Starting a model railway

[poppins122325]

hi all

i am starting to look into model railways HO guage and saw a loco the other day for around $50 and track that was $5.50 per length of around 90cm i just have a few questions

1) is this a ok price for a loco?
2)how much is good quality track per meter
3)how would i attach the track to say a board to base that layout on
4)how would i power the loco
5) i have read about DCC and DC i understand the concepts of DCC (i think ) but if one train had a dcc chip from brand x and the controler is brand y will they still work or is it best to use all the same brand?

i was also looking at buying a kit and build on from that for my first go rather that from scratch this would be easier but is it recomended and would this kit be suitable? http://www.frontlinehobbies.com.au/Shop/productDetails.aspx?productID=HOR-R1085 i know this kit is for OO guage but i read somewhare that the track is the same size is this also correct? and also looking at this set too http://www.frontlinehobbies.com.au/Shop/productDetails.aspx?productID=HOR-R1075

sorry for all the questions and thanks for all your help
Nathan

 

[Johnk]

Natham, this being a forum about Trainz (with a "z") which is a virtual railway, your questions may not reach as wider audience as you may hope. May I suggst that you go to the local newsagent and purchase one of the fine Model Railroading magazines available in the hobby section. I prefer the American Model Railroader magazine because they cover a lot in each issue. For under $20 you can usually find a specialist magazine by Kalanbach the publishers of MR. The newsagent usually stocks one or two. Track laying for Beginners or Model Railroading for Beginners would be a good start.

Good luck with it, but remember they take up a lot of space and a lot of money. I saw a guy fork over $900 when I was in a hobby shop in Melbourne and he could easily put his purchases in one pocket.

 

[S301]

Ok, first off, we do have a large number of railway modelers here. So there are many who will be able to help.

However, I would recommend that you take a look around this website: http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/

Please note that it is based in the UK, and as such some things to apply only to the UK.

A loco for $50 is pretty much rubbish. However, these are good for beginners. Namely because if they get broken by 'young' fingers (I mean young in terms of not having experience with delicate models), then you haven't broken a super expensive model.

I would recommend you look at a starter set first though.

For DC/DCC, for the most part a DCC decoder from company X will work with a system from company Y. This is thanks to the NMRA standards.

Another place I recommend, since you are an Aussie, is Railpage Australia's model railway forum. http://www.railpage.com.au/f.htm They are currently working on a draft document for explaining DCC to newbies to DCC

Keep in mind that model railways are much like Trainz. Once you start, you can't stop
Zec

 

[johnwhelan]

My last trip to the model railway shop a few years ago cost $1,000 can. without blinking.

So realistically I'd budget probably fives times this sum.

Cheerio John