Newbie looking for info-1800's trains

Hello friends:

I am looking to do a train layout in a room approx. 16’ x 30’ preferrably a horseshoe shape. I have 3 grandson’s and 2 sons that would like to do a layout with the old woodfired steam engine train in HO.

We were thinking of having some of the following items in and around the layout- Indian village with Tee-Pees and plenty of Indian activities , old town (like Dodge City) with train depot- a ranch something like the Ponderosa - Mountains maybe depicting a gold mining area - Plains area depicting conestoga wagon train.

You probably get the picture [C):-)]. The train I am looking to put together 2 or 3 flat cars, 2 or 3 passenger cars and a caboose and of course the engine and tender.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’ve looked at most of the usual manufactures like Kato,Marklin,Bachmann,Atlas.

Eventually I would like to run multiple trains, is DCC a must, and if so which is the best way to go?

Thank You in Advance,

In Christ,

Garyskipper1

Gary,

While a few folks on this forum might be able to help you with HO, the model railroad forum is a better place to get information on HO. Most of us here specialize in S,O, and G.

Jim H