| Makin' Tracks & Getting Wired | | | | overview of the track itself, what's it made of, what |
| You've got your benchwork up and your | | | | form you can expect to find it in when you buy it, |
| topographical foundation set. Are you ready to get | | | | the types and grades available to you. |
| down to the nitty-gritty of deciding on your train | | | | Track, for the most part, is composed of one of |
| route? It's time to lay some track and wire 'er up! | | | | four materials. You find it in brass, zinc-coated steel, |
| Wow! Just where do I begin? For the first year or | | | | steel, and nickel sliver. Of these, brass and |
| so of your hobby, you may find it much easier just | | | | zinc-coated are the most common, but some |
| to buy tracks than to scratch build them. (Yes, | | | | hobbyists swear by nickel silver. |
| those truly devoted to this hobby actually build their | | | | Brass is a good conductor of electricity, but the care |
| own!) And that's fine. The point of this hobby -- and | | | | and cleaning associated with it tends to be a bit |
| any hobby for that matter -- is to simply enjoy | | | | overwhelming sometimes. |
| yourself. | | | | For on thing, the oxide that forms on it is a poor |
| As a newcomer to the subject, jumping in with both | | | | conductor. That tends to inhibit the optimal working |
| feet, trying to do everything at one time -- build | | | | of the train. |
| tracks, scenery, even cars -- may be a bit too | | | | In order to keep the train in running condition, you |
| overwhelming. | | | | need to clean the rails frequently with track cleaning |
| Many people prefer just purchasing products -- all | | | | block. The other way to remove the oxidation is to |
| their products, including scenery and other structures | | | | keep running your cars over them. |
| -- and just enjoy the locomotive and its cars. And | | | | The zinc-coated steel also has more than one |
| you know, that works for me! | | | | disadvantage. |
| But if I'm going to talk about tracks, I may have to, | | | | When the zinc coating wears away (as it eventually |
| by necessity talk about manufacturers. It just | | | | will), it leaves the steel exposed. Yes, you can see |
| comes with the territory. When I mention certain | | | | the problem right away: steel definitely rusts. |
| brands or models of tracks (as well as other | | | | While nickel silver is not quite as good as conductor |
| products), please don't take these to mean an | | | | of electricity as the others, its residual oxide works |
| endorsement of them in any way, shape or form. | | | | every bit as well as a conductor as its original coating, |
| As you progress in the pursuit of this leisurely pursuit, | | | | providing you with reliable, consistent track no matter |
| you'll see what I mean -- and you'll discover some | | | | what the circumstances. Go figure! |
| favorites of your own! | | | | Bringing your first set home |
| Talk to just about any veteran model railroader and | | | | When you buy your first model railroad, you'll notice |
| he'll (or she'll) tell you in no uncertain terms: good | | | | that the layout of your set is not . . . well, terribly |
| trackwork is essential to your operation. | | | | imaginative. |
| In the next breath, they'll probably start talking about | | | | For the most part, your initial model comes with a |
| some horror story of somebody - or even | | | | circular layout. Perfect for under the Christmas tree, |
| themselves when they first began -- of trying to do | | | | but a little boring to watch for any length of time |
| a "quick start" at the hobby and laid their rail down | | | | outside of Christmas morning! |
| quickly. | | | | Before you bring this set home, though, you may |
| They soon discovered that they encountered | | | | wan to give some thought to where you'll be setting |
| derailments (trains falling off tracks). Locomotives and | | | | it up in your house (yes, other than the under the |
| cars may have been damaged beyond repair in the | | | | tree!) |
| process. It's possible even some of the scenery | | | | Your circular set, if it's an S gauge will probably be, |
| they worked so hard to build got damaged. | | | | once laid out, about 40 inches in diameter. This |
| "Quick and haphazard" doesn't work for the real | | | | means you should plan on a space about this size. |
| life-size railroads and it certainly doesn't work for | | | | Now you could place your set on the floor to start, |
| your model either. | | | | or you could put a large piece of plywood on a |
| Makin' Tracks: | | | | tabletop to get you started. The choice is |
| What to expect | | | | yours.............More on Jonah's book "Ultimate |
| Before you even start, it's best to know a little | | | | Comprehensive Guide to Model Train Building". |