Hello everyone, I’m new to the hobby, and thinking about buying a layout package from Atlas. Has anyone ever used these? Any information on how to get started would be appreciated.
Thanks
[#welcome] to the forum. It has been a while since I have been in a hobby store, however many years ago I worked in one. At that time, Atlas did not make prepackaged starter sets as such, but I always wished they would.
Atlas is one of this hobby’s leading manufacturers, and they only make quality products. Quality was always my gripe with the manufacturers of prepackaged sets in the old days. Low quality starter sets can be a great source of frustration for beginners.
Sight unseen, if it says Atlas, I would recommend it. That would be as good a place as any to start. I say go for it, and have fun.
well, you could buy a layout kit, or you could plan your own layout. the only drawback to the latter is that you will have to find and buy all the materials seperately. its really up to you.
I’ll agree with Elliot. I’ve used Atlas products both N and HO for over 30 years and my dad did before that. Although there are manufacturers out there that make better track, Atlas is probably the best value for the dollar out there.
Are you looking at the deal where the track is from Atlas and there is a scenary package that combines DPM buildings with Woodland Scenic secenery products? If so, they seem like pretty good deals.
Oops, missed the other part of your question. The best way, IMHO to get started is to spend some time learning. Check out some of the books/videos available from Kalmbach, suscribe to a couple of the magazines, and read the various threads on this forum. The hardest decision, I think, is scale. Perhaps you might want to get a couple of DPM kits in the different scales as well as some rolling stock. This will give you an idea of how each scale is to work with without having to make a significant investment in either.
Of course if, in your learning, you have any questions about how something is done, or what others have experience, post here. The modelers on this forum, from what I can see, are more than happy to answer questions, give their opinions and hopefully guide others in avoiding mistakes they made.
More imporantly - welcome to the greatest hobby in the world!!
From “newbie to newbie”
One or two years ago, my daughter gave me a copy of MR that included an booklet titled 5 Compact Track plans. I started with that booklet and made dicisions from there.
I am using the “Atlanta Central” plan on a 4X8 table. I found this helpful because all the track I needed to get is listed reducing the guess work, as well as suggestion of the buildings and a suggestion on operation is included.
I also visit my local hobby shop and chat with people there to get ideas. I recently started to look in the FORUMS pages and discouvered may answers to my questions and found many other suggestions.
I hope that you’ll have a successful fun experience starting up. I am having a lot of fun and my 5 year old grandson too
Luc
CPR fan