Basic Model Railway Guide

A Store post!

2011-03-12T06:41:00.000-08:00

Tools for complete novices.

2011-02-18T21:51:00.000-08:00

When receiving your model railway set for the first time, there are some basic tools that might be helpful as you first start.

As you progress onto a fixing your model railway onto a board then this brings another set of tools.

Small Hammer
Drill
Glue Gun
soldering iron

I will continue to add and elaborate on this list as I go on.

Next stage add on's.

2011-02-12T16:06:00.000-08:00

Now I have Decided and received the starter, I have decided to go for Hardboard baseboard simply from a cost perspective.

The next question is where to go from here. The list of items I would like to add are as follows.

These really are in no particular order for now. Once I have 4 points I will start to look at point motors also.

Bachmann EWS 66

2011-02-12T15:32:00.000-08:00

My current future plans for my model railway is to try and replicate the valleys line. It would be an inventive design not without fault but hopefully it will eventually after a number of years come together.

Via Ebay I recently bought a Bachmann EWS 66 Loco, the DCC chip had already been fitted. The valleys line I live on has these running along transporting coal. My future purchases relating to this will be trying to obtain the associated rolling stock, the Bachmann 104 Tonne HTA Bulk Coal Hopper Wagon EWS However given the price this will take some time compared to other frieght rolling stock.

The 66 DCC model has directional lighting and optional cab lighting.

Bachmaann Dynamis Train Set

2011-02-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

After order from a certain online retailer a while ago I have finally recieved my Bachmann 30-046 Dynamis Digital Set as well as some Hornby underlay. Due to personal circumstances after receiving the goods on Monday I have only just managed to setup the train set today.

I am very impressed with the Dynamis controller and would recomend anyone wanting to go down a digital route to start with the Dynamis set. It provides an easy to use controller to a very high standard while still affordable compared to the Hornby Elite, There are currently a couple of advantages to each controller. As of this year Hornby have introduced a computer program (Hornby track master) so that you can connect the elite to a computer giving direct computer control as well as programing maneuvers through a record and edit process. This is leading the DCC way and I will be interested to see what other companies bring out. However Hornby do not have a starter set that includes the elite, the exciting development of the Dynamis is the Dynamis Pro this enables four controllers to be connected at the same time giving a dynamic experience.

The quality of the Bachman models is far superior including super detail aspects. In this case a snow plough for the 150 model can be fitted both front and rear. It should be noted however this replaces the coupling. Currently I have fitted the rear snow plough but I am yet to fit the second plough to the drive unit. However which ever route you choose to take the detailing is superb and easily justifies Bachmann over Hornby.

Track layout, the layout is basic, an oval with a single siding, unlike hornby you do not get a suggested track layout. However I have been rethinking my future track laying plans. Looking to utilising the circle inside an oval.

Fundamentally I am very pleased with my purchase and my step back into model railways.

Baseboard

2010-12-28T09:56:00.000-08:00

I almost have enough to get me started. I have decided to go for the Bachmann Dynamis Digital Set.

So do I now try and get my baseboard before I get the train, and do I get the underlay straighaway. hmm... Questions, questions.

The other annoying thing about buying a starter set is that I am not really going to have a proper box for my first train. Oh well.

Bachmann do seem to do good models and quite a number of the model I would be after. I am even contemplating repainting the model that it comes with.

I would really like to get a picture of the goods train that travel through aberdare in order to find the right ews loco as well as the carriages. I think that it is the EWS Co-Co Diesel Electric 56. So far I can only find a hornby version. I have however found the 104 Tonne glw HTA Bulk Coal Hopper Wagon EWS Weathered this is the version that goes down the Aberdare route,

However both Hornby and Bachmann have Arriva Trains Wales models. That is excellent, the 150 model would be the one to go for. The Arriva Trains Wales 150 model is a 2 car DMU, the ideal element would be if I could find an extra couple of non motorised wagons. Ideally I would like two sets of the 150 model for realism the valleys lines can take up to 6 cars however the DCC unit can only control 2 cars on a double heading.

The scope for this however means that it needs to be a consideration for up to 6 carriages per platform.

Bachmann Versus Hornby

2010-12-25T08:05:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in a previous article, I am planning over time to build a railway that simulates the RCT railway line. with a double oval to simulate the cardiff to swansea and cardiff to london routes.

Therefore with this in mind... Which train set to get...

Even though I am looking to design RCT layout I do have limitations on space, as I think most people do. I am planning over time to have a multi height to get around this element although this does make the project very ambitious.

Hornby is incredibly tempting for a couple of very good reasons, however I am now swaying towards Bachmann, I have not previously because I have been unable to find the locomotives and starter set I want with Bachmann. Then while using Bachmanns quite complicated website I discovered the online shop for Rickocraft. Wanting a model shop in South Wales but really buying online this is ideal.

So I am thinking once I have saved enough pennies I will go for the Bachmann 30-046 Dynamis Digital Set
set, however I cannot tell for sure whether that set includes track and siding. I am not sure if it is an issue if it does not include track. It seems to as best as I can tell.

This is one area that both Bachmann Peco and there online stockist could do with addressing. Hornby are very effective in their online presence. However both Peco and Bachmann while having an online presence the potential for those two companies is quite large.

Lastly my only consideration left for Hornby is that with the Elite controller
you can computer contol. Which in the future is a feature I would like to be utilising. The question then is... is Bachmann still the one to go for, invest in all the bachmann point decoders etc... only to want the Hornby computer control 2 3 years down the line.

Decisions decisions... is there scope for a model shop and online shop as a career option?

My Current Considerations

2010-12-21T09:49:00.001-08:00

I am currently trying to decide what route is best to take when it comes to a number of decisions.

I would like to try and simulate the valleys run from Cardiff to, Aberdare, Merthyr and Trehebert.

Scale/Gauge

Which scale/gauge as while seperate they are interlink do I think is best to go for. Currently due to availabily I think that a 00 gauge is probaly the best, simply put the models are easy and plenty to obtain straight out of the box. This is what the majority of the Hornby range run on.

Analogue vs Digital

The advent of DCC has made complex rail movements seemingly easier. This control gives the user individual control of the engine. However, it is alot more expensive both initially and as time goes by.

Layouts

Their are three basic forms of layouts that exist, the oval, covered oval and Straight layout. For my purpose I would be looking at a form of covered oval eventually. However I have been considering the straight layout. This would give me the skills and techniques required for the future model plans.

I plan to write a guide on beginning model railway on suite101.com

Model Railways

2010-12-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

Getting into model railways can be a complex process.

Hopefully through the power of blogging and through time me sharing my research and documenting my first model railway. My thoughts and feeling which leads to choices that I will make along the way.

Jon