[Dream]

I was initially planning on starting a N scale layout but instead was helping a friend with one.

One thing I figured was I would prefer to work with HO scale. Before I venture into it, is there any magazines that would be good to read regarding HO scale modeling that would inform what's available, pros and cons etc.

Thank you.

 

[tankist]

my personal opinion, magazines are only so much useful. there are exceptions of course but somehow articles seem somewhat dull lately. and then 50% of the content is adverts... i will not buy magazines for any hobby .

exception would by the free online magazine - http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/ still packed with ads, though.

instead of magazines how about read (and search) here

 

[Dream]

I do browse this site often but it seems everyone's been is this hobby for a long time or new comer too already have great amount of knowledge. When I say I'm beginer I hardly know anything about trains other than enjoying looking at working model train layouts and looking forward to having my own.

The only experiance I have is helping my friend with his N scale.

 

[tankist]

you might find this read interesting:
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/

you can track other people progress to get ideas. there are plenty of vids on youtube as well. i guess one can find a sudden inspiration from right article in some magazine but in your scenario i don't think this is efficient approach.

search here, read and ask questions

 

[Reckers]

I'd have to agree with Tankist, Dream. You'll learn more, faster here. My son got me a subscription to a magazine for Christmas---Classic Toy Trains, a good magazine. However, think about what you're getting---it's a group of people who have to come up with something new, every month, to write an article about. After a while, they get stale and the articles reflect it. They also sound like spokesmen for the manufacturers who advertise in their magazines---big surprise there, huh? It's sort of like "...and this is the engine or car you just HAVE to buy this month, or you're a loser!"

Try this, instead: go to the library and do some reading. On top of that, ask questions and poke around the internet. Look at some sites to help beginners sort it out; maybe start with these:

http://paul.mcnabbs.org/trains/dict.html
http://modeltrains.about.com/od/layoutconstruction/tp/Track-Pieces.htm
http://www.thortrains.net/index.html

They're free and you'll learn a lot. Pick an HO manufacturer and look at their on-line catalogs. Go here and download a very nice demo for laying out your track, for free:
http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html

Finally, don't downgrade yourself. Last October, I had a train in a box in the attic that I knew nothing about---someone gave it to me when I was a kid. I knew nothing about model railroading, and I assure you Tankist will tell you that's still the case. *L* The point is, you'll learn the stuff by asking questions and reading what's talked about. Don't feel intimidated---when someone uses a term you don't understand, jump in and ask what it means. These are good people and they want to help you get up to speed.

Best wishes,

 

[subwayaz]

I tend to agree with most of the above mentioned opinions. Most Mags now are full of Ads which don't teach anything. This site and others like it will teach you more and faster/cheaper.
I have subscribed to most of them also; but only one subscription remains which is Railroad Model Craftsman; which in my opinion is the only one that has more articles than Ads. But when that expires I probably won't renew it either.

 

[tkruger]

I do read magazines. I do not subscribe to any or buy them in the store. I buy bulk lots of them on EBay. Often can buy a year of more for under $12 shipped. Nice to have when going camping or traveling. I find that allot of the older ones are better. I run DC so the older stuff is still relevant.

 

[Big_Ragu]

Plans for n scale

My father and I are currently building an n scale 4x8 layout. We purchased the Model railway layout plans for beginners I think it only cost us $27. Packed with good information her is the link http://bit.ly/32HB8Ce ,and her are some photos of our layout hope it helps.

 

[wvgca]

I don't know too much about magazines, pretty well buy only the one every month , Model Train Craftsman magazine ... Not really a beginner magazine, more of , I suppose, intermediate level ??
Good magazine, lots of good info for N and HO sized layouts ..

 

[MichaelE]

I stopped buying hobby magazines years ago. They are full of ads with very little content and every review is slanted towards the product if they are also an advertiser.

 

[Eilif]

I'm going to go against the grain and say -especially if you're new- go ahead and subscribe to Model Railraoder. Don't pay sticker price or order direct, but with minimal searching you can easily find a yearly subscription for around $27 a year or less. It is thinner and with less content than in the past but I feel that I definitely get my $2.50's worth in each issue. Even if the articles aren't quite applicable to me, I am inspired by the pretty pictures and I enjoy receiving it in the mail each month. What else are you going to get in this hobby for half-a-fiver?

I'm still a relative newbie to the hobby, but I just happily re-upped for a third year.

In agreement with others, Model Railroad Craftsman is a good magazine and I've been considering subscribing. Also, Model Railroad hobbyist is a great read.