Model Forum / General / Railroads / March 2006

I'd go with something larger and consider short line type operations on the
layout.
For space, there is always the space under or over the bed you sleep in.  A
yard wide/long space really isn't much to do anything in.
When I considered a home layout, rather than go to N scale, I went to On3 so
that I could do detail work and ended up doing a logging railroad where I
actually transported logs from the cutting area to the mill.  No part of the
layout was more than 30" wide and the layout went around much of the room.
The mill area was a shelf of 14" width and 6' long with the mill itself
mostly cut off against the wall.

--
Why do penguins walk so  far to get to their nesting grounds?

At the optometrist's?

I'm an old guy (71) with some time on my hands, but not a whole lot of
space.  I'm thinking about getting into this hobby, but where do I
start?  From what I've seen, I'm inclined to go N Scale at the
largest, maybe Z Scale.
Cost is always important, but not the limiting factor.  I have a
certain amount of technical and building skills, although I know
nothing about scenery and landscaping for the RR project.
As for size, I think I would limit myself to something about 3-feet by
8-feet, and maybe something that I could hang on a wall and fold back
when not actually building and operating.
So, folks, where do I start?
--------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a good, inexpensive book that should provide a lot of
information, "N Scale Model Railroad That Grows" shows how much fun a
model railroad can be:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0890242232/002-5488552-9764854/billsrailr
oaempi/104-0600776-0612744

A visit to Thor's All gauge page will provide a lot of valuable
information:

http://www.thortrains.com

I'm also 71! Visit my website and you can see my N scale railroad. It's
11'x3' and against a wall. When I was planning it, I was younger and 3'
was the most I could reach with a table height of 36"...but I got older
and three feet is harder to reach now. If I had it to do again, I'd
allow for that.

Good luck with your railroad. I hope you derive as much pleasure from
it as I have had from mine.

Bill
Bill's Railroad Empire
http://www.billsrailroad.net

   With the space you mention you could go with HO or possibly even
On30 and do a shelf style switching layout.
   To explain further, a switching layout often does not include a loop
of track but has various sidings and spurs along a more or less straight
section that represents the main line. Operation typically involves
having your train set up on the main track and switching cars out to
their proper locations and picking up the empties.
   One excellent resource on small layouts can be found here:
http://carendt.com/
   More information on layout building is here:
http://www.geocities.com/budb3/
   Also check out the magazines and books at your local hobby dealer,
preferably one that specializes in model trains or has a more in-depth
model train section than the normal general interest hobby shop.

One thing I'd think seriously about is scale.  I would not go below N
because of issues of eyesight and dexterity.  I'm 63.

One thing to think about is a  narrow gauge of a  bigger scale.

Standard gauge railroads in the us are 4' 8 1/2 inches between the rails.

Narrow  gauge is the US is generally 3 foot between the rails with some
others at 30 inches between the rails and a very few at 24 " between the
rails.

"Colordo" narrow gauge is generally 3 foot; "Maine" narrow gauge is
generally 24 " or two foot.

30" gauge is a  compromise between the "three footers" and the "two
footers".

There are some interesting relationships between scale and gauge.

"Scale" is the proportion of the locos and car bodies to the full size
stuff.

O scale is basically 1:48 proportion.  HO is basically 1:87 proportion; N
scale in the US is basically 1:160 proportion.

Other folks in this thread have suggested that you look at narrow gauge.  I
agree withthem.

On30 is O scale bodies on 30" gauge track.  Oddly enough, 30 scale track in
O gauge is for all practical purpose identivcal the HO scale standard gauge.
That means you can use relatively cheap HO scale mechanisms and build O
scale bodies on top.   There is also a  lot of On30 stuff ready to run from
Bachmann and others that is good quality .

Were I starting over again, I'd be doing On30.

HOn30 is HO scale stuff on 30 inch gauge track.   This wierd proportion
makes for HO scale bodies on N scale mechanisms and track.   Lts of stuff is
available in N to build on, and some, but not as much for as for On30,
available ready to run.

I do both HO and HOn30.

Like I say, if I was starting new, I'd be doing On30".

-- Jim McLaughlin

Reply address is deliberately munged.
If you really need to reply directly, try:
jimdotmclaughlinatcomcastdotcom

And you know it is a dotnet not a dotcom
address.

Old Sailor

My definite recommendation would be to build a small logging or mining
railroad in On30 (HO scale tracks, with O-scale 1:48 scale locos. This means
you can run HO track which is relatively cheap and plentiful and combine it
with beautiful On30 Shays and Climaxes which many argue are among the most
interesting trains available today. In this manner you have a
small-footprint layout with great appeal, in a scale that is very easy to
maintain and....well ..... see!

- You can go into a huge level of detail in a very small area
- You can enjoy model making to a high degree of accuracy, with buildings,
trees, mine shafts etc. Plus all the lineside/trackside regalia that
accompanies such roads.
- Locos and rolling stock of this nature can negotiate very tight radius
turns as well as manage steep gradients, two factors that add a lot of
interest and minimise space requirements.
- A small number of locos and carriages/wagons goes a long way on these
layouts
- If attending exhibitions is something of interest, your layout can be
small enough to attend with you
- With the new methods of digital control, you can emulate spectacular
levels of realism on your layout
- There are excellent videos/DVDs on these types of railroads, both in 1:1
and small scale.
- Many weathering/painting/detailing resources exist

Just my thoughts but perhaps worth considering seriously, I believe.

I will dig up some web links from my favourites and post them

Hope this helps

Steve
Australia

links as promised  - and I hasten to add ....... Shays and Climaxes are just
prettier and prettier the more beat up they look! You can super-detail 'em,
rust 'em, bust 'em and hang all kinds of stuff from them and they just look
better and better!

http://home.netcom.com/~lrickert/On30/On30.html

http://www.shaylocomotives.com/

http://www.climaxlocomotives.com/

http://www.shaylocomotives.com/surviving/SLc-Survivors.htm

http://www.gearedsteam.com/climax/images/hillcrest_lbr_9-color.jpg

...... check eBay out for Shays and Climaxes - I believe they have a bunch
each week at reasonable prices.

Have fun!

Steve

Thanks to all who responded with their comments although I don't think
I need to see an optometrist!

I have already ordered some books from Amazon and have been surfing
the net.  I'll come up with something eventually, but I really think
N-Scale is going to be my choice.

OS