davidmcc3 Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 After 20+ years (several house moves and a new wife), I'm thinking of starting again. Gone is an attic conversion & fixed boards, track etc. - I'm left with three boxes of stock (OO and EM) ... and too little money. However. One of the reasons I stopped before was a plague of decisions (and my indecision). Should I stick to OO or go to EM? I've now got some of each, including two professionally built EM 0-4-4T locos that have never turned a wheel. What sort of coupling should I use? I'd started to convert stock to 3-link/screw, but watching layouts operating at exhibitions, wondered if this was a good move. Should I aim for a portable (exhibitable) layout, or just screw it to the walls? Always had fixed layouts in the past, but worked on a ply construction portable at a club - liked the idea of the lightness. Should I go digital? 20 years on, this doesn't need a decision any more Another reason I stopped was too much research into stock and operations, and not enough building. I've set some constraints/aims: I'm not the most skilled modeller (believe me, I've tried), so ambition must match skills I like the look of a good layout, but the operation is a/the major part I don't need to re-use everything I already have I may only be in my present house two years I have to get on and do it, not faf about Then I found this site. I've spent some hours searching topics, reading posts and following links. Thank you one and all. I've decided (I think) to stay with 00, but lean towards fine scale - I don't have the skills or time to go to EM (and can't afford to pay someone else). If I want to actually finish a project (never have), I need to take an easier route. I think I'll go with Dingham as a compromise between looks, operation, and cost. I've been inspired by some of the baseboard ideas using foams and ply - as I may have to use the garage, don't want warping boards. I was also struck by a comment (can't find it now), that if you design it to come apart, you'll never have to break it up to get it out of where ever it is. Don't know about the ambition bit. I've always wanted to create a (scaled down a bit) Barnstaple Junction. Interesting operationally. It will need to accommodate 6 coach rakes (2+4), have three off-scene yards, and lots of stock. A quick estimate puts the whole thing at about something like 20' by 10'. Is this a layout too far? Thanks again to all here for a great resource, which wasn't around 20 years ago! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePurplePrimer Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Hi David Sounds like you have given it quite a bit of thought and I will be interested to see what direction you go in. You don't say what size of layout you have in mind ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcm@gwr Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Hello David, Welcome to the forum. I have assembled, fitted and used S&W (4mm), Dinghams (7mm) and Lincs (7mm). They are all reliable if made and set-up properly, but Dinghams are handed (all stock has to face the same way), this can cause issues if you want a turntable. Good luck with whichever you choose. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 The good news is that the better quality RTR OO produced in the last fifteen years, particularly combined with DCC, will operate very sweetly. With the train lengths proposed the lightness of some of the larger loco models you are likely to operate will be of no concern. So on the operations side, life is simpler than the days gone by, when building your own chassis (or getting soemone to build them for you) was the only way to refined running. Give some thought to the Kadee coupler for coaches. There should be a knuckle coupler under a Pullman gangway, and of RTR coupler options this one is the runaway winner for auto-uncoupling by track magnet. ... A quick estimate puts the whole thing at about something like 20' by 10'. Is this a layout too far?... If moving it two years, then definitely. Start with a smaller section of what might be expanded to that size, given the space. You'll be spitting tacks if the ideal next home location has a space six inches smaller all around than 20x10, or an equivalent - or even larger - area but in an L shape instead of a rectangle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymw Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Why not build a couple of boards to start with, along the lines of the 'new' uk modular standard. Then, if you find a few nearby like minded folk, then you can quickly get to some fairly interesting operational stuff, and even if it doesn't work for you, you can incorporate the boards into your home 'portable' layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmcc3 Posted October 4, 2014 Author Share Posted October 4, 2014 Thanks for the comments and support. Well, I have been doing lots of thinking. This morning I got up at about 1:30 am, and started this thread at 5:30 am - four hours spent on the forum, reading posts, following links. Getting a little tired now! Thanks to all the folk here, I'm confident the decisions will be the right ones. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmcc3 Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 Why not build a couple of boards to start with, along the lines of the 'new' uk modular standard. Then, if you find a few nearby like minded folk, then you can quickly get to some fairly interesting operational stuff, and even if it doesn't work for you, you can incorporate the boards into your home 'portable' layout. Good morning Ray Didn't know what the "new uk modular standard" meant, so I've searched the forum and found a thread started by Andy Y (RM Editor) ... I assume this is what you meant. Thanks to 34theletterbetweenB&D - yes, Kadee does sound like a good idea within the coach sets. I've given lots more thought to the handedness on Dinghams. I think I can over come these issues through restricting the use of locos to specific duties (as I guess they did on the prototype), and by careful thought when working out which hand needs to be at which end of specific locos and coaching sets. If I want to model Barnstaple Junction, it won't be easy to build and operate a small part of it, so maybe I'll have to fall back on one of the other ideas I've had over the years ... at least until I know what space I've got to play with (haven't moved into the new house yet), what time I'll have, and if I can persuade anyone else to help! I'll try to get something back too, here on the forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 David, many of the answers to our overall question depend on several factors. What railway, area, period do you like best? That'll help focus on what is available RTR or kit. Do you like making models or prefer to buy RTR? If RTR stick to OO but consider DCC as it may help improve the running of what comes out of the box. If you would prefer to make some/most of your own models, then I would strongly consider EM. With well built locos, a good DC system will probably suffice. Either way I would look at the hand/kit built track from C&L, SMP, etc. Why not go for a portable design, especially if a house move will be on the cards. Modular maybe too restrictive in layout planning in my view unless you wish to link it up with others from time to time. Unfortunately nobody can make the decisions for you but you'll get plenty of advice. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.