Need advice on bulding my first proper layout

[Jim-Jim]

Im new to railway modelling and was wondering if anyone can "point" me in the right direction on how to set up my first decent layout. Ive never wired up points before and am wondering where to place them properley when building a yard etc. Have only ever a two track oval system and i want to expand . Cheers guys

[BosKonay]

Welcome to the site Jim-Jim!

 

Designing a layout depends a lot on what you want out of it. Do you want to 'watch trains go by', do you like shunting, operations, etc, like the real thing, or do you want to focus on making a beautiful bit of model scenery?

[Jim-Jim]

Thanks mate

Ive got a bit of space in the attic was going to do a longish double oval with a shunting yard in the middle so a bit of everything. Looked at a few sites but found the explanations and rules of where to put points a bit daunting. Is it a case of trial and error? Seen some of the pics on this site unbelievable, class work.

[kevrail]

Have a look at this site for basics and ideas http://www.brian-lambert.co.uk/Electrical.htm

[burnthebox]

Hi & welcome to the site Jim-Jim, I don't have a layout yet, so I hope you won't mind if I watch your progres as I'll need this kinda help as well, all the best,

[Tarabuses]

It is always useful to look at layout plans and exhibition layouts to get an idea of what works well. You need to sketch out a few ideas and see if they fit your space. Keep the radius of curves as large as you can. Whatever you start setting up it will change as you start running trains and see the shortcomongs. It never works first time around and don't jump in with a complex design.

 

There are some simple ideas here:

 

http://www.bandrmodelrailways.co.uk/Design%20ideas.html

[BosKonay]

Check out http://www.freetrackplans.com/Home.php

 

Loads of inspiration! Many of them using standard hornby/peco points, etc.

[Dave]

Welcome Jim-Jim!

 

Try this site is very good for track plans http://www.freetrackplans.com/

[Mike 84C]

Welcome Jim-Jim, I am also new to Irish modelling but the guys on this site are very helpful and will give lots of encouragement,so enjoy the hobby! Mike

[colmflanagan]

I would strongly recommend you invest in some (if not all) of the Peco "Shows You How" publications as a start before doing anything. Originally given as freebies with Railway Modeller these are small A5 size booklets which cover everything in basic detail from planning a layout through tracklaying to wiring etc., they cost about a quid each from Peco Publications. You can't buy them on line from the website but the details of how to phone them are there. Some shops may stock them.

Also, look for a secondhand copy of a similar Peco publication called "starting in Scale 00" - probably dated by now but still contains a lot of really useful info.

Best of luck.

 

Colm

[Jim-Jim]

Awesome thanks for all the posts guys appreciate the advice

[kevrail]

Jim-Jim

If you are looking for practical advice and inspiration try Everard Junction on You Tube. He has some good tutorials that give you practical advice.

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/EverardJunction/videos?view=0

 

Great to have you on board

[Jim-Jim]

Cheers Kev have a feeling the bank balance will be getting severly dented soon getting some great advice

[Guest hidden-agenda]

Welcome to the site JJ.

[heirflick]

great to see lads from far and wide joining the site! welcome Jim Jim - keep us posted on your progress.