Start from zero in 16mm...

[OLD GUY]

Hello happy members of this forum !

First of all, I'll never have a garden railroad because my wife and my big dog said: «NO WAY!»
So I'm thinking about a small indoor layout. I have a little space: 4' x 6' or 1.20m x 1.80m.
I guess that I need small radius curves, little locos and short freight trains.
There is a lot of brand of track and wagons kit.
What's the best choice for a newbie start ?
I also know that I still have a long way to go...

Thanks for your advices.

[MDLR]

OK - first off, if you haven't already, join the 16mm Association: www.16mm.org.uk where you will find many ideas and lot of good ideas.

Then, get yourself some Faller E-Train track - you can find it on eBay, mainly from German sellers - it has tight radius curves which you will find useful and it will take small steam locos (though I don't run them on mine)

Next, take yourself to two Web Sites: IP Engineering http://www.ipengineering.co.uk/page33.html and look at their EZee range:

Look at the Houlston Gate Loco Works web site: http://www.hglw.co.uk/ and look at their "Everyman" range - these are very easy to build.

Finally, take a look at what I've done in an even smaller space: http://www.mdlr.co.uk/ff.html

[OLD GUY]

Thanks for your answer. It's very helpful.
It seems that I have a lot of work to do...

[OLD GUY]

Can I also use SL-600 Peco SM32 Flexi Track to build my small radius curves (500/550mm)?

[WVLR]

My railway is 2.5 metres of track on the window sill, I even managed to squeeze
in a right hand point at the half way point with a metre of track joined to it, one day
I'll get out into the garden, but I can still run trains.

[MDLR]

Can I also use SL-600 Peco SM32 Flexi Track to build my small radius curves (500/550mm)?

You can, but you might have difficulty bending it to that sort of radius and getting it to stay there! Set-track is better - the smallest Peco do is 2' 6" radius...................

[Dwayne]

http://www.carendt.com/

As MVLR points out, all it takes is a straight line of some track to have a railroad.

[OLD GUY]

Good advices. Thanks.

[rebelego]

As MVLR points out, all it takes is a straight line of some track to have a railroad.

True. But, if your main interest is to sit back and watch running trains you will prefer a loop. I recommend to think through what you want with your railway and how you are going to use it before you make a track plan.

[OLD GUY]

As MVLR points out, all it takes is a straight line of some track to have a railroad.

True. But, if your main interest is to sit back and watch running trains you will prefer a loop. I recommend to think through what you want with your railway and how you are going to use it before you make a track plan.

You're right. I want to watch my trains rolling...at full speed !

[JMORG]

Check out Swift Sixteen!
If you aren't yet confident enough to take a plunge on an IP wooden kit, try some of Swift Sixteen's stuff, the smaller kits are the simplest kits ever! All you need to do is fit the buffers and wheelsets included and paint them (no really thats all you need to do)! And considering the rediculous levels of detail and a hardness that lets them be "chucked around", 15-30 quid is VERY cheap.
We've started to collect some of his kits, and they're easilly the best kits we've dealt with (I've reviewed his bogie box van and that was very easy to build). He's also very eager to help with any problems (if any) and would reckommend paint and glue. Also his sight has a section devoted to kits that others have built up, if you need ideas.
Hope this helps!

[OLD GUY]

I tried to buy one, but my damn' credit card doesn't work...

[OLD GUY]

I also watched : www.mdlr.co.uk
A lot of ideas for a start !

[HereticUK]

Is that the right link? I clicked on it and it comes up with "Web Page unavailable"...

[OLD GUY]

Is that the right link? I clicked on it and it comes up with "Web Page unavailable"...

Oops! Sorry. I hope this new link works better :
www.mdlr.co.uk

[HereticUK]

Is that the right link? I clicked on it and it comes up with "Web Page unavailable"...

Oops! Sorry. I hope this new link works better :
www.mdlr.co.uk

Works now

[OLD GUY]

The 32mm track is too small and very expensive for me. So what can I do ?

[JMORG]

Peco 32mm is the best you can get to be honest. Our's have last about 15 years with ALOT more use to go yet.
I hate to sound mean to 45mm users, but I believe that the track is a tad more expensive isn't it?

[HereticUK]

You can always work with 45mm track; it is easier to obtain and cheaper. It depends really on what you want to model. If you are looking to model a 2ft prototype, you would be advised to use 32mm track. Alternatively you can always upgrade to 7/8ths" scale and run on 45mm track to get the same effect. Although I must warn you, 7/8ths" stock is more difficult to come by than 16mm stock.

[The Denying Dutchman]

The 32mm track is too small and very expensive for me. So what can I do ?

In a way you're lucky that you don't have much space. The LGB R1 curves are cheap to buy on German Ebay.

If you can widen your 1,20 x 1,80 space to 1,30 or a bit more you can use LGB track. The outer diameter of an R1 circle is 1286mm.