newbie questions

luddiluddludde · August 09, 2013, 01:07:58 PM

Greetings all. I am very new to this, as I have yet to get any N-scale/gauge equipment. I am in the process of investigating what I need, browsing ebay for tracks etc. I have found some track lots of what they call N-gauge, and they are called Arnold tracks... Would these do?

My question is really, what do I need to start with? Any help and/or ideas are helpful.

Michael Shillabeer · August 09, 2013, 01:13:51 PM

Welcome to N Gauge!

Have a look at http://www.ngaugesociety.com/index.php?page=making-a-start

It was written a few years ago, but the basics haven't changed much (if at all)

Hope you enjoy N Gauge

Best regards
Michael

luddiluddludde · August 09, 2013, 01:41:23 PM

Thanks, really helpful that

. How about digital control of the trains? Is this something people do? Apologies if my questions are dumb.

Michael Shillabeer · August 09, 2013, 01:49:51 PM

Quote from: luddiluddludde on August 09, 2013, 01:41:23 PM
Thanks, really helpful that . How about digital control of the trains? Is this something people do? Apologies if my questions are dumb.

You're welcome
Sorry the article was written before digital control became really popular!
No such thing as dumb questions - everybody is friendly here

and we all started knowing nothing about N Gauge

Michael

luddiluddludde · August 09, 2013, 02:06:46 PM

Thanks Michael, good to hear. What would I need to explore the digital control of the trains? Are there different trains to buy that has digital control dohickeys in them? And I also assume I will need some kind of digital control unit to "talk" to the trains...

jonclox · August 11, 2013, 04:46:01 PM

Quote from: luddiluddludde on August 09, 2013, 02:06:46 PM
Thanks Michael, good to hear. What would I need to explore the digital control of the trains? Are there different trains to buy that has digital control dohickeys in them? And I also assume I will need some kind of digital control unit to "talk" to the trains...

Welcome to the board.
Many are already using DCC whist some (like myself) are embarking on the 1st few steps. Ask any questions you like about it and at least one or two members will reply and help you
There is a DCC section on the board which is the best place to read and ask questions (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?board=8.0 )

Sprintex · August 11, 2013, 05:33:06 PM

Your best bet would be to just spend some time reading different sections of the forum at your leisure, that way you will get a feel for what other people are doing generally and what type of track, DCC system, compatible trains, etc are most popular

Of course the trains themselves will depend on what country and time-period you intend to model, or whether you choose to just run what you want which some people happily do

By all means ask questions and no doubt many will reply to help, but that way you will only answer one question at a time. Reading through the threads, especially the 'Layout Construction' section will give you many answers and opinions on a range of subjects

Paul

daveg · August 11, 2013, 07:28:09 PM

Great to have you join us!

If you are new to modelling (apologies if not) make sure you have a selection of decent tools to work with. There's nothing more frustrating than getting stuck halfway through a task because you don't have the right screwdriver, saw, etc.

You may also want to have a play with layout planning software. There are a number of free versions including SCARM - http://www.scarm.info/index_en.html and AnyRail: www.anyrail.com

Please keep us posted with how you get on and ask away if you have questions.

Dave G

luddiluddludde · August 12, 2013, 12:42:03 PM

Thanks all, I feel really welcome in this forum. I will make an effort and go through the different forums as suggested. I am in the process of acquiring tracks and stuff for my first attempt

. From before, I have some H0 tracks and trains, but N is more appealing due to its size

bluedepot · August 12, 2013, 08:05:28 PM

hello and welcome!

are you planning to model scandinavian trains?

tim

luddiluddludde · August 13, 2013, 07:13:03 AM

Tim, I am not sure to be honest. I have been looking in google maps and I was kind of hoping to be able to model the trainstation at my hometown. However, when I was a kid we made just oval tracks and ran the trains around and around. I need to get into the idea of going back and forth I think, unless I have missed the point totally.

This is an overview of my hometown railroadstation:

I guess with this, I could always make it go into a tunnelish kind of thing and go around to the other side...

Anyways, still just ideas

. There is a downside to it aswell, even when taking the smallest part of it, exactly where it goes into one line in each end, I end up with a layout spanning approx 3,5m*1m...

daveg · August 13, 2013, 07:28:31 AM

Lots of folk do end to end layouts but my preference is a 'tail chaser'.

You idea looks interesting and if you wanted to have the trains go round rather than end to end, you could hide the return behind a back scene and perhaps have a fiddle yard there.

Look forward to seeing what you decide to do.

Dave G

luddiluddludde · August 13, 2013, 07:49:34 AM

Thanks daveg. I will most likely pursue this idea, I am sure it will be a lot of work to get it to the level of detail I want, but that's the fun part isn't it? hehe. Anyways, is there a track layout software that will allow me to put this image as a background to that I can lay tracks on top of it to see what I need?

daveg · August 13, 2013, 08:11:43 AM

I use and enjoy working with AnyRail - dozens of plans in my laptop folder!

There's a freebie download version that allows you to have 50 items on your plan, or you can buy the software for about £35 (GBP35).

Here's the link. http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html

Have a play and see how you get on. There are other systems out there, it's just that I prefer this one.

Dave G

Robin2 · August 13, 2013, 08:14:43 AM

If you are starting a new layout may I suggest you consider battery powered radio control BPR/C - no track wiring, no hesitation at crossings, no need for clean track - it "just works".

See http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=14309.0 and http://freerails.com/view_forum.php?id=45

...R