Any suggestins: my father is interested in starting up a toy train collection and I thought I’d get him started but there seems to be too many choices - any suggestions on a book/guide I might be able to give him for the Holidays that will help him get started? I looked on Amazon, etc but I thought you all might have some better ideas - - I’m way out of my league on this stuff. If you have any advice, I’d love to surprise him with a “model train” bible - - does such a thing exist? Help!
Hi Claire, welcome. This forum is a wealth of info!
Any idea what “scale” he is interested in? N, HO, S, O or G? ( from small to large ) Is he interested in just collecting and displaying, or actually running trains? If running trains, space consideration is often a determining factor to scale choice.
The Walthers catalog for the proper scale is about as close to a “Bible” as you can get, as far as what is available on the market. You can get most anything you need through your Local Hobby Shop ( LHS ) as well as usually good information.
I am a model railroader, and I own a hobby shop, so if you need more info feel free to call or email, and I’ll try to help all I can.
Rotor
Perfect! Thanks. I’ve never even posted on a board, so I appreciate the response.
Part of the reason I was looking for a generic manual was so that he can come to an educated choice in terms of what scale would work best. He has the whole basement to tinker with (for better or worse). I caught him w/ model RR magazine’s in the house, and I thought I’d get him a book as a nod to his new hobby. Is there a concesus (sp) on what size is best - is each size equally represented in the market (in terms of gagets, etc). He used to have a killer set that would sit on the old ping pong table - - moutain ranges, etc. Does that help in terms of scale??
I’m think I’m looking for a primer of sorts, something that would pro/con the brands or even scales and then provide a step by step plans, etc? Does something like this exisit?
Again, thanks for even taking the time to answer. I’ll certainly take you advice in to consideration and if it comes time, I may have him reach out to you directly.
On a ping pong table, it sounds like it was probably HO scale.
HO is arguably the most popular, and has by far the largest selection of trains, buildings, track, accessories, etc. of all the scales.
Rotor
You may want to check the list of books available from Kalmbach publishing the company whose forum you are on. I beleive they are one of the larger publishers of this type of book. You could call there 800 # and I am sure they could help you. P.S> I am not an employee…