Hello - I've been inspired!

[Kavster]

Hello all,

I've just joined the forum (obviously), and wanted to say hello!
I've not owned a set for many years, I used to have one with my grandad when I was younger but that was sold on.
Unfortunatley he passed away a year ago, and now I want to get back into it and build my own layout.

I have been creating my own little diorama's for a short while, and watching many YouTube channels has inspired me to finally get on with it an build my own model railway layout, instead of just little scenery dioramas!
I don't think i'll be able to start it just yet, as i'm still finding a way to try and convert the loft, and work out the money side of things!
But i'm going to start planning and try and get the project moving forward soon!

I look forward to engaging with you all, and hopefully getting some help and pointers along the way too!

[TimberSurf]

Hello and welcome

Anything you're not sure about, ask away, you will get loads of advice on here, including attic/house building related and planning.

Piccies always welcome, can we see your dioramas?

[alex3410]

Welcome to the forum, i am looking forward to seeing what you get up to

[Dad-1]

Yes, Another welcome aboard Kavster.
Been doing some dioramas, as good a start as you'll ever get, dare I say
my favourite part of the hobby.
Beware of planning the big loft layout, better to start with something you
can get up and running quite quickly. There is always a learning curve and
best to have taken a few steps before investing too much money & time.

Expense - If you want the latest sound locos big bucks, but my favourite
locomotive is the Hornby 06 diesel shunter and last I saw on offer at
Hatton's for under £20. There are other traders ..........

Geoff T.

[End2end]

Hi Kavster and welcome to the forum.
Thanks
End2end

[m.levin]

Welcome

The latest model rail magazine has a little section on loft layouts, which might help.
Looking forward to seeing your progression

[Mattc6911]

Welcome aboard! As Dad1 said maybe worth while starting something small to keep your interest up and help decide what it is you actually want from a loft layout before spending large sums. Why not incorporate one of your dioramas into a plank so you can get some track down and do a bit of shunting. A reasonably cheap way to dip your toe in while you develop plans for the larger loft layout ? Look forward to seeing your progress

Cheers
Matt C

[Bufferstop]

Hi Kavster - Welcome to the forum. Dioramas are not only good to practise, they are a great way to plan a layout. Think up a scene that tells its own story, and then where it would fit into a larger model. Dioramas usually have some kind of scenic break at each end, say a bridge on an embankment, when you come to think about what comes next, you have a starting point, the other side of the bridge. I found it helps to build that way too. I was ballasting and bedding in the buildings on one section whilst I was starting to lay track on the next. I found it much easier to be laying track whilst waiting for the scenery to dry on the previous section, than starting a marathon end to end ballasting of the whole layout. I was also able to spread the spending on track, rather than having to buy the lot at once.

Have fun, it's the real purpose of building a layout.

John W
aka Bufferstop

[Dave]

Welcome aboard

[glencairn]

Hi Kavster. Welcome on board.

Glencairn

[Mountain]

There are many ways into the hobby from a £5 battery toy trainset to a sit on garden railway costing many thousands, with various different scales and gauges to suit our varying budgets and spaces available for our modelling needs.

[Kavster]

Wow!

Thank you all for your replies!
Sounds like a great forum already!

And thank you for all your advice too. Today I made a trip to B&Q, and have bought some supplies for getting the loft started.

Like you all said, I will start with something small to get up and running.
The loft isn’t the best space at the moment and does need quite some work, but it’s all part of the fun!
Boarding, lights and power supplies will be going in this week. Father in law is electrician, so will be testing, checking and certifying.

I’ve also invested in quite a bit of literature today too. A lot of the Peco “How To” series. To add to my existing collection of magazines and articles.

So this month will be focusing on getting the loft done and ready, then planning! Including visits to a few model railway shows and exhibitions!

Thank you all again, I genuinely appreciate it!

Maybe it’s worth setting up a new topic in another thread on my progress?

[End2end]

One thing mentioned on the forum recently is the poor quality of wood from DIY stores. Mentioning baseboards, the advice forthcoming was to go to a proper timber merchant instead eliminating twisted and warped lengths.
Just though I'd mention it.
Thanks
End2end

[m.levin]

Maybe it’s worth setting up a new topic in another thread on my progress?

Go for it and get some photos up.

[Kavster]

I shall start a new thread when I have some material to put up!

In the mean time, I wasn’t sure about uploading photos of my dioramas. But I thought I’d share at least one haha!
Below is one of my favourites, which was heavily inspired by Boulder Creak Railroad.
I’m working on another one at the moment, and may upload that if it turns out ok haha!
Anyway, hope you like this one!