HI
At 72 years of age I’m going to sell my Vespa scooters and am seriously thinking of getting back into MR. But after almost buying the Lionel Penn Flyer starter set I’ve instead decided that HO is more my size….
I had Lionel as a kid but sold my UP freight set and ZW transformer years ago when I needed the $$. But for several years now I’ve had a few HO freight cars that I built and weathered from good craft–style kits and I keep them up on a shelf for display, but I never went any further with it. -So I’m wondering where to go next?
Option 1:
-Been thinking about buying an HO box starter set. At least that way I’ll have an engine and a transformer and some track to kick-start things off (under the tree), right? Only thing is, are there HO box sets good enough to hook up with my kit cars and their metal Kaydee trucks and couplers? I expect starter box sets to be simpler, but I don’t want to waste my time with an HO set that has only light-weight plastic wheels and non-matching (to Kaydee) weak plastic couplers! (Although I guess if the cars are good enough, I probably could convert and upscale them?)
So, can anyone recommend a good HO box starter set that could be useful for my needs? Bachman? Lifelike? Athern? Or MTH maybe?
Option 2:
Attend the several upcoming MRR train shows in my (NJ) area, buy some track, a used engine (steam or 1950’s E7 or SW2 diesel) and a transformer. (These can all be simple things; I don’t need DCC just yet)… Also I think I’ll want some kid of easytrack stuff, with the built in roadbed; I need to keep things to simple setup-and-running in the beginning, so as not to discourage me nor bother my ol’ lady…”>})
So, any suggestions and info here will be greatly appreciated!
-And I do read avidly about the MRR hobby so I do know about all the high-end tech stuff that’s available. –But please, that’s not what I
You might want to look for Atlas Trainman starter sets. They include a diesel with a top-quality drive, high quality freight cars, and some of the best track with roadbed. The knuckle couplers are plastic, but they are Kadee compatible and pretty durable. The era for the sets would be from the 60s to 80s, so I don’t know if that would be too modern or not.
The only steam engine sets I know of are Bachmann Spectrum, but they’re also very good quality. The Spectrum steam engines are smooth runners, the freight or passenger cars are nice, and the track is good quality. The knuckle couplers are a bit cheap, but I think they’re Bachmann’s Mark II couplers which are reliable enough for most.
Athearn sets are pretty nice. I would put them on the same level as Bachmann’s Standard line diesel sets (which are pretty good). They also come with plastic couplers. In fact, I doubt that there are any widely available train sets that include metal couplers. Fortunately, most couplers are an easy replacement.
Depending on which train set you buy, take a look at the power pack. Usually train set power packs are not that good. I think Specrtum has a fairly decent power pack with their sets. If the power pack is a cheap 3"x3" box, you should consider upgrading to an MRC Tech 4 series power pack; you will be a lot happier in the long run.
Another consideration is if the locomotive you get is DCC ready or has a dual mode DCC decoder (many Bachman locos have this kind of decoder). DCC ready means that a decoder can be installed if you want to convert to Digital Command Control (DCC) at a later date; most good locos are DCC ready these days. Dual mode decoders run on both power pack DC current or DCC; the thing to be aware of is dual mode decoders need a much higher startng voltage in DC mode - something like 4 to 6 volts. A new user may think there is a problem with the locomotive - read the instructions.
Be cautious about used locos. Often the reason a loco goes to a used sale table is it is old and worn out or something is wrong with it. Most shows have someone running a test track. Sellers usually will let you take a loco to a test track before you buy or will let you return it if it does not work. If the seller will not allow this, walk away.
Athearn, Atlas and Bachmann all make sets with items that are exactly the same as the items sell seperately. And all are of good quality from and operational standpoint. Any of themwould be a good starting point and the items would intergate just fine with what you have and with other products you would buy later.
When I started in the hobby 6 years ago I had Bachmann track with the built in roadbed. I did not like it because of cost but more importantly the noise. I now use Atlas Flex Track code 100. It is now around $3.25 for 3 feet of track.
But, the built in road bed stuff is quick and easy to use.
Far as power supply, I like the MRC 2400 series. It will run 3 to 4 modern engines. 2 older Athearn Blue Box engines will run, but not great.
Starter kits, well I started with cheap Life Like kits. They are not worth a plug nickel except they got me started in the hobby.
I have seen the Bachmann Spectrum Class J steam engine starter kit with passenger cars and the DCC E-Z Command. While I have never owned there Class J, I have had 2 of there GS 4 and they where great running DC engines.
If I knew what I know now and was just starting, I would go with that kit. I am a big fan of the E-Z command and ran one for 3 years before I went with a high end system. There E-Z DCC is easy to use and durable. I wasted $200 on 2 great MRC 9500 transformers before I got hooked on DCC.
If you start with a smaller layout, that is where DCC is head above shoulders than DC. Running two engines on a small layout is easy with DCC.
You seem to be headed in the right direction, so I’ll only add a few comments. If you want to get something up and running, the above advice is all good. Your idea of going to train shows will not only expose you te the many new and used products available, but you can talk face to face with folks that really enjoy the hobby. Unfortunately many hobby shop owners these days are not deeply into model railroading and their advice is sometimes missing some important parts. However, if you have a good train hobby shop, they can be a great asset. As well as going to shows you can see if you can find a mrr group in your area by going to the light gray line above, click on Resources, then on mrr groups. There is an Events section in that same column to help you find shows in your area.
I would also suggest that before you do much spending, that you do some reading. There are many good beginners books on benchwork, track laying, wiring and scenery that will let you know some of the new materials and techiniques available, though the old ones still work fine. You should also read John Armstrong’s :“Track Planning for Realistic Operation,” concidered by many to be the bible of track planning. Whether you want to build a railroad where trains can run continuously or one that is designed for concentrated operations is up to you. There are a lot of good ideas for both in the readings and many good people here with both views that can help you once you get your direction defined.
I got back on my 70th birthday. I have loved it and in those 5 years the layout has grown way beyond my first dreams. I did start at the flea markets and at the Christmas auction of the Twin Ciries Division. I got some good starter stuff, real cheap. I have since moved on, but I still use a lot the rolling stock and engines and track. I did move on to DCC and that is the most fun in the train room. I also had a good time on ebay once I decided what I wanted to do.
Have fun. I have learned all kinds of fun swtuff about scenery and trees and buildings.
My idea would be to do what I call “build your own train set” by picking out a locomotive, some cars, and some track from different manufactures. For track, Atlas True-Track would be my idea because you can take the track of the plastic roadbed when you decide to use cork for the roadbed instead. It even comes with code 83 track. Bachmann locomotive are inexpensive with decoders installed though they do have plastic couplers and they would be fun to detail. Walthers Trainline locomotives are fairly decent.
I won’t try to push you on any further in the hobby than you want to, but it is possible to build a small layout and not be in the major way of anything. This hobby can take you many directions.
The manufacturers have finally gotten smart to quality, the old horn hook couplers are virtually nil on any train sets any more.
For the hgh tech electronics, the market has gone DCC trendy but DC is still out there, some good models out there with DCC-ready with quailty DCC sound that runs on DC. Can’t beat a good sound system, adds to the flavor.
I am pretty glad the hornhooks are gone, you can buy a car/set and couple up to your kadees, but for the serious modeler, they will convert all cars to kadees.
Take your hobby bit by bit, maybe your better half will get the edge and let you go further…heh
I would only add that “before” you make your first purchase you take a look at the Bachmann sets with what used to be the “Spectrum” 2-8-0 in it, I don’t know the names of the sets or the stock numbers but I have no doubt someone here can supply that information for you.
That is a great engine, nice cars, cheesy couplers but easily changed for Kadee’s and can be picked up for around a $100 for the set, Train World has them from time to time on a sale. It also includes the type of track you want for a starter set and a reasonbly decent power pack, or decent enough to run the train.
As for DCC, don’t get in a hurry there, you can always spend your money for that as you become more interested in the hobby again. It has been “pushed” as much as possible and I have seen more than one new model railroader who has lost interest in the hobby just because it wasn’t kept simple, one step at a time is my philosophy and that should be thought about way down the road from where you are now.
Check out that 2-8-0 set, I think you’ll like that one!!
My suggestion is that you attend the train show, visit an LHS, check out internet model railroad websites and purchase each of the items for your railroad individually. That way, you can get what you want. Most equipment in starter sets are inferior to individual pieces and the track with the built in roadbed has horror stories accompanying it. ( Listening to some of the people who use the raised roadbed track, wish they never went that route.)
I would lay flex track on cork roadbed, throw in a couple of turnouts for some switching action, purchase an MRC power pack, and buy my locomotives and rolling stock individually…chuck
If you have money to burn, and really want to jump into the hobby, go ahead and get a train set and some track. You will likely have loads of fun.
My advice, however, is to give a little consideration to what you really want to do with your trains / layout (era, prototype, switching vs. continuous running) and a preliminary layout design – not necessarily the final design, just an idea what it might look like.
This way, you will not end up with a lot of stuff you don’t want or need, and can spend your money on things that will be on your layout 20 years from now, rather than on E-Bay in 3 years.