Getting Started

Do I Start Over Now While I Can?

Part of me (thanks to this forum and your awesome layouts) wants to abandon my current layout and instead go for something more like a "shelf layout" I  have enough space to do an L shape or P shape so its more looped where one wall is 6ft and the other 20ft.

Current Layout track is laid but not wired yet:

NorthShoreLine's picture

Building my first "serious" model railroad...

Hello all!

I have been model railroading my entire life - N, HO, O and G Scale at various times.

My father and I have constructed a number of simple layouts throughout the years and have finally decided to get "serious" with the hobby. We have constructed a large L-shaped table out of two 4'x8' boards, and plan on building a massive N Scale layout with all of the Atlas Code 80 track we've acquired over the years (I know some people are put off by Code 80, but neither of us are huge rivet-counters, though I can appreciate those who are).

Tru-Color Paints

Tru-Color Paints

I am working on four more locomotives for my freelance railroad. I had painted the previous completed models in Polly S CSX dark future paint. I have found an equivalent shade of CSX dark future with True Color paints.

My question is, since I have only used Polly S, Floquil, and Tamiya, how is the finish and does it air brush well and what paint does it compare best to.

I have used up most of my Polly S and Floquil stock so now I must find another option. Thanks.

Shane

redP's picture

Radius

A couple questions. 1. What is the minimum radius for a helix in HO scale?

2. Would a broader radius reduce drag?

Bessemer Bob's picture

TOMA and Switching Scales, I did..

Hello to the group.

 

I have been struggling with my N scale addiction for some time now.  Yep I admitted it. Several totes loaded with rolling stock, locomotives, buildings, vehicles. Sadly I have enough "stuff" to easily fill a 30' *60' basement railroad all roughly based off of Conrail 1976-1980... 

Lina920's picture

Yes, I'm a newby!

I am so new to the model train industry, as far as internet. Some of the things I read here are way over my head, some of the things make perfect sense. Some of it is all too overwhelming. I know I love trains, I know I want to learn as much as I can from people with a heart to teach. My first question is coming. I presently own a Norfolk & Western Class J 611 Passenger train in HO. The space I have to work with, inside the boundaries of floor trim, is 10' x 6' x 4'. Can someone please tell me if this is adequate space for a "first" layout? 

Passenger train layout - How to proceed?

Hi all,

I've decided that my first train purchase will be the KATO EMD E5A "Silver Bullet".  I really seem to gravitate towards the passenger trains.

My first modeling surface will be about 3' by 6'.

This will be an N-scale layout.

Now for the tough part.  The layout.  I have no idea about things like curve radius and the like.  I gather that the longer cars, the bigger that track curve radius plays a part.

Super new! Intro and a question.

Hi all,

I'm super new to MRR and have eyed them forever, but now am in a place where I can start this hobby, both timewise, moneywise and spacewise.

I just turned 50, so I'm not young, but at least I'm proof that "new" people do still actively join the hobby!  :)

I have purchased the materials for my first small scale tabletop layout (based on benchwork from the internet).  It will be 3' by 5'.

This layout will be quite portable and really just a "toe in the MRR water" so to speak.

"Critter" style locomotive made from scratch

I am very interested in building whimsical "critter" engines and rolling stock on a small layout, preferably HO gage.
The problem is, I cannot find where to purchase the small motor drive on a just two axle truck assembly on which to build. I would very much  appreciate any help and advice.
Happy new year to all.
Tom

 
 

Introduction and my first couple of projects

Hi All, I have started posting here after reading for a while, and I thought I should introduce myself and share where I am at and what I am working on at the moment. I am a PhD Student who is living in Hungary, but is originally from New Zealand. I am just starting to seriously get back into the hobby, though as a teenager I was very keen on model railways (I'm 32 now). Because of my research I will be moving a lot over the next couple of years so right now I won't be starting work on a layout and will be limiting myself to some more manageable projects.


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