Questions from a novice

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m thinking about getting (back) into model railroading. I lightly use the word “back” because the only layout I’ve ever had was about 30 years ago as a child and it was basically on a 4x8 sheet of plywood with little to no scenery, although I did have some nice engines and a decent selection of cars. Sadly I sold it all when I was a teenager.

I now have a son that is about to turn 3 and he LOVES trains, and he has reguvinated my interest of trains. Last weekend I took him to a nearby museum that has a large selection of model layouts and we both had a really good time which has me considering getting some type of layout.

I have very little room, right now I don’t have the time or skill to build my own layout, and I don’t want to spend a lot of money as I don’t have a lot to spare and don’t know if his interest will continue as he gets older.

Because of my limits on space I’m thinking N scale is the better choice so I can have something more than a small oval or circle layout, although I do prefer the size and detail of HO.

At the museum they did have this layout for sale,

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4833/43940104560_de0bdc27c3_h.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1946/31886241218_6296190476_h.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4864/43940108570_9761a847e7_h.jpg

I liked this layout because it has some scenery, is ready to go, and is small enough I can pick it up by myself and move it somewhere that my son can’t get to it when I’m not there to supervise, at least until he gets older.

Is this a good price for this?

Also I’m going to need a locomotive and cars, some advice here would really be appreciated, I don’t wa

2

Buying a pre-owned layout can go either way – may be a dream, but it may also be a nightmare … $200 doesn’t seem too terrible for the size (generally you can figure on costs averaging $15 / ft, depending on complexity of the scenery, etc.)

If you have the space for a 4x8 or 5x9, running HO would potentially be better – bigger so the kiddo can see it, and a little less finnicky (it’s a bear getting N scale stuff on the tracks). Although if you stick to the trainset quality (molded-on details, nothing too “fine”), either N or HO will probably be roughly similar in terms of surviving godzilla.

3

Some things to consider, basis experience with my grandkids:

a) At turning 3 yrs old, perhaps start with a table to set up a wood track Thomas play setup. As that develops, you can decide whether to go electric.

b) Will you have a space to leave a layout set up? If HO scale, a 4’x6’ can work, but will be limited. If N scale, smaller size or more features are possible as you know.

c) Scale matters with age. Of course, relatively young kids can operate a train with supervision. If you want the child to be able to put a train on the track, then I’d advise HO but I do not recall the age that is practical, maybe 6?

d) There are decent train sets that come with raised (ballast simulation) track such as Bachmann & Kato. That can make your own design easy to lay down & wire. If you do that route, as the child ages, you can build buildings together, etc. Maybe not professional looking, but a joint activity. But at older ages.

e) What is the likelihood that this will be an ongoing hobby pursuit for you, independent of whether the child stays interested? That would likely influence your decisions.

f) One aspect is how much the child is interested in trains. Riding on one, observing one for pictures, museums, etc. That is a factor. Not to suggest train brainwashing but there is more to train interests than layouts. He will be weighing train interests against Nintendo, iPad, phone (now seen as essential at age 5, I think), etc.

Pick a path and try it out. You can always adjust course. Best wishes.

4

Thanks for the good input.

One advantage to the layout I saw is I would be able to run a train on it and see how it performs.

I already built him a wooden track layout table which he loves, but I can tell his interest is moving towards something that runs on its own.

There is a good posibility that I will continue the interest even if he does not.

Right now he really loves every aspect of trains, seeing the real thing, riding, watching train videos, playing with his wooden trains, he even makes trains out of objects that aren’t trains.

5

Here is something more that you might find helpful. It is a pros and cons list for the layout, as I see it.

Pros:

It is ready to use, not in disrepair.

It has plenty of room for personal modifications

It is well and realistically scenicked

There are multiple elevations and some industries for operational intrest.

Cons:

$200 is to high for that, especially since it is N scale.

The controller is not a modern system

That small of a setup can get boring super fast

I don’t see any benchwork/support/table

Hope this helps!

6

Thanks, that is helpful. I did think the price was a bit high, but I really don’t know what it is worth. I have a feeling the money will go to the museum which is operated on donations only so I don’t mind helping them out, but I am going to make a lower offer if I decide to buy it.

It does have legs although they are not very tall, would not be hard to make it taller.

7

Your time is worth something. If you are not inclined to build it yourself, nor have have the time, tools and supplies to create something similar, it’s probably not a bad deal.

A good many of us enjoy the building process as much as the rest of the hobby. You don’t have to agree with that, there are many facets to this hobby and you are not obligated to enjoy them all.

I don’t remember much about being 3. I enjoyed trains from as far back as I can remember. I started out with American Flyer and moved to HO, because more stuff could fit in the same space.

8

First real memory I can date is 5th birthday. Got my first electric trainset (An over-under figure-8 one with a bridge that had a blinkenlight on top … maybe bachmann. Had a UP diesel of some sort or other and a handful of cars, all of which had suffered greatly at the hands of a child, and a few moves)

9

Ibanez,

Since your son is 3, why not go with a Thomas the Train or Brio set-up. I would suggest a non-electric version and let your son enjoy putting together, taking apart, and reassembling the layout in any configuration his imagination takes him.

The layout can be as little or as large as you want. It only takes up space when it’s assembled and can easily be disassembled and put into a box when not in use, or tranported to another location - e.g. Grandma & Grandpa’s house. Your son will also learn finger dexerity in the process.

Should your son continue to LOVE trains as he gets older, you can move up to electric versions of the above, or to a “real” model locomotive and set of rolling stock. In the meantime, this will give you plenty of time to research your own interests in MRRing and what direction you - as an adult modeler - want to go in. You’ll also be less likely to make hasty decisions with your purchases that you’ll regret later.

Tom

10

So you drink Guiness while playing your Ibanez? [:P] My very old Takamine has been sadly collecting dust for the past several years.

11

It was a user name that I came up with in desperation years ago when every other idea I tried was already taken. I just happend to be drinking a Guiness and playing my Ibanez at the time, and well it wasn’t taken.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I appreciate the input.

12

I meant to weigh in earlier, but I’m going against the grain and say that if you can see trains run on it to make sure it runs properly and the sight of that make syou happy then go for it.

A few reasons.

  1. Add the cost of the swtiches, lumber and power supply together and you’re over half way there already.

  2. If it runs great, you’ve saved yourself dozens of hours of tweaking, trying, retrying and learning.

  3. If you end up enjoying railroading then your first layout will not be your last, so it doesn’t matter if it’s not optimized and what you want forever.

  4. It’s a great start where you can jump right in and start scenicing, modifying, etc.

I’d try and bargain him down $50 bucks or see if he’ll throw in one engine and a couple of cars. Even if you pay the asking price, you’re a relatively recent dad and I’m betting your time is worth the $100 beyond the materials cost.

Buy it and have fun with it. Try your hand at adding buildings and scenery. Figure out what you like and don’t like and when you’re want to build your own layout you’ll be much better prepared and experienced, plus you’ll be enjoying running trains the whole while.

Maybe you’ll love railroading. Maybe you’ll hate it and be glad you only dropped $200 plus some trains. Maybe you’ll decide you want a different scale. Regardless, whatever the next step is, you can sell this one on to the next guy.

13

Thanks again everyone. The layout ended up selling 2 days after I saw it. I did exchange an email with a person there and was able to get them down to $180, but it was an 90 minute drive one way to go get it, and I wouldn’t of had time to get it for another week or two, so it got away. I’m sure there will be another one that come along somewhere, or maybe when my son is a little older we can build one together.