do over.
1 If you are not good with wood, have a pro bulid the bench so it is square and level.
2 If you have to have it aginst a wall, have it mounted on casters so you can roll it away from the wall. You need room to lay good rails. Laying half way on the board with you back hurting does not = well laided track.
Hi Chip, man I’ll tell ya what, you have done a fine job on that web site. I’m very impressed!! In fact I have added it to my favorites!! I am sure it wil be a favorite site for many in search of information on how to begin.
Thanks for the comment. I get the feeling that a few beginners are reading the post, but only the vets are commenting. It’s nice to hear from my target audience.
One suggestion that has nothing to do with your content. I suggest you caption the pictures you used in order to give credit to the modeler (and that you got their permission to use the photo). At present it would seem to anyone stumbling on your site that the pictured work is yours.
It is a lack of my prgraming ability that is the problem. While I can make a picture float with the text, so it fits coreectly with any size screen, I don’t know how to do that with captions attached. I’ll take suggestions.
I did, however, put a caption that appears with a mouse roll over and if you click on the photo it takes you to a page that features the modeler and has a link to their layout pages.
