I'll looking at getting into the hobby, is there anything I should be aware of with the hobby? I would like to get into small race cars as well. Any help. Any good sites where I can find some info?
Thanks
Posted by Konstantin (Member # 18) on :
Model Railroading is a nice hobby to get involved in. There are many aspects to it.
My main advice is to do a lot of planning ahead. buy some books about model railroading. Most large libraries have a lot of model railroad books. Read a lot and get ideas about what you like the most. You may also want to visit some model railroad clubs. Most clubs welcome visitors, and most club members are very happy about sharing ideas and giving suggestions.
I think the most important decision to make is what scale to use. Using myself as an example, I will explain. The most enjoyable aspect of model railroading to me is operations. I use timetables, waybills, etc. Every car on every train has a reason for being there. Some people are more interested in scenery, or scratch building for example. I use N-scale, because I can fit a lot more track into my alotted space. With realistic operations, I want a long mainline. For those more interested in scenery and detailing, they would probably prefer HO-scale since it is easier to put a lot more detail into it than in N-scale.
There are hundreds of questions and answers. You have to find out what you want to do. Do not rush into it. Read a lot, ask questions, and think about it.
Welcome to the hobby and Happy Railroading
------------------ Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
Posted by Chuck Walsh (Member # 677) on :
Like the previous respondent said!take your time-do your homework! I knew a lot about real trains and a little about American Flyer.After 18 months in HO, I discovered what I didn't know exceded what I did know and thru these forums we all continue to learn. Members will share with you their experience,knowledge, wisdom,& $$mistakes. You will be able to piggy back off our success and save a few bucks. WELCOME
Posted by jebradley (Member # 606) on :
Read and REREAD the above two replies - they're excellent. Model railoading is a great lifelong hobby which can be shared with children, relatives, and community, esp. youth. You'll need two of these three -space, time, and money; how much of each of course is the trick. Saving time will cost much money - save money by building yourself, esp. structures, and by settling for solid quality (in HO, that's Athearn and MDC) not the cheapest "junk" and not the more expensive newer plastic and brass items. Find/patronize well-stocked hobby shops, but also see the magazine listings of local "train shows" and SCROUNGE there! Get/ borrow layout planning books to see how to best use your space, and dont' hestitate to ask for advice on this. Decide what part of railroading interests you MOST, then concentrate on getting that - nobody can have it all! Welcome, and good luck!
Posted by Konstantin (Member # 18) on :
I would like to add another comment:
Don't plan on building your big dream layout at first. Start simple and learn along the way. You will find out what you like and what you don't. It's a lot more fun to have a loop of track with a few sidings that actually work, than a huge railroad that is half-finished and never makes it any farther because of problems that you had not envisioned from the start.
Good Luck
------------------ Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
Posted by Randy5 (Member # 1062) on :
Konstantin's advice is good. I'm building a 4X8 layout as a "practice layout" to hone my modeling skills Before I jump into a big layout that will take years. Good luck,Randy.