24 replies to this topic

[Unimatrix Xero]

Ok so ive recently decided to get into model trainsets and today i took the plunge and brought my first set, an extra engine and a passenger carriage

Im wondering if anyone else on the forums has the same interest? im looking for advice, pointers and places where I can get good prices on things (UK)

heres a few pics of what ive got so far (the track is a work in progress and when its done its going to be great)
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[+DJ Dark]

I have an old bachman HO scale set... somewhere, I actually want to dig it out cause I wanna set it up in my office.

[Mr Spoon]

You should look at popping to Rugby. They have a model train set in one of the old offices upstairs.

Mine sadly isn't set up but it will be in the loft when I move houses

[Farstrider]

This is a fantastic hobby, only problem is that it can become very expensive!

Rod Stewart is one of the most famous model enthusiasts. His own creation is that of the iconic Grand Central Station set in the 1940s. The detail is fantastic.

Attached Files

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[Unimatrix Xero]

Well ive had a few more replies than i thought haha

I spent another wad of cash today on more track and some buildings, i'll post a pic of the final layout when ive got it all nailed down on my plyboard base

@farstrider now thats a setup

[eblkheart]

I model in N Scale right now and plan on staying there. HO seems to be too big for the space I need but the details are still there and more space for what I want to do. And yes, the model train hobby can be VERY expensive. When I got back into it after 20 year absence, a fellow modeller told me the cost on average, about $100sq/foot... but the more elaborate, the more expensive. If you need anything, let me know and I'll see what I can do for you.

[Biohead]

Out of interest... does the model Pendolino tilt as it corners?

[neufuse]

eblkheart, on 09 February 2012 - 19:33, said:

I model in N Scale right now and plan on staying there. HO seems to be too big for the space I need but the details are still there and more space for what I want to do. And yes, the model train hobby can be VERY expensive. When I got back into it after 20 year absence, a fellow modeller told me the cost on average, about $100sq/foot... but the more elaborate, the more expensive. If you need anything, let me know and I'll see what I can do for you.

$100 per sq ft seems average, when you think about this it drives you nuts... the average houe costs only $128 a sq ft to build! now you have a train set that cost almost as much as a house to build *lol*

[eblkheart]

neufuse, on 09 February 2012 - 19:44, said:

$100 per sq ft seems average, when you think about this it drives you nuts... the average houe costs only $128 a sq ft to build! now you have a train set that cost almost as much as a house to build *lol*

I know what you mean. I dumped 3K into my layout already (its about 5.5 feet by 4 feet) and I'm barely there. UGH.

[neufuse]

eblkheart, on 09 February 2012 - 20:00, said:

I know what you mean. I dumped 3K into my layout already (its about 5.5 feet by 4 feet) and I'm barely there. UGH.

I hope you are making a modular layout, i've seen people build these huge layouts then move and can't move the thing because they forgot to make it modular so it can be transported

[Unimatrix Xero]

Biohead, on 09 February 2012 - 19:44, said:

Out of interest... does the model Pendolino tilt as it corners?

Yea it does, heres a little video showing it tilting round the corners

neufuse, on 09 February 2012 - 21:53, said:

I hope you are making a modular layout, i've seen people build these huge layouts then move and can't move the thing because they forgot to make it modular so it can be transported

Already ahead of you im getting some plyboard soon and the tracks being nailed to that so i can move it if need be

This is a pic of the setup as it stands at the moment from the new stuff i brought today

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[Unimatrix Xero]

a few more photos

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[eblkheart]

neufuse, on 09 February 2012 - 21:53, said:

I hope you are making a modular layout, i've seen people build these huge layouts then move and can't move the thing because they forgot to make it modular so it can be transported

Mines small enough (n scale...) that I can get it out the door with ease. I'm also in the next year or so re work my bench so I can get to the wiring much easier

One thing I recommend to ANY builder is that if you aren't going to use foam for your layout, like I do, get corkboard for your rails. It will deaden the sound a ton from the train riding the rails. It makes a huge difference.

here is mine as of last november, but I have done a ton more to it since then.



I'm running 3 constant lines: freight (CNW), Commuter (Metra) and Passenger (Amtrak, California Zephyr). I'm tempted to go DCC on my layout, but it cost so damn much money. UGH.

and here's a shaky cam from last november as well taken from my cell phone:

[Unimatrix Xero]

how did you get the trains running at the same time in diff directions?

[eblkheart]

Unimatrix Xero, on 10 February 2012 - 00:11, said:

how did you get the trains running at the same time in diff directions?

simple... different controllers I have 3 different power packs running each track. You'll see them kinda on the right in the video. One brown (old bachmann power pack) and one MRC power pack with 2 controllers built on board. I've since replaced the brown controller with another MRC powerpack since I was having power issues. Now if I go DCC, then I'll change it to one and run them all on one controller. But that's *another* story. And expensive.