All,
Am new to this, I’m in the planing stage, ( and it’s fun!!) as well as the gathering info stage, lots of info!!. The Forum is great!. I’ve read things on store bought train sets, most of which are not advisable. Buying seperate pieces is not a problem for me, nor is waiting for these pieces to come in. I am not in a hurry!. I just want to NOT spend money on one way, when the other is better.
Thanks for reading, and asking [?]s
Train sets are typically cheaper products, from what I have seen of them.
My advice, use your best judgment. Go to your local Hobby store, and take a look at the ones they have… You should quickly learn that they are mostly all unrealistic plastic style loco’s and cars that you will soon not be happy with and set in a drawer somewhere, out of sight/mind.
The track they come with are set radius pieces, and a few straight lengths typically… so you will have extreme limits to what you can do there, too.
About the better part of a set is you will get a power pack included, but then again, in most cases, that too will be discarded to that drawer with your cheap, ‘toy’ like train cars it came with because of its very limited (forward and revers throttle only) once you realize you want something better… and if you are serious about the long term this hobby needs, you already know you want some quality… so don’t try convincing yourself that going a cheaper route (like a set might appear to be) will actually give you the same pleasure on the layout. [:)]
Dian,
Thanks, what I was thinking also, the long haul is what I am after and I want quailty.
C1
Hi Glory1
Train sets are a good start PROVIDED you get a good quality one
such a thing does exist.
The minuses are that the track is often tight radius curves and the controlers are generaly not that good.
The good quality sets have a reliable locomotive more important in the early stages than super detail
I would rather have a fleet of lesser deatailed but reliable locomotives that superdetailed unreliable ones.
dian mentions discarding the orriginal set most people I know used them
a long time and in some cases later added more details get rid of the carp
plastic autos on auto racks and replace them with good ones and a fresh coat of paint good practice for the real thing,
and if it doesn’t work the first time you just got the start for the track side scrap yard so it ends up in the scenery
I don’t know any one who would cut up a top shelf freight or passanger car
for scenery or experimentation for modeling ideas.
That first set if it is a good quality one will get you started and trains moving
while you sort out if that is really the way you want to go ect ect the roling stock and locomotive can always be painted and extra details added when more expierience is gaind in fact it will probably be part of that process.
The big secret with train sets is don’t ru***he purchase make sure it is a good quality one and has full service and parts back up and buy a good quality train controler in adition to the set.
Once over the new toy syndrome and serious layout building begins that first loco will still get run.
I wish I still had my first train set it was a lot better quality than the rubbish in stores these days and I include a lot of the so called good suff in that as well it just doesn’t have the reliabilaty of that first loco I had
regards John
uhg[:(!][:(!] when i went to the train store a couple months back to get my first train, i had it all planned out, i knew and had more than enough money to get them, but noooo, the guy at the store suckered my parents into buying a train set[:(!] I was going to get a athearn loco, and some of the walthers heavy weights, but noooo, i got the trainline version heavy weights, and a trainline Alco instead. plus, it came with code 100 section track, useless, completely useless, and the power pack is also useless, im going to use DCC, which i tried to explain to my parents! if i hadnt gotten that train set, i would most likely already have the DCC system too, but now i have to wait![:(!]
In your situation, you have the time to determine exactly what you want.
I know you said that you cannot get books. However, you should get one: Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong. If you do nothing but study this book while you are gone, when you get ready to purchase you will be ahead.
Even though a train set is typically low quality, the problem is that it is not what you want. Why? Because they only cover a few options and your choices span the range of time from 1850 forward and can be located pretty much anywhere in the world. Your problem is that you don’t know what you want and won’t really without digging. Trains sets are to give you some trains to run on circles while you figure it out. You have the time to figure it out before you buy
What the Anderson book will do is give you an idea of how to find out what it is that you want by giving you a framework from which to choose. It will also give you a road map of how to set up your railroad so that you grow with it as opposed to what most of us do, which is build a railroad and immediately outgrow it.
You are at the point of asking yourself what it is you visualize when you see a model railroad. For me is was seeing old-time trains running through the redwoods. You start with the vision and research to bring it into reality. Once you find your vision, you will know which purchases fit that vision and which don’t.
If you absolutely cannot get the book let me know and I will get it for you and send it to you.
Thanks Chip,
Just ordered it from Amazon.[:D]
This is a hobby not a race. Im sure there are some good train sets out there, One of our food store chains brings out a set every year or so. The rolling stock in general is pretty bad, however the engines run nice. This is in Canada and the Co. is Loblaws and its subsiduaries.
That said get engines and rolling stock as separate items. If you are in a hurry to get something running ready to run RTR with a good quality engine is the way to go. You have to decide on a scale before you do anything. In an earlier thread it was suggested my me and many others to go to shows and get a feel for what you like.
Dont be put off by the good quality modeling, we all started and grew. In my case Im not sure how much.
Hi prr67
I know exactly how you feel my parents did worse when I was a kid.
they rendered 75% of my railway obselete[:(].
I told them what track was required after a removal firm stuffed all my track they bought in the new stuff instead of the older style now going cheaper
the new stuff, better looking yes but 75% of my trains would not run on it the rail profile was too small.
They would not send my locos to the manufacturer for new wheels so I could use them or replace them with new ones.
I had to wait nearly thirty years for the problem to be fixed[:D] and it cost me a packet.
Now Ive gone and changed size but I still got them all bar the first one
Just hope none of them break down spares are geting hard to find.
but that is what I call reliabilaty they are all nearly as old as I am and still work well not as much detail as the newer stuff but that doesn’t bother me
I like the scenery making part of the hobby and runing the trains.
regards John
There are GOOD sets out there. Spectrum makes starter sets in the $300 to 500 range. If you don’t mind the chucky look of them, Walthers Trainline sets are a good value for around $150. You’ll end up replacing the track and probably the power pack sooner or later.
Having said that, I would start off with individual pieces. That way you can get exactly what you want.
Nick
Basically,you’re still studying and not in a hurry? Then figure out what scale, what railroad, what era and your space limitations, then pick up an individual piece or two to fit your needs. The problem with train sets is a lot of cars are mixed with different eras,and once you get over the new train aspect, you find some stuff useless. Most sets the caboose and even passenger cars aren’t correct to prototypes, and eventually you’ll see how money is lost on such endevours. The same goes for power packs and track. Do your homework now and get a quality product and you’ll enjoy the hobby more.
glo its me again
I see that you have made your mind up and want to run the trains
dont go for the set save that money and grab a proto 2000
they can be had for as little as $25 or more if its a nice paint job and a few people fight for it on ebay I have no less that 8 of these and pulling 10 boxcars on a level track is no problem not bad for under $30 they also run very slow when you want them to
may I recomend the mrc powerpack model 9500 it has 2 meters and helps when the track is shorted or trains have a glich (see link) http://cgi.ebay.com/Model-Train-Controller-Model-9500_W0QQitemZ6005855354QQcategoryZ11644QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I got mine for $35 but they run for $40 you will see two type one with lights and one with out ( I added lights to mine but they went out)
also get the nickle silver track its only a bit more than the old brass like I got but its a world of a diffence also the proto rolling stock is awsome with metal wheels and fine detail I got 30 of them for only $5 each at a train show at the shriners auditorium here in MA. btw cuz jimmy just got back from afganastan he was hit with an rpg he is ok and I just want to thank the troops for the job well done
Ken
There are too many train sets of varying quality make a blanket statement about them. They work very well for someone getting into the hobby and not too sure what they want other than to get some trains running. If you know what you want and a train set happens to have it, then get the set otherwise buy the individual pieces. One thing to keep in mind is that for most of those cheap train sets, the engines and cars are also sold as individual items.
My experience has been that toy stores and discount stores like WalMart have cheap trainsets, engines, cars that you should avoid. A hobby store will have better quality sets, engines, and cars. Keep in mind that quality stuff is not cheap.
Enjoy
Paul
You’re looking for a way not to spend money? Not possible in this hobby!
I saw a good starter set, it might just have been in Canada, but it was Proto 1000 with a really good RS10, and some nice cars. If you see one, buy it. Even if you don’t like the track or power pack, the rolling stock is great.
prr67, I give you my pity. My parents got me a P2K SD45[:D]
good luck on finding something.
Matthew
I would avoid starter sets like the plague!
If I was going to start all over again…minus the whole layout planning issue and assuming your planning a venerable 4x8 type set-up, I would:
A. get a decent powerpack, anythings better than the weak POS packs most sets come with.
B. decide what code track I would use and stick to it like glue. I’m an old fart so I’d still get corkbed and flex track, its cheaper and more adaptable than this new fangled fake plastic roadbed crap that comes in those sets.
C. Get ONE good locomotive to start with, and that doesnt mean one that cost $300. A good engine can be found for about $100 or less, LHS or Ebay.
All the rest will follow, but making a few basic decisions early on will same you a world of confusion and dissappointment if you go the set route.
So many people’s first impresssions of the hobby are tainted by those POS starter set’s that get set up around the X-mas tree or given as a present to little Junior, it gets set up on the carpet (this is only place where that fake roadbed stuff actually has any real value) they run for a while then it stutters, and stalls its way around and finally stops. Junior cries, gives up, then throws it against the wall and goes to play with his never stalling and sputtering Gameboy.
Is is any wonder its hard to get a newer generation interested in the hobby when their first experiences are often just what I described?
WHAT! the SD45 is one of the locos i want! ( you might have saw it in the xmas post someone made awhile ago) ARRRG!!! why did the guy sucker em in WHY!!!
HE SHAL PAY GREAT CONSIQUENCES SOMEDAY!!![}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)]
Just Wait YOU!, I’ll get you. I’ll get rich, then I’ll buy his store from him, and get rid of all the train sets, then no one will ever get scammed again!
MWA HA HA HA HA!!![}:)][}:)][}:)]
prr67 You have my condolences.
I was stuck with tyco when I was a kid while brother got the nice Mantua and Riverossi.
The tyco is in the trash.
Took me about 12-20 years to repair the damage.
Train sets can be a good way to start. A lot of layouts started with an Athearn blue box kit. The first thing to replace may be the power pack, & replace it with a MRC or DCC unit. The second thing to replace may be the Code 100 track, if you want to use ode 83 or a smaller scale rail later. The cars & loco may be the item that lasts the longest. convert couplers, weather it down, and your first trainset becomes a treasured item. You can learn a lot keeping your first loco running.
The easy part about the trainset is the ease of purchase by nonhobby parents. There may be a slight discount over buying the same pieces individually. In the planning stage, your best bet may be to get some issues of MR & MRC to put together the trainset you want. At least get the loco & cars in the roadname & era you want. One of my pet peeves is the set that dosen’t have the loco & caboose match.
The only sets I’d consider are the Walthers, Athearn or the Walthers/Proto 1000 sets that are new this year, the new Proto1000 sets are a steal, with some of the best running locos on the market today and good quality rolling stock, for very good prices ($189 CDN). Otherwise you’ll either get junk cars and locomotives (Bachmann, IHC/Mehano rebranded stuff with Diesel locos) or junk cars and OK locomotives (Mehano/IHC rebranded sets with Steam locos).
if you are going to get a set, get the proto, or the athearn ones, dont get the walthers trainline, piece of junk is what that is