(Part 2) Top products from r/modeltrains

Model railroading is such a broad topic that has so many facets to it that you can get advice on. Even within scenery and laying track there is so much to discuss that it is dificult to give general advice. Here goes:

• Plan ahead. You will have a lot more fun running trains if you have a well designed track plan. If you plan even just a few well placed sidings you will have fun rearanging cars. You can get advice here if you draw up some track plans.
  
  
• Lay track well. Nothing will ruin the fun of running trains faster than poorly laid track. Kinks, s-curves and tight radius turns will lead to frequent derailments.
  
  
• Minimums. For HO scale a 4' x 8' layout is a tight minum. With modern equipment it will look unrelistic on tight radius curves and your trains could derail.
  
  
• Train shows and train clubs. Look for some in your area. A great way to meet people and have them give you hands on model train advice.
  
  
• Books. There are lots of great books out there on helping you build your first layout. These books I have and like: The scenery manual. Bench work. Track Planning.
  These books look interesting for a beginer: scenery. Step by step. If the books are out of print then search Amazon for a used copy or find them at a train show.
  
  Tell us about what your plans are. How much space do you have? Do you have track yet? What kind of track? Are you going to model a specific area or road? Do you have a DCC system? If you give us some specifics we can give you better advice on what you will be building.

I've now built (well, it might be more accurate to say, started building) three layouts.

This switching layout is, by far, the project that has given me the most satisfaction - even more so than my larger basement layout. The scope of the project allows me to make real progress, achieve a level of detail that I'm happy with, and still have an end in sight.

Having said that, I've made a number of mistakes that I could have avoided!

The top thing I've learned - make sure you do things right. I don't mean scenery or building structures, those are easy to repaint, repair, or even replace. But mechanically. Don't cut corners. Use high-end materials (even if that slows your progress, remember, it's still cheaper and quicker to do it correct once rather than twice the easy way).

Build solid benchwork, or if you're using the shelf method I've employed - make sure your brackets are level and your layout is well constructed. Make your wiring bulletproof. Ensure smoothly flowing track.

Start by doing your homework. Pick a prototype and era that interest you. Go from there. Post track plans or ideas on an internet forum (my favorite is Big Blue - http://bigbluetrains.com/), and then get to work!

If you want a comprehensive "how to" guide Lance Mindheim's "How to Build a Switching Layout" is a great place to start. It's self-published, and has a rather low production value to it, but don't be fooled - just because it doesn't have high-end graphic design or professional photos doesn't mean Lance's points are not valid. You can get it from Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/How-To-Build-Switching-Layout/dp/1453811346/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409251754&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=lance+mindhiem

I hope that helps!

Could you use Amazon. Im not a steam person so I dont know exactly what your looking for or what "cheap" is for you but I found some if you wanna check them out.

Bachmann Trains - Chattanooga Ready To Run 155 Piece Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000ISI1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IObkDbAAW8W6E

Bachmann Trains - Durango & Silverton Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NHEQWY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yPbkDb778QMPP

Bachmann Trains - Pacific Flyer Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RG0LLE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uQbkDbMTKK635

Bachmann Trains - The General Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NUA2RA8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pRbkDbBBZ0K1P

Bachmann Trains - Overland Limited Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006KQGF2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HTbkDbGYCDSFV

I find HO slightly cheaper and easier to find stuff, but you can definitely pack a lot more N scale into a small space. If you don't have a lot invested in HO yet it might be worth the switch. I was able to find a few model railroading books at my local library to help me out with planning a new layout. https://www.amazon.com/Model-Railroading-Small-Spaces-Railroader/dp/089024295X https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planning-Designing-Making-Railway-Layouts/dp/1847974244/ref=pd_sim_14_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=35KBCK8HZ5YRXGN2AC2S The second one is British so some of the terminology is different than you might be used to, but it still had a lot of knowledge that is applicable regardless of location you are modelling.

If you're looking for a more accurate model Bachmann offers an amazing model, the only downside is the face isn't as accurate as its Hornby counterpart.

If you're willing to spend some time modding the train, you can take the face off of a wooden Thomas and replace the one on the Bachmann.

Here is the one that I purchased, it's a great model and the track it comes with is really easy for kids to put together.

Pelle is from Denmark. I agree, his work is a great place to start if you'd like to get a feel for how to model western US scenery. He has written several books that describe in depth how he creates his scenery, I suggest checking them out. They are not too advanced that a beginner couldn't follow along easily.

This book describes how he built the first rendition of his Mojave themed layout:
Mountain to Desert: Building the HO scale Daneville & Donner River

This book shows some new techniques that he employed rebuilding it:
Rebuilding a Layout from A to Z

This book describes the construction of around 4 dioramas that are each set in a different locale. One of them is a western desert themed one:
Essential Model Railroad Scenery Techniques

Thank you very much!

I guess at this point I know enough about scales, power source and current to know what to choose from.

Knowing my husband he would prefer steam train.

I had quite a look at what you could buy right here, it's not even nearly as impressive as US/EU options.

While researching myself I found Bachmann/Lionel Trains, they are actually very attractive, electric, H0 and you probably could plug them here with adapter (gonna check) not sure about AC/DC thing yet, have to check too...

Christmas Bachmann one https://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trains-Before-Christmas-Electric/dp/B0006MZN7C/ref=sr_1_28?keywords=Bachmann&qid=1573035232&sr=8-28

Penny https://www.amazon.com/Lionel-Pennsylvania-LionChief-Freight-Bluetooth/dp/B01N1A3JS4/ref=sxin_0_ac_d_rm?ac_md=2-2-bGlvbmVsIHRyYWluIHNldA%3D%3D-ac_d_rm&keywords=Bachmann&pd_rd_i=B01N1A3JS4&pd_rd_r=308bf438-5fcf-40a0-ba89-22df7c818209&pd_rd_w=6gcYs&pd_rd_wg=rXUiF&pf_rd_p=ed481207-4bea-4e19-bbad-73ed40fdc292&pf_rd_r=HT2XTHB8V41CFAXFSMWC&psc=1&qid=1573035232

Christmas Lionel https://www.amazon.com/Lionel-Christmas-Express-Scale-Train/dp/B07BDZVT1H/ref=sr_1_97_sspa?keywords=Bachmann&qid=1573035663&sr=8-97-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFWUjVZSlVGOUU4RkQmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzNjQ1OTFHTVU5RU1JQzhJSTcmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDE5NzkzNzNKTkk5REJIVlJJNVImd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGZfbmV4dCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

There's a book by model railroader magazine (kalmbach publishing) on basic dcc wiring that is a pretty good guide. Most hobby stores have it, and (obviously) amazon does as well. Your local library might be able to get it for you if you don't want to buy it.

My condolences - I, too, caught the bug about 6 months ago. :)

Joining flex track is really easy. Simply slide the joiners onto each piece and solder them from the bottom or outside. You might have to remove a few ties and replace them after you're done wiring your power drops.

DCC power requirements are a bit more complex and wholly depend on what scale you're using. These two books were key to helping my understanding.

If it helps to know, my N scale 12x8 layout runs very well on the 2amp NCE PowerCab starter set. In short, it depends on how many locos you want to run simultaneously. I've run 5 locos at once with no problems.

Here's a table from the DCC Guide that really cemented it for me: http://i.imgur.com/JPzkkJq.jpg

Depending on your scale, and where it is on your layout, you might just consider building the interior with card stock, and just hand drawing on them. That's actually what this book says to do, and it doesn't look half bad. When I get home, I can scan that page for you if you'd like to see it.

> bachmann ez track

You'll need something like this

Also if you are modelling the Old West I suggest to you these books


This layout is my personal favorite, it takes place in the deserts of central AZ near Jerome and Clarkdale. It doesn't have a specific era because he runs everything from an 1870s locomotive to a 1960s diesel but if you want you could make it in any era up until 1960. Here is a look at some of the pictures in the book and a little more background

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/2013/03/john-olsens-jerome-and-southwestern.html

and the Amazon link

https://www.amazon.com/Building-Ho-Model-Railroad-Personality/dp/0890240426

And also this is fun, its a Colorado Rockies/High Plains layout that takes a whimsical approach.


https://www.amazon.com/Narrow-Gauge-Railroad-You-Build/dp/0890240582

American Flyer is the dominant brand of S gauge, so yeah. Any commercially-available brand of S gauge track will work. There's nothing wrong with the track you already have, and if you look around you should have no trouble finding more used. I have very strong opinions on American Flyer track.