How to Start Model Railroading As A Beginner

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“The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;
don’t be happy when they stumble.
For the Lord will be displeased with you
and will turn his anger away from them.
Don’t fret because of evildoers;
don’t envy the wicked.”

Proverbs 24: 16-19 NLT

[diedertspijkerboer]

If you're in Europe and are interested in H0 scale, you have a decision to make about electrical current: AC or DC. If you choose AC, you are largely dependent on the Märklin brand, which is very good, but relatively expensive. If you choose DC, there is a host of other suppliers, like Trix, Fleischmann, Roco and Piko.

[everdc]

Unconventional advice:spend enough so ya won't give up on it. But don't spend the whole wad on a locomotive. Timmy's Kcup🇨🇦

[Mike__B]

A tip I would give is unless you are very well off financially learn how to repair and maintain trains because the used market is going to be your bread and butter, you'll be getting used stock in questionable working order so being able to get it running is a big key, there are a number of youtube channels that show basics on this and they're actually really good.

[kenr]

One other tip for the beginner - find a model railroad club in your local area, and join that. You will be able to learn so much from the more experienced members, they most likely will have an established layout where you can run your trains, learn about operations, or if they are building a layout, you can develop your skills helping build the club layout.

[randall.]

I really like this guy. He doesn't talk down to you. Or expect you to be a, ,rivet counter, , 👍

[cdjhyoung]

My piece of advise is to remember that this is your first layout. You will make mistakes, everyone does. Own them. Fix them if you can. But remember, this is a learning situation. A year or two done the line, you will have learned enough about build a model railroad that this, the first one, isn't up to your standards. Save the engines and cars, and what ever buildings you want. Walked the rest of it to the trash dumpster and start again with your new, improved skills. Your next layout will work much better. Look better. Make you feel better about what you've accomplished.

Oh, and don't build too big the first time. Just big enough to get the trains running in a loop for now.

[golrush]

I agree that starter sets are a good starting point. My current model railroad project started with one. I decided that I wanted to model steam era British N gauge, and I started with one of the Graham Farish sets that included a steam locomotive and two coaches. The models are excellent and highly detailed, unlike some starter sets that come with more basic models. My first additional purchase though was larger radius curves than the ones that came with the set, because passenger coaches just don't look good going around small radius curves. Now that I've started in earnest on my layout, the track is Peco Streamline turnouts and Code 80 Peco Flex Track. My coffee today is from Yabitu in Ethopia, roasted at Rosetta Roastery in Cape Town, South Africa.

[drdownrock]

This is freaking GREAT . .I've always had a huge interest for trains . I've finally taken that big step to finally get my first starter train set w0w so excited. I've bought an HO train set I wanted an N scale train set but obviously that'll come at a later time. My daughters actually got it for me for my birthday July 3rd. Thank u so much . I love that train sets still exist.

[craiginbatonrouge]

Everything about this video was helpful in one way or another to me. I have been reviewing beginner HO layout videos for a few weeks and I believe yours has given me gumption to act & start putting my layout together, I can’t believe how exciting this is for me, it’s like crazy man…

[BoxtankEngine]

I really hated American railroads but this channel showed me that these types of railways can be beautiful too.

[MauricePA]

You mentioned rail code but not why there are different codes. Real railroads use heavier rail on the busier lines than on the less used spurs. Heavier rail costs more but holds up longer. For a beginner, I would recommend not worrying about code other than making sure it is all the same for now. Drinking Gevalia Columbia this morning. Cheers and stay safe.

[keeganseva]

Thank you for another great video.
First off, I'm modeling in HO-Scale for reference.

I started with Bachmann EZ-track and found that I was constantly having issues with it.
So I made the jump to Kato Unitrack this past Christmas and have not looked back since.
Everything I have runs so smoothly on it and I can easily assemble and disassemble it when I want to run trains (hoping the next house will have a designated train area, but for now it's my office floor).

That being said, I've definitely found that Kato caters to their N-scale customers MUCH better than their HO-Scale customers, both in track options and rolling stock options. Just something to note for anyone considering HO-Scale Kato Unitrack. And while people note that Kato Unitrack is more expensive, I find that it's not that much more expensive that Bachmann EZ-track. At least not when considering the much better quality of track that you get for it.

Thanks again for the update.

I'm still drinking my locally, veteran owned Pale Horse Coffee from the last time I posted a comment on one of your videos. Their Latte of the Week options have all been amazing, but this Yankee Doodle (cinnamon, shortbread, cookie dough) coffee just warms the soul when stuck in work meetings lasting longer than a few hours.

[loispadgett]

Thanks I always wondered what the codes on tracks ment now I know. I would definitely recommend the Kato started set to anyone as a first set love the Kato trains plus great expansion sets. Got my first train set in the 1980's is a Bacmann steam set 060 still runs great paid $19.95 for it back then. Can't wait to see what you teach us next.
GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

[willvenable]

Randomly I have become interested in model railroading and this is the first video I have watched about it and this guy got me so excited! I think anyone would want to start after watching this. Awesome video!

[timbuktu]

I haven't done any model railroading in about a half a century.
I'm glad to see not a lot has changed.

[jeffvair]

A great train table for a beginner is a hollow core door. I’ve been doing model railroading for 50 years and I still use hollow core doors because life is too short to build benchwork. 😊😊😊 If you are starting out in HO scale or N scale then you can’t go wrong with Kato track—it will make your life easier and perform beautifully. Notice that Jimmy is an experienced model railroader and like me, he still uses Kato track—it’s one of the best decisions a beginning modeler can make!

I’m not as big a proponent of starter sets as Jimmy (even though I understand his logic), but again, particularly if you are in N scale, Kato is the one brand that I would recommend above all others. You just can’t go wrong by using Kato products when you’re a beginner. They aren’t the only good brand out there, but they are consistent. Their stuff works, and believe me—when you are a beginner that’s hugely important.

[jyoung]

Lol ngl i love the bare bones train setup. It screams play with me and use whatever you can nick from around the house to do so

[rylo]

Hi, Jimmy! First and foremost, I just want to say thank you for your comment towards the end of the video when you say, "It's totally cool to have the latest mainline diesels running next to a turn-of-the-century steamer; don't let anyone tell you otherwise." As a beginner, sometimes I feel pressured to have all of my rolling stock be of the same era. I'm sure others who are new to the hobby feel this pressure at some point, so comments like this one help to remind us that it's all about what we want/find fun.

Also, I'm drinking a mug of Don Leo Coffee from El Salvador!

[grandriverrailfan]

I strongly recommend getting all your engines and railcars from train shows. I got a Broadway Limited Union Pacific 1989 RGW (Rio Grand Western) heritage unit DCC sound equipped for only $140. If I had gotten it somewhere else it would have been around $250 maybe even more. I also got some very neat rolling stock. Montana Raillink hopper and an ex GTW (Grand Trunk and Western) hopper. I got all of that for about $150 to $170 where elsewhere would have costed me overall $250 or even $300. Like he said in the video you can get some serious deals and I really thought I should add to his point with an example.
Other thing, Bachmann EZ track isn’t easy. It’s terrible and choppy with the power and it’s a pain in the ass to put together. I recommend KATO because it’s easy to put together and take apart. Yes you’re going to pay a bit more but it’s definitely worth it.

[erichstreberg]

McCafe in my Keurig, while doing some switching before work!