New to model trains? Start here.
🚧 Model Railroading 101 – A Beginner’s Guide
Welcome to our beginner hub! Below is the full roadmap for the HO Scale Beginner Series, airing on the Vintage Road & Rail YouTube channel. New episodes release regularly and this guide will grow alongside the videos.
🎥 HO Beginner Series Episode List
- Which Scale Should You Choose?
- Train Sets vs. Buying Separates
- Build Your Own Train Set – What I’d Do If I Started Today
- Why Vintage Train Sets Aren’t a Good Starting Point
- New or Used Gear – What Should You Buy First?
- The 4 Parts of a Model Railroad – Simplified Overview
- Track Types and Codes – What You Need to Know
- Power Systems Explained – DC vs DCC for Beginners
- Locomotives for Starters – Steam or Diesel?
- Freight vs. Passenger Cars – What’s Easier to Run?
- Benchwork and the Classic 4×8 Layout – Still a Great Start
- Scenery & Buildings – Getting Started Without Overthinking It
- Couplers, Wheels & Small Upgrades for Smoother Running
- Expanding Your Railroad – Add-Ons That Make It Better
- Planning Your First Layout – What I’d Do Differently
- You’re Not Alone – Clubs, Books, YouTube & Facebook
🚂 Videos will be linked here as they go live. Bookmark this page and follow along on your journey into model railroading!