Item
Cost
Source
NCE Powercab
$ 155.96 Litchfield Station
Kato HO unitrack WGH plan set $ 162.98 Amazon.com
Athearn GP40-2 with decoder $ 98.98 Tony's Train Exchange
1/2" sanded sheet 4x8 plywood $ 34.97 Home Depot
Total: $ 452.89
Reverse Running commentary
I
n the $500 hobby newcom-
er contest, what’s the best
design for getting started ?
A power supply and DCC con-
troller, some track, one engine
with a decoder, and a piece of
plywood – that’s what!
For newcomers, I’m a firm be-
liever in keeping the choices
simple: what engine do you
like? Let’s start there.
In the early days, things need
to get moving quick or frustra-
tion ensues. For starters, a loop
of track is best because it’s nice to see that new engine run.
Right about now you’re thinking, “What kind of train is that? It’s
just an engine!”
At this early stage our newbie has spent all his money, and what
did he get for it? He has something of decent quality with DCC
that runs and he’s now a model railroader! He’s learning the true
basics of the hobby and most importantly: he’s hungry for more.
Those of us more seasoned in the hobby know how multifaceted
it is: from building models to electronics to making scenery. “But
the newbie hasn’t done any of this yet,” you say.
You’re right, sort of. I find half the hobby is mental. There’s
dreaming, which turns into research, then into planning, then
Reverse Running: Stepping outside the box with a contrary view
by Ken Sipel
Newbies: Start with the train
drawing, and finally more dreaming. That’s why I handicapped
our newbie with just an engine and some track. He needs time
to digest the hobby and grow into doing it.
Next we set our newbie on a quest to find out about the engine
he bought. When was the prototype made, where did it run, and
what did it do? What number is on that engine? Who owned this
particular engine? Lots to learn, just about a single engine!
We give him a new quest: find a club or a layout to visit and run
trains. This shows him the hobby in full flower, and also provides
a full-blown example he can get his hands on. All the while, he’s
asking questions and learning answers.
He’s using all his track now and has been talking with other mod-
elers, so he’s created a more complex track arrangement. The
track is still just sitting on plywood, so we can show him some
articles that take a single sheet of plywood and make a more fin-
ished layout. He’s intrigued, but still likes going round and round
in between switching a spur he has added.
Someone asks him what he models. He says he’s into the road
on the side of the loco he bought. But now we’ve got him think-
ing more about what goes into making a layout. And we’ve done
it naturally, without overwhelming him.
Our new modeler got a good start with good quality equipment
(not some cheap train set), and he is able to grow and expand
his hobby involvement now with real purpose.
MRH-Jan 2013
