My OH have just bought ourselves a large home in Jockland. Now that we have the space we want to build a small scale model railway. Not just for the trains, but more than that we want to build the model town and scenery around it. We fancy 1950s - 1960s era (bit of steam, bit of diesel). Has anyone built a layout? Any hints and tips as to where to start? Anyone got a layout they can post photos of?

We don't want to pay out silly money, but we want it to look good. I am very experienced with plastic model kits and an airbrush if that makes any difference!

Legs, you don't say what scale railway you want. It makes a BIG difference to the bank balance.

As I said - any hints and tips! I want it large enough that I can get a little detail into the town, but small enough that I can get a lot of town in the room. HO probably. It seems fairly common in the shops.

HO is 1/72(approx) scale, there's tons of it on ebay and model shops alike, it will cost you a fortune unless your handy with chicken wire and paper mashe.
Unless you've got Pete Waterman as best mates expect to spend many hours with boring train types!

From what I can see HO is 1/87 scale.

Brio is better than BigJigs.

Originally Posted by Legs

From what I can see HO is 1/87 scale.

1/72 scale fits fairly well, most buildings etc you can get away with it, even things like cars and trucks. only looks a bit odd when you use 1/72 people.

I had N gauge when I was a kid, fleishman I think it was, good stuff.

My old Mate, building a layout is easy, the problems could arise with Signalling,
Points and Scenery.
If you plan to model a specific location, you will need plans and what really is the
most important aspect of ANY layout is that the radius of any curves will never be in
scale, unless you have unlimited space.
A few years ago I constructed a working model of Leeds Holbeck MPD, the Shed and
yard took up 6'x4' Baseboard.......plus you will never be satisfied, there will always
be a bit more to do!!!!
Depending on where you want to create your layout, I have plans of all the Loco
Sheds, the NE and WR books are very detailed, as long as you return them, it will
be a pleasure to help.....My Steam Library is extensive and very dear to me but the
same applies....anytime, Mate.

Please, please don't do what most layouts do ie. mix Loco's, rolling stock etc.
try and stick to one Region, it will be a hell of a lot more realistic and will appeal more
to the purists amongst us.........be prepared for flak and piss taking on here but
stuff 'em all.
PM me anytime.

I was thinking of a fictional town, Northern, industrial (mills, factories, car plants) with terraced streets heading up to hills. To me, the town is the thing I really want to build. The railway is just a part of it.

Edited to add: I have the space for about a 10 x 7 ft layout.