EASY Model Railroad for the Absolute Beginner

[@cbirailroad]

I'm 77 now but I can still remember my first model train at age 8 like it was yesterday. It was Christmas 1955 and of course Lionel. My dad and 2 uncles all chipped in (times were tight in those days) to get me my GP7 Burlington locomotive (I got #2328 because that is the RR where Uncle Mick worked), several cars, extra track and at least a half dozen turnouts. We repurposed our 5x9 ping pong table in the basement, and I don't think I came upstairs for a week. I became a grandpa for the first time almost 4 years ago, and set the hook on little Bernice before she was 2. She is now an avid model railroad fan and has actually ridden the Metra, South Shore (to South Bend) and Amtrak (Wolverine to Royal Oak MI). And she can tell the difference between a Metra F59 and an F40, but really loves the SD70MACs. I get to do this all over again with her new little brother Theodore. They are right when they call this the WGH. Ron

[@ProfessorTrain743]

Excellent! I hope that parents, educators, big sisters and brothers, and any sort of train enthusiasts see the value of sharing this with kids.

[@RichardSmith-l5m]

I am a long time train collector sense 1982 and railfan sense 1982. I have a 6x14 layout with duel main lines. I very happy to vids out there to spark young and old people. This vid is very nice.

[@movinfawward]

That is excellent! Thanks for sharing. I was impressed with how much is going on in this layout for the work and the space. Very fun.

[@TrainWork]

I use weed barrier material to cover the base of my layout. Comes in different colors; I started with a gray went black and finally settled on brown and is very workable. 👍👍😁😁OperateOnOperator

[@ThomasHuggins-qx4fp]

As a teen I got by for years with one manual and two remote switches. It greatly helped the remotes had working semaphore signals.

[@melkitson]

Those trousers Jimmy. First prize for waking me up! That was quick and easy. It is worth mentioning thst the majority of model railways are loops of varying complexity.

[@NYandAtlantic]

Excellent hope anyone with kids finds this video

[@JacobHofeldt-fq6ii]

My first layout was very similar to this, but it was on some folding tables and the grass mat, and the details were loosely set on or glued with Elmer's white glue. It had a mountain made of cotton balls and plaster cloth and had a tunnel going through it. I had lots of fun with it!

[@Pauley_in_GP]

Good video. There weren't enough like it years ago when I started in the hobby. All I found was in depth bench-building and wiring even before the trains could run! I also didn't like the fact that the books and magazines seemed to equate the quality of a layout with the level of realism that was displayed. I wound up documenting a simpler way to start on a site called BostonType. Hope it is helpful.

[@eddie.b.railroader]

Small and simple, the best way to start in model railroad!!!

[@johnedwards8194]

I'm sure it would be a good one to build even with your child. Do keep the videos coming, I love them.

[@obvious2886]

As being only 19 and still into the hobby I can not stress enough the importance of going for a 4x8 at least as the size for ho provides plenty of space for children to constantly re configure the track

[@randallellison6421]

Very cool, Jimmy! Estate sales, and yes, even yard sales can sometimes yield very good results when it comes to picking up trains on the cheap! Now granted, It can be a game of chance at times, but the rewards often outweigh the risks when you do strike paydirt, if you know where to look!

[@williamj3843]

Good call on the scale and the casters. We had Lionel O on a heavy 4x8 sheet of plywood which was a beast to move. Hoping you family has a lot of fun with that.

[@Conn653]

A great "KISS" method for a beginning layout, Jimmy 🙂

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

Great video! I'm actually starting a small N scale project, to see if I can get along with the smaller size vs HO which I had initially planned and started collecting. I picked up my first N scale stuff yesterday at a show. I have a 2x3ft piece of foam board that has cloth laid onto one side and the edges with Mod Podge , it was made years ago for a different purpose, but for now I have it set up with a small oval of Kato track that I got, to run some boxcars in circles and tinker... so far the N scale couplers and a skewer are working way easier than I expected. Going to buy a few more pieces of track, and some turnouts to add the inglenook and such, and then decide on a final.size for this winter's project. Snagged a Broadway NW2 switcher, and so far I'm impressed with the sound and operation for this tiny loco. Might have just sold myself on N scale! Thanks for the inspiration...

[@NJP76]

I am actually doing a 2x3 foot N Scale layout. Started it in 2020. It has gone through a few changes, but I have been having a lot of fun with it. If interested, I have a few videos of it on my channel. At the suggestion of one of my viewers, I have named it the Hammer Valley Model Railroad. It is far from finished, and probably never will be completely finished. Even on this tiny layout, there always seems to be something to do or add. Can't really run long stock on it due to the tight radius curves, but I am discovering the beauty of 40 foot rolling stock. The only drawback is that the MicroTrains magnetic uncouplers don't always work properly since there isn't much for straight tracks on it. Welcome to N Scale model railroading.

[@JMLoll]

That's a great little layout! If it were me, I think i'd use the Walthers Fast Freight set. The cars have metal wheels, and the track is nickel silver.

[@loispadgett6306]

Your kids are going to have so much fun with that layout. Simple is good when starting out because you can run trains sooner and enjoy it, then you have something to play on wile you figure out bigger layout. Thanks for sharing. GOD BLESS 🚂💕🚂💕🚂💕🚂💕

[@laspiedrasrailroad]

This is bonafide - It needed to be done.

[@TheNorthwestWind]

good stuff

[@diedertspijkerboer]

Excellent vid. I would love you to do a slightly upgraded version of this, for example with a time limit on it. How much can be achieved in, say, 50 hours with a limited budget.

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

This sounds like a challenge haha!

[@mark-v5z]

Jimmy, I noticed in the last few vids that you are kinda washed out and colors are dull. New image settings or new camera?

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

Hey! I am working on the new setup and colors with the camera. I'm still getting the kinks worked out.

[@diedertspijkerboer]

How much time did it cost you to build this?

[@AlexEhn]

Don't find the link to Model Railroad academy.

[@Lymen78]

same

[@johnyost4487]

Same

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

Oops! It's there now.

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

It's there now

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

It's there now.