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Beginner Page Consist
- Why Model Railroad?
An overview of some of the benefits to model railroading. (revised 01/23/01)
- The Basics
- Here are three articles that were printed in Railroad Model Craftsman. They are used with permission of both author and RMC. At the beginning of the articles, RMC said, "The basics of model railroading are not difficult to master, but some ways of doing things are better than others. Roger Hensley spent several years behind the counter of a hobby shop in Anderson, Indiana, guiding newcomers through their early months in the hobby. In this series, Roger will share his experiences and suggestions with us on various aspects of building a model railroad."
- Track Basics
- Wiring Basics
- Scenery & Structures
- Scales & More
- Scale & Gauge
- Clearance & Grade
- Track Curvatures & Rolling Stock - Intermediate to Advanced
- Wheels - See "Wheels, metal or plastic?" under improving rolling stock
- Purchasing Model RR Equipment
- Let's Build, electrical
- Our overview of the technology involved begins here with three track plans. Model trains require electricity to operate and you will be guided through a simple oval on to more extensive small layouts.
- Welcome
- Basic Plan
- Extended
- Extended Plus
- Turnout Control
- Control Panel
- Let's Build Benchwork
- 4x8 Benchwork for the Basic and Extended layout plans above.
- Let's Build Trackwork
- Install a Ground Throw - Intermediate to Advanced
- Let's Build Scenery
- Foam Scenery
- Scenery Tour #1 - Vandalia Short Line
- Let's Build with Wood
- Scratch Building Structures - Intermediate to Advanced
- Working with Wood - Rolling Stock - Intermediate to Advanced
- Scratch Build a Small Structure - Intermediate to Advanced
- Let's improve the rolling stock
- 1. build simple kits - Athearn, Roundhouse, etc.
- Athearn Boxcar
- Athearn Passenger Car
- Athearn Refrigerator Car
- Athearn 42' Tank Car
- 2. Weight
- 3. Knuckle Couplers
- 4. Wheels, metal or plastic?
- 4a. More on metal or plastic wheels
- 5. Weathering
- 6. Retrucking old r-t-r cars - 1/12/05
- Troubleshooting Problems
- Derailments
- The N.M.R.A. Achievement Program
- Why Plan Ahead
- Interview with a Master Model Railroader, Mary Miller, MMR
- DCC Basics
- An Introduction
- Beginners guide to Command Control and DCC
- Sources
- 1. Magazine Lists
- Modeling
- Prototype
- 2. Book List
- 3. N.M.R.A. Resources
- 4. Local Clubs
- 5. The Internet
- Beginner's Glossary
- Please note: you may use the 'Find' function of your browser to search for a particular word in the glossary.
Visit the Scratchbuild Showcase/Kitbash Korner pages of the NMRA web site
(Off-site link) for samples of different modeler's efforts.
NOTICE:
If you have beginner questions you just can't find the answer to, please be as specific and detailed as possible, put BP at the beginning of your subject line along with your subject and send them to: TJ Klevar . No guarantees, but we will help if we can.
Page last updated January 12, 2005