| 50% of all starter kits for the model railroader are HO | | | | match. For instance. A Tall glass building will look a bit |
| model train sets. The scale HO represents the middle | | | | silly on a layout designed for the 1950s. In the same |
| ground in terms of actual size and volume use. Some | | | | way 2010 locomotives and rolling stock will not look |
| of the most creative and spectacular layouts are in | | | | right running through a 1960s landscape. |
| HO scale and many of the shortcuts and secrets | | | | Decision tip 2. Lay down the tack before you build |
| gained in years of experience are hidden in the minds | | | | your scenery with the exception of bridges you intend |
| and layouts of experienced modellers. There is one | | | | your models to go over. It is terribly difficult to get the |
| layout that gained so many accolades that is now an | | | | track to run around scenery but relatively easy to put |
| exhibit in a museum. | | | | the scenery around the track. When first installing the |
| The Internet is full of videos of HO layouts as is | | | | layout only secure the scenery that is forever going to |
| YouTube and the reason is that there is so many | | | | be immovable. |
| locomotives, so much rolling stock, scenery, control | | | | With the plethora of HO kit available it is easy the get |
| systems, and all manner of accessories. The railroad | | | | carried away in the hobby shop and waste money |
| modeller has such a vast choice of products that it is | | | | simply buying the wrong thing too much of the right |
| actually difficult to decide which maker or style or | | | | thing. The 2 disciplines above will go a long way in |
| even shape of layout to use. It is here where most of | | | | making the layout a pleasure to build rather than have |
| the secrets about choices reside. There are some | | | | a bit of a millstone around the neck. |
| decisions that must be made before building any | | | | Decision tip 3. Be sure to have the right control system |
| layout. | | | | for the layout. Ask at your hobby shop and get their |
| Decision tip 1. Before even buying a locomotive or | | | | advice. You don't have to take it but you should be |
| small layout set, decide on two key elements. How | | | | guided by it. It is best to know where the control |
| much space there is available for your layout. If this is | | | | station is going to be as you lay the tracks and plan |
| not done all sorts of issues arise later on when you | | | | the track extensions. This simple decision save a load |
| realise the track doesn't fit. The second thing is style, | | | | of time and sometimes money in not moving tracks |
| do you want a steam train layout, electric or diesel. | | | | and scenery as the layout expands. |
| This is essential because timescales rarely mix and | | | | |