Evolution : Upgrading & Expanding Your Model Railway

Probably the hardest part of getting into model railways is overcoming your doubts and making the decision to actually buy your first train set.

There are a few technical decisions to make.

What scale? of TT or OO, TT is more compact.

Which make is best ? Many people have only heard of Hornby - however Tillig, Roco and Piko offer better quality & value

What size set? Depends on your budget

Analog or Digital DCC control? Analog is less costly,  Digital CC is better for multiple trains

If you want a Christmas Train Set or Family Set, Bedding Track Starter Sets are the way to go.

Why? Well ... when you get a starter set you obtain much of the necessary equipment at a knockdown price.  You see the train manufacturers all want you to choose their system, so they can sell you their equipment for a long period. So they part with the starter set at a very low price to encourage the beginner as much as possible. This is good news for you, the consumer.

It might be a good idea for an adult modeller with elaborate layout ambitions,  to jump in at a more advanced level, with a digital starter set, and greater number of track pieces inside.

We call this Track 1

This is called Track 2

This is Track 3.

An interesting "landscaping" highlight to enhance this would be to get a station with platforms.

However before you get a pedestrian footbridge to go into your station,  consider if you plan to do a second loop of mainline track. 
The correct bridge size would be affected by that ..... so if in doubt leave the footbridge until later.

Track 3 + another Track Expansion B = Track 4.

 
If you get a second
Track Expansion B with 3 x extra straight pieces
you have Track 4
a triple line mainline station.
 

This is Track 4.

This is attractive because you can make a really nice feature with a station building, 2-3 platforms, and a double or triple footbridge

When you add Track Expansion Set C  your layout will look like this .....

Track 5

So far we have been adding track to make a bigger layout. But at this point we can choose to make it more technical.
We get much enjoyment from moving points at turnouts, stopping and starting trains.

Add a shunting yard . Locos can be swopped, and carraiges interchanged as you assemble your own trains there.

Then get another train. A Regional Express, BR642 Desiro Commuter, Double-decker commuter train or ICE Inter City Express will have a fine turn of speed to make use of your longer track layout.
If you already have your passenger train, consider a goods train to begin a little shunting fun.

Upgrade your controller to digital DCC, so now it is possible to talk to each train independently. This makes it possible to electrify turnout points and control everything - the junctions and the trains from the central desktop DCC console.

Go "Digital" and make everything work better

Track 5 with Digital DCC Control & Electric Turnouts

This comes in Track Expansion D

Track 6

Track Expansion Kit D extends your track oval by adding a whole extra outer outside track oval. It is linked with the inner oval.

Note that Track 6 makes the area of your complete layout larger for the first time since Track 2. (board size ! )

This layout is very nice with Digital (DCC) control. Then you can run trains simultaneously, even in opposite directions if desired. (Avoid collisions ! )

At this stage there is another way to go ... many modellers add another outside track loop now.  For myself - I would prefer to make up the town (that belongs to my station), and then I could lay some Tillig "Luna" tram track from my station into and through the streets so "light rail" trams can go through town on and off the main railway and to and from the mainline loco sheds. 
This way I get to add road crossings over the railway track, with gates etc. I can make the new road descend in places and go under my railway, and thereby add rail-over-road bridge at that place.