What to do AFTER you buy a Model Railroad Starter Set
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ธ.ค. 2021
- Model Railroad Starter Sets are great, but to really have fun, you need a few more things. Today I am going over those things.
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“The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;
don’t be happy when they stumble.
For the Lord will be displeased with you
and will turn his anger away from them.
Don’t fret because of evildoers;
don’t envy the wicked.”
Proverbs 24: 16-19 NLT - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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My tip for all beginners out there is don't get discouraged. Your first railroad is not your last. Take some time to figure out what you enjoy and don't be afraid to change things up.
Totally agree!
I quit model railroading cold turkey in 1989, and I've clean ever since. 😉 My layout (a tourist line in the Northeast US that moved both freight by diesel and passengers by steam) ended up taking over the entire dining room of Mom's mobile home. When I was 18 Mom actually got me a subscription to Playboy. When the latest issue came in, I sat down on the couch with it. But I had my issue of Model Railroader peeking out from behind it. As intended, Mom saw me and thought "WHAT is he hiding behind Playboy???" We both had a great laugh.
Another tip. DON'T take any notice of rivet counters unless you need to know how to make something exactly like the original. Run whatever locos and rolling stock you like.
I agree 100% with your comment.
These ways of adding to your railroad are great if you have the money.
But after getting a train set for my birthday as a child and falling in love with model trains, money became a big obstacle. And it is still an issue today. What I would suggest is to look around on TH-cam for how to make very cheap diy scenery. I'm thinking of making a baseboard and houses from cardboard, scatter from sawdust and paint, trees from rope, metal wire and that scatter, asphalt roads from painted sand paper, etc.
Model railroading is a great hobby for kids (and adults) with a low budget if you include these great activities which add hours of extra fun while at most costing a couple of dollars.
I wish there was more diy stuff. I want less of people using woodland scenics and more card stock, toothpicks, craft paint, dirty from outside, sand from the sandbox, weeds, tree bark, and all that. I was originally into model railroads and trains when I was 10. Now that I’m coming up on 40, I’ve been playing D&D, but I’ve also been making my own craft terrain.
Another good one Jimmy. My only other tip would be to start small. Planning a huge layout can get discouraging when you realise that there are still many years worth of work required to get it to the stage that you originally planned. If you start small you can build so that each section is complete before you start another section when the time comes to expand. I wish that I had taken my own advice. I have more than 25 metres of N gauge track laid and now have to fill that 25 metres with buildings and scenery. A massive undertaking, and it always somehow looks unfinished.
My advice for beginners:
1. Always start small, but not too small: a track oval is the fastest way to get bored. Check and get track sets that add things to your layout (e.g. Roco set A+B+C or Piko A+B+E are great starts)
2. Always buy track with roadbed, unless you plan to build a large layout and you got some experience of doing so.
3. DCC is the way to go... Analog is simply not worth it, because while it may seem cheaper, you simply miss too much and it costs more in the long run.
4. Go for H0/TT Scale at the beginning: once you have some experience under your belt, you can go for pro: N scale, G scale if you have a backyard, and why not, Z scale.
5. Have fun - in the long run FUN triumphs everything.
6. Functionality beats realism - ALWAYS.
7. Get at least two locos.
8. Scarm or other planning software will get you out from a lot of trouble once you got started (also save you lots of money in the process)
9. Test your hand with scenery first before adding/doing anything permanent to your layout.
10. DOn't be afraid to ask for advice or to get (professional) help. For example, I ask someone from the local club to weather my locos and sometimes even my buildings.
Not only is the Best thing But Also it’s Better Than Going to a Bar.
That's what got me back into it after 40 yrs...the wife bought a Bachman BNSF starter set under the guise of wanting a "Christmas train", then told me after Christmas that it was for me. She has no idea what she's gotten us into, hee-hee-hee...!
That happened to me. Got bored with a small circle. Got bored with a bigger circle. Got bored with a HUGE circle. Then I looked into operations and building a layout just for that and now I am no longer bored. - Jason
You’re 100% correct! The worlds greatest hobby! I would just like to chime in. When you get started research and do what makes you happy. There is nothing wrong with your imagination when it comes to building a layout ( except electrical) always follow the rules. Also don’t be discouraged or intimidated by other builders… they were beginners too at some point
I knew a guy that ran N scale with HO and he didn’t care that it wasn’t accurate lol he had the N scale running inside the HO loop
Hi Jimmy! Excellent guideline steps!
This morning I’m drinking Folgers, no cream or sugar.
What I did for my model railroad, which is my first, is I put it on the desk under my loft bed. I went with N scale and it works really well for that.
Wow. As this went on I was thinking -- somewhere to put a layout. This probably should be first or second. There's an iterative loop of buying track, forming a track plan, getting somewhere to put it. Example; see a track plan you want in an Atlas or Kato booklet/website, buy the track, get an appropriate base. Or, figure what your space is, find an interesting plan, buy track, build.
Oh, Dunkin' 1/2 stevia, half and half.
I had a Tyco set years ago but I am restarting from scratch. My “starter set” is a DCC control system and a quality locomotive. Next step is benchwork!
Strategic industries (start w/ 2-3) so you can focus your dollars on specific rolling stock. If you like variety, go with boxcars, Tankers, and hoppers. That way you have options for industrial switching and if you have enough of a certain car, you could make a unit train and just run that around. Also a passing siding is an excellent idea, it keeps the rr interesting and if you have another operator, you can both run a train at different intervals.
When I was in 8th or 9th grade, back in the late 70s, I found a cool book in our library, written by some artist who found himself with a starter set of some kind, I think, and who, from there, built himself a model railroad. Thing is, he wasn't a rivet-counter type, but a "loosey-goosy" artist type, so his model railroad was quite unconventional. But the thing I appreciated about it even then, was that it was approachable by me, a kid with no experience, and no adult in my home, who know what to do. Fast forward many decades, and we found that book somewhere in a library sale. I would love to tell you the title and author, but sadly, we just made an inter-continental move this summer, and all our books are still in boxes, waiting for us to buy bookshelves. I will try to go look for it, but I'm hoping that someone here will know its title. In any case, if someone could find that book, IMO, it would be a great resource for a young person (pre-teen, early teens) looking to get started with a train set. Yeah, it's dated, but it's still cool, IMO. ;-)
I remember buying my first HO starter set (it was a Tyco something, I lost it years back when we moved to a different country), while browsing the store my dad gave me a lot of "inspirational" phases when ever he saw a starter set, something like "that's a nice bridge to have accidents on" or "image a car getting stuck on that level crossing!".
Interesting conversation. I went from making a shelf layout, to wanting to run trains in a loop to getting bored with that and now I am back to making a shelf shunting puzzle. I love this hobby for the diversity of options.
I couldn't agree more! I really enjoy watching this channel, your channel, and the Train Freak's channel. You guys have a lot of techy stuff that I love!
I agree! Shelf layouts are my preferred. Shunting puzzles are great for our cubicles at work!
I started with a small HO 4x6 layout it was an oval loop with one side that switched to a double turn and I had a small industry that split into two sidings. I made it winter themed so all the small town I made was decorated Christmas like with a Christmas tree at the centre of town. There was a small mountain in the corner with a tunnel and the industry was a coal plant. I bought a Christmas themed train to run on the layout but I had also normal rolling stock as well. It was just a DC layout not DCC.
That's one way to go BUT, if you reach a point where you think you want to get serious I can't recommend the Woodland Scenics Scenic Ridge layout enough. This basic kit (which is only about 3' X 6' or thereabouts has everything you need to create a really nice scene and it has all the "how to" instructions so you can learn a lot while building. It does not come with either track or buildings but you can purchase a building kit if you want that and you can also purchase track kits or go online where others have listed all the Kato track you need or be like me and use flex track.
When I got started there was SOOOO much I didn't really know how to do and I was intimidated. By following through on my Scenic Ridge layout I was amazed by what I could do with scenery that I never thought I could and originally had no idea how to do.
Now we need this to reach a wider audience. I wish I had this video when I got started.
Good advice. I built my first model RR on a 4’x8’ sheet of plywood at the age of 14. And I did what you suggest while learning about the hobby from reading older classic magazines such as how to wire your railroad by Linn Wescott. The next step was to abandon the 4 x 8 by cutting standard Sheets, my early attempt on benchwork design. It then became a lifetime hobby! Thanks for posting.
I find old train books in my scale and it will give you direction and a brilliant train of thought, take your time, and you can always move stuff around! You'll find your happy place!
Great points. Especially about buying pre-built buildings, etc. If you don't have prior experience in model building you can get some of these and build your skills while customizing them before diving into a kit built.
Here are my thoughts. I'm 58 years old. I got my first train set ("well built" Bachmann) in Christmas 1974. I was only nine at the time. Train set was originally a 36 inches circular track. My train had one engine and 5 different cars. I'm still a railroad modeler nearly 50 years later. My point is that today's kids approach is very different from what it was. We were 4 children in the house. So I really had to find ways to have fun myself when running it OR find money to buy stuff because my parents didn't have enough of it for all my own fantasies. For me, entertaining my self was more of "creative" even if it was a circular track set up. Things have changed a lot, I can understand that. But I think that I kept doing miniature trains because of my creativity. Not because I had everything I would possibly get. That's the difference between beeing still passionate after so many years and doing it and getting quickly bored.
Great tip for the beginner, just don't try to do to much right away. Just keep having fun, Chris
Always check that things you acquire are compatible; most Australian toy stores will typically have one Bachmann set built to US HO standards, and a couple of Hornby sets built to British OO standards which don't really match, and usually a handful of N track no-one knows what to do with.
(My closest one has the handful of N track, and nothing else. No locos, sets or anything. )
Research first before you buy anything, unless that first thing is a basic introductory book on railway modelling!
May have some Moccona or a cold drink based on Bushells Coffee and Chicory essence later, but for now, just some water.
I am liking this little series about getting started. Keep it up and thanks.
GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖
The main goal is always to have fun. My layout is a mix of heavy very detailed scenery, two Bachman EZ track on plywood. I started with two Bachman sets 13 years ago, and now I have Atlas stuff. And it's been so fun.
I just started with n scale after growing up around H0 Märklin. Bought a Kato starter set with the UP loco + oval + freights. Also bought the yard extension set from Kato.
This will help me now that I’m starting to collect Ho scale trains that I started working on started this winter. Thanks for the idea.
I just bought one to go around my Christmas tree. It brings joy to our home during this special season!
I love how you live in North Carolina, just like me.
A couple of things to consider when building a layout.
1) I like the idea of a modular system. Make it easy to take a part & fit through a doorway if it needs to be relocated.
I had a ho layout given to me, it was two sheets of 4 x 8 plywood &framed with 1x4's assembled as a " L" shape. It was on a second floor of a garage. I ended up cutting the table at the L joint and cutting some track and moving quite a bit of the plaster of Paris hills, ect .
It was a bit of a hassle to move it out the door & a 90° turn ,down a flight of a crooked stairs.
2) Another one I learned from was my G scale rolling stock. Bigger isn't always better. Most my cars are 40' pieces. I thought a 50' would be cool. It looks oversized compared to the rest of them. Tight radius is not good .
3) I don't recommend trying to build multiple scales at the same time. I have N, H.O. , O, & G scale.
None of them are even close to being finished.
Awesome Presentation!!! I hope to see your train "Yule Log" again this coming Christmas.
I started with a preliminary track set up a bunch of my built buildings to make sure space looked good them then moved along with the finalized spot and scenery
A starter set got me going for 2 years
My son got bored just driving them around or racing his favorite fast 1 against all the other ones I would repair. He loves it when I added pieces he could interact with. Pushing buttons loading and unloading cars. Anything that can be done with the push of a button.
Fyi...a Double double is 2 cream 2 sugars. Another great video Jimmy.
great tips as always
Really nice guide for starters! 👍🏻
Wow nice video you done. Hope there more to come.
Excellent! Thanks 😊
Great video as always. I agree with your list wholeheartedly. You mention buying pre built buildings and that they are a bit more expensive. I have found that there are many on ebay etc from some who love to make them but dont have the layout or room for more dioramas, so they sell them to others. Some are remodeling their railroads and dont need all of the structures any longer, or it is a different scheme or era, and sell them as well. Sometimes they are pretty cheap and if you look at the pictures and descriptions closely, some are pre weathered, have interiors, or are lighted, etc. You also mentioned the standard 4x8 sheet of plywood for a starting base. I would like to mention that some of your commentors mention planning. Your video on how to use Scarm is a great place for this! If you are not into Scarm or Anyrail, an old copy of HO RAILROAD THAT GROWS is helpful, as it shows how to build a model railroad one step at a time. Slowly adding to the plan, which also may fit into a budget easier. I see these books on Amazon and eBay on a regular basis. And also, in N scale, there is a lot of space on that table for this layout plan and modiifications can be made very easily as you go. Again helping to budget throughout the progress! HO and N are the most popular ways to go, so this track plan would work well for limited space, for a beginner on up! Keep the great ideas and Vid's coming :) AND, back to the Peet's coffee again! I am diabetic and had to switch Dr's recently as mine moved out of state. My new Dr asked me if I happened to know my blood type. I quickly answered; "My blood type is Caffeine!" She looked at me for a few seconds then said; "lets check your blood pressure." Smart Doctor :)
Bought 2 boxes of Krispy Kream coffee yesterday. It was on sale up here. Good follow thru video from your last🚂🚃🚃🇨🇦🇺🇲
Good video with some good wisdom. I drink McCafe coffee in the morning that comes in those Kuric cups. I take creamer and sugar in it.
You should explain what turnouts and sidings and other parts of track are first for beginners before buying more rolling stock, I’m a beginner, just people taking about the DCC and wiring is confusing. Someone explaining the track parts and how to wire, where wiring needs to be placed and such would be a great help thanks
Great point! I bought the bachmann ez track pack and that's what I used to create my layout. Skipped the coffee tonight... eating Kit Kat ice cream!
My next step was to take a 4x12 ho dog bone layout plan and turn it into a 4x12 n scale dog done . Doing an ho scale plan in N really opened things up.
That is why I am here! I’ve got a bunch of HO equipment but come to realize N maybe my cup of team for ‘larger runs!’
My suggestion - find a local club; you will really benefit from the experience of other hobbyists, you can see what others have done, maybe even hone your skills building a club layout. Coffee - Chock full of Nuts, white, no sugar.
Quality content
I like your list, I think though on the scenery, it would be good to get one or two of the Scenic kits, like Woodland Scenics, and I think Scenic Express and some others have these. AND they are available in Hobby Lobby and Michaels making them easy to access and not have to go to a hobby shop. I say this because they are interactive, and kids love playing with paints, glue and plaster stuff. They are not expensive, they teach and they get to “play” with stuff.
Good video keep up the good video on the channel thank s lee
That's the only problem with facial hair! Getting coffee in a mustache is the absolute worst. Smelling that all day would drive me nuts. Also makes you feel like you need a full facial hair shampoo. That is why I clean shave now! LOL
Love your channel. Keep it up!
Who remembers the old days when model train manufacturers made operational accessories, and starter sets where not just ovals.
I’m considering getting into the hobby. Your videos are super helpful, tanks! I’m drinking Shanghai Nespresso blend. 😁☕️
Now for my tip, start with a layout you can move easily. Depending on scale this can be a small as 2 ft. by 4 ft. are as big as 4 ft. by 6 to 8 ft. A 4x6 or a 4x8 can be moved by two people. For N Scale the 2 x 4 can be built from the 2 x 4 handy panels many home stores like Lowes, Home Depot or Menards sells. Of these Menards even sells ready made model buildings during the fall and winter leading up to Christmas in O and HO scales. Menards will also have straight and curved sections of O-27 or 0-36 track and O-Scale and sometimes HO-Scale rail cars and scale model vehicles.
My tip is too find smaller locos first because if will get you ready to Handel a lager loco so I say start with a 0-6-0 or a 2-6-0
enjoying zekes armistead blend, splash of half&half, no sugar, iced. Just got my first HO kit ordered and I'm looking for ways to keep it interesting once the "new" feeling wears off haha
Here in Brasil FRATESCHI have 3 variations for additional track sets...
tracks is a good idea to build your layout
My advice is to buy a couple of starter sets and yes, some extra track like some straights and turnouts. As starter sets usually come with 18” Radius track, maybe also buy a complete loop of 22” radius track. Chock Full O’ Nuts Decaf, black, no sugar.
A loop can be useful for breaking in locomotives but adding turnouts makes a big difference. Kato has really great sets for this. Learning how to drop off and pick up cars like the real railroads do can open up a world fun. I do not think ready built structures are a good idea. I think building structures is a interesting part of the hobby. If you want to start with something easy then 3D printed buildings such as you sometimes offer on Etsy are a good start. Drinking Maxwell House Breakfast Blend with just a touch of cream.
I’ve been collecting N scale for the better part of 5 years, I’m just waiting for the room to start a layout. Possibly a 6 foot by 30”
Another great video and information, had a question ,saw your video on lighting and interior building, don’t have a printer is there a site or company where I can get various interiors,
i dont know if i commented on this video but i just got my starter set and found that Walthers doesnt have track packs or sell in large quantities. i bought walthers because of the nickel silver track. i regretted my purchase but then saw they sell an adapter set that will connect to bachmann, atlas and others. so now i can go buy bachmann nickel silver track that i have seen in larger quantities. the next thing i bought was another locomotive i saw recently and really wanted. but my main focus is the track. if i can get what i need for my design then its just building the support for the track (bridges, etc).
Run it and have fun
🚂❤️👍👍👍👍awsum video
Lucky for me when I bought my Bachmann Night Before Christmas I had some Eztec and New Bright christmas rolling stock on hand. and yes we had to eventually get some brass track by LGB. I'm currently converting my vintage rolling stock from plastic wheels to now diecast wheels (24.5 mm being the smallest). oh by the way do you cover kitbashing? since I'm looking to get into that by doing a 2-8-2 Mikado kitbash (I'm using the G scale Polar Express by Bachmann).
I had no clue you were out here in beautiful NC! Which train/hobby shops in the area are your favorite? I've been tryna look for some good ones!
Rolling, folding 9’x5’ ping pong table
in my area hobby lobby is a good place to go
Actually, I'm about to start on a new layout that will eventually expand to 8'x9', but will start with a 4'x8'. Note that Michiganians also have a thing for Tim's. My future son-in-law is addicted to double doubles.
I'm drinking Nescafe original. Black no sugar.
how about joining a club to see how they started and get some tips i had an s scale set and i thought ahout setting it as around the room in the aoartment i lived in with my mom and dad i was 9 years old at the time and that was before they ever made moduals at the club . and if you get hooked and want to really build up your layout buy several sets or a set a year and start adding on sets are cheaper than individual one at a time pieces think of an era you want to model in then buy the set and buy another set of the same road all steam stick with steam diesel the same thing and so on do you want to haul coal get a coal set
I'm sometimes a bit frustrated that most starter sets only come with a circle or oval of track. While I get that adding turnouts would drive the price up slightly, I just don't see how a basic loop is supposed to win anyone over to this hobby. Watching a train chase its tail without having any meaningful avenue for even basic operations is about as much fun as watching a goldfish swim in circles.
No coffee for me this afternoon; it's a mint tea kind of day.
I think this might be a good place for my question.... I hope. This will be my first time getting into train models. I'm not new to building models but to trains I am new. What I'm wanting to do is build a Christmas village with my grand kids and let the village grow with the kids over the years. I only have a space that is 3ft x 5ft so I'm looking into Z scale. The biggest reason for z scale is because I want each grand kid to have "their own land" that they can add to and build on. Z scale will allow them much more space. My question is do I jump into a Z scale set or do I start buying things piece by piece. I will want a better controller then what most sets I see come with. and the one thing I want to avoid is getting a set that I cant add cooler things to later. Whats the advice on this? Thanks
Jimmy how do you put switches on an existing train set I’m getting ready to add more track to my existing train said that I bought couple weeks ago or months ago and I want to know do I need to add another AC set up or can I use the existing side of the track now I have Atlas track and I have easy command track Bockmans both are different two different boards I don’t know if I showed you a picture of it but I’m getting ready to add an additional set up so I can make it look realistic so I just needed your info on that if you can write me back thank you
And I drink hazelnut coffee with a shot of cream of white half-and-half and three spoonfuls of sugar
Double double is simply two creams and two sugars.
Do you know of anyone who has built "Petticoat Junction"?
Double double- two cream two sugar
Worlds Greatest hobby is expensive though
Double double is two cream two sugar. Great suggestions, suspect that it would also work for a first T-Trak layout. You got me thinking about setting up a table top module set for on of my favorite prototype roads, the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh. 6 or 8 modules total with 4 corner and either 4 or six singles.
What’s your current layout track plan
Good question. I will do a video on this.
Plenty of starter sets are ovals, which helps a lot with the illusion of the train going somewhere IMO. But yes, adding track is good.
If you're doing passenger operations, a station or two is a must.
For people doing British-outline stuff (including Thomas), I recommend checking out Wordsworth Model Railway. Plenty of printable British railscene buildings there (though if you're a Yank like me, make sure to print to a set scale rather than fitting to page, because being British the pages are made for A4 paper)
double double = two cream, two sugar, eh
I would recommend skip the starter set. Get a locomotive you like DCC Ready or DCC with Sound for the cost of a starter set. Then get some flex track and turnouts and a few rolling stock (even used).
Sugar in coffee, my God man. It's just so barbaric.
Kato and Tomix do seem to give and offer more easy options.
Sorry to be pedantic, but I was watching a video made by Kato reps, and they were saying it (cat-'o) not (cot-'o)...
I suggest you go over to the Kato USA You Tube channel. Where they pronounce their name Coto. I think they know how to pronounce their company’s name.
@@normanrowe2831 Maybe it's a regional thing? The vid I saw was a company video, they had Kato shirts on and every thing. Perhaps if one was trained in Japan they say it one way, and if one is trained in the states they sat it another?Perhaps one us saw a videos who's presenter(s) had an accent? Maybe one of us go a hold of a video series where the presenter was an FNG? Maybe the company outsources their promotional videos to outside production houses with actors not affiliated with the company.
As for coffee I usually at home make the store brand breakfast blend, at work it is the free to associates Starbucks's Verona or the Pike Place or the Holiday Blend.