Do or do not - Model trainset
Discussion
Hey guys, having been on crutches now for about 8 weeks and slightly getting bored of playing games on the pc/xbox and watching nearly every series all the way through, im pining for something i can do that is physically there, something creative.
Having badgered my dad for a father son day out to york rail museum, we both confessed to always liking models, i suppose all men love the detail and depth of model railways and all that. It has caught me pretty hard though and thinking that im old enough now and a bit more nimble fingered, i could delve into it.
The only problems i face are those silly stigmas put into any hobby beyond football and if you can call it a hobby having a few too many on the weekend. I mean to some extent cars now are considered a bit of an anorac's hobby, shame really. I enjoy the majesty and engineering of trains, not so much the numbers and what have you, doubt i could ever be a train spotter. Im not the most creative either so i feel the deeper side of modeling would be beyond me. However, messing around with a model trainset has always appealed.
Having found few mentions of it on here, im hoping this will weed out some of you model railway guys on here and you can give me your input and maybe a bit of advice.
Cheers
Simon
Having badgered my dad for a father son day out to york rail museum, we both confessed to always liking models, i suppose all men love the detail and depth of model railways and all that. It has caught me pretty hard though and thinking that im old enough now and a bit more nimble fingered, i could delve into it.
The only problems i face are those silly stigmas put into any hobby beyond football and if you can call it a hobby having a few too many on the weekend. I mean to some extent cars now are considered a bit of an anorac's hobby, shame really. I enjoy the majesty and engineering of trains, not so much the numbers and what have you, doubt i could ever be a train spotter. Im not the most creative either so i feel the deeper side of modeling would be beyond me. However, messing around with a model trainset has always appealed.
Having found few mentions of it on here, im hoping this will weed out some of you model railway guys on here and you can give me your input and maybe a bit of advice.
Cheers
Simon
I dont DO model railways, havent for fifty years but if you fancy it, go for it.
There will always be people who "don't get it" no matter which hobby takes you over. That is their problem not yours.
I understand you only get one "go" at life, use yours the best way for you.
My missus doesn't "get" me modelling, but that doesn't stop me.
See the line above that ^^^ ^^^
(and when you have finished your layout we will ALL want to see how you did it)
There will always be people who "don't get it" no matter which hobby takes you over. That is their problem not yours.
I understand you only get one "go" at life, use yours the best way for you.
My missus doesn't "get" me modelling, but that doesn't stop me.
See the line above that ^^^ ^^^
(and when you have finished your layout we will ALL want to see how you did it)
Decide what you want to model, be it prototype, period, region, then decide how much room you have. This will almost certainly decide the scale for you, as certain scales have a dearth of some periods and regions, and if you're stuck with not much room, you'll struggle with O gauge.
I'm slowly building up a collection of N gauge ready for when I get some room, but then I never really got started with OO.
maggit
I'm slowly building up a collection of N gauge ready for when I get some room, but then I never really got started with OO.
maggit
Thanks for your input guys, always nice to know there are people who are live and let live with hobbies, ive never turned my nose up to anything people might enjoy as long as it doesn't impede on my enjoyment.
I think im going to go for N gauge as well, i live in an ex mining village, so im going to try and aim for that, maybe early diesels and what not, i'll probably get some steam gear just for my dad as he's just as big a kid as i am, like i said, i doubt any man truely grows out of enjoying models.
When im off the crutches i'll probably explore the line that leads from the colliery to the power station it used to feed, so it's going to be a mixture of things focused around a model.
I've got a quite a long sideboard kind of thing in the computer room that im gonna put a long board on top of for my base bored and move from there. I will keep you guys posted.
Thanks again
Simon
I think im going to go for N gauge as well, i live in an ex mining village, so im going to try and aim for that, maybe early diesels and what not, i'll probably get some steam gear just for my dad as he's just as big a kid as i am, like i said, i doubt any man truely grows out of enjoying models.
When im off the crutches i'll probably explore the line that leads from the colliery to the power station it used to feed, so it's going to be a mixture of things focused around a model.
I've got a quite a long sideboard kind of thing in the computer room that im gonna put a long board on top of for my base bored and move from there. I will keep you guys posted.
Thanks again
Simon
MrBrightSi said:
Thanks for your input guys, always nice to know there are people who are live and let live with hobbies, ive never turned my nose up to anything people might enjoy as long as it doesn't impede on my enjoyment.
I think im going to go for N gauge as well, i live in an ex mining village, so im going to try and aim for that, maybe early diesels and what not, i'll probably get some steam gear just for my dad as he's just as big a kid as i am, like i said, i doubt any man truely grows out of enjoying models.
When im off the crutches i'll probably explore the line that leads from the colliery to the power station it used to feed, so it's going to be a mixture of things focused around a model.
I've got a quite a long sideboard kind of thing in the computer room that im gonna put a long board on top of for my base bored and move from there. I will keep you guys posted.
Thanks again
Simon
Go to your local model shop - I got some track plans books and there are all sorts of layouts in there for confined spaces, long spaces, large spaces...you name it. Peco do some books, and so do Railway Modeller. The N gauge stuff looks extremely good, although I'm just about to start building a OO layout.I think im going to go for N gauge as well, i live in an ex mining village, so im going to try and aim for that, maybe early diesels and what not, i'll probably get some steam gear just for my dad as he's just as big a kid as i am, like i said, i doubt any man truely grows out of enjoying models.
When im off the crutches i'll probably explore the line that leads from the colliery to the power station it used to feed, so it's going to be a mixture of things focused around a model.
I've got a quite a long sideboard kind of thing in the computer room that im gonna put a long board on top of for my base bored and move from there. I will keep you guys posted.
Thanks again
Simon
Jealous, i do like the OO stuff as there is a bit more selection and support internet wise. Strangely enough however, the local model shop in edwinstoe stocks primarily N gauge, which is rather convenient.
I've got a good idea what i want to do having spent the last few days reading up on the local colliery in its hayday, i'd like to go for that.
I've got a good idea what i want to do having spent the last few days reading up on the local colliery in its hayday, i'd like to go for that.
MrBrightSi said:
Jealous, i do like the OO stuff as there is a bit more selection and support internet wise. Strangely enough however, the local model shop in edwinstoe stocks primarily N gauge, which is rather convenient.
I've got a good idea what i want to do having spent the last few days reading up on the local colliery in its hayday, i'd like to go for that.
I think that sometimes for model railways, less=more in terms of operating potential per £. I do like N gauge, but I thought that since I already have some OO equipment I'd stick with it. I've got a good idea what i want to do having spent the last few days reading up on the local colliery in its hayday, i'd like to go for that.
Look up "N" Gauge Society
www.ngaugesociety.com
if you become a member there is a very busy Forum & active Club,with 6 magazines a year solely for the gauge with rolling stock made especially for the club/class.
The "N" Gauge Society is especially active in the North of the U.K. but there are "N" Gauge Clubs all over the U.K. that have regular meetings and exhibitions.
You could also join www.uktrainsim.com
the Forum for this is http://www.forums.uktrainsim.com
There are some very large exhibitions that are on from the different Gauges around the country which start off this month,the big ones for the year will start now:
Sat 9th & Sun 10th February 2013
The National Festival of Railway Modelling at Doncaster Exhibition Centre,
Leger Way,
Doncaster,
Yorkshire,
DN2 6BB
Tel:- 01302 304211
it's a few minutes off the M18 also,
22nd & 23rd February 2013
Brighton Model World,
Brighton Centre,
Kings Road,
Brighton,
BN1 1BP
23rd & 24th March 2013
The Festival of British Railway Modelling,
Alexandra Palace Exhibition Centre,
The Great Hall, via The Palm Court,
Alexandra Palace Way,
London.
N22 7AY
There are lots of other exhibitions around the country, especially local Clubs who run all gauges,one of the biggest layouts of all descriptions is at Beer in Devon, look up www.pecorama.info
For probably one of the biggest stockists of everything for the Model Railway enthusiast of most gauges is www.gaugemaster.com who are next to Ford Railway Station, Arundel,West Sussex.
To get started to see what you really are interested in buy "Railway Modeller" which comes out on the 15th of each month, which will have at the back where a lot of the Societies are, when they meet,when the exhibitions are on etc.
Best of luck,Oh and not everyone who does modelling of any sort can be called "Anoraks" any more than anything else be it cars or motorcycles etc.
www.ngaugesociety.com
if you become a member there is a very busy Forum & active Club,with 6 magazines a year solely for the gauge with rolling stock made especially for the club/class.
The "N" Gauge Society is especially active in the North of the U.K. but there are "N" Gauge Clubs all over the U.K. that have regular meetings and exhibitions.
You could also join www.uktrainsim.com
the Forum for this is http://www.forums.uktrainsim.com
There are some very large exhibitions that are on from the different Gauges around the country which start off this month,the big ones for the year will start now:
Sat 9th & Sun 10th February 2013
The National Festival of Railway Modelling at Doncaster Exhibition Centre,
Leger Way,
Doncaster,
Yorkshire,
DN2 6BB
Tel:- 01302 304211
it's a few minutes off the M18 also,
22nd & 23rd February 2013
Brighton Model World,
Brighton Centre,
Kings Road,
Brighton,
BN1 1BP
23rd & 24th March 2013
The Festival of British Railway Modelling,
Alexandra Palace Exhibition Centre,
The Great Hall, via The Palm Court,
Alexandra Palace Way,
London.
N22 7AY
There are lots of other exhibitions around the country, especially local Clubs who run all gauges,one of the biggest layouts of all descriptions is at Beer in Devon, look up www.pecorama.info
For probably one of the biggest stockists of everything for the Model Railway enthusiast of most gauges is www.gaugemaster.com who are next to Ford Railway Station, Arundel,West Sussex.
To get started to see what you really are interested in buy "Railway Modeller" which comes out on the 15th of each month, which will have at the back where a lot of the Societies are, when they meet,when the exhibitions are on etc.
Best of luck,Oh and not everyone who does modelling of any sort can be called "Anoraks" any more than anything else be it cars or motorcycles etc.
Edited by Kneetrembler on Sunday 6th January 22:33
Model trains can be a great hobby.
I would think very carefully about the scale you wish to start in. N gauge is great for size ad its small, the newer rolling stock is support detailed. I just found it too fiddly, too small, but it depends on how you want to model. I am very much into realistic modeling, if you just want to do something basic and run trains round it'll be fine.
I would also advise to start with a small layout. I started off with an 8x4 foot n gauge layout. I found I just didn't have the time or motivation for something that big so sold it on.
I then did a 6x1 00 layout, much more manageable, since then I am now doing another 6x1 which will join onto the main board :-)
I would think very carefully about the scale you wish to start in. N gauge is great for size ad its small, the newer rolling stock is support detailed. I just found it too fiddly, too small, but it depends on how you want to model. I am very much into realistic modeling, if you just want to do something basic and run trains round it'll be fine.
I would also advise to start with a small layout. I started off with an 8x4 foot n gauge layout. I found I just didn't have the time or motivation for something that big so sold it on.
I then did a 6x1 00 layout, much more manageable, since then I am now doing another 6x1 which will join onto the main board :-)
pherlopolus said:
I've just 'inherited' a complete room sized OO setup, been sat in a shed in boxes for 15 years.
I have 2/3 of a single garage set aside, have thrown an 8x4 board up for now with a quick layout on it for xmas.
I had a couple of N layouts 20-25 years ago so it's like learning again!
I had that windmill.I have 2/3 of a single garage set aside, have thrown an 8x4 board up for now with a quick layout on it for xmas.
I had a couple of N layouts 20-25 years ago so it's like learning again!
I'll do some reading ito 009, as that picture looks rather wonderful.
OO gauge would be my first choice if i had the space required. I have however about 600mmX1500mm, quite narrow for OO and i do want some form of continous running wiht a shunting yard in there, get some sort of working set up going, then investigate in a bit of detail the model i want to go for, id like to do some research of my chosen subject and all that but at the same time enjoy it and have a good play around shunting and what not.
N gauge looks rather fiddly but when it comes to the space i have, it has it merits, it couldnt hurt to try and see what i can make of it.
Really loving some of the set ups you guys have posted, just spurring me on.
Simon
OO gauge would be my first choice if i had the space required. I have however about 600mmX1500mm, quite narrow for OO and i do want some form of continous running wiht a shunting yard in there, get some sort of working set up going, then investigate in a bit of detail the model i want to go for, id like to do some research of my chosen subject and all that but at the same time enjoy it and have a good play around shunting and what not.
N gauge looks rather fiddly but when it comes to the space i have, it has it merits, it couldnt hurt to try and see what i can make of it.
Really loving some of the set ups you guys have posted, just spurring me on.
Simon
If you fancy doing it then defiantly you should, and for the space you have I’d defiantly recommend N gauge.
I’m in the process of building an N gauge layout in my loft, I’ve used the excuse that it’s for my son but in truth it’s for me as he’s still far too young (although I hope he’ll enjoy it one day). I find it a very relaxing hobby especially if like me you’re stuck in front of a computer all day, sometimes I’ll work on the scenery or build kits but if I’m not feeling up to it I’ll just unwind by watching the trains whizzing round.
I know what you mean about the stigma attached, you do get some micky taking but to be honest every one of my mates that I’ve told have then demanded to see the layout.
I’d defiantly recommend N gauge, presuming your modelling British outline the newer models from Farish and Dapol are fantastic and in recent years the gap between 00 has really been closing, N gauge is gaining popularity but you’ll find most local model shops mostly stock 00 and will likely have very little or no N gauge, you’ll also find the most of the magazines are also about 90% focused on 00 – so as others have said joining the N Gauge Society is a must.
I mostly model North American myself and am building an American themed layout, but in truth I’ll run anything that takes my fancy.
I’m in the process of building an N gauge layout in my loft, I’ve used the excuse that it’s for my son but in truth it’s for me as he’s still far too young (although I hope he’ll enjoy it one day). I find it a very relaxing hobby especially if like me you’re stuck in front of a computer all day, sometimes I’ll work on the scenery or build kits but if I’m not feeling up to it I’ll just unwind by watching the trains whizzing round.
I know what you mean about the stigma attached, you do get some micky taking but to be honest every one of my mates that I’ve told have then demanded to see the layout.
I’d defiantly recommend N gauge, presuming your modelling British outline the newer models from Farish and Dapol are fantastic and in recent years the gap between 00 has really been closing, N gauge is gaining popularity but you’ll find most local model shops mostly stock 00 and will likely have very little or no N gauge, you’ll also find the most of the magazines are also about 90% focused on 00 – so as others have said joining the N Gauge Society is a must.
I mostly model North American myself and am building an American themed layout, but in truth I’ll run anything that takes my fancy.
I have worked in O, OO and N over the years and there is advantages to all 3, with O you can get mega detail but you need acres of space and a massive budget, with N you can have a lot in a small space but costs are getting higher i still say that OO is the best as you can get a lot of detail into a smallish space and the costs can be controlled. I still buy a lot of gear 2nd hand and modify it, scratchbuilding buildings and kit-bashing is the way to go. Not a fan of digital but i am old school
built and exhibited 2 N guage layouts, 4 OO of my own, still have 1 N guage layout based on Ardlui on the west highland line, maiden central a mid 80's dmu paradise and partially built layout for the BR blue era, in OO my stock is mainly from 1978 to 1985 so loads of grotty blue diesels
built and exhibited 2 N guage layouts, 4 OO of my own, still have 1 N guage layout based on Ardlui on the west highland line, maiden central a mid 80's dmu paradise and partially built layout for the BR blue era, in OO my stock is mainly from 1978 to 1985 so loads of grotty blue diesels
Great picture phil, i do like the big american locos, and i really wish i had he space for oo alan but it's the train is going into a corner part of our computer room.
I took the plunge today and bought
comes with one very cool little class 14
The local model shop as i've said is more geared towards N as the owner prefers it. He was free today but his wife sorted me out with the set and i'll be returning in the week to get some info on the locos that used to run the coal wagons to and from the colliery. She made sure i left with an old but free magazine featuring some N gauge and a big grahamfarish catalogue so i have an idea of the stuff available.
Ran it today, only problem ive had is with making the track where the power hooks up flat, although when its on a board i'll figure it out, this was just on a table to give the loco a run make sure its all tip top.
I took the plunge today and bought
comes with one very cool little class 14
The local model shop as i've said is more geared towards N as the owner prefers it. He was free today but his wife sorted me out with the set and i'll be returning in the week to get some info on the locos that used to run the coal wagons to and from the colliery. She made sure i left with an old but free magazine featuring some N gauge and a big grahamfarish catalogue so i have an idea of the stuff available.
Ran it today, only problem ive had is with making the track where the power hooks up flat, although when its on a board i'll figure it out, this was just on a table to give the loco a run make sure its all tip top.
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