To get started building a railroad with S.L.A. is easy but you'll need to consider some questions. Of course some questions you may have can be answered by just clicking on the left side menu links which is on every website page.

1) What service would you like?
We can work freelance and build part of your railroad whether it's designing track plans, building structures, benchwork, custom painting, decoder installation, track work, adding signals, or troubleshooting and fixing electrical/electronic problems. Or, what we do best building a complete railroad with all the bells and whistles and even design your train room!

2) How much is your budget?
The cost of the railroad really comes down how much time and materials it will take for us to build it. Costs range anywhere from several thousand dollars for smaller projects up into six or seven figures for larger, more elaborate railroads. On some of our large railroads, the cost alone for the supplies can be in the six figures, so be realistic about how much you railroad you can afford!

The most important part of budgeting your railroad will be the size, theme and railroad design with a track plan. From the design plans we can develop the budget and labor time estimate for the railroad.

3) Do you have a railroad design?
To give you an estimate for your railroad, you can email us the railroad design plans, which can be based on your own drawings, or any previously published designs. Your plans should include room size, benchwork size, and scale, plus any ideas for landscaping, roads, and rural and industrial areas. Also include any cabinetry, electrical, control panels, fascia or finishing work to be done.

Once we have your detailed railroad plans, then we can give you a "ballpark" estimate, which would be free and could be given over the phone depending on the complexity. If you want a more detailed estimate, then a charge for the research time would be involved.

If you don't have a railroad design plan we can have a our team create a custom plan and theme to fit your budget. This could take a few weeks or months depending on the specifications of the project to develop and would require a fee because of the research time involved. Most custom railroad plans cost range between $1,200-$4,500 with a detailed budget/estimate included.

4) Where would you like us to build the railroad?
Most of our clients are not local, so our railroads are built in modular sections at our shop and can be delivered to your location. This is the most cost effective way to build the railroad. However, we have a crew ready to travel anywhere in the continental United States, and if need be we can build or work on your railroad at your location. Travel and lodging are an extra expense.

5) When do you want the railroad?
We have a very busy work schedule but we can start building most railroads from 3-14 months in advance depending on the complexity of the work that is involved. A simple oval on a sheet of plywood wired to a power pack with no scenery could be up and running in a week, while a multi level, multi-train operation, with freight yards, a turntable, animation, custom structures, signals, lights and other details for a building as large as 65'x95', could take several months, even years to complete.

It all starts with a layout plan and a budget/estimate based on the plan, then a schedule for completion will be determined. The project starts when we receive a deposit and the signed contract based on the budget/estimate.

If you have more questions continue browsing these links:
F.A.Q. | Ballpark estimate | Estimates | Contracts | Labor examples

Of course you may call us to get started between 9am-6pm Mon-Fri in the eastern standard time zone!