Hello Poptarts!
In this episode, after who knows how long, we will finally get ready to lay track! This episode covers all the background information you will need to actually put track to table.
Also, don’t forget to vote correctly!
BGT Episode 12: Listener Questions 2
Well, it seems the world has changed a tad since I last released an episode. I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy out there. I, myself, am definitely putting a lot of time into building a model railroad, and I hope you all are too!
In this episode, I answer another round of listener questions, covering topics from layout design to turnouts and wiring. I also issue a correction from a previous episode and introduce you to a new scale, OO.
If you have any questions of your own, feel free to drop me a line. Good luck with coronapocalypsemageddonocaust!
BGT Episode 11: Benchwork!
Hello everybody! Dear gods, it’s been a while!
Anyways, in this episode, we finally get to start construction on our model railroads by discussing how to build benchwork. I break down all the parts of benchwork, including the support system, frame, surface, and subroadbed. I also discuss all the techniques, tools, and safe practices required to build good benchwork.
If you just found the podcast as a result of the Winterval holidays, then I issue you a hearty welcome to the world’s greatest hobby! If you have any questions, please feel free to drop me a line and ask any questions you may have!
BGT Episode 10: Terminology, Tools, and Trainiacs
In this episode, I wrap up a few loose ends before we finally get to layout construction. First, I finish off explaining a wide variety of railroad-related terminology, going into all the depth you would need to know about what most major railroad components are and how they work. Then, I list off and describe all the tools you would need to build a model railroad. Importantly, I then follow this up with modeling safety, and close out the episode with a little bonus, proving that model railroading is not just for nerds.
BGT Episode 9: Prototype Research (Track Planning Workshop, Part 3)
In this episode, I wrap up the unintentional trilogy of Track Planning information episodes by giving you the strategies you can use to research a prototype railroad for the purpose of realistically modeling it.
To compliment this episode, I have created a new section of the Links page called Prototype Resources, inspired by listener Skyler, which has links to and details about all the resources I use when researching a prototype railroad. I highly recommend checking it out.
The website that I reference in the episode is here: https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=262:1:19084355468963::::: and contains downloadable archives of every USGS map ever made. It has been an invaluable resource to me for over 1/3 of my lifespan, and I hope it brings you as many hours of fascination as it has myself.
BGT Episode 8: Listener Questions 1
This episode is the first episode of listener questions! Wahoo! In this episode, I answer questions about track laying, scales, manufacturers, clubs, and small layouts.
Don’t forget, if you have a question of your own, you can ask it through the contact page.
BGT Episode 7: Designing for Space (Track Planning Workshop, Part 2)
In another mammoth episode, I am covering track planning once again, but this time from the perspective of the model railroader designing the railroad. Subjects covered include your modeler personality and preferences, fitting your layout into a room, the merits of a 4X8 layout, space use tips, layout orientation, human accessibility, operational concerns from a preference perspective, artistic presentation, and track plan design software.
Just a note, sorry for the delay in episodes; I have been Amtraking across the country, moving from Wrong Island to Pennsylvania, and spending the summer with my family in Seattle. Next, I will be Amtraking back across the country and starting Graduate School, so, yeah... my life is, and will continue to be exceptionally busy.
BGT Episode 6: Designing for Operations (Track Plan Workshop, Part 1)
My most dense episode yet, this was originally a one parter. However, at nearly an hour this time around, it is evident that this subject needed to be bifurcated. Whereas Part 2 will focus on space usage and human-centric design, this episode will focus on operations, train movements, and all other components integral to the movement of trains on real railroads. Even if you don't plan on operating your model railroad, it pays to build it to accommodate such, for so doing will make your railroad both more realistic and more versatile.
Since this is a particularly long episode, here's a cheat sheet of sections covered for you to refer back to if you're feeling lost:
Runaround
Industry Spur
Mainline
Interchanges
Staging
Storage Tracks
Yards
And here's a link to Craig's 10 Commandments of Yard Design.
BGT Episode 5: The Beginner's Bible
Or Quran, or Torah, or God Delusion, or Tripitaka, whichever floats your boat.
Whenever a new modeler enters the hobby, there is a strong incentive to cut a few corners for the purpose of speeding completion of the railroad, or there might simply be a lack of knowledge on what is generally accepted to be a higher fidelity way to approach any given problem. The Beginner's Bible is an amalgamation of advice comprised of lessons that I have learned the hard way. Take heed of this advice, as it may prove quite useful.
As always, if you have comments or suggestions from your own modeling experiences, feel free to drop me a line on the contact page, and your additions will be compiled into an updated Beginner's Bible.
Special thanks to the Scathing Atheist Podcast, found here.
BGT Episode 4: Train Sets and DCC
This episode covers the phenomenon of train sets and explains the different methods of train control.
First, for those entering the hobby or reminiscing back, train sets have a prominent, but sometimes controversial place at the start of the future hobbyist's yellow brick road. Depending on what you do later, buying a train set may or may not be worth it. Some people enjoy the simplicity and flexibility of a train set, some want higher quality or more specific equipment and build their own train set, and others want to jump right in to building a railroad, at which point a train set is not necessary. One way or another, visit your local hobby shop to make your purchase, as the proprietor will likely have plenty of useful advice on which is best suited to your interests.
When it comes to building a layout, though, the beginner needs to make a touch choice of how to control their trains: Direct Current (DC) or Digital Command Control (DCC). The gist is that DC is both simpler and easier, but also much more limited in functionality, whereas DCC, while being more expensive, allows you to run multiple trains at the same time and can operate locomotives with realistic sound modules.
Best of luck to all of you beginners! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, as I am assembling our first Q&A episode! Happy railroading!