I’m a 57-year-old who had a classic O-Scale Lionel train set as a kid and enjoyed it, though I’m pretty sure my dad had more fun with it than I did. Anyway, just before Christmas my very practical (normally) wife of 33+ years surprised me by saying she’d like a model train – if not for Christmas, maybe at least get started shortly after Christmas! So, here I am, a guy who hasn’t done anything with model trains in 40+ years, but who’s thinking it could be a fun family thing for us, our adult kids, and their kids. The question is: Does anyone have suggestions on good quality starter sets? I’m most interested in the old-fashioned locomotive type. THANKS!
HoosierEngineer - Welcome to Trains.com! [C):-)]
Welcome, Now are you really planning this for a family fun thing or are you the one that’s really interested and have been bit by that bug like most of us have?
If you are seriously considering a small layout and need some decent equipment, there really isn’t that much in the way of a set that will have a good running steam engine. There are good quality starters that will employ a diesel engine however. The Atlas Trainman is one that comes to mind that has very good components for starters and as you continue in the hobby wil still be able to consider them as part of your roster. You can always buy a good piece of steam to fill your wants later.
Most that have started off w/ that 'el cheapo" set crappy drive, cheap rolling stock and steel sectional track, find that it ends up in some box tossed to the side or given away as you find that all of it will be replaced w/ a far better quality items.
Ok, so there are many questions we could bombard you with. I’ll try not to smother you. Are you looking for a large scale train such as the O-Scale one from your childhood, are you looking for a smaller train, or are you open for suggestions?
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I started the family with a G-gauge train in 1984. It was a Kalamazoo brand - no longer in business - and very pricey. I got it at a hobby store liquidation sale for 75% off. Since it was so expensive (even the turnouts) we added one piece each Christmas and Birthday, but now we have a massive set that the children will take parts of with them when they start their own families. If I were doing it again today, and if one doesn’t mind non-realistic equipment, I would go with one of the LGB sets like LGB72441 about $340 http://www.trainworldonline.com/catalog/category/detail.php?id=17202&find_section=245. They also make a passenger set. LGB makes a really nice 2-6-0 American style Mogul that can occasionally be found on sale for $650 or so.
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We purchased a cheap Lionel Set (about $240)&n
[#welcome] to the forums, the hobby!!!
There are a few things you should decide before you choose a set.
First, how much space have you to devote to the trains? IS it only for under the Christmas tree? If you want to do more than under the tree, here are some things to think about:
Second…what scale would you like? G is Garden scale and larger than O, O is next size down, then Half O {HO} scale, then next smaller is N scale, then there is Z scale which is abut the size of your pinky finger, then there IS even smaller…often called Flea scale {but don’t expect ot find it}.
-HO scale is the most popular and is 1:87th the real size of 1:1 things in scale. It is relatively cheap -by that i mean good prices. O guage can get VERY expensive with a loco costing aobut $600+ if you want a good one. HO can be had from $50 for diesels to $100 for steam. Lets say for sake of argument you choose HO.
Third is do you {she} want Steam of diesel {diesel is really diesel-electrric. A diesle motor turns a generator for electricity to send power to the wheels}? That will determine what you get. Steam was fading out in the 1940s-1950s and gone by 1950 for all intents and purposes. Diesel started popularity on the scene in about the 30’s .
FOurth, if you can, visit a MRRIng {Model Rail Roading} club nearby and visit a LHS {Local Hobby SHop} TO see what is available.
Fifth, at the top here are two tool bars…one in gray and one in black. Go to the "shop: buttons and look for books on the subject of MRRing. Kalmbach, our publisher puts out several on all topics. READ a lot some things have changed in 40 years!
Sixth, you will need to decide for HO and N if you want to go DCpower route which powers the loco by controlling track voltage where any loco on that track will respond, or the Newer DCC which controls each individual loco by computerized information on the track, regardless of how many are on the track {unless you lash them
Hi!
Welcome to the Forum and back to the Hobby. You have already had lots of good advice, and while I do have some more, it is really only meaningful if you want HO scale.
Rather than buy a “train set”, you would be better served in the long run by buying the components. Locos from Bachmann Spectrum or Athearn/Atlas, cars from Athearn, track from Atlas, and a DC power pack from MRC - or if DCC - from various different companies.
Yes, it will cost more than a “set”, but you will be getting quality items that will last a long time - and more likely to be used for a long time. Many of the starter set components go by the wayside for the folks that stay in the hobby.
Model Railroader - THE magazine of the hobby - talked about this several years ago as the “best” way to start out. I agree. BUT, it is possible that there are sets out there that are of much better “worth” than they were in years past.
Anyway, its something to consider - and I promise you the folks at your local hobby shop will be glad to point out the possibilities.
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Hoosier,
Welcome to the forum! Good to have you aboard!
Are you still interested in O-scale? Or, are you looking at something smaller like HO? It really depends on how much room you have at your disposal.
Tom
Can I quote you on that ???
[(-D]
John
Welcome to the forums and back to the hobby.
It’s great that your wife has shown interest too. She may have some skills that will come in handy, like painting backgrounds, making trees, etc that will come in very handy. Doing things together also makes them special.
Since you are basically beginning again, I would suggest you get a book on getting started in Model Railroading. Our host offers them (go to the top of the page click SHOP, then books). You may find a book at your local hobby shop and some libraries have them. It will give you ideas on the advantages and disadvantages of each scale and the basics of scenery, wiring and basic construction.
The folks here are very good at answering questions, but you do need to give them an idea of space available, location and type of operating you would like to do. You seem to have an era in mind when you say old fashion locomotives, but do you mean steam or early diesels. Many folks model the transition era so that they can have some of both.
Read, ask, read, think, read, ask, progress will be made. If you can find a local show or club where folks can show you, hands on, what they are talking about, you will be that much ahead. You can find a list of both on the above light gray line, RESOURCES. then Coming Events or Model RR Groups.
Have fun,
Richard
Thanks to you and to all for your detailed and thoughtful responses! My wife and I went to a train show in Indianapolis today and got a lot of good info. We’re looking forward to getting started. Thanks again!
Sounds like you’re taken a lot of the advice already. You’ve already taken my best piece, which is to go to a train show (I intended to see if you were anywhere near Springfield, MA – in spite of your screen name – because there’s a huge one there on the 28th - 29th of January).
I’ll second a couple of the items above.
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If this is going to be a hobby, and not just a part time thing (like a Christmas display), then go in slowly and don’t waste your money on cheap stuff that you’ll just end up replacing later.
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Get some good reading material and read up on the hobby before you make any significant investment.
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Have a pretty good idea what you’re going to build (location, era, and railroad) before you purchase anything.
And just to satisfy my morbid curiosity, did you happen to see a company called Woodland Scenics at the show? They are a very prominent supplier of scenery materials and just suffered a major fire last week. They claim to be charging ahead with business, but I was curious how resilient they really are.
Welcome to the hobby, good luck, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one you don’t ask.