Welcome to the forum. Love the username, by the way!
Good thinking, good questions on your part. As a starter, I would direct you to the National Model RR Association's website ... they have a great resource for starter info, as well as a very detailed set of published standards on clearances, track layout specs, switch specs, etc. for model trains of all scales / gauges ...
http://www.nmra.org/
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/
http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/consist.html
I'd also suggest that you poke around the Walthers website ... they are a large distributor (and mfr) of HO and N trains, landscaping scenery, structures, etc. Better yet, I'd recommend spending about $15 and ordering one of their large catalogs ... it's quite informative to "flip through" the pages to learn "what's out there" when it comes to equipment, scenery, etc. I believe their site has some good instructional videos, too.
http://www.walthers.com/
Here's another site that has some helpful beginner info: track layout ideas, basic train maintenance, etc.:
http://www.thortrains.net/
If you're computer savvy, you might want to download a track layout software program. Many members here use AnyRail ... you can download a starter version (limitted number of track pieces) for free:
http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html
And we've also had an active member here who has developed SCARM software ... I belive this is fully free:
http://www.scarm.info/index_en.html
4'x8' works well for a starter HO setup. I built a simple folded dogbone (or nested figure 8) layout this size:
It's pretty simple/basic, and used conventional (DC) power ... just one mainline track with two dead-end spurs.
But as you conceive your layout, you should ask early in the game:
1. How many trains do you want to run at one time?
2. Might you consider investing in a DCC (digital) control system from the start?
4x8 is a large space for N, though it could be a fun layout. Ultimately, the choice between HO and N will come down to personal preferences.
As someone venturing in, I'd urge you to consider buying used (rather than new) equipment from a reliable source(s). Big price saving potential. And in that regards, the market for used HO stuff is huge.
Hope this all helps,
TJ
Article by TJ Cruiser / At Model Train Forum.com
Good thinking, good questions on your part. As a starter, I would direct you to the National Model RR Association's website ... they have a great resource for starter info, as well as a very detailed set of published standards on clearances, track layout specs, switch specs, etc. for model trains of all scales / gauges ...
http://www.nmra.org/
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/
http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/consist.html
I'd also suggest that you poke around the Walthers website ... they are a large distributor (and mfr) of HO and N trains, landscaping scenery, structures, etc. Better yet, I'd recommend spending about $15 and ordering one of their large catalogs ... it's quite informative to "flip through" the pages to learn "what's out there" when it comes to equipment, scenery, etc. I believe their site has some good instructional videos, too.
http://www.walthers.com/
Here's another site that has some helpful beginner info: track layout ideas, basic train maintenance, etc.:
http://www.thortrains.net/
If you're computer savvy, you might want to download a track layout software program. Many members here use AnyRail ... you can download a starter version (limitted number of track pieces) for free:
http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html
And we've also had an active member here who has developed SCARM software ... I belive this is fully free:
http://www.scarm.info/index_en.html
4'x8' works well for a starter HO setup. I built a simple folded dogbone (or nested figure 8) layout this size:
It's pretty simple/basic, and used conventional (DC) power ... just one mainline track with two dead-end spurs.
But as you conceive your layout, you should ask early in the game:
1. How many trains do you want to run at one time?
2. Might you consider investing in a DCC (digital) control system from the start?
4x8 is a large space for N, though it could be a fun layout. Ultimately, the choice between HO and N will come down to personal preferences.
As someone venturing in, I'd urge you to consider buying used (rather than new) equipment from a reliable source(s). Big price saving potential. And in that regards, the market for used HO stuff is huge.
Hope this all helps,
TJ
Article by TJ Cruiser / At Model Train Forum.com
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