Ok, after just getting into this about a few weeks ago. I found miles (literally…not scale) of my dads HO track and transformer, plus buildings that outdate me. They are pretty old and pretty far from the whole DCC world. Also found an old lionel steam engine that I remeber from a kid that would line the Christmas tree. The O scale lionel doesn’t run, but gets power. My ?'s are…
1.) Whats a good layout to start with in HO, just to get my new train going in something more than a circle. Something that I can run in a 10 X 10 space
2.) Can anyone help me find someone to fix my old lionel steam engine?
Welcome back. I’m just coming off a long layoff from the hobby, too. In the Layouts and Layout Building forum there are quite a few threads that might help you. There are all kinds of books out there with different track plans and ideas and you can make your own design from those. I can’t answer number two, though. I don’t actually know anyone that does Lionel.
Welcome to the forums! For your layout, and your engine repair, you might find someone in your neighborhood (or at least within a reasonable distance) through your local hobby shop. There are usually plenty of folks willing to help a novice get his feet wet. Most beginners start with a 4’x’8’ sheet of plywood. There are many track plans in small books at the hobby shop. Older track may or may not be a good thing. Brass track works, but not as well as nickel-silver, but if its paid for!!! Snap-track switches are OK to start, but you will probably not care for their performance for long. But use what you have and get your trains running, stay tuned in to the forums, and enjoy your trains! You’ll quickly decide what you like the most and could soon be the expert.
If it is the old Atlas track, go to thier website … http://atlasrr.com/ … and select “layouts” at the top of the page, and you’ll see many layouts, from very simple to complex. Those layouts are also in inexpensive books that you will find in a library, hobby shop, and on line.
Don’t be too afraid to take apart those old Lionel steamers. It is not rocket science, by any means. Lots of info on the internet for them, just need the road number off the side of the cab. Other than that, you’ll have to find a nice, honest train shop near you …via word of mouth, etc. These are nice people that I have dealt with … http://www.train-station.com/Pages/repair.html If you want to UPS it to New Jersey.