11-04-2015, 12:51 PM
I'm a new to this forum and was in need of some suggestions. I have been an armchair modeler for over 10 years and I really enjoy reading about this hobby. I'd like to get into it a little but I don't have a ton of time being a teacher and coach. Recently my dad mentioned wanting a train around the tree or a Christmas village. He and my mother have always liked the villages in the stores. I thought about it and had an idea that may not be very feasible. I would like to create a small layout with a Christmas theme, yet realistic. I was thinking a small mining or logging railroad. Think Christmas in the Appalachians. I don't want to tackle modeling snow, however, and it doesn't snow in my neck of the Appalachians much till January anyway. I have a few ideas and "druthers" and I'd like everyone's opinion on them. I'll number them for simplicity's sake.
1. I have room for a 2 x 6 layout so I am thinking narrow gauge. I have seen a couple of nice mining layouts about this size. However, I can't hand lay turnouts so what size should I use? Are commercial turnouts available in all narrow gauge scales? I want to use HO or above. I'm leaning On30.
2. I will be using DCC because it will require a good bit of lighting and hopefully sound. That is something I will have to improve on as I go.
3. I want it to be a continuous loop since it will be mostly display although a chance at small operations would be nice.
4. Here comes the kicker. It needs to be something I can build rather quickly and look "finished" as it will be a Christmas display. It also needs to be portable or removable rather as it will not be up except November through January. I can add to it every year during the holidays and work on structures and trees and such during the summer. Although it will "grow" through the years it needs to be display worthy within a few weeks. Details can come later.
5. Budget is not a major problem as I want a good DCC system and good locomotive. But, outside of that I don't want to spend a ton of money especially in the beginning.
All suggestions and comments are welcome. Thanks in advance!
1. I have room for a 2 x 6 layout so I am thinking narrow gauge. I have seen a couple of nice mining layouts about this size. However, I can't hand lay turnouts so what size should I use? Are commercial turnouts available in all narrow gauge scales? I want to use HO or above. I'm leaning On30.
2. I will be using DCC because it will require a good bit of lighting and hopefully sound. That is something I will have to improve on as I go.
3. I want it to be a continuous loop since it will be mostly display although a chance at small operations would be nice.
4. Here comes the kicker. It needs to be something I can build rather quickly and look "finished" as it will be a Christmas display. It also needs to be portable or removable rather as it will not be up except November through January. I can add to it every year during the holidays and work on structures and trees and such during the summer. Although it will "grow" through the years it needs to be display worthy within a few weeks. Details can come later.
5. Budget is not a major problem as I want a good DCC system and good locomotive. But, outside of that I don't want to spend a ton of money especially in the beginning.
All suggestions and comments are welcome. Thanks in advance!