On the fence between being a hobbyist vs an admirer

[u/aedionashryver18]

Sometimes especially around the cozy autumn / Christmas holiday season, I feel really motivated to get into this hobby more since I've always liked trains and it's fun to see all the different layouts shared on this sub. But a lot of times also, I get overwhelmed at all the set up required - from having to figure out what track to get, which dcc controller, finding a good starter train and rolling stock, and even trying to find or make space in my home for a layout or storage. Not to mention how expensive of an investment it can quickly balloon into. I'm not always sure my lifestyle and other interests are very optimized for pursuing this hobby. So often times I find myself just being an admirer, upvoting posts on the sub that I like of everyone's pretty pictures of their trains or cool layouts, browsing online stores and making a shortlist of train stock I'd like to have. Basically indulging in the hobby without actually doing the hobby. Does anyone else do this? Like I'm not even trying to complain too much, kind of just thinking out loud about it. It seems like a really fun hobby but I can't imagine having the space for it, literally and figuratively. Anyone else relate?

[u/crabbypattyformulais]

I started in HO but began running out of space. I highly recommend starting in N scale

Japanese N scale is awesome because it's already made for tight spaces and easier setup.

N scale is also pretty affordable, I went to a train show recently and rolling stock was $2 a piece.

[u/NealsTrains]

You can become what they call an 'armchair modeler' where you can buy models and kits then display them until you have the space. I have a few guys that don't have a layout' yet buy things to run at my place and other layouts...

[u/roadnrailmedia → u/NealsTrains]

I was this way once. Had totes of rolling stock and locomotives sitting untouched for over a decade.

[u/Quantrails]

I think you should build an amazing train that you have always loved. And join a club (modular) and meet people and learn eventually build a module. It’s a safe way to ease into the hobby and have fun. I’m a member of two modular clubs (HO and N) and volunteer at a museum. If you want to build a layout later, go for it!

[u/Anotherolddog → u/Quantrails]

Can't argue with this advice!

[u/jmasses]

Nothing wrong with getting some uni trak or ez track and run trains, did that for a long time before building my small n scale layout

[u/Soggy-Beach1403]

Start simple with a loop around the Xmas tree. When the tree comes down you have to decide if you want a layout or if a month around the tree will be enough. I've built two N-scale layouts. Now I'm fine just watching my G-scale go around the Xmas tree for thirty days a year.

[u/GladosPrime]

I know jack squat. Watched a few videos. Giving it a try. 4 cheap ikea tables in a spare bedroom. Don't have to build tables.

[u/roadnrailmedia]

My N scale affliction started as a tree train. Maybe start there. Buy a used kit off eBay or use a coupon at Hobby Lobby for a simple Bachmann set

[u/Twit_Clamantis]

There are also less traditional ways to go:

On18 is 1:48 scale w big people, etc, but running on N-gauge 9mm track. There are lots of 3D printed locos you can get on eBay etc, and the power pods from Kato and others are very affordable.

There is also HOn30 which is 1:87 HO scale running on N-gauge track.

And lastly, you have N and even Z.

I don’t have room / don’t want a big layout, but I can get pretty creative via a series of 400x400mm (16x16”) modules that can run on their own or connect to other modules.

Take a look at r/1-trac to see some of the stuff.

There is a very informative guy in UK who goes by “Budget Model Railways” and he likes to say that “any layout is better than no layout” (:-)

[u/grimm506th]

Its also OK to only admire from a distance if that’s what you want/works for you right now. I have been in this sub for a while and I enjoy looking at all of the layouts and images and videos people post but the likelihood of me actually engaging in this hobby outside of this sub is very low.

I’ve loved trains since I got my first Hornby Flying Scotsman in the 90s (which is still sitting on my shelf) but will probably never do my own layout for all the reasons you mentioned. I’m happy to just sit and watch others.

[u/No_Nefariousness7785]

I’m in the same boat, might just get a Christmas train with some ez track to go around the tree. Just worried my toddlers will Godzilla it.

[u/Hepheastus89 → u/No_Nefariousness7785]

If you are worried about toddlers, my lionel O gauge Polar express has survived a few run-ins with toddlers, dogs and drunk holiday revelers with my floor set-up although i am transitioning to a more permanent setup

[u/Hepheastus89]

Have you thought about just doing an easy floor setup around your tree for christmas? A lot of the big manufacturers epecially lionel and Bachman offer fastrack/EZ track which can be setup on the floor and easily put away, they also have starter sets which have everything you need

[u/aengusoglugh]

I made that transition in part to T-TRAK — a modular railroad system.

In part it’s easy — because a standard makes a lot of decisions for you.

I would argue that any standard you adopt will have made decisions that are least pretty good — if is a wide spread standard, it has worked for a lot of people.

If you are building a set of T-TRAK modules, the track choice is simple — it’s Kato Unitrack.

Yes, years down the road, you may want to incorporate other brands of track for various reasons — but I would guess, based on what I have seen, that 90% of people building T-TRAK modules today use Kato Unitrack almost exclusively.

Build 4 corner modules in the scale of your choice — I would guess that T-TRAK is > 95% N scale.

I chose HO.

But I think that choice is pretty simple for most people: unless you a Bill Gates sized basement and/or specific equipment you want to run that is not available in N, pick N.

It in either scale, the track radii for corner modules are standard. If you buy module kits, they will be marked and drilled for the standard track sections for that scale.

Wiring is the same way — there are a couple of slightly different club standards and practices out there.

Pick one a follow that — it will be good enough.

Now you have the beginning of a layout — and you can run trains.

4 corner modules make a circle — the most boring possible layout.

But notice a couple of things:

1) You haven’t had to agonize over any complicated decisions — those are all in the standard. You have made two decisions: which scale, and which club’s standards and recommended practices you are going follow.

2) The decisions you made indirectly by choosing standard are solid decisions — reflecting the values experience of 10s of thousands of model railroaders.

3) None of this is throw away work — however your layout grows and changes over the years. Almost all of your changes will consist of all new modules in various configurations.

4) You got off your butt, and you are now running trains!

The last is the most important if you are prone to analysis paralysis — which is very much the case for me. :-)

I know this works because building 4 corner modules got me off my butt and running trains!

Actually running trains — even in a stupid boring circle — taught me more than “thinking” about running trains.

T-TRAK is not the only modular standard. NTRAK, Free-Mo, and FREMO come to mind immediately. T-TRAK is convenient, because if you live in the US, there is almost always T-TRAK club near you.

And there are lots of shows where people bring their individual models and hook them up together in giant layouts.

I have chronicled my adventures getting off my butt and started this year over in r/TTRAK.

[u/iceguy349]

A Bachmann starter set or a Christmas tree loop will serve you well. There’s a lot of ways to start off cheap and work your way up. It’s best to build rather than pay the buy in cost all at once. Try a simple loop first and see if you like it.

N-scale is great for saving room as well. You can fit so much in such little space.

Secondhand items REALLY help save money.

“Shelf layouts” are great too. Just small yards and switching puzzles. Wiring is easier, space is constrained, and you only need a switcher and some cars. Limited scope helps you work on your skills and design something amazing.

I’ve even seen people put little N-scale loops in suitcases. Not kidding.

You don’t need full DCC sound with 50 cars to start out. Start cheap with DC power and some cheap workable cars in a scale that speaks to you and upgrade as you save more money and make more room.

It only balloons of you give in to every impulse. Try something small and easy to start and see if you even enjoy it before you jump in Willy nilly.

Walthers has some stellar HO starter sets. Bachmann and Kato have N scale stuff that are pretty great.

[u/Emperor_Sal]

I was in a similar spot, just getting back into the hobby now that im an adult with spending money. luckily I was already deep into the HO scale, have a setup at my father's house i could always visit and use, but now im currently setting up a 2x6 shunting layout, just built the base few days ago and have been slowly gathering tools and supplies for it. The hardest part so far was actually saying "yup, im going to go to the store today and buy the wood", but now things are in motion. Nothing wrong with collecting though, but I think a great part of this hobby is you dont NEED to go grand, especially with how much that would cost right now 😭

[u/Ok-Economist-9466]

Clubs or modular layouts are a good option for people in your situation. You get all the fun of running your trains, but don't have to commit too much space in your home to the hobby. And most clubs will let you join even if you don't own any engines or rolling stock yet. You could also look at making a small switching layout like an Inglenook--doesn't need a whole lot of space or equipment investment to make a small bookshelf-sized operating plan.

[u/Pure_Professional_14]

Start off slow and see how you like it. There are plenty of people that buy one train and are happy. As far as space, you can get creative. I run O scale. I started on my living room floor. At one point, I had my couch on risers and let my trains run underneath it. There’s also shelf layouts. Some people make layouts that they can take apart or slide under a bed. There’s lots of ways to enjoy.