First let me start by saying hello to everyone and hope that i can get some good ideals and help with my first layout.I am looking to make a layout that my grandkids can enjoy as well that i can enjoy doing.Right now i have some rolling stock but i still need somethings to complete it.My rolling stock right now includes the following. 1.GP38-2LO NOSE 2.F7 SANTA FE #8689 3.EMD GP30 DIESEL These are just the locomotives that i have and i do have some other box cars and auto carries and stock cars.My real concern is also being able to do the landscaping as i am not really that great on doing this kind of thing.[SO PLEASE GIVE ME ALL THE HELP THAT YOU CAN BECAUSE I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO MAKE A NICE LAYOUT AND SINCE I AM JUST STATING I AM GOING TO TRY A 4X8 LAYOUT.mg:
Hello and welcome. Everyone has to start somewhere and you're no different from the rest of us. Been model railroading for 40+ years and am still learning. But there is one seemingly commonly stated fear, " I can't do scenery." Scenery is probably the easiest and cheapest aspect of the hobby. There are no precise measurements, one's "sins" are easily hidden with another coat of paint, plaster, or ground foam. Some scenery materials are gathered naturally and easily treated for longevity - i.e., no real cost at all. Proportionality seems to be the key. While you might be able to do some one section of track through the Rockies, on a 4'x8' you'll probably do better to keep to moderate rises and falls in a small area. A very important item (at least to me), is to - within reason, have some amount of sidings/industries for operation (switching) on your layout. On a 4'x8' layout, three or four industries, and an interchange track seems about right. This can provide you with an hour or so of switching loads and empties around, either on a whim, or to some sort of "operational" plan. One thing to keep mind of though, get three model railroaders together, and you'll get seven opinions on how to do it, six of which will be valid.
Hello and Welcome to Trainboard. I would start with something like KalmBach Books "Basic Model Railroading - Getting started in the hobby". It has info on tools and supplies, track laying, wiring, train control, scenery, terminology, and step by step instructions for a 4'x8' layout. The people here are very helpful. So ask away. ..
Something else you might want to consider is that since you have a 4x8 layout planned, check out the Woodland Scenics Mountain Valley Scenery Kit. This kit has everything you need (except buildings and track) to scenic a 4x8 HO layout. There are instructions and even a recommended track plan included. If you shop aroound you can get a good deal on this - for example, at Hobby Lobby they often have discount coupons good for anything in the store - so if they have a 50% off coupon offer, you can get the kit for about $40. Check on line to see if there is a HL store near you and check every week to see what the coupon is good for - you print it out at home and take it with you to the store. (Just checked out this week's coupon - 40% off any item at regular price.):teeth:
Welcome to the TrainBoard, Safetytech 26 take a book and follow the instructions. It's no problem. There're thousands who do so. You have only to start. Wolfgang
Just thought of something else. Some local hobby shops have video tapes or DVD's that you can borrow (or rent) that will show you how to do everything - especially scenery. Also see if your local library might have some books related to the hobby. Model Railroader magazine has run articles in the past such as Building The Turtle Creek Central (Jan. through April 2002) and Build the 4x8 Stoney Creek (Jan. 2006). These articles cover everything from basic bench work to scenery and operations. Also, try checking out www.modelrailroader.com.
Welcome... Here are two of my favorite How-To books: Kalmbach Publishing: Model Railroading: Books: Model Railroading for Beginners: Basic Model Railroading: Getting Started in t... Kalmbach Publishing: Model Railroading: Books: Model Railroading for Beginners: HO Scale Model Railroading: Getting Started i... If the grandkids live near you, try to get them involved with building the layout, if possible. One thing....there is NO perfect layout so don't try to build it....just get started doing something simple and have fun along the way. Cam
Thank you all for your help and as soon as i get started i will post some pics of what i have done so far.
Really, it's not difficult. Last year we were unsatisfied with the quality of the modules. So we did a clinic. handicraft meeting And it was a success for the newbies. Wolfgang
Thank you joseph for that welcome and i would like to ask you a question about a 4x8 layout.I need to know what size grass mat do i need to buy to cover my 4x8 layout.
Another option to consider - paint the 4x8 plywood surface with a flat tan or light brown flat interior paint. As you paint a section, sprinkle on some type of ground cover (shades of green, tan , etc.) that you can get at the hobby shop. The stuff will stick to the paint, and after the paint is dry, you vacuum the excess off. Then you can use the grass mat to represent a lawn, or a field.
I believe Model Power makes a mat which measures 54 x 99 inches. Busch makes a mat that is 79 x 32 inches; also 40 x 32 inches. Life-Like (Walthers?) made one 50 x 99 and 50 x 33. So, for a 4' x 8' layout (48" x 96") you could get one of the mats big enough to cover the whole plywood sheet like the 54" x 99" one from Model Power. I suppose you could then use track such as Bachmann E-Z track which simulates ballasted track and glue it directly to the grass mat. Atlas makes a similar track called True-Track. That would get you up and going with a minimum of work - later on you could add roads, trees, buildings and other scenery.
Thanks for the backup Tim, wasn't sure how to answer Safetytech. You see Safetytech,this demonstrates what a great forum includes, lots of help and ideas,Cheers all
Thanks guys this is really helping me learn all about modeling and the fun you can have with it.I have just order some books for beginners and i can't wait to get started on this.To bad i work alot but i will find the time to do it.Ok back to work and Thanks again.
Safetytech 26 - If you're 8:45 from yesterday was meant for me, sorry I missed it. I'd go real slow with the grass mat, the suggestion about painting your table top tan or brown and then covering it with ground foam is the way I do it. Believe this is the most flexible method and allows you to vary grass, brush, or shrub color. Woodland Scenics (which I use), AIM, and possibly others make ground foam in a wide variety of textures and colors, and to me - looks very realistic. Woodland also makes a grass mat, which from photos looks pretty good, but I do not have any experience with it. One thing I've observed from the air and from aerial photos is how subtle some of the color variations can be. This is what I'm trying to duplicate. Another question is, what season of the year do you want to model? And the area? On a small layout like mine (10' x 10'), I think uniformity is probably necessary - larger layouts or those with significant mountains can probably mix at least two seasons. But, in the final analysis, it's your layout and the only person you have to please is yourself. And if you don't like what you've done - redoing it is no sin.
One thing I havent seen anyone hit on is track work... Good trackwork is not only neccessary for smooth reliable operation, but it looks good as well. Take a 1x4 or something similar and practice your track laying, i've found that keeps me from having to tear up stuff of the layout. Also, start collecting your tools, im sure there articles everywhere about what you need to start with. Basics like pliers, tack hammer, screwdriver, razor saw, tweezers, soldering iron, NMRA standards gauge, kadde coupler height gauge (if you use kadees, if you dont, check them out), Somethimes you just have to start doing stuff to figure out what you need, and it can be frustrating when you find you need something at 2am (well I do) and the train store is 70 miles away and closed for the next two days...lol
