[alecras234]

Hi im Ash, im 44 from north wales. I'm disabled and use a wheelchair. My mate is building me a 4x2 board for an n gauge track layout. I'm interested in trains but i don't know much about them. I hear things on the internet like A4's and Black Fives, im thinking WHAT?! For my layout do i need to know about various locos? What are A4's and Black Fives? Why do locos pull carriages and travel backwards? I 've suffered head injury so learning something is difficult, it's easier to understand if things are kept dimple. what website has credible information on locos please? Thank you.

 

[boxbrownie]

You should model what your interested in, modern Locos? steam Locos? Multiple Units? Maybe American stuff or even Japanese?

Thats your first stage.

 

[PAPPA.B]

Hi Ash . I agree with David about what interest you. Railways have been around for a long time and have evolved from steam engines to electric and diesel . So you need to pick a time and a place to give you some where to start . You mentioned an A4 which the most famous is the Mallard and holds the world record for the fastest recorded speed for a steam engine. These engines were at the time some of the very best of the London North Eastern Railway or the LNER. While I am an 00 scale modeller even 4x2 is quite small so maybe you might pick some smaller loco's maybe a tank engine . These were Steam loco's that could run in both directions where as an A4 a tendered loco would have to be turned to run in the other way. Modern Trains do not need turning .I hope this is helpful. Jim

 

[Julian2011]

Hi Ash,
David and Jim have made very valid points on where to start. Quite rightly neither mentioned a choice of layout, that's quite a bit further on down the road. There is a good choice in N Gauge and there are several makers of the stock. You might like to look at the online catalogue of Graham Farish and Dapol, just to see what you like the look of, just remember, you don't have to buy them all.

I simply bought 2 sets which had trains, similar to ones, I had been on, one set also had a simple DCC {Digital Command Control} Controller and track. When you're looking at the catalogues you may find something which catches your interest. Another place to see what you might like the look of, are the very pages you are reading on this Forum. There are loads of different locos and rolling stock to look at so something there could well catch your interest. If you are doing that, don't stick to N Gauge, as it's the rolling stock you are looking for.

This article might give you some help about how to go about it...
How to choose which model train set to build

Magazines are a great source of information, with pictures and lots of adverts, showing what's available.

As the others have said, it is a really good idea to look at what interests you, before deciding to part with those precious pennies. Don't forget that people on here are only too willing to try to answer questions about whatever catches your attention.

Julian

 

[alecras234]

Hi thanks for your replies, I'm interested in steam locomotives but know nothing about them, i'd like to know what A4;'s are and know a little about them.

Ash

 

[Julian2011]

I think this link can give you a little idea.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Class_A4

My daughter, aged 6, at the time, watched one pulling a long train out of Dawlish Station on the Devon South coast. She was speechless, watching with open mouth and when it had disappeared into the tunnel, turned slowly to facade me and just breathed Wow!"

Enjoy the pictures.

J

 

[alecras234]

is the information accurate on wikipedia?

 

[Julian2011]

is the information accurate on wikipedia?

Not always absolutely 100%, but the A4 stuff has a million "railfan" eyes watching it, so for the model railway purposes, it would seem to be satisfactory.

J

 

[Julian2011]

The last A4 picture, of Sir Nigel Gresley, in blue is the Loco which made my daughter gasp for breath.

J

 

[34C]

And if the full picture of the whole of the LNER's steam fleet is required:

LNER Encyclopedia: Locomotives of the LNER

Describes every class of locomotive that served with the LNER

www.lner.info

This is a well curated private site, so none of the 'factions' that occasionally crop up on Wikis.

...My daughter, aged 6, at the time, watched one pulling a long train out of Dawlish Station on the Devon South coast. She was speechless, watching with open mouth and when it had disappeared into the tunnel, turned slowly to face me and just breathed Wow!"...

We had lovely corner offices with a near view of the southern end of the ECML, and an A4 in Garter blue running light stopped directly opposite one day. Our newly appointed director (mid 40's) had much the same reaction: she was slightly more analytical though in the follow up "Are they really putting art deco locomotives into service?". It had to be explained that no, this is a circa 60 year old preserved steam design (working up to KX for a steam run)..

 

[DC Marvel]

Hornby Railways Collector Guide Homepage - UK, Australian & Canadian
have a look at this as it not only tells you all about models, but a bit about the prototypes as well.
Start off by wheel types 0-4-0, 2-6-2, 4-6-2 etc and you will soon have an idea but when it comes to train sets, buy and run what you like.
Same with diesels bo-bo, co-co etc.