New To the Hobby

=>Hi Mike here. =>

=>I am just getting into the hobby of model train layouts and was wondering =>if anyone could point me to a website for newbies to learn the basics? =>I look forward to learning a lot and talking with fellow enthusiasts. =>Thank you in advance =>Mike

Once you get to the stage of actually wanting to build something, you'll want a real book - you know those little bundles of paper with printing on them? You'll probably print out most of the stuff you find on the web anyhow... :-) Not that you shouldn't search the sites listed by the other respondents, they're all worth looking at, and they each give you some insight or information you won't find elsewhere. IOW, I second the recommendations.

Kalmbach publishes several good beginner's books. Get a copy of Model Railroader and read their ads, for example, August 2003 issue page 122 lists

Here are some titles specially designed for the beginner. Note that you don't have to build exactly what's described in the books, just study the and try out the techniques.

A Realistic HO Layout For Beginners HO Railroad From Set To Scenery Practical Guide To Model Railroading

Carstens, (Railroad Model Craftsman) also publishes good books, but they are aimed more at the person who has done enough model railroading to want more thorough and technical information, so they will be more useful to you when you have done a small layout or two.

HTH and have fun!

And in some areas, NMRA holds beginners clinics as well.

I have recently re-entered the hobby after being away for 25+ years. A lot has changed in those 25 years. Although I've been back for the past two years, I have yet to get train running around a layout. (too many things I want to do and not enough space & $)

Track down a Walthers catalog in your scale, you'd be amazed at all there is out there. Subscribe to Model Railroader - there is a wealth of resources between the pages. I have also discovered e-bay - another resource for seeing what's out there.

Hi Mike,

I just glanced at a few of the messages in this thread so may have missed it, but I don't recall reading a suggestion for you to go to Kalmbach's website at

You'll need to get a user name and password, I believe, but from there is a ton of info on trains, model railroading, and related. Even a section for basics, IIRC.

Have fun!

Paul - "The CB&Q Guy"