Hi all

1866 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by 7113, Dec 7, 2006

oldsalt45

Discussion Starter · Dec 4, 2006

Hi all, I'm thinking of taking the plunge and building a model railway circuit, but before I do anything I would like to read up about the best way to proceed. Can anyone recommend any good magazines, articles, websites or books for beginners?
Many thanks in advance

Andy

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Brian Considine

· #2 · Dec 4, 2006

Welcome to the forum - what sized layout/how much space do you have/what gauge ?

We are (usually) a friendly lot here & you will be able to get virtually any kind of advice needed - we just need a few "pointers" to what sort of layout you are building.

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oldsalt45

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 4, 2006

Hi Brian
I was thinking of 00 gauge, I have reclaimed a 12'x6' bedroom from my son who has now left home which has a nice 12' run by 2'8 deep. Possibly harbour scene for light cargo and passenger.

Andy

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dwb

· #4 · Dec 4, 2006

Hi and welcome to the Forum. There is plenty of advice available here, too much probably!

Do you prefer plenty of action - i.e. trains running round and round in circles (I do) or are you happy to handle trains in and out of their destinations, that short distance from one end wall to the other?

David

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oldsalt45

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 4, 2006

Hi David
Thanks for the reply. Action to start with then a later addition freight yard/harbour.

Andy

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neil_s_wood

· #6 · Dec 4, 2006

Hi Andy welcome to the forum. One idea may be to get a track plans book or two and see what you can find that you like. Look at model rail mags to see layouts and get more ideas. The best idea is to plan ahead before starting.

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dwb

· #7 · Dec 4, 2006

>Action to start with
So at least one continuous loop would seem to be in order. Does the door into the room take a big "bite" out of the space?

Neil's suggestion is a good one. Get hold of a few track plan books. If you are going to use "set track" then get the track plan book for that set. They will tend to have tighter curves than some of the Peco ones.

David

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oldsalt45

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 5, 2006

Many thanks for the replies and advice; I will defiantly look out for some layout books.

The door to the room I will be using is in the corner so this leaves quite a usable space but I have been informed that I must leave room to get to the window etc.

I would like to draw out the layout I would like and then modify to what I can budget for and then add to (extend) over a few years.

Andy

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7113

· #9 · Dec 6, 2006

Another thing - Any idea of area or period, all helps with giving out the advice, oh and welcome to the fun and games!

Regards

John

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oldsalt45

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 6, 2006

Area: mmm no real idea at the moment.
Period early 60's Steam and possible diesel for freight

Andy

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dwb

· #11 · Dec 6, 2006

>early 60's Steam and possible diesel for freight
I may be wrong here, but the impression I get from photo captions of the late fifties is that a lot of top link steam locomotives got handed the freight roster while diesels did the passenger duties.

David

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7113

· #12 · Dec 7, 2006

QUOTE (dwb @ 6 Dec 2006, 19:50) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I may be wrong here,

No, in general you are quite correct, on the Western Region the Warships and Westerns replaced the Kings and Castles, on the Eastern 22 Deltics replaced the pacifics, the Midland replaced it Duchesses with class 40's and of course the beloved Merchant Navies were replaced by multiple units.

But in all seriusness it's a great period to model with so much variety to operate - go for it

Regards

John

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