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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.
Desmond Bagley's novel 'the Enemy' features a model railroad layout that should appeal to nerds.
This is on the right track, if you'll pardon the pun.
There are a large number of model railroad clubs, who would be happy to have new members joining the hobby.
You do not have a moral or legal right to do absolutely anything you want.
The best single book I know to get started in the hobby is Dave Frary's "Pennsylvania Railroad, Middle Division" which you can buy as a downloadable PDF here http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pennsy...
There are good videos on YouTube. Dave Frary also has some good quality DVDs on his website, http://www.mrscenery.com/
There are multiple groups on Facebook, and also some discussion boards such as http://www.railroad-line.com/ (tends to be pretty serious) and http://www.modelersforum.com/ (a bit less serious).
Finally, don't buy a cheap locomotive! There's nothing more frustrating than getting everything set up and then having your loco break.
dave (in the hobby for almost 50 years...)
I'll third that: the "Model Railroader" family of publications has been an essential and high-quality reference for model railroading for over 60 years. Several model companies have Model Railroader 1st, 2nd, and 3rd headquarters buildings available as kits!
sPh
In your area, look for model train shows. You can get lots of ideas, see what is available, and usually pick up old stuff at low prices.
Second tip:
Look up your chapter of the NMRA. They will have meetings, contacts, and activities where you can 'talk tains'. And fine new buddies.
Third tip:
Find a local train club. They can help you get started or show you what not to do.
Fourth tip:
Model railroading has something for everyone, but one person has trouble doing it all well. From automated train control and Loco management with computers (JMRI) to painting buildings to show soot and grime, there is something you can enjoy.
On the finance side, clubs unfortunately have experiences handling estates of former members. My Club has 3 estates for sale at this time. (Lots of old farts like me!)
Good luck and have fun.
Thomas Stephens, Superintendent, Texas Northern Model Railroad Club.
BTW, the local NMRA group is having an Arduino Clinic next month, showing how Arduinos can automate things on a layout, like Signals, crossing gates, etc. THAT is very /.
There is nothing nerdier then a discussion of a fictional railroad you control via software.
It includes ridiculous amounts of jargon ("all-ALCO" is one you'd hear if you brought me into it), much of which is extremely technical (for example, you'll need model locomotives, which means you'll need to know technical terms like steam traction, cab unit, road switcher, and safety cab), and (this is the key thing) almost 100% of the discussion would be about your personal taste. I would go with almost-all-ALCO, set some generic time in the 60s, simply for the large variety of locomotive types you could have tooling around your layout.
It's like the ever popular "Would the Enterprise beat a Star Destroyer?" debate, except instead of turning on which fictional Physics model works you're actually talking about the real world.
Later in life (at 50, actually, and yes, I still cut code 10 years after that), I took up figure skating as a hobby. (Warning, it's a) addictive, and b) very tough, oh, and c) quite dangerous ... and expensive).
Yes, it's well and truly dominated by females.
So, anyway, I was at the National Championships, at the after competition ball. Another chap and I looked out over the sea of fit, healthy femalehood, and he commented - "To think I spent most of teenage years with my head stuck up another blokes bum playing rugby. What was I thinking?"
This made me wonder why I spent some of my younger years on model railways - and why more females did not. It's surely a heck of a way to meet guys ...
So, good advice to younger male chaps, seeking to meet girls. Take up figure skating.
And, good advice to younger female chapesses, seeking to meet guys. Take up railway modelling.
"Cats like plain crisps"