Model Trains For Beginners: Like or Dislike?

I think you do an exellent job in promoting the hobby , As you may have realised I personally like the how to do vids, as I find easier to folow, than Instructions in manuals , with your site we can also pick up plenty of modelling tips, which can save time ,money, and heartache.
Nothing comes to mind that I would say needs changing, keep up the good work in 2012
Dave

I haven’t had a lot of time to check the site out, but from what I have checked out I like. Thank You

i like the book and all the tips im not new to the game of building model railways but the book is so helpful to all so keep up the good work

i sent you an e mail some few weeks ago ,about G scale figures.
have not had a reply, came to conclusion not interested.

I visit your page when I get a new page. Granted I may not look at every thing on it at the time but who reads every thing in a news paper? Thanks for doing what you are. Happy Thanksgiving and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. C.O.Z.

Hi Dan,

I’m not impressed by the documents I received.
May be I’m not the real beginner as I knew more than 90% of the stuff you talk about.
I’ll not ask for a refund but will also not recommend it to others.
I will not extend my membership after the 1 month that came with the initial payment.
The monthly fee is just too high and most information I’ve seen so far can be found for free on other sites.

I do like the modelling tips that come by email.
It’s that what tempted me to buy the book.

Sorry,

Jan

Hi Dan,
Well, Ipersonally think that you provide an invaluable service to ALL model rail enthusiasts, whether experienced or amateur.
I pesonally am not interested in other gauges apart from N gauge but seeing the tips and videos you have shown can very easily be adapted for any gauge. My dislikes are NOTHING !!!!!
My likes are everything you are doing and I think that you cannot better anything that is PERFECT !!!
PLEASE CARRY ON THE GREAT WORK YOU ARE DOING FOR ALL MODEL ENTHUSIASTS !!!!!!!!!
I look forward to receiving your tips and have applied many of them to my current layout.

Yours Maurice

I am just starting up the hobby after ****** years, retiring last March this year. I have three grandchildren, all boys. They are absolutely thrilled with what I have done so far. I am telling you this by way of encouragment for you as I have received lots of tips from your site. I read your emails everyday and must say have received a lot of help from them. I also like what your photographs of other layouts show, portraying what other’s ideas are. This has given me a great insite into the hobby after so many years away from it. My first ever train was a Hornby Dublo three rail track. Now things have moved on. My suggestion keep going with your web site. Many many thanks for all you do for us out here. I live in the county of Suffolk,England and appreciate your site and emails. Richard.

Found information very useful.

At the moment I am not actively following the hobby , only buying a few locos etc as available , but still take a bit of time to browse .
If the site had to close , I would like to have known some kids joined the hobby , but reality has them behind ps3 etc .
Good luck

not been subscribed to your site for very long up to now impressed , As a beginner need help with new tecnology i.e dcc …What i would find usefull is tips on making your own scenery buildings etc

so please carry on the good work………
js

Hi Alan, I remember replying to you. Maybe it got lost somewhere in a spam folder. Email again or even better ask in the forum.

I started this hobby many years ago, bought a few loco’s and some rolling stock. never realizing that i do not have space for a setup. this did not bother me as i enjoyed reading my magazines and some manuals. even built a very crude dc controller. a few times over the years i setup some tracks on the dining room floor. i’m now retired but still have to work (financial reasons). in the last year or so i bought some e-books on model trains. like to go swooning over them. still no space or time. the company that i work for has blocks on the system so i can’t enjoy your blogs, also i never got as far to get facebook. i cannot get to some forums, not complaning, i enjoy what i can get. keepup what you’re doing.
Regards
archie

What ever you do, I would recommend you don’t stop. I don’t know where you are, currently, in your organization; but I would suggest you find others who feel as you do about promoting this hobby. Those people may like to join you in promoting this hobby, and some of them may have skills you don’t have, which might complement your skills. But I strongly suggest that you don’t stop. This hobby needs promoting.
In addition, we need to get with the mfgers of products for this hobby, and see if we, and they, can lower costs for entry level hobbyists, as I think much of the products for those just starting out, are a bit too high in cost, but that’s just my opinion.
You should also look at finding those who can come up with videos for beginners in the hobby; as well as caution those just starting out, not to take on too much in their desire to build a huge layout.
Lastly, I feel you should endeavor to direct the thrust of this promotion towards those juniors, who have too much time on their hands, so that they, with their parents, can get involved and enjoy this hobby.
(And don’t forget to include wives as well as husbands as targets for this promotion. Many wives do get involved, and most know more about coloring scenery, than most men do.)

I think it is all right Dan, you do a good job and the web site is good for people like me who have not much idea on model railway. I have bought alot of trains but haven’t started a layout yet, I have spent thousands of dollars, but unsure on who’s track to use. Model Trains for Beginners, A Big Like, the site is worth the effort.

I have just restarted my interest in model railroading as a hobby again this year and what you have provided in the way of video access, on-line books, forums, and articles in your newsletters have been of much help to me to date. Having spent much time this year (and cash), I do have an operational layout now with scenery and detail control wiring now required which I am sure will consume many, many hours to come. You have inspired me and got me going in the hobby again, so you have had success here. For me, keep up the good work – I look forward to more.
Les

Your passion and commitment to the hobby is commendable. This filters through to the hobbyist.
Keep up the great work and thank you.

no dislikes at all everything has been so helpfull to me as a beginner.the videos are especially informative,as i live in the UK and only one model shop localy its good to folow your instructions for scenery etc.I wish now i had ventured into DCC but it looked a bit much for a beginner like me.
Anway keep up the good work look forward to your next e mail.

I feel you are doing a great service to the beginner in the hobby, those coming back into it, and those who have many years into it. Keep up the great work. Paul [I am one who has been out of it for 20 years]

Please stay away from computer animation stuff. or soon every nerd will have his own “virtual train set” and nobody will care about building the real thing anymore.

As I am over 60, I am not interested in any “e” books. I want a hard copy that I can pick up and read or refer to at any time. I will NOT sit at my computer to read a book. When you publish a hard copy, I will buy.

I am a 3 rail o gauge model railroader (primarily post war Lionel), so many of the reviews of HO equipment are not of great interest to me. I do enjoy the tips for scenery and improving a layout in general; these usually can be applied to any size railroad in any gauge. I enjoy the layout videos and the “how to” videos. The new products tips (like Frog Snot) are also informative and valuable. You are doing a good job and providing a valuable service…especially for new and inexperienced model railroaders.

I am saving all the e-mail tips you produce each week and will use them when I start my layout. I recently retired and have not yet started to build my layout but it is on my agenda for next year. I find your ides and tips very valuable and feel they give me a good starting place.

I know beginners need help, but more advanced modellers such as myself would love to see others work as well

I am actually an experienced (though far from expert) model railroader, but I agree very strongly with your mission to get more people involved, and particularly to provide a positive alternative to some of the rather passive activities you mention which may certainly have their place but can become all consuming. I dip in and out of the various articles as they appeal to me – in some editions I read nothing, in others everything and in most I read a selection. I have been given new angles on topics with which I was already generally familiar, which has been useful. I would be overwhelmingly in favour of the service – because that is what it is – being continued.

Dan,
I think this is the best thing I have ever seen in my 56 years as far as model railroading goes. I say keep going if you can!

I love the how-to articles and videos. I don’t need any links to shopping sites as I’m not using your site for shopping but rather I use it for learning. I think it’s great that you are helping to encourage a whole new generation of future model train enthusiasts.

Dan, I (we with my two boys) have started our adventure as of 6 months ago and they both count the days of the week waiting for the weekend to go and do “our” thing. Thanks to you, your staff, your site and books, I was able to quickly get up to speed on the latest technologies and techniques without spending days if not weeks on the web to look for it (and most likely not finding all that you have provided). I was pleasantly surprised to find that this hobby is still so active since I have not touched my boxes of trains since packing up the layout my father did with me in 1975.
I can only imagine the hours needed to keep up with all of what you are doing and I salute you in your mission. My two boys are saved from the video game frenzy for now but its up to the parents and grandparents of this generation to help the next generation. You help us do what we can do better and we all have fun and at the same time educate our children. Keep it up – I like it all.
I don’t know if this comment will help in any way but you might consider consolidating your almost daily news feeds into a slightly longer but weekly or biweekly mail.
Thanks for all the hard work – Tom

Hi Dan-
I believe that you provide a very valuable service to the hobby of model railroading. I am new to this and I have benefited greatly from your posts and pages. I am just starting to build my first layout and, if nothing else, your work has been encouraging to me.

Thanks again,
Tom

Hi Dan, I like the way you run this website and I find it is a very good source of information and I think it does inspire people to enjoy this hobby. I, myself, am always looking out for new ideas on how to make the most of my modelling skills and I’m not too proud to say that I try other peoples methods of doing things to see if it fits in and adds to my skills of which I have had many years of experiance. I always like to think that I can pass on the methods I have learnt over the years to others as well. Please keep up the good work and inspiration for model railway enthuiasts, wherever or however they are.

I am nearly 65 and have just started model railroad as a hobby and it was your book that got
me interested and started, I found it very easy to follow and plenty of examples on how to tackle different projects so please keep it up I am sure their are more like me you are never to old to learn something new I have also kept a record of all the tips

I enjoy reading the articles. Keep up the good work.

I am in G scale outdoors with running battery power and remote. I enjoy the videos and find that a lot of the info can be applied to G scale. Keep up the good work

I think what you have been doing will help people that want to do ho will get the info they need.
But I been using 0 and 027 since I was little. I am 58 now I have 36 engines and 176 train cars.
My youngest son who is 24 help with the layout. We have 3 4by8 foot tables,and 2 2by7 foot tables,
plus 1 3by6 tables which is our round house. also 1 2by 4 table for our safari with a trolley car that goes back and forth . Plus a 1 3by 2 foot table for our airport. We also use half of a diner table for our control tables. We can run four trains at the same time. Plus we have a lot of stuff for the layout.
Some out the stuff that you have will work on my scales. But most of what you say will only work ho and that is ok.Keep up what you are doing and don’t stop. Keep trains a live it is fun and educational. Want to say thanks for the info that you have been giving every body.

You spend too much time with European RR stuff. I think you need to show more US RR., from simple layouts to the complicated. Not all of us have the time nor the money to build a greately detailed RR. I would like to see some nice layouts on a budget that all can afford. Remember this hobby was started here in the US.

Hi Dan,
I’ve been out of model railroading for over 10 years, but modeled off and on over my 40+ years. I have finished building a new home with a finished attic specifically for my future layout. While all of your information is not new, I found your site to be of great help. Additionally, I have 4 kids that are going to be heavily involved on the new layout. They will benefit not only by learning about the hobby, but I bet they end up teaching their kids too. I can’t think of a better complement to your efforts.
Thank you,
Kevin

Dear Dan, to me you are an answer to prayer. I am a young great grandmother and always loved trains as a hobby. I had a setup at one time but because of circumstances beyond my control I lost it. I now have 5 great grandchildren 4 of them live close by. They were homeless for 2 1/2 yrs but now live in a beautiful home. I am collecting your information in a folder to use to build them a railroad in the basement of their new home. To me you are a messinger sent by God. I hope this will help you in your decision making.

I like – the tips and hints you supply and the video clips of various layouts especially that northen English chap with layout in roof.
I dislike – very little.
Please change – nothing I can discern
please improve – nothing I can suggest.
All in all it’s a great email newsletter. Thanks very much.

i love it all, keep up the good work,Dan and thanks.

In this economy especial in my area thing are a little poor. I love the model train hobby but I have been holding down two jobs and I’m finding myself with little time. This is what makes your emails so great. It’s like a knock on the door that keeps my attention in my mind, that some day I will get out my boxes of trains and me and my grandson will start putting something together. Keep up the great work with out your emails I would have lost my enthusiasm and sold them at a garage sale. Instead I have been buying more so when the time comer I will be ready.I hope my stuff won’t be out of date with the new DDC becoming more popular.

I am impressed with the site and although I haven’t reallly got full use of the site because of my schedule, I am glad that there is an alternative to the BIG BOYS (K……) who seem to be in it more for profit than promotion of the hobby. Thank you ,and keep up the good work. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas.
ronnie

Your doing a great service to us modelers. You provide info that it would take us alot of time to find. Keep up the great work!

Dan , PLEASE don’t go away, your site is very, very helpfull. Your site has it’s own file in our computer, other sites we pick only a few items to keep, we also have your e-books. I say we because my wife and I have been in this hobby since 1973. She likes N and Z, While I like HO and O. Some day we want to build a Garden Railroad in our back yard we have lots of room for it, but being on a fixed income it takes time to get things in place. Take care and keep up the GOOD work. Paul and Tonya Morris, Ohio USA

Okay. I’am brand new. Just received an o guage Polar Express Set. It’s for my 5 year olds Christmas. Now that I have it, and now that I have tried to look around to see what I can do with it, I realize that we can’t afford it. My husband showed me some guys you tube X-Mas presentation. I Imscope or Superiorthanu guy, and now I see what it could be, but never will.($$). I have painstakingly price out fastrack for something mildly more exciting than the oval, and I choked. We will have to move the loveseat out of our tiny house to put in 4×8. I think I can figure out the plastering of a mountain/ tunnel. Now we have to buy wood, foam, extra track, etc. We’re it $500.00 just for train and aLITTLE extra fastrack. *sigh*. I can’t believe it. Mabye another $200.00 ontop of that? He’s 5! I’am an idiot. But, he is train OBBSESED. We have extensive Thomas wood track, and trackmaster. So, that brings me to you. Many, many of your mail is promoting your book sales. For someone like me, that would be useless. Giant $$$, to continue this adventure. ( we do need to buy life’s neccesties and such). For a professional hobby, and a rich person perhaps, it would be a benefit. Am I alone? Does everyone devote thousands, and their whole house? Looks like it. This electric train is all he’s ever wanted, but he doesn’t ‘get’ the background stuff or scale. He loves the Thomas destinations that you can DO something with. Not just look at. He loves our local train museum, they do your sort of gigantic display. Ugh! Train boxes should come with a warning label. DANGER. Must sell your car to even consider this purchase. This probably doesnt help the people like me. It took me days, and days on the computer to find someone who would tell me what pieces to buy to make the layout look SLIGHTLY more interesting. (oval with a double loop inside) henrey klutz or something like that . I still read all your articles w/ each mail, but it just depresses me to no end.
Thanks, Ava. ( struggling parent of a train crazy kid)

not enough o-guage, lionel and MYH. It’s all geared to ho

I am in Baltimore Maryland which has proven to be great for model train enthusiasts. Maybe it is because the first passanger railway in the US was here!!!

I love your efforts as it lets me pick and chose what I need or what I want to look at. I am starting a train room in my soon to be fnished attic and am employing a lot of stuff I have been to read/purchased/gleaned off your links. Keep up the good work.

As for consuming your life Dan, just have fun with it. This hobby should never be a chore, however it is a break from reality and very enjoyable.

Rick Cook

Hi Dan,

I have been working with model trains for many years. It is always a work in progress and will never be completed. I’m always adding things. Like so many of us, I don’t have as much time to spend on my hobby as I would like. It has become a wintertime activity for me. I enjoy the information that you send all year long. It gives me something to “dream” about in the months that I don’t have time to work on my layout. I get great information from your facebook page. Eventhough I still receive my monthly copy of Model Railroader, I enjoy your information just as much. Please keep it going.

I read every e-mails you send me. Your are a great source of informations. I am an HO user and do like also the various video you includes and the many links in you e-mail. I of course read what is usefull to me as a novice in the model train hobbey. Keep up the good work and to you and all USA train buff, Happy Thanksgiving .

I enjoy your tidbits and stuff. Keep up the good work

I like what I’ve read so far. Been busy, not a lot of time for my trains right now.

I find the site to be very informative. I have started compilation of all the tips you provide so I can go back to them whenever I feel the need. I think you provide a very positive service, particularly for the neophytes in the hobby, but your information also will help the veteran. I have been out of the hobby for over 15 years and am just now getting back into it, and your information has catalyzed me to start things I might have been reluctant to start! Great work, and thanks for all that you do!

I’m a model railroading fan, with only one (still sealed) set that I purchased because it has logos connected to my birthplace. I had HO gear as a kid, but at some point after I moved out, my mom decided that the box of RR stuff was miscellaneous junk and pitched it. As it was a fairly good collection of stuff at the time, I was devastated but there was nothing to be done about it.

As I am somewhat disabled with no income at this time, adding to my “collection” is not an option, so in the interim I am enjoying watching the videos that you link to and reading your articles. When the income issue is resolved I plan to buy your beginner book and start from there.

As I am a relatively new to the modern age of model railroading, I don’t think I even know enough to criticize, but one thing I would like to see (if you haven’t already done it) is a video about planning a layout for a very basic start up. The set I have would probably be a fair start for a holiday village type thing, but would really need more to be interesting enough to come back to on a regular basis. So, how much track would be needed to do a small but interesting table top display? Maybe a forum on this topic would be interesting.

Dan,
I am new to the hobby and cannot decide on what area I’d like to model, also I have no creative ability and desperately need track plans.
I do find your website helpful but it seems that the underlying focus is to sell books, which I understand is your source of revenue.
I am considering buying the book for begineers, but I agree a DVD or videos are much more helpful to me.

Thanks for all you do,
Don

Dan You are doing a great service to model railroading I look forward to seeing the posts and the ideas Thank you I hope you keep up the good work Joe

What you are doing is great. But for me I have a pc and it is always crashing and I cannot save anything; that’s why I like books or magazines. I’m just getting into the hobby and don’t know the first thing about it. Like what radius do I use on the track; is it the length of the car or length of the train? And many more questions you pros know…………..Paul

What I like is all the information about model railroading and how to do things and build them. I like your articles on trains as well. But what I dislike is the fact that the people you are sending for this request about likes and dislikes you don’t answer their email that was sent to you. I sent you photos of an old engine that came through here a UP 844 Locomotive. I did not get any responses from you. I think this is a area you need to work at if you don’t mind me saying so.

Dan, have a very Happy Thanksgiving and a very merry Happy Christmas Day.

I enjoy the site very much and find it has a lot value. The biggest downside and one that may come as a big decision for me now that I am retired is the cost is way too high for the value I get. I would not be blinking at about half that. It is definitely great stuff and being a webmaster myself I know the time and effort it takes so I appreciate the efforts.

Dave

Dan, I for one really appreciate the work you are doing, since I have been a model railroader for 40 years and a professional railroader on 1 to 1 scale for 20 years, I can’t comment much on the beginner stuff, and I do not use any social sites like facebook, etc. I read your pages on a regular basis and find tips that are very useful to me. I agree that we need to grow this hobby, among the 11 grandchildren I have, only 2, one boy and one girl are interested in trains and both of them are now twelve years old so it is uncertain if they will pursue it as a life long hobby. I really enjoy the forum page and participate when I can, about all the more I can say keep up the good work. Jim

I think this site is great. After being away from this hobby for many years, so many things have changed and your site has helped understrand what’s out there today. The tips you publish are quite useful and show ways to save some money. The videos show me what I can do with my layout that I’m working on. I’m doing HO scale but lots of things in your site can be used for any scale. I don’t know what would need to be changed, if anything.

I’ve only visited the site a couple times, but I really appreciated the tip on how to create realistic looking water on a model train set. I am working on a replica of Durango-Silverton, so I will use that information in creating the Animas River as part of the scenery.

Hello Dan,

I think you have an excellent site and it is obvious a lot of work has gone into it. I’m certainly no expert, as I don’t have a model railroad at this point, but from my perspective I would not change a thing about your site.

As a coincidence, I was recently talking with a friend about the number of seemingly brain dead children folks are raising these days. They are proficient at war games, etc., on their computers, but a lot of them don’t seem to know much and can’t even speak very well. When I was a child, I spent many hours working with my friends on a Lionel train setup as we had no TV and computers didn’t exist. Looking back, that was a most fortunate situation because we learned a great deal from our interactions with one another and quite a bit about electricity, motors, gearing, and general creativity, as we frequently scratch made items for the layout.

You are to be commended in your efforts to capture the interests of young people in this terrific hobby.

Greg

Thanks to everyone for being so kind and generous with your comments. I was very worried about writing this post because I didn’t really know what to expect. Now I feel even more inspired and motivated to promote this wonderful hobby of ours… I have taken into account the great suggestions and will make small changes to suit… Thanks again
Dan

Super information.keep it coming
keep it coming

I really enjoy your site. The tips from you and the readers are sometimes very helpful. It might be nice to also include some more advanced items for those who have been in the hobby for a while. Perhaps, there could also be a little more discussion regarding DCC.

I have just begun a major HO layout construction. I have some expertise that I can call on but will eventually need advice on scenery, wiring, and DCC operations.

Changes in my personal life have not allowed me to pursue this hobby at this time. However i’m hoping for the future.

Hi John, sorry if I didn’t answer your email but unfortunately sometimes emails fall through the cracks and end up in spam filters or just don’t get delivered. I always say to everyone, if you don’t get a reply in a few days email again or use the support desk or contact form on the website. Next time I’ll be looking for your email. Cheers Dan

Although I have not commented, in the past, I do read and enjoy all of your articles. I have been modeling for a long time and have had several different N- Scale layouts. Currently working on an extension to my present railroad.
I enjoy seeing layouts, you show, that are made by others and also the tips that everyone has.
I think you are doing a great job of promoting the hobby and I always look forward to your E-Mails.
Keep up the great work!

I enjoy your articles and enjoy them very much.

I`m happy with your input and hope that you will carry on with the good work that you are doing.

Please continue your work. I am new to model railroading. Your articles and links have been extremely beneficial. Keep up the good work!

Dan;
I think you are doing a great job. A few more hints on smaller ‘short lines’ and ‘switching yards’ that can easily be tucked under a single bed would help to get the younger enthusiast and us with limited space more into building set-ups.
Most of your tips are great but I am on a limited income and some of the things on your site are beyond my finacial resources. I go with new engines and used or rebuilt rolling stock to save money. Maybe a “Price Reduced” corner for us with less money?
Keep up the good work Dan & crew. Every year I go to the local clubs’ CHRISTmas layout at the local mall and there is no sight like a smaller child being introduced to model railroading and seeing how their little minds go to work on what they want.
R.J.

hi dan,
your whole site has been very helpful,whenever i need help,i can count on help from
MODEL TRAINS,at any time.
i think improving as you know,is a good thing. there is always room for improving a product or service, KEEP THE GOOD WORK COMING!!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES!!!!
DAVE SUGGS

Dan,
As a disabled Veteran in a Veterans Nursing Home. You have given me a great deal of enjoyment with your site. I never had a model train as a kid. (to poor) so I enjoy reading about them & watching the video. Now have a remont control “Polar Express” in G scale. Not much, but it is about all I can handle. The modeling tips are worth their weight in gold to me. I try to build scratch built models of HO & N scale things. Most fun with bridges. The tips have helped me improve the looks of them. As far as I am consurned. Do not change a thing.
The one thing I dislike about the net in general is that they are always changing the formats, With only half of my brain left working it is hard to re-train to a “new look”. Plese keep up the good work.
Thaks again.
Hat

As a beginer I have alot of questions. The information you provide is very helpful. But all of the videos of the layouts always show trains coming out of tunnels , going over bridges or throught towns, the detail is excelent but as a newbie thats all too far down the road. No one ever shows the layouts from above so you can get a feel for the entire scope of the operation. As a newbie I am still trying to decide what shape to work with square, u shaped, large, small.

I am just starting–I need more details regarding wiring transformer and track plan wiring than I have been able to find so far.

Much of the information is very good but sometimes I need more explicit detail than what is provided.

Have a nice Thanksgiving.

Thanks.

Charles

As a beginner to model railroading I find everything helpful. I have learned alot and it’s only the tip.
tx

I Like it!! Lots of great info. Keep it coming.

Dan:

I really like your site. It’s informative and always up to date.

Your huge effort is greatly appreciated!

Keep it up!

Cheers

Ron

I am a new reader of your site. I have found it to be very helpfull. I am just beginning to build my layout with/for my grandson. He only 6 and not alot of help yet but, I am enjoying it. I do not have any dislikes as I have not seen that much yet.
Hope you can continue to send your reports.

Your website has been a boon to my wife and I as we have been developing an N gauge setup.

The information, suggestions, feedback, explanations, and spotlighting of individual railroaders projects is a great tool for others. The materials provided make model railroading research almost unnecessary for people to dig through the internet for answers. You cover more than just HO scale based information. This flexibility and variety in presentation gives insight to those considering N scale for smaller spaces as well as G Scale for the garden layout.
Don’t change the format. Just keep it coming Please.
Ken in Tulsa

Hi believe what you do is a great promotion of the hobby. Speaking as one who is in the process of building my first layout, I find a lot of your info is very helpful in the progress of the layout. I wrote you before that all I do is an experiment and your advise is very helpful with my experiments. It helps in the decision of using that experiment again.

What I have read is good. I get a lot of emails and don’t have time to absorb all of it. What I have gained from you has been helpful. I also have contact with another model railroading site. Sometimes I forget which site gave me which information, but it has all been good.

I don’t have any other suggestions.

Hi Dan ! Let me just say that Model Trains For Beginers is really one of my favorite sites to visit – Especially since I really love Trains !!! So really I don’t have any dislikes towards the website itself .

However if you wanted to let everyone to know your terrific hobby and especially get kids involved – then you might want to spread the word through “TV Comercials”, “Internet Advertisments” and “Newspaper Advertisments” with you and gorgeous model of the train itself and have the sound of the train whistle involved ( a lot of kids and adults are really attracted to sweet sound of the train whistle ).

Also explain to people that if they are extremely passionate about trains – the hobby will be easy to do and the people will absolutely enjoy it !!

Now as far as the Book is concerned, I’m not sure because I haven’t read the book yet. Hopefully it does have beautiful pictures of model trains included with the tips ( in that way the beginner will be even more attracted to the hobby of working on train models ) – if not then you might want to start adding that to the books.

But above all I really do think that you do an “OUTSTANDING JOB” ! AND THANKS FOR DOING THIS FOR DOING THIS FOR MODEL TRAINS !” & KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK ! Thanks

Happy Holidays Dan !

im to busy to get the value out of your site but have found it invaluable

Dan

I like your news letter and the info you pass on. But, getting 1or 2 e-mails a day is a bit much.
i don’t get that much from my closest freinds and family.

I would think 1 or 2 good news letters a week would be enough. It would be more interesting and I would think easier for you. You want porple to look forward to getting your news letter.

I don’t need that much e-mail. I think you are doing a good job for the hobby, but don’t over do it. Alot of people are like me, they appreciate a good news letter but not every day it gets to be a pain in the butt and boring.

You are passing on good info, keep it up.

Ron

I thnk your news letters are fine just the way they are.. Thank you

i’m just getting back into the “business” after a 10-12 year respit. i think your site is quite helpful to me as a “new beginner”. folks who are truly beginners, i think, will find this incredibly useful. myself, i’m finding old tips that “turn the lightbulb on”. please continue with your work! i am on your side. thanks for your effort. j.b.

I LIKE YOUR INFORMATION VERY MUCH. IT HAS HELPED ME WITH MY SET UP. BUT LIKE
OTHERS WE CANT AFORD BOOKS RIGHT NOW . WE ARE ON A TIGHT BUDGET AND
CANT PUT OUT ANY EXTRA MONEY. BUT KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

i have not been a member long but what i have looked at is great and the reports and book i downloaded are full of useful information for everyone not just beginners
keep it coming

your site is so full of information,please keep going, as i, find it interesting, and i learne so much.

Dan … Anything that continues to keep model trains as a viable “hands on” hobby is important.
Editing a page for content must be time consuming and probably not appreciated as much as it should be.
Most any article will stimulate someone with a “fix” or give courage to try something new.
I have to laugh at myself as I still have old copies of “Model Railroader” years 1946 – 1958 from which I still glean an idea long since forgotten.
Keep up and don’t get discouraged …
John

I just enjoy reading everything. I am a novice and I have so much to learn.

your emails are the only ones that i enjoy looking at as there is amost something of interest everytime and no matter how busy i am i look at them.
with your books when im in the USA next year on Vacation im planning to buy the books as im sure they will be very helpfull. i would rather have books to refer to rather than on CD on the computer.
the emails with Videos are so helpfull as live videos show so much more than just the subject, and those links to the best buys of goods online and seperated into countries on Ebay are so helpfull thankyou
i dont know of anyother site for model trains thats as good as yours
Again thankyou for your web site and emails

I am sorry to say that you caught me at a wrong time. I moved into this house recently and my trains (HO) are all over the place. I plan to set them up again but space is limited and I am searching for adequate track plans. What I have been able to see, in the meantine, from your info, has kept up my interest so keep up the good work.

I just plain like your site. It is informational and easy to view. I appreciate your articles and time you take to put up your site.

Thank you.

Very informative and helpful. I’ve came back to the hobby after a 30 year hiatus. Basically starting over small. I had a 8ftx 12 ft HO layout at one time. I’ll probably stay smaller this time just for the portability. A lot has changed with technology, but a lot of the basics are the same.

As a British Outline modellor I would much prefer to see British stuff. Also after 50 plus years of modelling some really in depth articles would be preffered. However we all have to learn and if your site has brought new people in ,all well and good. I would say don’t give up, you are doing a great work.
regards, John

Info very good, even though I have been with the hobby for many years,
Always open to ‘a new way of doing things’.
Paul. (0n30 in New Zealand).

All I can say Dan and crew is Heaps of Thanks to you for what you are accomplishing. You have opened a door to thousands of people who would be struggling through books and other sources to find the information you are providing. I always look forward to my next newsy, informative email from you. I realise it has probably turned into a monster for you, but we all appreciate it, THANKS.
Tom.O.

I dont have any dislikes in the work you are doing. I think you for your time and all the effort you put into this. What I would like to see added is some areas as to how to properly maintain our railroad equipment, e.g. loco’s, rolling stock, lubrication and how to do adjust things like the couplers.

Dan

I really do not look at it much as I have been in the hobby since 1973. That does not translate to a beginner.

Keith

Dan:

Thanks for the info you keep sending. I find the articles and the books you offer a tremendous help in giving me ideas for layouts, structures, scenery, dioramas and even just basic info like wiring and layouts. Please keep up the great effort of providing this info.

Frank

I really do enjoy your articles and information for beginners. Like one of your other members I just retired, but will remain working for financial reasons, and this will slow down my modeling plans. In the past I was buying magazines from the book store on model RR, but they did not deliver the informaion you do. Your articles on scratch building are very interesting to me. PLEASE KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. – Tony

Love the updates, in fact, look forward to them!
Appreciate all your hard work.
I too agree that we should grow the hobby.
Range of skills to get, sociable, and if the markets shrink, we don’t keep getting better models.

‘Model Trains for Beginners’ is an excellent introduction to the hobby and in addition provides tips for the next level as well.
Recommended for anyone contemplating starting a layout for themselves or for their kids.

I am looking for a guide to build a G scale indoor layout . I would appreciate if you could direct me in anyway. Thanks

Dan,

Cant tell you how much I enjoy your emails and tips. Ive only been modeling for a little over a year and the tips you publish have really helped me to enjoy my layout even more! Keep up the good work!

Mark.

this site is a lot of help to beginer and for those that have been doing this hobby all there life thanks dan

The sight looks great and all of the videos will draw an interest to the hobby. Sometimes a tease of one of the chapters, just a small paragraph to get the reader involved in what he is looking at.
This will get them interested and want to buy the product (sales gumik). I am retiring in December and will have more time to spend on my layout and maybe get a new layout area started for the train club. Till next time keep a proper train of thought so you don’t have to track it down

although i have not started to actually build a layout, i have learned a lot that i think will help me tremendously when i get started. i have been saving all newsletters and e-mails for future reference. I am looking forward to even more information that i know will make things a lot easier, and greatly reduce mistakes. thank you franky

Dan,
Considering the fact that your newsletters and articles reach a worldwide audience, I would say that you are achieving the goals that you and your team have set. It’s no surprise that you are pulled between a pillar and post when it comes time to provide information to THE WORLD. I read e-mails on your site that originate from all across the globe. If that isn’t being an ambassador for model railroading then I don’t know who will tow the line in the future. Keep up your outstanding work.

Dan, I honestly enjoy reading your e-mails and associated links. My engagement with model railroading will resume (from childhood days) once I retire within the next 3-5 years. You and your team bring an excitement to model railroading through what I believe to be a unique approach. It goes something like this:

1) You are connecting through the internet. This is this the common medium that we can all relate to during these times in our collective lives.

2) You present us with beautiful, operating railroad scenes which serve to capture our imaginations in the “art-of-the-possible”. Scenes that we all would like to achieve.

3) You then drill down into specific techniques and technologies that allow us to gain knowledge. This inspires innovation and creativity. These are two human instinctive needs we all have.

4) FInally, your publications are costed appropriately and contain the right levels of insight, knowledge and setting of expectations. You are unselfish in sharing the knowledge of others.

In closing, I believe the marketing strategy your team should consider lies with connecting to folks like me; those baby boomers who are at the fringes of retirement, with grandchildren, who want to spend time with said grandchildren, creating these little railroad worlds while simultaneously learning and developing new skills.

Thank you for all you do in perpetuating the world of model railroading, – Jeff

Dan,
I absolutely enjoy and love the information you present and the emails you send. I have received much beneficial help from you. I would like to see more wireing articles, especially the very basic. When it comes to electrical work (wireing), I am absolutely all thumbs and stupid. I would like to see more specifically on wireing up 2 or more sets together with multiple powered A units. Another area of great interest is landscaping (buildings, grasslands, forests/ trees, and weathering of all parts of the layout.

Thanks again for the tremendous amount of work, time and effort you put into your site.

Bernie

Dan, thank you for your efforts. I started about 4 years ago to build the track plan that I had always wanted since childhood. Because other household expenses came first, my budget for buying train stuff came last. I started out laying track with NO clue as to what I was going to do for scenery other than tunnels at one end of the layout. I have finished laying track and tweaking it so derailments are now caused by small details to be taken care of with some of the rolling stock and some of the engines. Now the real fun begins. Trying to figure out what to do for scenery and layout theme for a small town, industry, etc.
This is where your help has been appreciated. The helpful hints for creating scenery and the pictures that are posted have given me several ideas that I intend to try to create. I read every email and watch the video links to help with ideas.

I like the brief descriptive articles on basic train lay outs and suggested resources for accessories and trains. I especially like any of the information you put out on 027 model trains and videos on how to are helpful.

I have been collecting and building model trains and structures for 50 years and had always planned to make a layout. Between marriage, kids, careers, wars and finally age, I was at the point that I was going to trash or give away the entire mess. Then I stumbled upon your web site and am now in the process of FINALLY starting to put it all together. I had been searching this area for others interested in model railroading without success but thanks to the forum a stranger (now a friend) put me in contact with a club in my area. I attended my first meeting Tuesday past and it further encourage me to complete my mission. But needless to say, without all the information I have received through your hard work, I would still be sitting idle with nothing but thoughts in my head. Please continue your outstanding work.

Leave it like it is.

Hi Dan. I bought your book model trains for beginners and I learned quite a bit from it even though I have been at this hobby for many years.I think it is an excellent tool for anyone who wants to try model railroading,also the tips on accuiring new and used merchandise is good!
John

I like what you are doing to promote the Hobby. There is nothing that I can think of to tell you to change or add to your E-Mails. I hope and pray that you are able to keep what you are doing for people like me to read and get Idea’s for my Layout.
Sincerly
Robert Grubb

good work keep it up

I have found that there is much that you have put in your book that is readily available for free if you DIG for it. Thank you for collecting it in one spot.
I have three requests;
1. I am building an extensive yard and would like like to see a big variety of yard and railroad repair facility layouts.
2. I would like to see an extensive explanation of railroad signals and their proper usage. Also, a review of signaling systems on the market today.
3. I am building my layout DC. I know it is old fashioned, but I can’t/don’t want to spend the money to convert all of my equipment that I have accumulated over the years to DCC. I also think there is a greater challenge to wiring a DC layout that I want to take on. What I would like to see, along these lines, (and not necessarily just just for DC) is a comparative review of computer controlled layouts and all the hardware and software that will make that possible. This is not an up and coming subject, but it will be as computer controll becomes more invasive of every facet of our life and homes.

I think you are doing a great job getting info out to us beginners. Sometimes when we feel we are doing less is sometimes we are doing more than we think..Keep up the good job Dan

Hi Dan,

As an affiliate promoting this product, I have never received such good support. I don’t think you need to change anything. It is a great product, and I think to try and get kids away from these computer games and social sites is greatly needed.

Regards

Jeremy Reynolds
South Africa.

Yep, You provide a excellent service, it helps to be able get information at a click of a mouse plus purchase items at a reasonable cost through the proper channels. keep up the great promotion of the Model Railways industry.
John

Thanx for the mailing. I read everything that you publish, and pass it on to my fellow modellers to whom it is more applicable. I actually model SM32 scale Garden Railways, the locos are powered by battery, gas, or coal. All of my stock is based on British (Welsh) narrow gauge practice
The guides are ideal for anyone starting out with Model Railways, and are full of useful advice.
Gazzz

Hello Dan. I really wonder what inspired you to even ask the question. You do a fabulous job. Roll on 2012 and all the best. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Gordon.

You do a brilliant job. I am in the process of planning a layout and haven’t had any experience designing and building a layout (my childhood layout was built for me). I have found your information invaluable and have so far used so many of you tips and tricks. keep up the good work.

Hi Dan,
you are providing a service, not only to your community, but also abroad possibly around the world.
I must admit that the video’s are most interesting and easy to follow. The hints and tips while not always that interesting, the majority are very good. I have found things that i would never have thought of. Well done and keep it up in 2012 best for Christmas and New Year.
Rob.Billing

Dan,

I just started this hobby and have been unable to pursue as I would like. I enjoy your e-mails and generally read them. I have clicked down on several articles. Unfortunately, for the most part I have been unable to get past tracks on a board. I have buildings to build and electrics to connect but the time has not been available.
Keep up the good work. I enjoy being connected to other folks who like this hobby.

Charles

I am extremely happy with the services provided. I purchased the electronic version of your book, and found many useful ideas. I am currently in the process of “starting over” as I had trains as a child and just before I retired my wife bought me a cheap set for Christmas in O scale. I have since moved, and in the process of putting togeather a train room with a “newly” purchased HO scale. As I progress through this process I will be keeping track of my expenses and taking pictures. I have learned more by watching the videos, reading the posts, than I could have ever learned or found on my own. Keep up the good work, I still need your help. I hope to have my room up and running (it will never be finished) by summer for when my grandkids come down as they loved to play with the little bit I had setup in the garage this past year.

Hi Dan

i like the all the information that you send, please don`t stop. Please try to do some in spanish

many people will appreciate that

thanks

Raul

Dan, even though my layout is still in the planing stage and I am still in the process of updating my rolling stock, I have found your input invaluable. It has cleared up many questions I have been wrestling with and has given me insight in to what type of layout I want. It has also been very helpful seeing what others are doing. Keep up the good work. Larry

Dan

I enjoyed Model Trains for Beginners, it is an excellent reference manual. I really look forward to the weekly new letters, see other layout and gaining ideas, the how to video’s are my favorite as it is something you can relate to and try the techniques. More information on Scenery, Bench work Techniques would be appreciated.

I enjoy receiving your emails about the hobby and I think you do a spendid job. I haven’t been in the hobby very long and only have a small, limited set-up, that I hope to grow at least some over time. I have always been fascinated with anything to do with trains and railroading. Both of my grandfathers retired from the Southern and my dad was working on the B&O at the time I was born. I do have some other hobbies and 12 grandkids. I have retired twice but have been back to work now for a year. I ran for the office of Mayor of our city and was elected. I’m just finishing my first year in office. So, I don’t have lots of time for any of my hobbies right now. However, I still find that the time I do have with my trains provides a healthy diversion from operating a city with a multi-million dollar budget and all of the accompanying headaches. Keep up the good work. I do appreciate your contributions and information, relative to a hobby that many folks love.

A few years ago I tried to start a small HO gauge layout and become discouraged very quickly. I desided a few weeks ago to give it another try. I started to do a little research and found your link. I have been reading and listening to what you have to say and found that I made about every mistake that I could have. Bottom line is I have found your articles very helpful and as a beginner I think everything in your articals are perfect, and very informative. Thank you for all your hard work and the time spent.

Dan,

you are one of the people who is making an effort to bring the model railroading to be the greatest hobby on earth: fun, fun and fun!

Thank you,

Csaba

I was very pleased with the full content of the model railroad for beginners. Although I’ve been in the hobby for many years, I’m trying to get my grandsons interested in it. One of them, aged twelve, has a small layout built, but gets very discouraged when his trains don’t run. He constantly blames the Bachmann Easy Track he is using. I try to encourage him to try to work out the problems, but he’s easily distracted. My layout has been sitting idle for quite awhile too as I’m 73 years old and just lose interest from time to time.Then a bug hits me and Ill work on it for a few months , then get tired again.
Thanks for letting me comment,
Harvey

Hi Dan,
My comments are all positive. I only got into model trains 3 months ago because of my grand children. I wanted a train layout that was much more than a train simply going round in a circle. Your publication and emails, with your tps and videos gave me the confidence to be adventurous and design a layout that is more interesting. I reckon that your content caters for the young and old, novice and the experienced. Keep up the good work.

Dan,
Though I am not a ‘beginner’ in this great hobby, I enjoy reading what other people are doing and/or how they are doing it.
I don’t necessarilly subscribe to the “RIVET COUNTER” brigade (I operate under the TFR scheme – three foot rule) and I like to do a lot of scratchbuilding of buildings and scenery to save money. I live on the aged pension so want to spend my money on trains and not ancilliary stuff.
I am ashamed to say, negligent in not supplying you with copy to reproduce for others to maybe learn from, and for my laziness I apologise. I will get to it for you.
Regarding your question…….keep up the good work. I find it very interesting and the information I’m sure is helping those who are new to the hobby. The items are varied, and cover most scales/gauges of model railroading.
Peter C
Modelling Canadian railways down-under in Australia

Hi Dan. My home is in the Patagonia Argentina, with not much model railroaders. Your information, videos and tips are very usefull as example. I think you must show more american models and layouts. I download all the information I can, because next year I start with the construction of my own layout. The information you give us is about all the aspects of the hobby, and I find very usefull to look for in only one place.
I think you are in the right way, and thank you very much for your work.

Great site Dan. Hope it gets some kids involved. Although this has been a rough year for me, I hope to get more involved during 2012. This really is a valuable service for model railroad fans.

Thank you for sharing.

Dan I realy like the help you give me as a beginner. I use a lot of the tips you send, there is only one problem for me. I was recently in an accident and now confined to a wheelchair or crutches. I find myself having to change things. It would be a great help if you could give advice to me on things that could help and I am sure there are others out there in the same shape that would enjoy trains as much as me. Thanks for the help. You are doing a great job.

I think you do an outstanding job Dan. I reside in a more rural area. I don’t have the luxury of numerous hobby shops and such to obtain pieces and trade personal knowledge one on one. Around here you just have seek out the folks and talk to them. I still recall the first time i joined up with your e-mail services. I took away a tip on something I had been doing wrong from day one. Thanks for that you have saved me thousands. I think you just need to keep doing what your doing because it simply works.

Dan, I found the information in “Model Trains for Beginners” to be enormously helpful, even though I’m a bit beyond the beginner stage now. There was information in there that I had ignored, but now I understand.
I think what you are doing is an outstanding idea, but I can only imagine the amount of work you do. I download most of the instruction information. Wiring is my biggest problem since DCC arrived. My knowledge of making things run electrically is pretty much based on my understanding of magic, so anything I can get my hands on that makes the inexplicable explicable is much appreciated.

Dear Dan,
I have recently just joined up and have yet to start building a layout and am still in the research phase.I have found all your inputs to be useful. As I go on and begin to decide on what size layout and how to proceed I will need to be more choosy on advice offerred and as I add to my knowledge a little advanced in the info that I need. So so far so good. You need to provide help for the rank beginners and those who have perhaps done it all and can be the knowlede base for our future advancement.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers, John

DAN! Keep on sending everything. Enjoy reading most everything. Lot of good information you are puting out.SO DON’T STOP..

Buddy

Hi Dan I have liked all you have sent. Does it nead improving ? I think everything needs to change
to improve this is how we learn. Keep up the good work.

Hi Dan
Have you considered the value of of Tomas-The-Tank-Engine and Lego railway toys as a indtroductory stepping stone for young children towards the future adult hobby of true scale model railroad building? In my view a page for children (and parents) promoting these relatively indestructible train sets could be the start of a lifelong interest.
Kind regards
Dr Bruce

Hi Dan,
Love your site and has given me plenty of ideas, as I am about to retire and have started to build a OO/HO layout.
Only one thing though, I don’t like downloading e-books and if you could put all your books on CD then I would buy the CDs. So please get them all on CD.

May the right track be with you always,

John

Hi Dan
I had O27 gauge back in the ’50′s when I was young. It was set up on a ping-pong table. I was continually ripping it up to try different layouts. It was donated to the Good Will when I went off to College.
I guess the hobby was always floating around in the back of my mind. A few years ago I picked up 11 engines and a bunch of rolling stock plus buildings and such for a couple hundred bucks from a friend. It was Ho scale. No track. Got on the web and found your online beginners book. It answered many beginner type questions. “So that’s what they mean by code 83 and code 100 rails.”
With the help of your newsletters and links to videos and how to’s I rapidly graduated from beginner status and built a layout about shoulder high that goes around a spare bedroom. It has a yard, a couple towns, mountains and landscaping. It continues to evolve and become more polished as time goes on. Model Railroading. It’s a lot of fun being a kid again.
Thanks again for your newsletter and your enthusiasm – but have fun with it. Don’t turn it into a chore!
-Dave

Hi John, they already are on CD. It’s available at http://modeltrainsforbeginners.com/go/cd/
Cheers Dan

Thanks Dave

I found alot of good information on your site for all levels. I even passed it on to a friend, is just starting out. I haven’t got into books or downloads yet. I also have a folder to archieve the e-mails.

I think the assistance and advice you offer is/are very good and I salute you in your mission to promote the hobby, particularly amongst younger people who, as you so very rightly say, just don’t want to build things any more. I work part-time in South Africa’s biggest train shop which is virtually opposite one of the largest boys’ high schools in Durban. The boys walk past but virtually never come in.
I do think you should continue to stress the many-sidedness of our hobby: design and planning, cityscapes and landscapes; mechanics, electrics and electronics and the creation of themes.
I visit many layouts and catch many others on the Internet and down the years one thing seems to be ingloriously lacking: the careful, the meticulous, laying of track, its ballasting and painting. There is nothing more embarrassing than visiting someone whose layout plainly just doesn’t work properly because of foolish short-cuts and indifferent attention to detail.
I think modellers should be strongly encouraged, too, to paint and weather their structures so that they don’t just resemble pristine toys; the same obviously applies to locos and rolling stock.
You’re performing a good and vital service, Dan; you need have no doubts about that.

The information you present is always en excellent. It is very illustrative, informative, educative and descriptive. I hail from India and the problem we face is that the currency conversion rate. They work out a bit costly for us. Is it possible that this hobby can work out economical for us. I am 53 years old as on date. Railways is my dream project / hobby, since my child hood. Even today, I will have to think not only twice / thrice before going in to buy any product.

I would pray to almighty that your efforts in educating people like us to be continued and give you strength to continue with the same. I would not say any thing on Likes / Dislikes, as they are totally on individual basis. One cannot satisfy all the people at the same time. I believe in ‘Slow and Steady Wins the Race’, hence improvement will come automatically as time advances, which takes care of changes too.

All the best.

Before I end this letter, please accept our Best Wishes for the year 2012 & Merry Christmas.

Sher Dil alias Sushil Damle, Hyderabad, India.

Great site .Keep up the good work.On more than one occasion i have been tearing my hair(the little i have left) but you site brings simple answers to so many problems. I think it is the knowledge that others have had these problems so therefore i am not alone. you are all out there and willing to help if i ask for it. Most times a little diligent searching on your tips and i can find the answers ok. Please keep up the great work you all do. D Wilson

so far it look very promising I haven’t reviewed it totally

This One of the Best sites for Model Train Enthuiasts and keeps me informed of all sorts of info to stop me from wasting money on ill conceived idea’s and heart break when things don’t work out the way I thought it should Please keep up the Good Work

Dan,

Please let me give you a little backround about myself. I have been a Signal Maintainer for some 20 years and Ive seen enough railroad material and places at all times of the year day and night. I ve seen enough that I swore to myself that I wouldnt even come close to doing anything like this for a Hobby. I worked so much I hated it. I thought I would never in a million years being saying this or even coming close to a website like this..When I was working Id see these guys with their little train hats on sitting next to the railroad yard with their radios and I thought they were looney. Crazy wanna bes that had a nastalgic sort of euphoric type idea how glamorous it was to work for the railroad..I said to myself…If they only knew how you are really treated and how hard the work really was that building a trainset in their basement would be the last thing they would be doing. I never thought I would even be thinking about building my own railroad but here I am..I know Im either one something or onto something but I kind of like it..its wild it kind of gets into your blood and I have to contribute that to you Dan. Your newsletters and even the pay portion got me to a point where Im looking at building a railroad…You convinced me and I wouldnt be writing this if it wasnt for you..You made a cynical railroad maintainer into a believer..I know I have a lot of work ahead but I think its actually going to be fun…Im disabled now and way more time than money and now I can design anything I want. I can make a common sense railroad instead of a backwards thrown together one. With your help and tips it makes what may seem tedious and boring actually fun and exciting.. thank you PS As for changing things I say if it aint broke dont fix it…I say keep doin what your doin because you’re doin great…

Oh! you certainly MUST continue, unlike most people reading your words I have had a stroke
which has played havok with my brain and some other functions. Impatience is my biggest
fault when I am online , I can’t concentrate the way that I used to .So yes PLEASE continue.

Hi Dan,
I’m a grand dad with 15 grand and 13 great grand kids. One of my grandsons has sclerodemia (one of the systemic type) and if it were not for model railroading and his art talents (model Building) I don’t know if he would be as happy and content with life the way it is. He’s a great kid; no sympathy, no wants, lots of pain but just enjoys what we do togather and with the other family kids.We visit shops and he gets a kick out of his growing railroad. He and I thank you for all your advice and would miss you terribly if you should quit. Keep up the good work, I’ll bet there is other kids out there who feel the same as these “two” kids.
Thanks,
Leon

Thanks Leon, it’s comments like yours that keeps us very motivated. Thank-you!
Don’t worry though because after everyone’s comments we will be making some changes and making the website even better.
Say hi to the kids
Dan

Dear Sir
I have enjoyed your site just a couple of things it appears that most information is from overseas
also maybe you could get handy hints from local clubs especially aussie content.
As you may have noticed i am now not a member because of finances.

All the best for the future
Alan

I like the information provided by you, it gives lot of insight into the hobby and very helpful in deciding the products.

Like – timely updates on new products, guiding in right way .. lot s and lots more ..

Dislike – I don’t say dislike but some improvement on how some nice deals are projected instead of just the link to the website,

Improvements – Feedback or suggestion of the models, since there are large set of models available.

Thank you for making me keep my hobby alive with your work..

Hi Dan. It’s obvious to me that you and your crew do a great job, well to me anyway being my first go at model railway’s. As my thoughts are still to be put onto paper first even before starting the real thing !!
Cheers Ralph

Dan, what I have done is photocopied some pages from a old magazine of old advertisements largest being approx 50mm Square smallest about 10mm x 20mm, laminated them, then my idea
is to cut them out and use them on walls say on stations platforms, shops, backdrops,signage, anywhere etc etc.

I really like the books you did. It made every thing seem really easy and simple. I would have liked more information on DCC. When I started I went with DC and blocked all my track for running several trains at a time. But when a hobby shop explained to me about DCC I bought in to it. Now that is what I’m running and I am really happy he told me about it like he did at the shop. I would have liked it much better if your books had gone into DCC in more detail and told me that was the way to go, if this is your first layout. There are some things I have picked up on in your tips and through other sources. One is about making blocks and putting a light bulb in line with the power to help protect the DCC controller. If a train jumps the track and shorts it out, you have a light bulb that will glow and prevent the DCC from getting damaged. Plus, if they are numbered, you will know where the short is at.
Otherwise, you are doing a great job promoting the hobby. I just wish the videos you were selling were for sell as individual videos instead of the whole set.
Keep going and keep new articles and ideas coming. Thank You!!!

You have a fantastic website promoting a hobby I personally enjoy, keep up the good work.
Best of luck for 2012
Andrew

I like what you’re doing,Dan, as I think that model trains, regardless of scale are really great! I grew up watching Southern Railway (now Norfolk Southern) trains pass by my home, and with the information you provide it has helped expand my love of trains to my 6 year old daughter. She likes the long freight trains on my 4×8′ layout and loves to operate them, though she would like a layout of her own. Yes, “model railroading is fun!”

Just wanted to say Have a wonderful Holiday. Thank You for the tips.

God Bless
Rod

Thanks so much for all you do!! I’ve been a life-long model railroader/collector & lay out builder. I have gleaned some valuable inspiration & some great ideas from here! Please keep ‘em coming. Thank you again, & a very Merry Christmas!

Hi Dan First I would like to say I am a total novice where model trains are concerned I have retired as a Interstate Truck Driver and was going to build a Transport depot and Earth moving site and incorporate model Trains which I am planning To do. I have been contuniously been searching the web for information which there is plenty of and then came across your site Which I joined finding it most helpful. I have just been looking to find the best ideas and are just in the planning state as the book says get the design right. Anyhow keep up the great work . I wish you and yours all the best for the New Year from Australia. Rod (Rocket)

A big thanks for your web,very helpful.could you send me info on building roadways for my scenery.