I know y’all get inquiries from newbies all the time, so I apologize in advance for asking what I assume is an often-asked question. If someone could link me to the info I’m looking for and save themselves or someone else the trouble of typing a response, so much the better…Having said that, here goes the question(s)…
Or maybe a little background first…I received as a gift, a complete train set, one of the boxed deals (HO scale) made by Model Power, from their Metaltrain line. Everything seems to be nice quality, all the pieces (both the locomotives and the freight cars) are made from die cast metal. Very solid looking stuff to the untrained eye. Now for the actual questions.
Since I’d like to expand my capabilities by adding additional cars, track and eventually buildings, etc., where’s the best place to start? I know there’s tons of stuff to learn about the hobby and have already done some research. But how do I know if the stuff I’m thinking about buying is solid, durable, well-made equipment or if it’s junk? Are there brand names to avoid? Are there brand names that are must-haves? What about track? My kit came with Bachmann EZ-Track. Is that any good?
My objective is first to enjoy messing around with what I have. I’d like to have some switches and sidings on my layout–something that’ll give me some variety and keep things interesting. To begin with, I’d like to have a set that operates on a 4x8 piece of plywood. Right now it’s sitting on the dining room table and my wife is getting ready for me to move it, which is understandable, it’s been there for nearly a month. Also, I have a three year old son who enjoys trains…he’s a big Thomas the Tank Engine fan so he’s naturally attracted to my “real” train. So I’d like to add on to my existing set in a way that will be interesting for him to watch, even though he won’t actually get his hands on it for a few more years.
Go and get the 4x8 sheet, put some track on it and fool around! WHen you get bored, change it. Al the while go get some books and some magazines and see what interests you most.
Go in search of a dealer who sells Hornby and find a Thomas set in HO! That’ll get the young guy intereted.
My now 6 year old daughter was playing with N scale trains before she was 5, under supervision of course. So don’t wait too long. You don’t want him getting the idea that model trains are only for dad’s and that he should get interested in something else!
[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]. as a rule Atlas is a good company, Kato is also good 2 here are some links www.atlasrr.comwww.katousa.comwww.walthers.com there are a lot of good companys out there. I have no experience with easy track but i other forum members will help you out there. my advice come up with a track plan. also were do you want 2 model what era??? and what roadnames do you want to run? Tim
Continue running your set and do some homework. You have a lot of questions to answer before you get serious about what you want to build. Get a few of the basic beginner books by Klambach and get familiar with what is possible. Also run out and get the December Issue of Model Railroader because there is a good article on avoiding design mistakes.
Once you kind of get the feel for what you are looking for, get the book Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong. This will give you a sense of how to build a railroad that will be a model railroad as opposed to a toy train.
The more time you put into doing research now, the more money you will save when it comes time to build.
Get a copy of XtraCAD, the free track design software. When you get a draft of a plan you like, post it on the Layout’s board and get some commments. There are some very knowledgible people here.
Better yet, bounce your ideas off us as you start to design your layout.
Some of the names you want to deal with; Atlas Kato and Athearn Lifelike-(Proto2000) stay away from regular lifelike Bachman-(Spectrum) stay away from regular bachman the quality is poor.
If you are E-bay savy you can have a look there, lots of good deals but keep a weary eye on the sellers and what you buy. Once you’ve graduated from EZtrack you will want to use Flextrack, it comes in 36 inch sections and is relativly to use and much more versatile. By all means keep asking questions there are lots of people here to help.
EZ-Track is fine. I did an entire layout with it. It is also limiting, although I see from their site that they have a wider selection of curves…a big help.
Flex-track offers more variation and flexibility in your trackplan, so it tends to get a lot of use and favour here. You should think hard about whether to continue to invest in EZ-Track due to its relative inflexibility.
Every manufacturer produces some dogs. Generally, Kato, Broadway Limited, Spectrum, and Life Like’s Heritage series are excellent, although more costly. Athearn makes good diesels.
If you are comfortable on ebay, I strongly urge you to frequent the site to find bargains as the hobby shops tend to be pricey. Typical savings are in the order of 40% on ebay.
Wow, thanks for the fast responses everyone. From all my previous research over the last few weeks, it definitely seems like I need to take it slow. So that’s what I plan on doing.
So, there’s an HO version of Thomas? My son would go bonkers over that…he’ll be three in a couple of weeks. I won’t mind him getting his hands on the trains soon enough because I do want it to be a hobby that we’ll share for many years to come. Since he’s so young, he’ll definitely need to be supervised very closely for a while.
Concerning what era I’m going to model, well that’s a good question. My set came with a couple of Santa Fe diesel locomotives and a few cars, so that’s my jumping-in point. I assume the locomotives, etc. are prototyped (see, I have done some research! I knew to use the word “prototyped!”) from the last 20-25 years but I have no idea if that’s right or not. I’m in southeast Alabama and it would be cool to maybe do some modeling of the trains I remember from my childhood, like SCL, L&N, Southern Railways and so forth…That’s something I can look toward in the future, though. About roadnames, I have no clue what to do there…
Right now, I just want to add a little interest to what I have since it’s so simple. Would you suggest staying with the EZ track for now, or should I go ahead and get started with the Flextrack? I’d hate to buy EZ track and then after spending all that money, decide that I actually need the Flextrack…
Thanks again and I’m sure I’ll have more questions soon.
I too built a layout out of EZ track. MY next one will be flex. My main issue is the size and the problems I had with the turnouts. I put a lot of work into them.
The earlier you decide where and when you are going to model, the better. You can target your purchases for that era. The trains you already have you will probably out grow as you try other brands. You might look around to see if there are any train clubs in your area. (Ask at your hobby shop.) You might get a chance to see and possibly run a few of the better trains and be able to expereieince the difference.
modeling the trains you saw as a youth is a very popular choice . with a bit of work , practice , and research you can build a layout that looks a lot like the area you grew up in .
ez-track vs. flextrack … if you get ‘serious’ about model railroading you’ll want to use flextrack , some people even hand lay their own rail for the maximum in looks and flexibility of design . i hear it isn’t as hard as it sounds … yeah sure ! [:D] . if you’re lucky and you have room for a 4x8 for you and your son to play with , and still have room for a layout of your own you can use ez-track for your son’s , and when you have more experience , and have decided what you want to model you can use flextrack for the big layout . it should also be possible to combine ex-track and flextrack , you’ll have to build up some roadbed to match the height of the ez-track . however you should be aware before you get too far along that the roadbed/ballast height of ez-track is too hig
Not sure I can agree with the advice on Bachmann - their most recent runs of standard-range diesels are actually rather good for the money. Gone is the ghastly pancake drive unit, replaced with a can motor and all wheel drive/pickup. Gearing is quieter and smoother than an Athearn BB, the motor is a decent unit too (it’s their standard can motor minus flywheels). If they’d add flywheels the drive would be unbeatable, as it is it’s excellent value. Just make sure you have the latest ones (easily identified - they have full pilots at both ends rather than the cutaway type found on the older locos).
hmmmm… it might be a pain to have reguler track connect with easy track because of that hook on the end!!! well maybe that could be cut off. as you can tell i am not a fan of ez-track!![tdn] But good luke on the railroad[8D] Tim
OK, so I have another question…If I’m gonna model some of the local railroads in my area, from say around 1975-85, where do I go to start gathering information? I’m in Dothan, AL, which is the extreme southeast corner of my state. All suggestions appreciated.
Look for books that talk about your particular railroad. When you find the title and author, get them from your local library. If they don’t have it, they can get it through interlibrary loan. The books are usually expensive and you don’t need to spend your train money on books that have no value to you.
You can visit the local historical society. Look for a train club in that town and ask the members. Old newspapers can be good as well.
Use the satelite photos from the web. The one’s I found for my area were dated 1994 so there might not be too much change.
Use the internet. You may find that there is a railfan group for your railroad. Nothing beats free info.
