I have been following this site for awhile. I have a young boy that loves trains. Santa is bringing him the HO Thomas the trains. It is Bachman with EZ track. I have no experience with it but thought I would maybe start purchasing some items. Like, track, another engine, etc. Im planning on putting together some kind of layout to start working with him on in the garage. So I have 1000 questions but will limit it.
ShouldI start with 4x4 layout? What is the easiest way to start up?
What about the Mod-U-Rail system? Are those worth it for a beginner?
Simple stupid question. EZ track has roadbed. Do you cover the edges or what?
Should I buy DCC ready engine? What makes it DCC? I know it can run more than 1 train at a time and such but is it the controller as well as train that is DCC? Im just thinking buy DCC for if we get farther into it and love it we already have one.
Recommendations for start up layout? How go about learning?
Q: 1. ShouldI start with 4x4 layout? What is the easiest way to start up?
A: If i where you i would go with a 4x8 if space isnt a problem it will give you plenty of options and space if your new to the hobby, or not.
Q: 3. Simple stupid question. EZ track has roadbed. Do you cover the edges or what?
A: Depending on if you want to make it look realy realistic or not, theres realy no need too you could always add some ect. ballast around the edges too make it blend with scenery. Personaly i never delt with E-Z track.
Q:4. Should I buy DCC ready engine? What makes it DCC? I know it can run more than 1 train at a time and such but is it the controller as well as train that is DCC? Im just thinking buy DCC for if we get farther into it and love it we already have one.
A: DEfinetly go with dcc ready that mean it will work for DC, but if you going to go with dcc it will be easily installed, such as the athearn Plug n Play all you gotta do is plug the chip in and program it and its ready others you may need to wire but the dcc chip location is already read for the chip. If you dont go dcc ready “like athearn blue box loco’s” it gets more complicated when it comes to instaling the chip and for most people not worth the money. Most engines now a days are almost all dcc ready all new athearn atlas kato ect… are.
Q: 5. Recommendations for start up layout? How go about learning?
A: First of all remember too just have fun, After that you should decide these things
Road Name
location
Time Period
Whats important, Scenery, Prototypical, or running trains.
after that you should start gathering all the info you can around these sites and soak in as much info as possible. Make a track plan using freeware you can find on the internet (XTrkCad, or go to www.atlasrr.com too download theres with is the simplest one too use ) or pencil and paper. After you do that check and recheck it to make sure its what you re
These are good questions and the right ones to ask. When starting out in the hobby I think you basically have a choice between two approaches:
Go all out from the very beginning. By this I mean you approach the hobby from the beginning with the assumption that model railroading is going to be something that you really get into. If this is the case, the first thing you should buy is lots of books on the hobby. Then do lots of research on both the how-to side of the hobby and the era and region you want to model. Only make careful purchases that will scale as you grow your layout such as a DCC system, quality locomotives, etc. Do not rush into constructing a 4x8 since this is, ultimately, an inefficient and limiting design. This is how most of the frequent posters to this web site would recommend approaching the hobby.
Try things out and see if you like it. If you’re not sure about the hobby, do the 4x8 thing. There are tons of project layouts that have been featured in Model Railroader and other publications that fit into this footprint and can be up and running for a few hundred dollars and a few weeks construction time (by this I mean a completed track plan with trains running, not fully completed). The time, research and dollar investment will be modest and will give you a sense of what you are getting into. However, if you really like the hobby, you will probably find yourself dissatisfied with your initial 4x8 layout and may have to start over from scratch and scrap much if not most of the money and time invested in your 4x8.
So of all the questions that you should ask, the most important one is whether you like model railroading or love it. This, more than anything, should determine your approach to the hobby and how people should respond to the questions you’ve asked.
Conrail answered most of your questions pretty well - except Thomas & DCC. I have Thomas (& Percy & James) and I am in the process of making them DCC. I would suggest for starters you just run them on the power pack you get with the set - or maybe move up to a MRC unit. I got the Thomas trains for my grandson when he stays with us, and he had great fun chasing them around the track - seeing who goes faster - then running them backwards! We got them when he was 5(Hornby at that time) and he’s now 10 and also loves the DCC locos I’ve gotten in the past 2 years. The following link is to the original Thomas layout in England:http://www.pegnsean.net/~railwayseries/ffarquhar.htm .
Another question, We’re thinking about steam. How can I find out information from different time periods? Any starting point? Also, what does the numbers on the engines mean…like 0-4-2 and such? Sorry to sound stupid but don’t know. Thanks again.
Hi, I just bought the Thomas set to make a layout to sell for Christmas. My opinion would be not to spend anymore money on the Ez-track that comes with Thomas set. It has Black Roadbed and is Steel Alloy Track. The other Ez-Track Bachmann sells has Gray Roadbed, more realistic and has Nickel Silver Track which is much less prone to corrosion which causes problems. The selection of turnouts, crossings and other accessories is also limited in the Black Roadbed Track. Just my Humble opinion. After that the first thing you will outgrow is the Transformer/Power pack. Very basic and low power.
But… Mine does run great right out of the box, so you may want to see how interested Jr really is, before you expend more money. If it’s also for you, thats another story. Either way, ask questions, and have fun !
I would start by reading up , ie Kalmbach books thats the company that publishes Model Railroader amd other model train magaizes. Keep it simple i.e. and small enough to start with as it will build your confidence level and you will have a built and ready to use layout sooner than later. Also, Attend a local model/toy train show too if time permits.
Is the EZ track ok for starting out though? or should I just buy some code 83 or 100 and make own roadbed and go from there? I have a feeling we will get into this. But either way I don’t want to keep upgrading every couple months. So there are more options with the gray EZ track? is it ok?
I think I will just try to make a 4x8 layout with the Thomas and see how it goes. But when Im ready to add on I dont want to start from scratch and buy everything new. Im sure I will buy another train to go on also and make sure I get DCC. Im prolly going to be on here until Christmas bothering all you people but I have to learn. Sorry for the next few months ahead of time.
Hi. Steam engines are typically denoted using the Whyte nomenclature or classification system. The first number represents the numbers of idler or truck wheels in the leading or pilot truck. In a Consolidation 2-8-0, for example, there is only one axle in the pilot truck and it would have two small wheels. The next number represents the driven, and usually much larger, wheels. So, in our Consolidation, there are four (4) axles each with two wheels for a total of 8. The final number in our example represents the numbers of wheels in the trailing truck, the ones under the cab and firebox…which is what they were added to support when engines became larger over time. Our 2-8-0 has no trailing truck. A Union Pacific Challenger is designated as a 4-6-6-4, which means it’s pilot truck has twin axles with a total of 4 small wheels, six driven large wheels, another set of cylinders toward the cab driving a further six drivers, and twin axles with four wheels supporting the cab and firebox…4-6-6-4.
Remember theres no rules to witch you can or cant doo with ur R.R. except laws of motion, but anyways if you want theres no need to go by time period you could run anything that makes you happy on the layout, Like on my layout its based on the modern era but i still like running some of my PRR engines. So depending on your preferences you can model witch you wish.
Some have concluded that it does not matter. However, many of us find, after we have matured in the hobby a bit (6 months -10 years?), that our tastes evolve to one of fidelity to something like what the prototypes represented and did in their day(s). So, while we gee-whizz about this engine and that company, eventually we get a real taste for a certain place, a certain time, a certain road…you get it. That means the growing we did haphazardly was not wasted, but the money is gone.
For steam related learning, there are books, each railroad has its own historical society web pages with scads of info, there is http://www.steamlocomotive.com/, and many others. If you type in a short, well chosen phrase and google, you are sure to come away with more than enough reading material for any one night or four.
lots of good answers have been offered to help you out. For starters I would just run the Thomas the Tank set and buy some books on the hobby. Kalmbach Publishing has some good books on DCC and entry level layouts. Sounds like you are just starting out information wise, and gaining info is cheaper that buying locos, track and DCC systems. 4x8 would be good for starters but before investing $ in equipment you may or may not use, do your homework. One thing great about this hobby is that you can do whatever you like. Take some time and find out what it is you would like to do. With your son being young, you have plenty of time to form a plan of action and put your plan in place. READ, READ,READ. And use this board the guys are great and the info is usefull.
The advice you have been given so far is right on the mark. Most important is to read, read, read. There are hundreds of sites on the INTERNET that can help you in your quest.
There is a world of information there for the beginner and the expert alike. And numerous links that can answer most of the questions you posed here.
I have used the World’s Greatest Hobby site many times in constructing my BRVRR. I have a series of links on my web site’s LINKS page that may be helpful as well.
Good luck with your project. Your little guy will love Thomas, mine did.
Depending on how young he is you might just want to start with a simple 4x4 or whatever the track that comes with the set will fit on. I have a 4x4 that the Christmas tree sets on, simple loop of track, fun to watch, easily added to when the tree isn’t in place. See how the little one likes it before you get in too deep. It would give him a small layout he could play with, experiment with, have OOPs’ on and not have too much invested. Adding simple scenery and some buildings, etc, can keep up the interest. Buildings and the like could be transferred to a bigger layout later. I’d say stay with the DC for the simple layout, much less expensive, since you are still in the finding out stages. If dad is using son to further his own interests, then DCC on a bigger layout would probably be the way to go on that.
Remember, have fun, don’t push him, but include him in the projects that you are working on, he’ll enjoy it a lot more.
Question on DCC real quick. Could I get a quick explanation. I was on ebay looking at DCC with sound. Is it something that comes with the engine you buy? Does the controls and everything come with it? Ive read about a chip but dont get it. When I turn it on, what do you have to do?
I’ll try to give a full explanation so that you understand what is really going on. In DC, the locomotives are just little motors that respond to the polarity and voltage of the electricity running through the track. More electricity makes the locomotives go faster. Switching the polarity makes the locomotives go the other direction. All of the locomotives respond the same way so there is no concept of individual control. The only way to get around this is to divide the track into electrical blocks so that within each block you can control 1 locomotive.
With DCC, there is a chip inside each locomotive that gives it a unique identifier. This allows the DCC command station to send commands to individual locomotives. The electricity on the track remains at a constant voltage and polarity and the chip controls how the locomotive’s motor behaves. As a result, you can control multiple locomotives individually without any special wiring.
To do DCC you need two things:
A DCC control set which consists of a throttle, power pack and command station (often integrated with the throttle). A basic set will cost about $150. The most elaborate ones cost about $4-500.
DCC chips (or decoders) in each locomotive. The DCC decoder will add about $20-30 to the cost of the locomotive.
If you buy the set and a locomotive with a DCC decoder installed, the setup is very simple. Just connect the DCC command station to the track and you can run the locomotive. The only complicated thing you
This is by no means as universal a belief as often portrayed. I for one am passionate about European diesels and steam locos, but would never be able to narrow my horizons by fixing down on any one place or time. I am, of course, an aesthete and history to me is only a pack of useless lies.