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Ask Slashdot: Tips For Getting Into Model Railroading?
An anonymous reader writes: A relative of mine has been hinting that he'd like me to take over his model railroad collection in the event of his death (or even before that, to make this a bit less morbid-sounding). I'm intrigued by the idea, because I've been interested in model railroads for years, but too commitment shy and too transient to actually start a collection. That's changed enough that I'd like to start planning a train system, and am looking for advice from people who have been at it for a while. A couple of parameters: 1) I'm only interested for now in HO-scale stuff, so I am not all that interested in the relative merits of the other kinds, cool as they might be. 2) Related, I am somewhat less interested in the rolling stock than I am in the construction and control of the track and surrounding landscape. Interested in learning from experienced model railroad enthusiasts what lessons you've learned over the years that would be useful for a newbie, especially if you've made some cool automation for your system, or have built extensive support structures. This includes negative lessons, too, if you've overloaded circuits or floorboards. I'd *like* to integrate some interesting sensors and control systems, and I see some interesting open source software for this. So: What advice would you give to a late-start railroader? For reference: this set-up may end up living in an unfinished suburban basement.
One of the areas many people don't concern themselves with, and regret later, is track/layout stability. The smaller the gauge the more critical this is, in N cause a small expansion or contraction of a area of track will result in many derailments.
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For example, if you like hiking in the mountains, then set up the trains in a mountainous terrain, with tunnels through the mountains and bridges across the valleys.
Look at the prices for things. You'll be surprised how expensive it is as a hobby.
Your relative has a hobby, and they think you'd enjoy it too. Why not share it with them instead of going solo?
Let them guide you through the novice stage, it may not be as efficient as asking for help on forums but it'll probably be more enjoyable for both of you and be a good chance to generally chat- even if it's just by phone or email if they don't live locally. It'll probably be good for them to see someone else sharing their interests, it doesn't happen too often with minority hobbies.
If you are likely to inherit their setup it'd also make sense to talk, find out what they have, and make sure you get things which will be compatible and complement their existing track.
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You CAN get "to good" at the painting. Do you really want your engine to be a plain, dull, flat black (or shiny black) or do you want some realism? I was more into ships and planes, and after awhile, I got hold of the idea of "weathering" my models. Imperfections in the paint job were good - after the painting was finished, I would go back and add rust streaks beneath the anchors and the scuppers. Fade the masts a little bit. Paint on the non-skid decks, but leave a splotch of red-lead showing through.
I'd have to study trains a little bit to come up with good ideas, but I've never seen a train that looked "new". Well - for starters, scratch out some grafitti on some of the boxcars. That's essential - I try to read the grafitti when I'm waiting for a train! How 'bout a Banksy train? That would be pretty cool!
"Windows is like the faint smell of piss in a subway: it's there, and there's nothing you can do about it." - Charlie Br
If a man wants to meet women, he needs to do things that women also do, or to do things that women find interesting. The fewer women in the hobby or interest area the lower his chances. Even in some areas where women have interests they might not, on average, value the same aspects of the hobby as, on average, the men do. In automotive circles I've found that women care more about how a car looks than how fast it goes or how it otherwise performs. The Chevelle with the beautiful deep blue metallic paint polished to a mirror finish with a 2bbl 305 and stock suspension will get much more attention from the ladies at the cruise-in than the Chevelle with the dual-quad carbs on the 454 with the full Hotchkiss suspension with dull factory paint that has weathered throughout the years, even though arguably the latter means business.
I don't doubt that some women like model railroading. It's not where I would go to look for a date, but to each their own.
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