About five years ago,I attempted to make a small N-Scale layout. At first it seemed to work fine,but whenever I would try doing scenery or nailing down track I would always end up frustrated. After awhile,I just gave up,moved on to other things.
Now I’ve decided I’m going to get back into the hobby,but I’m going to do things a totally different way. I know some of you will probably suggest I do it a different way,but this is what I want to do.
Since scenery and that aspect aren’t really my thing,I’m going to focus more on just running trains.To keep it simple,I’ll stick to plain ol’ EZ-Track(probably going to shock you all). As for a table,I’ll just use a couple fold out ones,and if I want more room,I’ll just buy another table.[:D] For now I’ll just stick to trains and the tracks,but if there ever comes a day where I want to model scenery and all that,well, I’ll have the tracks/locomotives/rolling stock covered for the most part. As for now though, I am going to stick with my original plan. The one thing I have noticed after being away from the hobby for six years is how the price of locomotives have increased. I didn’t remember them being around the $100 range in '99,but maybe it was then,I don’t really remember.
Hope I didn’t waste too much of everyone’s time with this post.
One of the great things about model railroading is that each person can enjoy it in his/her own way. If this suits you go for it and have fun!
I have to agree that prices seem to have gone up disproportionally to COS. Some say it’s because of super detailing. That’s great but everyone isn’t into superdetailing. Some just want better running and a better motors cost doesn’t equate to todays prices. I guess what I’m trying to say in a VERY AWKWARD WAY is that there seems to be a missing area between poor product and very nice product. But that and a buck might get you a coffee and I’m sure there are many of different opinions, and I respect them all - that to is part of model railroading.
So, don’t think about the scenery for a while. It’s not one of my favorite jobs either. Take your time getting everything else working well and take the scenery a step or a section at a time. There are really no scheduals you have to keep but your own. And if you like lots of other people you may never finish anyway, I only got about 85% on my last RR. I am planning on starting a new one… get this, last month!! So of course I am late. Don’t try to work to hard at it, Do what you like and put the rest off till later.
If you have that much trouble with track, maybe the EZ track is a good idea. I’m using EZ track and the install was pretty easy. However, if you plan on a semi-perminent layout the card table just won’t be stable enough.
Don’t push yourself into something that your not really good at, things take time and money. You can keep your scenes simple and strait forward! I’ve got a freind of mine who makes very nice scenes and back grounds, but could not fix a engine or lay track for the life of him. Everyone has there strong point!
Make sure you have a well supported table that doesn’t wobble when you set it up. For N scale this can work well. My suggestion is that instead of buying a second table you build some benchwork for the expansion and use flex track. That way you’re running trains, but can start to acquire some model railroading skills. Don’t be afraid to redo sections. I have been in the hobby a long time, but still make mistakes and have to redo a section of track. Point is - make sure it’s right before you go on to the next section.
Enjoy
Paul
Bought a starter set today. Have to start somewhere,I suppose. Bought the Bachmann Thunder Valley set, it comes with a Santa Fe GP 40 #ed 3500, two freight cars and a caboose. Also bought two switches,one left,one right, two packs of curved track and one pack of straight track. Everything works fine,just need to go up into my brother’s attic and see if I can find my old N-Scale stuff, I had three locomotives, a C&O E8, a CSX diesel,and a Chessie System F7 I think it was. Also have 10 or so freight cars,and some more curved EZ Track pieces. I plan on using ebay to score some track and rolling stock,but as for locomotives I think I’ll stick to the manufacturers themselves or local hobby shops. Might have to go after the cheaper ones for the time being instead of worrying about which roadname I prefer( CSX/Chessie System/C&O/B&O). Not trying to be realistic anyway so roadname doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t mind being able to find some insulated frogs(I think they’re called) and be able to run multiple trains on a layout. I’ll keep updating this thread,maybe another newbie will come along and can read how someone else got started.
I happily ran trains on loops on table tops and boards for years and years. Just keeping on time on a loop, stopping and starting smoothly, making moving head on meets was challenging and thrilling enough for me. I didn’t get into the scenery thing until relatively recently…
Heh,already a few hours in and I want to buy more,hehe. I picked the right day to buy this, I spent most of my money($117 of $130) today,but… tommorow’s payday for me.[:D]
I’ll probably get more track,namely switches and straight sections.Somewhere in there though,I’ll have to get some rolling stock,maybe a locomotive.
Managed to find my old N-Scale stuff today. Half a dozen pieces or so of curved EZ track,a terminal rerailer with a power pack that seemingly doesn’t work. Found 13 freight cars that are good to go, 2 Chessie System Cabooses,a Chessie System locomotive #ed 7071, my C&O E8 #ed 4021 that has some issues,it picks up the electricity but the wheels don’t turn.you can really hear the motor run in it too. Also found some other cars that will need trucks before I can use them again. Might have more stuff still to find.
[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome] Back, so you do not like doing scenery ethier??? well i suggest trying this www.terrainfortrains.com it is a system of pre built layouts were you add track structures and you can add trees and detail parts if you wish but if you dont do that you should get a better table. Tim
After doing a little shuffling around in my room I discovered that I have a 5’x5’ space open for a model railroad. (I would love to have it in the attic,but…
A. No electrical outlets,would need one long extension cord and a power surge protector(if that’s what it’s called)
B. No heat/AC. Freezing during the winter, oven during the summer. I think I’ll pass on that.
C. Anything big/bulky I’d need to would have to be lugged upstairs if I was going to use it.
I’ll probably see what I can get lumber wise for a surface. If I decide to do scenery I’ll have to see what all this fuss about foam is about.(Remember,I’m still stuck five years in the past when it comes to this,heh)
I was stuck 40 years in the past, but I’m glad I’ve adopted all these new-fangled 21st century ways.
I’m using flex-track, WS foam roadbed and 2-inch pink stuff for a base. One thing I’ve found I can do is put down roadbed and track on a temporary basis using paper clips. I straighten them out, bend them into a long U, and pu***he ends into the foam, trapping a tie in the U. I’ve got some track that’s been like that for months now. This might be an option if you just want to run trains for a while. It’s fast and easy, and you’re not committed to a track plan. You can even skip the roadbed.