I’m back to model railroading. My son has expressed interest in a train set, so I dusted off what was left of my 35-year old Tyco set and am ready to once again get the ball rolling. The thing is: I have no track or power source-- just rolling stock and accessories. Based on this, what would be the best route to take? Buy a “set”? If so, what brand? I see that Tyco has long since folded. And what about adding an additional track “kit” to the initial "set’? Any other ideas, advice and suggestions would most definately be appreciated. Thanks!
i would suggest heading to the local hobby shop , hopefully one that is mostly trains stuff, and purchasing seperate track and power pack… MRC has super power packs and Atlas and Kato make super track… Hopefully the sales person at the hobby shop can help you choose whats best for you…
Also don’t be suprised if you are not happy with your 35 year old engine and cars, things have improved 1000% since then… Ask the hobby store person run a new Atlas engine for you , you might wind up buying more than you originally thought
You’re probably going to get a lot of different suggestions to your question, but my first reaction is to come back to you with a couple of other questions –
First, how old is your son.
Second, do you know if the Tyco set even runs anymore as old as it is? Tyco was the cheapest of the cheap train sets in its day, with power pickup from only the front truck and plastic wheels with traction tires on the rear truck. As old as your Tyco set is, it may just go up in a puff of smoke when power is applied due to the condition of the internal wiring.
[:-^]
Hey there Budman, [#welcome] to the forum. This is a great place for some fun, information and meeting friends.
In regard to your question, my first response would be that things have changed so much in the last number of years that I think you will want to do some extended reading and study before you put your hard earned money into someone else’s pocket.
Myself, I would use either Atlas or Model power "nickel-silver " flex track and peco turnouts. but that is just me.
But before anything you should read the following, do some planning and then get back here with your questions at that time.
But do start here. http://www.chipengelmann.com/trains/…rsGuide01.html
This is a site that one of our members put together for "newbies… You have to start with some plans and ideas and that is hard to do
until you get some necessary information, and this will help initially.
Get that done and then get back in here again and we will all be ready to encourage you and spur you along.
In regard to you rolling stock, all of your cars would be able to be upgraded with better trucks and couplers, but chances are when you decide on a Railroad and theme you want to model, you will want to get some of the newer offerings. “some fantastic stuff out there” But also do a lot of shopping as there are some real deals to be had as well. We can also direct you to some very fine, accountable, service oriented stores and dealers.
By the way, what part of the country do you reside in??? Chances are that you might find a Model Railroad Club in your area and make a visit there and pick a few brains to get a feel for things the way they are now.
till then,
Johnboy out… f
My son is 5, and is still in what I call the “destructo”-stage. I am stressing the term “fragile” to him in hopes he learns that things such as these trains/etc will need to be handled carefully.
So Tyco was cheap? Why am I not surprised-- thanks mom and dad!!! Here’s a question: so with upgrades, I will be able to couple the existing cars to any of the new ones I might buy?
And I am in the Reno area. About an hour west of us, the Union Pacific runs through pretty spectacular country. They’ve got tunnels, trestles and bridges through the Sierras and along the Feather river that is just amazing. If you’re ever in the area, definately a must-see
Welcome back to model railroading and to the forums.
Don’t worry too much about your old Tyco. I went to a Farm Show this week, one of the vendors has an old Model Power set that he has displayed for over 25 years for kids to watch while he talks to the parents. Has cleaned the engine once, track once. The only time he runs it is for this show, 3 days a year. Your old Tyco may go with a little TLC, it may not.
As for coupling your old cars to new ones. They probably have what are called hook horn couplers. They are still around, but newer sets are gradually switching to a more realistic knuckle coupler. Most older cars can be easily converted as replacement couplers should be available at your Local Hobby Store.
Since I deal with a young grandson, who tends to the idea that FAST is best, I might offer this suggestion. Get a small not to expensive set from Life Like or Model Power, that has the gray railbed attached to the track. This can be easily set up on the floor or table when you want to run it. It can also be set up perminantly, if you have a good place. This will give him something that is HIS and he has to take care of, obviously with good supervision, it’s electrical.
For your part, do the suggested reading, ask questions, read and ask more questions.
When you are ready to start a larger more perminant layout for yourself (and your helper), you can pick up some better quality locos and equipment. His stuff will be compatable so you can guest on his layout and he on yours. Also, if the time comes the track can be adapted, even if you have gone with flex track and cork or foam roadbed. As you work on scenery, let him make some trees, rocks and hills as well as doing some painting. If I get far enough, while they are young enough, I hope to let the little ones have a small se
Go buy yourself a train set of good quality, might I suggest Atlas for diesel, and Roundhouse or Aethern for Steam, Roundhouse for early steam and Aethern for more modern steam.
I did the exact same thing right before Christmas when my 12 yr old expressed interest. My track was no good, but the power pack and engines were fine. If you just want something cheap to run and get him interested, I recommend a bachmann set with the EZ tack system. It goes together fast and easy and stays together, can be run on carpet, put on a board and shoved under the bed or put around a christmas tree. I won’t say it is indestructible, but its pretty robust. Keep it DC and you can run your older engines and cars on it to. While he is playing with this, You can sit down and plan you a “grown up” layout, build benchwork etc. As you build it, include him in the design, I let my boy paint the backdrop, name the layout and computer design the logos. Not exactly professional but he did it and enjoyed it. His stamp is on it. Basically depends on what you want to do in the future.