Simple Articles Directory | Understanding Model Railroad DCC Sets By: Amie Mckenzie

Anybody has a chance to enjoy this hobby. There are no particular ages that have exclusivity when it comes to setting up model railroad DCC sets. You can do it any point in your life. And then you might not realize it, but you already have quite a collection in your place. However simple it is or not, you can always design it according to your preferences.

This may also provide a way for you to spend time with your children. When you try to think of a hobby, having something that can be enjoyed by all ages is important. And if they also have learning opportunities, it makes it even worthwhile to have.

It has something for everybody. Whatever level you have with mechanical skills, you can still enjoy this one. Kids and kids-at-heart are still able to develop skills. Learning about history and electronics is also possible. It even is an output for creativity when it comes to its design. You will surely be proud when it starts running up the tracks. Here are ways to start this hobby.

Know the size of space you have. You have to make sure you have this figured out before starting. Have ample space for the workplace. Space should be enough for the assembly. And you should still have an area for storage.

Know your budget. Because of the infinite possibilities of the setup, this hobby could really cost if it gets out of control. It is important that you figure out how much you can spend for a certain project. You can always add more to it when you have more than enough money again. Just make sure that you do not get into financial trouble because of your hobby.

Know how old the hobbyist is. Everyone can do this hobby. But it is important to determine the ages of the people who will set it up. And the people who are in the area. Make it safe and durable for children to use.

You can be a toddler or a grandparent. You can always find something enjoyable about it. Whether you are a handyman or not, your skills will improve in time. This is a hobby that provides both education and enjoyment.

Enjoying and learning is a great mix. Having model railroad DCC sets on your workbench may seem like something only a child tinkers with. But, it is not. It is equally manageable and challenging that it is really worth the effort you exert. Read more about: model railroad dcc

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This was a great article about a 68 year old who has built a complete model railroad around his house.

There are no boundaries in this model train hobby and it continues to provide many people a whole lot of fun.

Ken Riggleman, 68, has once again turned a corner of his Merced property into a operational model train display featuring trains, planes and automobiles through the ages. Riggleman began collecting model trains on a cross country road trip in 2005, setting up his display upon returning that year and again in 2006.
Article by Brandon Bowers of Merced Sun-Star 

Do you have a garden railroad? Send your photos to modeltrainsforbeginners@gmail.com with a description and we’ll feature you in our publications.

Please comment below…

The standard model railroad track comes in a variety of different sections.

These model railroad track sections could be straight or curved and come in full sections or half sections and other different configurations.

There is a huge selection and the right configuration of model railroad track sections will give you a great layout.

However, sometimes these track sections are not quite right to provide the layout you require. You might want a better flow of track or maybe you don’t want too many joiners and flex track provides the perfect solution.

Here’s what Ryan Kunkle had to say about flex track…

Working with individual track sections has its convenience, but for free-flowing original track designs, flex track is a better option. Working with flex track takes some care and practice but with a little patience and know-how, even a beginner can pick it up quickly. Flex track is a bendable track section that can be shaped to any radius. One rail is fixed while the other slides in the cradles. Sections come in 18 to 36 inch lengths in N, HO, and O scales. Narrow gauges are available too. [full article here]

Are you using flex track on your model railroad? Please tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

This model railroad film is from the Prelinger Archives San Francisco.

Model railroading has progressed over the years, especially in the last few years with the introduction of DCC (Digital Command Control).

DCC has completely changed model railroading and has made it so much easier for a beginner to get into the hobby and enjoy the full functionality of a great model railroad.

A few months ago we covered Matt’s story after he had started creating some amazingly good scenery as a beginner.

Well, Matt has progressed even further and has sent in some updated photographs.

Matt’s model train layout is ho-scale and he is modeling a Canadian west coast scene.

Great job Matt, it looks fantastic…

Enjoy the photos and please leave your comments at the bottom of this page… Matt would appreciate the feedback!

Please leave your comment below… Thank-you!

This is one of the model train layouts on display at Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn.

The barn is located in Griffith Park, Los Angeles.

This particular barn was used by Walt as a machine shop for his miniature steam trains that operated on his estate.

It was these miniature steam trains that inspired the trains in the Disneyland Parks today.

Enjoy the video and please comment below.  

Here is a short video showing the model train layout at the Golden Gate Model Railroad Club.

I’ve said before that the best way to learn about model railroads is to join your local model railroad club, because you will find the members to be mostly very friendly and helpful.

I realize that some people will not have a local model railroad club within their immediate surroundings, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t visit the nearest model railroad club once a year. Just 4 or 5 hours once a year asking questions, will equip you with information for a long time.

With the technology we now have available, it is very easy to email a question, or ask in a model train forum, but nothing beats the face to face communication in a model train club.

Enjoy the video and please comment below.

Atlas Model Railroad Company has created a brand new deluxe control switch box.

The Atlas Model Railroad Company are known for creating reliable electrical components, so the #57 deluxe switch control box should be no different.

It is practical for all scales and includes an illumination feature.

It is designed to work with the Atlas #56 switch control box and it will integrate with the Atlas #200 snap relay or other solenoid activated devices like the Atlas deluxe under table switch machines. 

>> Atlas Model Railroad Products

These videos demonstrate the features, maintenance requirements and history of the Bachmann Spectrum Large Scale 1:20.3 38 Ton Shay Locomotive.

This is a great model and will surely be loved by Bachmann large scale fans.

Got any comments? Please leave them in the comment area below.

>> See the Bachmann Spectrum Shay models here

This is a short video to demonstrate the Athearn Genesis HO scale locomotive with F45 tsunami sound.

The running of the locomotive is a little jerky, because of the quick set up trying to demonstrate the sound.

However, it is a great locomotive and available here in different livery and configurations.

Enjoy the video and I would appreciate your comment below.

The 2011 Basildon Model Railway Exhibition (Essex, UK) was well attended and enjoyed by all.

A large variety of scales was on display including HO, OO, N, Z scale. As usual Thomas was a big hit with the children.

Below are 3 videos that show the highlights of the model railway exhibition.

If you are in the area, this is a model train show that is well worth attending.

Please comment below…

Building a model railroad in India requires a lot of imagination and persistance.

That’s because there are no hobby shops just down the road, or in the next city.

Amarjit Singh Walia from Bangalore, India has sent in these pictures of his model railroad.

Notice the improvisation he has cleverly implemented… 

The Chasewater Model Railway Exhibition was another successful model train show.

Model train beginners had a fabulous time being helped by the experienced model railroaders.

Some of the model train club’s showing their wonderful layouts at the show were:

• The Lichfield Model Railway Club, 
• The Trent Valley Model Railway Society, 
• The West Midland Group of the Scale 4 Society, 
• Codsall G scale Group (also Penkridge 16mm narrow gauge society), 
• Chasewater Railway. 

Our fellow model railroader Barry Palmer has generously shared more great pictures of the model train layout he is building with his grandson.

Some people may remember Barry’s story and his stage 1 photos. 

In the photos below Barry has given us a great idea of the steps he took with his grandson, to create model train scenery with plaster.

Enjoy the photos and please comment below.

In this video Dave runs both of his passenger trains North on this slow excursion through the country side at the Belmont Shore Model Railroad Club in San Pedro, CA.

All visitors are welcome to come and experience the Belmont Shore Model Railroad Club. It is a great friendly club.

Enjoy the video and please comment below.

Thanks to Chris Myers of Sana Angelo (Republic of Texas) for sharing these photos of his amazingly well detailed model railroad.

Here is what Chris had to say about his model train layout…

It’s true, there’s no train here yet…but there is a train (Engine, Tender, & Caboose as of now) in my den.  This is step 5 (?) “Town With Lights.”

This is “Concho River City” (San Angelo 1878) as it was developing during the “Old West Era.”

25/28mm figures correspond to S Scale – from many companies – hand painted.

The train is On30.

Many buildings are scratch build (The Butcher Shop is mine and I had to make the “beef” myself) some are kits, and some are Hawthorne Village Collection with added lights.

Have fun looking!

People are what make Concho River City REAL. In “Back Alley” we see children playing, but adults lost in thought.

“Concho Street” is Main Street with a stage coach loading, Mexican men talking on the right, Mexican woman and girl on the left. The adobe and bath house are scratch built. Lots of small groups here with lots going on.

“Butcher Shop” is mine. What do you think of the clouds?

“Hotel Menu” shows a young woman just trying to make a living. She’s standing in front of the Hotel with horses to her left and her boss looking on from the door. It took three days to make the menu board legible. There’s a piano player and singer farther left.

“Lanterns” shows my wire, bead, and rice light lanterns on OK Corral and Sheriff’s Office. That’s me on the horse tipping my hat to my wife in front of our house. Birds are flying…

“Second Street” is residential with goats, boarding house, drunks and farmers. The boarding house is entirely my own.

“South Concho” shows all the chaos of a business district. Dry goods are piled on docks which come out into the street. This stopped street racing (with horses) and made it easier to load goods onto wagons. Sporting women are out bathing on top of the hotel. Law Enforcement is out in force and the gunsmith looks worried. The well is the center of town.

Thanks to Chris for sharing these great photos, they will give many people ideas and inspiration.

Please comment below and tell Chris what you think!

Do you have photos or tips you would like to share? Please send them to modeltrainsforbeginners (@) gmail.com