First Railway.

[Gizzymjl]

I have always wanted a model railway but could never afford the cost or have the space to build one. I had to make do with Lego, Matchbox Motor City and my younger brother's Brio sets to get my transport kicks.

I now am fortunate enough to have enough space for either a very simple OO gauge layout or a more complex N gauge layout. The reason for this post is to discover what benefits/downsides each gauge would have and to decide which would best suit my ideal layout.

I now live in the area of the Lancashire Coal Field and around me, until the 1960s, there was a dense web of railway lines which included two passenger lines and a vast quantity of private mineral lines belonging to the Bridgewater Collieries/NCB. These lines all intersected each other and also had many sidings and a maintenance yard. In addition to the mainline rolling stock the mineral lines mainly used Hunslet Austerity locos. By the 1980s most of this infrastructure was gone and what remained was gone by the 90s. Only the high level mainline station exists today. Fortunately most of the track bed for the branch line and the mineral lines is now cycle/footpaths and keeps its footprint as well as most bridges.

 

As you can see there is a lot of potential complexity and variety I could build into my model. My ideal wish would be to focus on the infinite fun of the mineral lines and the signaling/shunting side of things whilst having the main lines for running whatever rolling stock I fancy, for show. Class 37s, Black 5's and (very inaccurately) HSTs and Deltics. An example of mineral line activity I'd like to re create would be a coal train destined for the nearby power station consisting of 18 loaded wagons on a 1 in 50 grade with 2 locos one pulling one pushing!

 

Anyway, I digress.

I intend this to be a long term project which I will add to over many years. I plan to start with the two passenger lines, as these will be simple straight lines from one side of the board to the other, and would allow me to learn how to fit the tracks and sort the wiring. The mineral lines would be added on as time and ability permits.

Hopefully I have provided enough info to guide your feedback and advice. The aims of the post are threefold.

1. Which gauge OO or N would best fit the scale I'm going for complete dimensions should aim to fit just over the size of a reasonable dining table. Also is any gauge in danger of being discontinues (as that's about my level of luck).

2. Is the availability of models similar in both gauges or would I be limiting myself?

3. Would I be better getting a starter kit or just buying some pieces of track and going in sandbox mode?

 

Thank you for your patience in reading this post and thank you in advance for any feedback.

 

 

[atom3624]

I suppose it depends on:

1. Just how much space is available?
2. What Era interests you - early, pre nationalisation, post, early diesel, contemporary / current?
3. There's a 'healthy choice' available in 'N'. but OO scale is the most popular by number of models.
4. Relatively new on the scene, but the restart of TT120 is in between N and OO - choice is limited, but growing.
5. What is more important - realistic, sweeping curves and sprawling scenery, or obviously tighter curves - relatively - but locomotives / rolling stock with obviously more detail.
6. If just starting, before you start collecting (I already had >10 before I really starting 'thinking' so didn't), have a think about DCC - digital running permits much more interesting running options.
7. If steam, avoid sound, unless going for more expensive installations, unless poorly synchronised 'chuffs' doesn't worry you - I hate it with a passion!

A few thoughts.

Al.

[Moccasin]

Hi @Gizzymjl

Welcome to the hobby!

As @atom3624 says, you might like to look at TT120 as well as OO & N. Check out Hornby’s page here https://uk.hornby.com/hornbytt120.

I’ve tinkered in the hobby for a while before TT120 gave me some more impetus. I almost got into N gauge years ago before other priorities took over. 

TT in TT120 stands for table top and the standard loop fits nicely into a dining table. OO wouldn’t fit much in that space (as I found out). So, for what you’re after, I would suggest either N or TT. While just starting in the UK over the past 18 months, the TT120 scale is expanding pretty quickly. It’s already well established in Europe and Hornby have made a big investment in their UK venture. Peco have also invested in their own TT track, accessories and some rolling stock. Others are likely to follow in due course.

If you do go for N gauge, then this forum may not be the best place for you as Hornby don’t produce N gauge models. You’re going to get a OO and TT bias! 

[Yelrow]

Gizzy, hi. You do not. mention your budget. Are you going to buy everything new. TT 20, will fit your table, but it is not cheap, and little secondhand around.  00, starter set, cheaper, masses of secondhand,  available. N gauge, Hornby, make Arnold, but not cheap. As to track. peco , flexi, regardless of gauge. Then you need to decide, DC, Or DCC. Need to read up a bit.