Welcome to our 'How To" Page. Listed below are some resources to help you on your model railroad journey. Updated regularly.
Section 1. Getting Started
This is the fun bit. but where do you start? Club members are always helpful and can help guide you along as a beginner. Let's start with the basics:
Gauge
The Gauge is the distance between the tracks. Our club has layouts from N Gauge (smallest) to G Gauge, one of the largest for model trains. Have a look at the club and see what trains interest you. N Gauge, takes up less room so you can always have more, but HO/OO gauge is the most popular and has the best availability for models, tracks and parts.
Here is a great video guide to help you decide
DCC or DC?
At our club you can run either one. DC is the original way all trains ran. 12 volts to the track and a controller and you could run a train. If you wanted a way to run more than one loco it was hard to do.
DCC was invented so you could control multiple trains on one line. A small DCC chip is fitted inside the loco. The DCC (Digital Command System)
Sends signals to the chip in the loco and each loco can be individually controlled, along with realistic sounds and more. Whilst DCC adds a cost to each locomotive, more realistic running can be enjoyed.
Here is a video guide to DC or DCC
What brand of DCC should you use?
As DCC chips and accessories all comply to a standard, it's wise to standardise on a brand for your command system. NCE and Digitrax both make the core system that you need to start your model railway. Various manufacturers make the chips that are installed in locomotives and these are compliant with either system.
Our club has settled on the Digitrax brand. This means that to run your trains at the club on our various layouts, you will need to use a Digitrax controller.
Here is the Digitrax YouTube Channel
Gauge
The Gauge is the distance between the tracks. Our club has layouts from N Gauge (smallest) to G Gauge, one of the largest for model trains. Have a look at the club and see what trains interest you. N Gauge, takes up less room so you can always have more, but HO/OO gauge is the most popular and has the best availability for models, tracks and parts.
Here is a great video guide to help you decide
DCC or DC?
At our club you can run either one. DC is the original way all trains ran. 12 volts to the track and a controller and you could run a train. If you wanted a way to run more than one loco it was hard to do.
DCC was invented so you could control multiple trains on one line. A small DCC chip is fitted inside the loco. The DCC (Digital Command System)
Sends signals to the chip in the loco and each loco can be individually controlled, along with realistic sounds and more. Whilst DCC adds a cost to each locomotive, more realistic running can be enjoyed.
Here is a video guide to DC or DCC
What brand of DCC should you use?
As DCC chips and accessories all comply to a standard, it's wise to standardise on a brand for your command system. NCE and Digitrax both make the core system that you need to start your model railway. Various manufacturers make the chips that are installed in locomotives and these are compliant with either system.
Our club has settled on the Digitrax brand. This means that to run your trains at the club on our various layouts, you will need to use a Digitrax controller.
Here is the Digitrax YouTube Channel