Plan

Before setting out to build your first model railroad layout, you need to come up with a plan.  There are many things to consider before you begin the construction of your layout.  One of the most important steps to take is to find a suitable location to have your layout.  You should try to avoid a space that will interfere with other functions of your household.  Good locations for model railroads are in a basement, a spare bedroom or a garage.  You will have to decide if you want an "around the walls" type of model railroad or a "table top."  The "around the walls" type of layout is one constructed around two or three walls and is set up in a series of shelves that abut the walls.  The "table top" type of layout is one that is typical of a 4x8 foot table.  This is the type of layout that most beginning model railroaders build for their first layout.

Another factor to consider is what scale you want to invest it.  There are several scales you can select.  The scales are Z, N, TT, OO, HO, S, O and G.  The scales most often selected by people who are building an indoor model railroad are N, Ho and O.  Of these, HO scale is by far the most popular.  Because of its popularity, HO scale probably has the most model railroad product lines manufactured for it.  This is probably the scale of the basic starter set you have and will be working with to build your first layout.

The next step is to find a track plan that is flexible enough to accommodate an operating scheme other than just running a train around a loop of track.  You should be able to find a plethora of 4x8 HO scale model railroad track plans over the internet and through printed model railroading books.  You can check the bookstore tab on this site to see some of the recommended resources.

Another important step is to come up with a layout theme.  You need to select the railroad company and the era you want to model.  A lot of people do not really think about this step when they build their first model railroad.  Honestly, people just buy locomotives that have interesting paint schemes and may be from different railroad companies.  This approach is fine, but if you want to get into the operations aspect later on, then you will want to select a favorite railroad company and stick with that.  The time frame you model is important too.  Again, people will select locomotives and rolling stock based upon what looks good to them.

However, different locomotives did not necessarily run together during the same time periods.  Most steam locomotives stop running on regular trains in the 1950's.  Diesels became popular then and ultimately steam was phased out.  If you like the modern day locomotive operations of today, then a steam train is not going to be doing regular mainline work.  If you like steam locomotives, then you will build a layout that is set sometime before 1950.  If you just can not decide between Diesels and Steam Engines, then you are in luck.  You can model what is known as the "Transition Era."  This way you can run both steam and diesel locomotives.

You will also have to pay attention to your rolling stock choices as well.  Most people like to see a caboose on the back of their trains.  However, the caboose began being dropped off the back of trains in the 1970's and 1980's.  If you model a modern day railroad scheme, then you will most likely not have a caboose on your train.  If you like to run stock cars or ice bunker refrigerator cars, then you can not go much past the 1960's.  Passenger trains have different styles of coaches as well.  You will need to decide if you want to run passenger service on your layout and then select the appropriate coaches to go along with the era you selected to model.

Your scenery will need to help sell the idea that your model railroad layout is placed in a specific time and place.  If you model the 1950's, then your vehicles on your roadways need to be of the appropriate date as well.  The advertising signs used on the sides of the structures should also depict the right era.

These are the things you need to decide upon during the initial planning phase of designing your first model railroad.  After reading this, you should come to realize why model railroading is an exciting hobby to get involved in.  It really lets you open up your creative mind and build something unique that you can be proud to show off to family and friends.