Anyone seen this yet? Its a layout in a box. Enough track for a 4 x 8 plywood layout and a DVD hosted by Micheal Gross to explain everything. It says…
In this box, you’ll find all the track you need to build the HO scale layout featured in the enclosed World’s Greatest Hobby DVD, Building Your First Model Railroad. Hosted by actor and model railroad enthusiast Michael Gross, the easy-to-follow video will quickly get you on track for fun with the World’s Greatest Hobby!
43-piece Your First Railroad Track Pack includes:
World’s Greatest Hobby Building Your First Model Railroad DVD, hosted by actor and model railroad enthusiast Michael Gross
nine 9” straights
one 9” terminal/rerailer
one 9” rerailer
twenty 18” radius curves
two 3” straights
two switches—left
two switches—right
four switch wires (green)
one terminal wire (red)
Visit your local hobby retailer to learn more about Your First Railroad Track Pack and Bachmann’s complete line of model railroading products in HO, N, O, On30 and Large Scales. Now that’s the way to run a railroad!
Anyone seen this yet? It’s a layout in a box. Enough track for a 4x8 plywood layout and a DVD hosted by Michael Gross to explain everything. - vsmith
Well…it’s certainly not a new concept. Seems to me to be just a box of track and switches plus a video, hardly to be considered a layout in a box. From time to time various manufacturers have offered such track packages to build specific layouts going at least as far back as 1954! Even that early there was at least one true “layout in a box” available (the trackplan stenciled on the pre-cut plywood, plus the track!).
Not being able to see just what sort of trackplan is intended from the Bachmann ad leaves the question of its actual value pretty much up in the air. And although I certainly didn’t price it out, I doubt there’s much of a savings to be had here. At $90, you’re still at least $200-$300 short of what’s necessary to run a train so I can’t see this product making much of an impact in the hobby. The idea is good but the “kit” falls far short of what could have been put together as a WGH promo for a newbie just starting out on a layout.
I think it sounds like a very good deal. At list price those products purchased individually would cost over $169. When you consider that the layout kit lists at $90, and can be purchased at Hobbylinc.com for $68.29; I think you would be hard pressed to find a better deal.
If I was starting out in HO I’d be placing my order today.
Woodland Scenics offers a comprehensive layout building package that forms everything from the benchwork up to the finish project (You just supply your choice of legs) Atlas makes track sets specially packaged for these layout building packages and DPM offeres a comprehensive selection of buildings grouped specially for these layouts as well. They have two in HO and one in N. And yes they come in a Box. (Three for the HO ones I think) These I truely consider layouts in a box. The Bachmann offering I consider merely a track package.
Big Sky is quite correct, the two Woodland Scenics’ HO layout packages do produce - short only power pack and rolling stock - materials for quite acceptable, completely finished, basic 4x8 layouts. Of course, the final price tag - with a simple DC power supply and a short list of rolling stock - would come in at around or slightly over $1,000 but that’s just as one might expect for a simple beginner’s layout.
Worth noting is that, according to the new Walthers, Atlas also offers a basic WGH 4x8 track package that must be virtually identical to Bachmann’s, considering that it includes (the exact same?) construction video narrated by Michael Gross! Atlas’ price is $119 vs Bachmann’s $90. However, each package really provides nothing more than track for a temporary, 'round-the-Christmas-tree arrangement for the floor or on a sheet of plywood - not what most would regard as a “layout”. As I noted up-stream, a minimum of several hundred dollars more would be necessary before the buyer had anything that, even by a stretch, could be considered as in the realm of a very primitive beginner’s “layout”.
In my opinion, the Woodland Scenic’s product would be a much better, more realistic introductory choice for a beginner. Note that WS layouts-in-a-box have been on the market for a while now and so are probably filling the need very well. Except as essentially a throw away introduction to model railroading, I just don’t see either the Bachmann or Atlas track-only packages as likely making any great impact in the hobby at the beginners’ level.
i think it is a good thing for a child or an early teen to get their feet wet. While there are plenty of things to add to make the layout have a bit more realism, most hobbiests will have most, if not all, of the bases covered.
The Woodland Scenics system is perhaps the most comprehensive “train in a box” system but at $1000 vs $90 I dont think it would tempt my buyers. At $90, this might get someone sitting on the fence to take the plunge. I read somewhere than 50% of model railroaders never put down scenery and never get farther than track on plywood. These modelers still buy locos, cars, so B’mann and Atlas are clearly aiming at this segment of the hobby.
I think this is a good option for someone just starting out who wants a track plan that is a step up from the usual ‘train set’ oval. Of course it is not everything you need to build a fully sceniced ‘serious modeler’ layout. But when you are looking to give your 8-year-old kid a starter set for his birthday you’re not looking for ‘Franklin and South Manchester in a Box’.
Folks complain about the hobby dieing, then criticize when companies try to provide options to bring new people in. Go figure.
That sounds like a pretty good idea. However, It sounds very much like the Hornby “Track pack” system but without the locos and cars - the Hornby system comes as a printed track plan needing a 6x4 board with varying amounts of the track needed to complete - larger sets have more track. Add-on packs are easy to find to complete the layout on the “Trakmat”(their spelling). Total cost would probably be quite high, but it’s an impressive setup and the cost would be spread over quite a long time.
I got this set at a Train show. For about $75. and The EZ- Command with loco for $99. I feel it was a great setup for a first timer. I am hooked. It was what I was looking for. The only short comings is that there was no details or direction to set it up. Just the picture on the box. The DVD is pretty good but does not show detail like how to hook up the switches to the power pack. I purchased power pack to run the swithes ( I am new to this) I call Bachmann. The EZ-Command DCC set was perfect addition for a first timer too. Me and my 7 years old son enjoyed it the minute we got home.