Railway modelling for beginners

[ChrisMunday]

Hello!
A year back I started my interest and now a hobby of railway modelling, Now I know some basics and already have a layout (A family fun project with an extension pack) However I have plans to build a much larger layout, Capable of allowing shunting and other services also. It will be a very detailed layout utilising mainly Hornby products. I could do with some advice and tips to help me on my way to making the layout.

 

[RB51]

Hi SteamCoach - ask away with what you need to know and we'll do our best. Welcome to the forum. R-

[Chrissaf]

TIP: As a newbie poster on the forum, just be aware that the 'Blue Button with the White Arrow' is not a 'Reply to this post' button. If you want to reply to any of the posts, scroll down and write your reply in the reply text box at the bottom of the page and click the Green 'Reply' button.

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See also – further TIPs on how to get the best user experience from this forum.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/tips-on-using-the-forum/

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[Will Hay]

I'm not in a dissimilar situation to you.

 

I started with a 6' x 4' layout and now have a 11' x 9' five loop arrangement in the loft, with assorted branch lines and storage areas.

 

However, it's yet to be pinned down as I'm still not happy with it.

 

I'd recommend buying some software [i use railmodellerpro for the mac pro] and identifying what you need from your layout.

 

My loops haven't really changed but my fiddle yard and shunting area [i have no idea what each of those truly are or how they differ] aren't working, but this is because, I suspect like you, I'm still uneducated as to what I could achieve, and what it would give me.

 

I'm more keen on constant running but with fifteen DCC locomotives I need to find a workable way to store engines ready for incorporating on the loops.

[Buz]

Hi steamcoach16

Start with some paper note the available space you have this will limit what fits and what you can have, also your longest train length.

Determine the type of railway you want main line, branch line or Light Railway not tram but as per the light railways act, or perhaps a preserved railway this is a very specific type of railway but is worthy of consideration non the less

An Industrial or goods only railway is also worth thinking about as well.

The ability to do shunting implies goods yards and industry sidings, remember filling in house railway requirements like loco coal, oil and other stores and equipment can also create shunting moves on a railway.

Each type has its plus and minus points and character points all of the above will control all of the bellow

Then start a list with when and where you would like your railway to be this will stop you wasting money on stuff you don't need or doesn't fit in with your plan, it unfortunately won't help with well meaning gifts for the train set 😢

Next on the list what features you must have on the layout and what features would be nice to have on the layout and lastly what you can live without.

Having done the above its time for a proper plan and design to work from, this will not get built exactly as the final plan says it will they never do something all ways changes during the construction phase for one reason or another.

This is the point to decide analogue or DCC control for the layout do your research and choose the one that is best for you and best suits the way you wish to run your railway.

When construction starts build a proper base board no short cuts the best material you can afford the best quality job you can do. This is the foundation of the whole model get it right if you don't you will have all sorts of problems as the most common failure cause of model railways is poor base board design and or construction or both.

Take the same careful approach to all aspects of track and wiring to get it right, thoroughly play with the track er oops I mean operationally test the track and wiring before moving on to ballast an scenery so the track works as it should and if anything has been missed it can be sorted before its too late.

This is only a broad generalized guide for the best result it Is not a set of instructions as there are far to many variables.

Have fun

regards John

[keithp1707821843]

Hello

I also started new last November with a small 'test' layout, since then I have built a larger layout with much help form this forum. There is one thing I have now learnt above all else - decide where the layout is going first. Mine is in the garage - and is not really portable. Trouble is the garage is not suitable - so it is really important to decide - 1 is it a portable layout or 2 a static one - in which case is the position going to be right.

Any other questions - ballasting, scenery, etc can all be asked here - I did and got loads of advice.

Hope it goes ok.

Keith