Wanting to get into railway modelling, where to start?

Wanting to get into railway modelling, where to start?

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singlecoil

Original Poster:

33,313 posts

245 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
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Some years ago my wife and I came across an exhibition taking place in a town hall somewhere, and as I recall it was made up of a number of individual displays that were linked together, and presumably these were owned by different people who came together to put on these shows. There were a couple of tracks and trains running through all the displays and each display had its own theme, with scenery and layouts to suit.

We are now in an ideal position to participate in such an activity, somewhere to do it, I have all the necessary woodworking equipment and, being English and male, naturally love model trains, mechanical and electric stuff. My wife is a talented amateur artist who shares my interest in railways. We have often visited Quainton (which is only a few miles from here) and Didcot.

We're ok for money too, and are not expecting this to be cheap (what is?).

So if anyone here is able to point me in the right direction I would be grateful.

Mr_C

2,441 posts

228 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
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Have you got a local model railway club? There's one in our village and they hold a display thing every year in the village hall. They're probably a good source of info.

RobinOakapple

2,802 posts

111 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
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I'm interested in this subject too. Had a Hornby Dublo 3-rail layout when I was a youngster and often find myself looking at stuff on eBay. But it needs to be planned out properly if it's going to be anything more than just a bit of fun.

Good point about deciding how much room to devote to it before starting. Will need to see if I can get my wife interested, I can see me needing her cooperation!

singlecoil

Original Poster:

33,313 posts

245 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies.

Nearest club is some distance away, but I may well contact them anyway.

That software looks amazing, and I will definitely get it. I can use Sketchup to build the actual tables etc.

Any thoughts on gauges? OO would seem to be the thing to go for.

igiveup

2,875 posts

281 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
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Just over an hours drive from you....great place for model railways

http://www.bourtonmodelrailway.co.uk/

When I was a kid, i used to have a railway in the loft at my Parents house. It was basic but great fun, took up the whole of th loft space in a 1930's semi.

used to have the Titling APT , never stayed on the track lol.

Steve_W

1,486 posts

176 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
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I guess the Risborough group would be nearest for you? As you say, can't hurt to have a chat or pop along to a meeting or exhibition they're attending: http://www.rdmrc.org.uk/

Looks like you have a reasonable shop nearby too: http://www.transporttreasures.com/

A bit further afield it seems like a reasonable exhibition in High Wycombe, but not until November: http://www.hwdmrs.org.uk/wycrail/

And if you really want to go OTT on the landscaping and buildings, visit Pendon (combine with a trip to Didcot perhaps): http://www.pendonmuseum.com/ (disclaimer - I'm a member of Pendon and am in awe of the modeler's skills)

singlecoil

Original Poster:

33,313 posts

245 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
quotequote all
igiveup said:
Just over an hours drive from you....great place for model railways

http://www.bourtonmodelrailway.co.uk/
We shall go there some time this weekend, sounds ideal for seeing what's possible.

bristolracer

5,528 posts

148 months

Wednesday 19th August 2015
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MBBlat

1,602 posts

148 months

Sunday 23rd August 2015
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By the description the OP was originally looking at a modular system like this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTrak
I know its American but there are several clubs in the UK using it for US prototype layouts. There was (might still be) a club in Bath that did a similar thing in HO.

RichB

51,433 posts

283 months

Sunday 23rd August 2015
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singlecoil said:
Any thoughts on gauges? OO would seem to be the thing to go for.
Just to clarify, OO is a scale of 1:76, the gauge would typically be 16mm (although beofre someone corrects me I should point out that 18.2mm is strictly correct and they have their own society for 1:76 railway models running on 18mm track and that's EM gauge society).

Here's some web sites to keep you busy for an hour or two.

http://www.emgs.org/
http://www.scalefour.org/
http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Forums
http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums
http://www.hornbyguide.com/info.asp




Edited by RichB on Sunday 23 August 23:12

W124Bob

1,744 posts

174 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
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You're description does sound like a meeting of the British section of the National Model Railroad Ass, individuals build sections which then link together (standards for track spacing at board ends) done in N or HO gauge. Buying some of the mags from WH Smith is a good starting point, Conitnental Modeller if you're interested in foreign and get on one of the web forums, RMweb is as good as any, just like PH with lots of sub sections (even a car thread!). I model US HO because I just love the variety and choice as to prototype, there are about a dozen NMRA British meets monthly and good trade support from a few UK/EU traders.This loco has been weathered relettered and had a couple of detail parts added. The MSC is entirely fictitious but represents a very common practice in the US, big railroad sells branchline to small company who use small old locos to operate it serving local industries as required. From a modellers perspective short trains for a small space in a modern setting.


Edited by W124Bob on Saturday 29th August 10:11