Where do I start.

My next step would be " The DCS Companion". Then lay your track and wire according to the book. If you are planning on DCS, you won't regret it. When you get your transformer and power up, it will be right.

I will second John H's recommendation above, sounds like a good plan to me. I started out in a similar manner, only with an MTH starter set. I set up a temp layout using the set's track and DCS Remote Commander (50-1033), just to fiddle around with while planning a layout. I next got the DCS Companion, before getting DCS and attempting to build the more permanent layout. Followed the wiring guidelines in the DCS book and it all works quite well now.  I have yet to have a DCS problem that wasn't something I goofed up, no DCS system problems at all.

Thanks John H I have the latest version

I too have a ready to run set I have been playing around with with remote command while I built my tables.  So it sounds like the first couple of steps have been taken..

What did you guys do 1st, Buy track, DCS Remote or a heavy duty transformer.

I would go track first, transformer next, and DCS last. You can work on track in amounts that your budget allows and get the transformer when you have track enough to run trains. You can run conventional until the budget allows for DCS, and hopefully find some rolling stock along the way. You will have lots of help available along the process from the forum, so have at it!

Thank you so much John H.

That is the information I needed as I have to gradually get the most expensive items ceratium as my beleaguered budget allows.

Thank you ORG forum and everyone who helps us newer members find the right way to proceed with the hobby.  Wiring and trackwork is next on the agenda with the help of the DCS Companion.

Helping others is what life is about.  

                                                                                 J.Wilson in sunny Nth Central North Carolina.

Just starting out can be really hard on the budget as you say. I had the same problems and here is what I have done over about a five-six year period so far. It took me a while to figure all of this out and to decide what I really wanted. I knew very little about real or model railroads when I got back into the hobby, not that I know that much now, but I have mostly decided what I like and gotten a few things figured out.

I decided on command control only, no conventional and no plans for any later on, but I could run conventional using the TIU's variable channels if I ever need to. I used Lionel PowerHouse 180s (PH-180) for power to my TIU channels. These are a constant 18 volts at 10 amps and have excellent breakers, arguably the best breakers of any O gauge power source. The Z4000 and ZW-L are very nice transformers, but the PH-180s are the best bang for the buck and the very fast breakers help protect your train's electronics. When I got mine they were about $80-$90 each, brand new at street prices. However, they may go up a little when the next batch comes out, but only Lionel knows for sure?

After I got my first starter set I added one more. Next I got the DCS system and 1 PH-180. I then got that going with my temp layout which was now 2 separate, small loops of track. I used a Z500 from a set to power my TIU through the Aux port, recommended when using more than one TIU channel, and powered the 2 fixed channels with the PH-180. Next I studied all the track systems available and decided on Atlas O track. I started out liking Fastrack, but it was too noisy so I ended up going with Atlas, which I really like better anyway. I then started buying track and switches. I had a nice layout all planned for our existing basement and was ready to start building it when our old house started having more major problems. We had already fixed quite a few over the years. We ended up moving to a new house so I had to start over with layout plans.

After moving I got a 6'x16' Mianne benchwork kit and put up a fairly nice layout on that, which is what I have now. I went with Mianne because it's easy to reconfigure and my plan was to add on when the train budget recovered from the initial purchases I had been making. This stuff adds up ($$$) very quickly, as you said in your original post! That's about where I am now, planning the expansion and getting ready to start adding on. I just need to stop buying trains and concentrate on routing all train funds to the expansion.

I also decided to stay with diesels only, mostly modern, as that is what I see around here all the time and they also don't require the larger curves like the steamers do. The diesels are also a lot less expensive than the steamers. I have also gone to the scale sized items as opposed to the semi-scale like Railking and Lionel traditional items, as I have now decided I liked the scale size better. They are usually a lot nicer, more detail, etc. I also decided to try and stick with mostly one road name, BNSF, to help keep my purchases somewhat in check. Lionel doesn't offer much in BNSF, but MTH usually has more in each catalog than I can afford. Sticking with one road name does reduce the selection and help the budget though. 

Not that this is the right way to do things, but it might give you some more ideas to help you along. Everyone does things differently so the right way is the way that works best for you and your layout. I found the OGR forum fairly early on, read many posts here and that helped me a lot in selecting the path I chose. It was a combination of many ideas learned from the others here and I am still learning.  

Thank you very much RTR12

Watching the train go in circles is getting boring so I am ready to expand, and now I am little more focused on what direction to go first.

This will be a life long project.  I am 61 years old and have had several hobbies, mostly RC planes. The thing with trains is after you finish building something, you don't have to worry about loosing your time, effort, and $$ with a crash. This project will be a gradual process as I come close to retirement.

 I have decided to go with the DCS only system.  As far as trains, I currently am running the Norfork &Western ESD44AC Diesel RTR freight set from MTH. I think I will take your advice and stay with that road name brand.

I am using what came with the set, a command controller and 50 watt brick.  I added some additional realtrax, and have added 5 freight cars. For track I think maybe gargraves or atlas would be more durable in the long run.  The realtrax is OK but after taking it apart a few times, the connections get loose.

I can't thank you all enough;                    John

My order:

1) Figure out just how much space I have for a layout.

2) Make a track plan to fit in that space.  I kid you not, it took me almost 2 years from the time I defined my space to the time I had a track plan I picked.  It was the 131st plan that I came up with. During these two years, I was able to save up and buy my power and command systems.

3) Only once I had a plan did I then buy material for the bench work and then build it.  With the table done I just threw up some track I had already on it just so I could run trains until I could get the track for the layout going.

4) Start getting track and placing it.  My layout is basically 3 interconnected concentric loops with sidings and spurs.  Since my play track was from sets, I could leave that in the middle of the table while I got the track for the outside most loop.  I am currently laying that down.  Once the outermost loop and spurs are done and powered, then I can remove the inner play track and run on the outer loop as I buy up the track for the 2nd loop. 

5) Once I have all that track for the 2nd loop, I'll lay and power it then work on getting track for the innermost loop.  By doing it this way (Getting all track for a stage, then have a build stage, and repeat.), I can always be able to play with my trains before the layout is done.  And since I have a clear track plan, I know exactly how much to save up and what track to look for and buy.  And since my track plan included most of what buildings I wanted, I can keep an eye out for any that go on sale and grab them to reduce overall cost of the layout.

John E. Wilson posted:

Thank you very much RTR12

Watching the train go in circles is getting boring so I am ready to expand, and now I am little more focused on what direction to go first.

This will be a life long project.  I am 61 years old and have had several hobbies, mostly RC planes. The thing with trains is after you finish building something, you don't have to worry about loosing your time, effort, and $$ with a crash. This project will be a gradual process as I come close to retirement.

 I have decided to go with the DCS only system.  As far as trains, I currently am running the Norfork &Western ESD44AC Diesel RTR freight set from MTH. I think I will take your advice and stay with that road name brand.

I am using what came with the set, a command controller and 50 watt brick.  I added some additional realtrax, and have added 5 freight cars. For track I think maybe gargraves or atlas would be more durable in the long run.  The realtrax is OK but after taking it apart a few times, the connections get loose.

 

I can't thank you all enough;                    John

You are welcome, hope it helps a little.

I am retired, a few years older and this is it for me as well. I got back in the hobby about a year before I retired, but didn't really get many things purchased until after retirement. It all started out with my grandson wanting a train set. Sounds like you are on a similar path to the one I am on.

DCS only is fine, it's a good system. Follow the DCS Companion, it's also a valuable resource that you will refer to many times. Sticking with one road name is good and also the MTH Railking Imperial line if very nice and extremely reasonably priced for what you get. I don't think there is a better value available in O gauge.

I agree with you on the Realtrax. I like the looks of it, but after looking at everything available, I preferred Atlas track.

Good luck and there is lots of help here on this forum when you need it. Many knowledgeable folks here that are willing to help.

sinclair posted:

2) Make a track plan to fit in that space.  I kid you not, it took me almost 2 years from the time I defined my space to the time I had a track plan I picked.  It was the 131st plan that I came up with. During these two years, I was able to save up and buy my power and command systems.

 

I believe it! I am stuck right now with my expansion plans. I started on the plan over a year ago and I don't think I am any closer now than when I started. I don't think I am up to 131 yet, but I have so may I can't keep track of them all. For me this is definitely the most difficult part.