Model railroading newbie alert. Is there anything I should know about the hobby before getting started? I have no idea where to even begin and could use a little direction. If I find boxes and boxes of model railroading stuff from the 60s and 70s at a yardsale should I buy it?
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dogwdres Reputation: 54 See dogwdres' booth |
Glad you asked, and among the first things you will need to think about is how much space you will have available, which tells you what size (scale) trains you can run there. In general, HO gauge is most popular because it is a good combination of realistic appearance, performance and sturdiness although it can be made to fit almost anywhere. From that point forward, you’ll need to decide how “deeply” you want to pursue the hobby. You can have a basic oval of track, and not much else; or a highly detailed and functional layout with remotely controlled turnouts (“switches”) and accessories.
I could go ON, and I will. But not here. I devote my time and energy to building my own layout, writing instructional materials (with special attention to beginners) and of course selling at prices which make it easy to get in, and stay in, what otherwise is too often a hideously expensive past time.
So, I invite you to my website where you will find much more. A lot of material there, so take your time with it, and write me either here on Bonanzle (JSGeare is my ID, “Makin’ Tracks” is the booth name) or at my direct [URL removed] jsgeare@yahoo.com.
The [URL removed] [URL removed]
Enjoy – it is a wonderfully rewarding hobby.
If you forget any of the above contact info, just search for jsgeare in Google or any search engine.I’m just a click away.
-JSGeare
[URL removed] As Ms. Barnett has indicated, picking up equipment at yard sales and the like can be a problem. Likewise, purchasing from any seller at all who really doesn’t know what they have – whether for rail modeling or anything at all – can result in disappointment. Knowledge and reputation of the seller are very important.
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jsgeare Reputation: 197 See jsgeare's booth |
It really depends on what your dream is, I at one time had a dream of building a giant layout with multiple tracks, there fore I began to collect tons of Yard sale and other bulk purchases at train shows.
It’s a great way to add lots of stuff to your layout without spending great amounts of money while populating your layout.
Over time you will most likely become more and more selective, Especially for your main lines where you run daily trains, There is nothing like high quality products for those pieces you run everyday, The other stuff is just eye candy, Good luck.
Oh I forgot to mention I gave up my dream when my wife had colon cancer,She’s a 13 years survivor now, But it change my desire to build it,Now I sell these item within my booth here, and do combine shipping and do OBO on multiples, So your more than welcome to make me offers, The more you buy more discounts you can expect.
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Whispering_Willows Reputation: 44 See Whispering_Willows' booth |
Hi [URL removed]
We are a model railroading family. Have had a layout in some form for 60 years. My husband just closed his hobby store last year due to health.
In general, don’t buy at a yard sale if you don’t know what it is. There are may “cheap” brands that just wont work. Find a “good” hobby store in your area and pick the brain of the owner and all the guys that hang out there. There are also websites for the major suppliers that you can look at.
We only do “HO”. As Mr. Geare said it is the most realistic and easier to handle. Smaller gauges dont have the detail and is hard to see as you get “older”.
Buy a couple books about the hobby and layout books. There are monthly magazines such as MODEL RAILROADER AND RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN that will be interesting and will have a list of events in your area to visit. Thanks for listening. Rosemary Barnett rosie’soriginals.
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rosie'soriginals Reputation: 22 See rosie'soriginals' booth |
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