Help with design and / or build

QUOTE (Simon T @ 12 May 2008, 20:55) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Because of an interest in old commercial vehicles, I took several Ian Allan magazines. So they mailed me when Hornby started, and I knew after the first issue a) what a great mag it is, and this was going to cost me a lot!

I'm new to model railways, and wholly inept with modelling skills. So I need the equivalent of an architect to help me avoid mistakes and to optimise the plan, and I need a builder to help me realise that plan.

Hi Simon and welcome to MRF,

Nice to here that you have an interest in old commercial vehicles, there are several of us here who have a "thing" about buses.

I think the first thing you need to establish is how much room you have and what you want to put in it. You then need to consider scale and period you wish to model.

To be honest basebord construction need not be daunting as long as you have basic woodworking skills and tools.

But any questions fire away, I feel sure that someone will soon be along with the answer.

Enjoy the hobby.

Regards

Hi Simon and welcome to the MRF.

Personally I'm a bit far away to offer any hands-on help but I'm sure you will receive plenty of help and advice from the members here who are a pretty friendly, if sometimes crazy, bunch.

The first things to establish, however, are:-

1) How much space you have available
2) What scale/gauge you intend to model in (OO/HO, N or something else)
3) The type of layout you want - (End to end/branch line/terminus style or a tail chaser).
4) What type of control you plan to use (DC or DCC)

If you do a search of the forum you will find that there are already quite a few threads discussing the various merits of the different types of layouts, baseboard construction methods and train control systems currently in use which should get you thinking about how you want to proceed. There are also various model railway layout design programmes available, all of which their respective devotees will swear is the best, so I will not say any more on that subject.

Look forward to hearing further from you,

Cheers,

Expat

QUOTE (Expat @ 13 May 2008, 13:30) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>1) How much space you have available
2) What scale/gauge you intend to model in (OO/HO, N or something else)
3) The type of layout you want - (End to end/branch line/terminus style or a tail chaser).
4) What type of control you plan to use (DC or DCC)
That's a good list to start with and you really only need basic DIY skills to build the baseboards.
Buy some other magazines too like Model Rail or Railway Modeller they are good for adverts and ideas.
Sketch some ideas and post them on here and you'll get all sorts of ideas and opinions, just remember it's for your entertainment at the end of the day so run what you like.
I would recommend OO as the majority of the vehicles you mention are 1/76 scale anyway and you have all the ready to run RTR stuff available for railway stock from Hornby and Bachmann.
The advantage is that there are so many good off the shelf products now that you really can make a good model and learn more skills as you go along. Buy some Skaledale buildings to get started then have a go at something like a small Wills Kit, change a few bits like adding posterboards or a an extra door and before you know it you'll be a skilled modeller!

Track, I would recommend PECO they do settrack which is preformed for curves and probably the easiest to use to begin with. They also do flexible track which can be bent to any curve you want but when you bend it you will need to cut the rail to length at the ends. You can use a razor saw, Cutting disc in a mini drill or some special hand cutters like the Xuron cutters, to cut rail to length.
Hornby do there own set-track but while the track is fine the PECO points are much more robust.
PECO do two sizes of rail, CODE 100 Blue boxes,and CODE 75 Finescale Yellow boxes, CODE 100 is compatible with Hornby track and stronger

Baseboards, A simple 2x1 or 4x1 wood frame with 9 or 12mm plywood on top with supporting cross braces every 1 1/2 to 2 feet should provide sturdy boards for the layout.

There are a lot of good books on the market about baseboards, track and wiring and control have a look at the Ian Allan website modelling section (midland counties publications).
http://www.ianallanpublishing.com/product....at=0&page=1

http://www.ianallanpublishing.com/product....at=0&page=3

Definitely worth considering DCC for controlling locos but it's not essential if you don't like electronics.
http://www.ianallanpublishing.com/product....at=0&page=1