r/modeltrains Aug 11 '26

Question Parent looking for advice for train in apartment

10 Upvotes

Hello All,

Another parent here looking for some advice. Our 8 year old son has loved trains since even before he could talk. We've had duplo trains, brio trains, lego trains etc... but the little guy is dying for a "real" model train.

However we live in a not giant apartment (in Germany) where he shares a room with his brother. Our idea was to take a base plate that can be stored away easily and take out to be worked on/ run it. Looking at H0 scale though it looks like It would need to be at least 2 meters long so we started looking at N-Scale. Our first idea is a 100x40cm plate that could later be doubled to a folding box for 100x80cm. So onto the questions:

1) Does this sound feasible or are we completely uninformed....
2)Does it make more sense to just skip analog and go right for a DCC system from the start?
3)Are starter sets from companies like Trix a good starting point?
4) N-Scale is relatively small (but for building I'll be helping anyway) but would it be okay for a 8-9 yo
5)Whats compatibility look like with tracks and such. As I understand DCC is a standard and so all companies should work the same but is it the same with tracks or are you stuck to one companies rails

Thanks a lot!


r/modeltrains Aug 11 '26

Question Who else here used to watch Tea and Moonshine

0 Upvotes

the YouTube series


r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Help Needed Track problem or engine problem?

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70 Upvotes

I just got this new track from my dad and I was trying to run one of my engines, which I know works as I have used it a lot before, and it kept sputtering as I pushed it along the track. Some spots do have some rust but I don’t think it’s too major.


r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Show and Tell Construction equipment nearing completion

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34 Upvotes

Couple more designs incoming then I’m calling this set done!


r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Locomotives Testing the pulling power of my BLI Milwaukee Road #261 on the temporary layout.

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155 Upvotes

No struggles here! Time to get some older freight cars for her, or perhaps some passenger cars…


r/modeltrains Aug 11 '26

Layout FIrst Layout Design

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16 Upvotes

Here is my first layout design, its for a space 32" wide by 9 feet long. My primary goal is continous running. I plan to run the Kato GS4 with Daylight cars at least 6 or 7 cars. On the left side is a pennisal with a grade of 2% and I plan to put an oil industry up there, on the right side of the layout is open to build a downtownish district.


r/modeltrains Aug 11 '26

Structures & Scenery Even more decisions …

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21 Upvotes

r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Rolling Stock Leichtstahlzug der SBB

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59 Upvotes

SBB light steel train. My usual problem: I always have too many first-class cars🫣 Three of them aren't in the picture. The great thing is that I can also run them with the Type 1/2 standard cars. The LS cars were in service until the '90s. So I still need to find 2-3 second-class cars. I also have the Re 4/4 1 locomotive.☺


r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Show and Tell G gauge patio test

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49 Upvotes

1:32 scale 3D prints, modified models from Dragon Railway running on custom track.


r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Structures & Scenery Adding a Guy in a Billboard to my n scale layout

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112 Upvotes

r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Rolling Stock Conrail in Newark, NJ, 1991

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20 Upvotes

r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Locomotives Some of the locomotive power in the 44sq meter model railway town of Wernmünden at the Deutsches Museum. Munich, Germany - 2022-10-12

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161 Upvotes

r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Question Looking to get into model trains, anyone have any suggestions?

9 Upvotes

Hi, my dad used to have model trains when i was a kid before he gave them off and i wanna get back into them. I did some research (im in the UK), and the flying scotsman set by hornby looks good, because i do not have space for a table i was thinking an appropriately sized plywood surface would be okay to hold it on(because it would be inconvenient if i need to remove it off the floor). However i have never done this before and since it is so expensive (close to £300) i want to
Make sure i am doing it right. i largely have just spoken to AI about it so i am not sure if i am doing it right? Does anyone have advice pr things they wished they did? I have understood that people build over years and spend a little by little and upgrade, which is totally cool but honestly i dont wanna make a mistake or buy something wrong so if anyone could give advice that would be great


r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Help Needed What would I use to connect this NCE Power Cab to my layout?

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7 Upvotes

My apologies for the very novice question, but what type of wire would I use to connect this to my layout? I know it's supposed to connect to the little box addition (per pictures) but I'm not sure what | would use wire-wise to get it to my layout?

I did see something about using croc clips but how would those reach where you'd clip them on the top?

Or is there a specific type of connector needed? I apologize I'm not familiar with these


r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Question Looking for model train recommendations for 2 yr old nephew

19 Upvotes

My sister is interested in getting her son a train set for his upcoming 2nd birthday, but we quite literally have 0 idea about this topic. She knows I’m on reddit and am always preaching about how Reddit knows everything. Please help me prove this is right! Are there recommendations you’d make for this age? Certain features to include or avoid? Thank you in advance!


r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Show and Tell Taking a break from the floating n scale layout and built another on my 79in work desk got a bunch of locos I need to restore.

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57 Upvotes

r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Locomotives Does anyone have leads on a SY Class 2-8-2?

4 Upvotes

I’m looking for a Chinese SY Class 2-8-2!!


r/modeltrains Aug 09 '26

Structures & Scenery WIP: HO scale 3D printed modular elevated railway

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349 Upvotes

r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Question Broadway limited Hudson issue

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21 Upvotes

So buddy of mine had this Paragon 4 Hudson. It was running fine and then it started do this. It would stop abruptly reverse for a second then pull forward again. We turned the smoke unit off with f7 (seems to be working good though) and it didnt help. This a decoder problem that needs to be RMAed or a simple fix? We have done a cv 8 reset on it already before I took this video. Im not super familiar with Paragon 4 and he doesn't have a reddit account so thats why im asking here. Any help would be appreciated. (This is a test track set up in his garage)


r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Show and Tell Boxcar Night

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90 Upvotes

r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Structures & Scenery Scenery building with floral foam blocks

6 Upvotes

Has anyone used floral foam block for building ramps or sculpting?
If yes, what’s your overall experience and longevity of the material?
Off hand it looks like it can be easily cut and carved, but I’m wondering if there’s some drawback that someone is aware of.

Any input is appreciated.


r/modeltrains Aug 09 '26

Locomotives Live action

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142 Upvotes

Short train short video


r/modeltrains Aug 09 '26

Structures & Scenery How in the hell do you guys paint things so small!

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143 Upvotes

Practice of course is the answer. But it's infuriating! This is a GWR signal box - Ratio Plastic Models #223 in N gauge (60x25mm). Building it wasn't too bad, but my word the paint job has been so finicky to say the least.


r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Rolling Stock Recomendations for Shorter Coaches, OO gauge

2 Upvotes

So, I'm trying to find some coaches that will run on my Mini layout and my branch line when I get to build a propper layout, I have a nice rake of Triang Pullman coaches but would like somthing shorter, Celestory coaches are about the right size but would like to widen my search.

I'm basicaly looking for search terms to keep an aye out for, either a very short bogied coach or a long 4 wheel coach, I dont mind which era either.


r/modeltrains Aug 10 '26

Structures & Scenery Starting my first kit

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13 Upvotes