Hi: I’m new to this site, and was hoping you experts might give me some advice. My son will be turning 10 next month, and has shown quite an interest in model building already. He’s asked for a “train set” for his birthday, but I thought I’d venture into something rather more challenging than the basic toy-store variety. In fact, I’m hoping this could potentially lead to an ongoing father-son project that we could work on together. But first things first- can anyone recommend a manufacturer of HO-scale basic starter packages, something in the modest ($100) price range to just get a young one started, but that could eventually be incorporated into larger more elaborate layouts over time?
You can get a descent basic starter set from Athearn.
I would think a set with easy track would probably fit your needs…I’ve seen a few sets at hobby lobby. You would probably want HO scale since N scale is rther small for young hands. Throw in a few trucks and a warehouse kit…maybe like lifelike supply kit to build. I believe its about $15.00 from walters. Its rather easy to build. good luck
Welcome aboard!
Bachmann makes a number of starter sets. Many are even DCC on board.
They are sold by virtually all hobby sources.
http://www.trainworld.com/bachmann/bachmann2008HOtrainsets.htm
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewCat&catId=73
Although this may cost a little more than $100, I think it might create more commitment if you buy a locomotive a loop of ez track, a beginner book, and a power pack, then take him on a shopping trip to buy some cars, etc.
One bit of advice, let him be “chairman of the board” on your father/son project, so he feels it is his with your help, and not the other way around. You can include budget talks in all of this and he won’t ask you to over spend - it will teach him to save for what he wants.
As a child-free 51-year old I can’t tell you how much I envy your situation. Best of luck.
Wow - thanks so much for all the prompt and useful replies!
Phoebe, your links were very helpful. The Bachmann basic starter kits were exactly what I was picturing in my minds’ eye.
Shayfan, your advice about the commitment is excellent - I’m going to spend less on the kit and then take him to a local hobby shop to buy up to a certain $ amount of more track or cars. And making him the “chairman” is great! Although that’ll be the toughest part - I already have to rein myself in from trying to develop all kinds of plans for how the layout might evolve. I have to keep telling myself, “It’s HIS train, HIS project, a GIFT, remember?!” 
Thanks again for all the suggestions! I’ll keep checking back here for other ideas and will let you know how our little adventure progresses!
Although they are a little over $100 I’d recommend the Atlas trainman or Proto 1000 (P1K) sets. Both have good-quality engines and cars, and are available with roadbed track. The P1K sets have Power-loc track, and some of the Atlas ones have E-Z track.
I like the power-loc track since the joints are strong enough that a track plann can be hung on a wall; however, the types of track available for it are limited. The E-Z track has a more vaired product base, but I wouldn’t recommend hanging it on a wall.
Welcome to the Both of You! Since Your son already has done some modeling I would suggest going to Your local Hobby Shop or Hobby Lobby if You have one near You. And pick up some inexpensive starter buildings. Maybe something like the DPM starter kits. Less then $12.00. There’s nothing more boring then watching a train run past a bunch of nothing… Maybe get a couple of turnouts and extra sections of track to add some spurs for switching too.You don’t have to go wild at first…That Will Come later!!! Keep us posted on Your progress!!
My return to Model Railroading after a long absence was precipitated by the decision to upgrade my 5 year old granddaughter’s wooden Thomas the Tank Engine set to HO. It soon became apparent that Thomas needed more room to run, so I built a three times around 4’x8’ with switches and tunnels. I then converted Thomas to DCC. Then we added Hogwart’s Express. Now it fills a two car garage and the grandchildren (now 6 and 10) prefer the real trains to Thomas and Hogwart’s Express. In fact, the 10 year old is most fascinated by the Phoebe Snow passenger trains. Only the 2 year old still prefers Thomas, though he does like the sound of the steam and diesel engines. The 6 year old’s favorite is the subway with the R-17 Redbird subway cars. The two girls are now in love with real passenger trains and ask to ride on a regular basis. Fortunately we have both Amtrak, and a light rail system here in Charlotte.
Welcome to the forums. A couple of added items to the above. When you are buying track, be sure you realize there are several brands and the track with molded on roadbed do not go together easily. Choose one brand and stick with it. Also, be sure to buy nickel-silver track, there is some cheaper steel, but most folks don’t recommend it. Later, if you choose to add some flex track to expand your layout, I believe that all the molded on roadbed is the same thickness as cork roadbed, so it is not too hard to expand. Remember, even if he is chairman, you can still have some of your wants, you can develop a scene on your corner and he can develop scenes on his part. Hopefully you have space enough for a layout so that you can each do some things you like as well as work together on scenic parts of the layout. Give him space and encouragement as well as help. Though it had nothing to do with modeling, I just had an 18 yr old grandson work for me for a week while I recovered from minor surgery. I had worked with him a few days prior and was available for consultation, but left him alone with his new knowledge and let him develop his confidence. I think it helped. Good luck,
I second the Atlas sets. I have one in Norfolk Southren, with a GP38-2. It runs like a dream, pulls hard, and for the price, it has good detail and quality, and lots of vereity. Here is Atlas’s Trainman site.
Coolwind…congratulations on your decision to be involved with your 10 year old in model railroading.
Suggest you look at the “Worlds Greatest Hobby” information.
Your son can learn many things helpful later in life. One is budgeting. There should be a reasonable budget, and it should be adhered to in my opinion. If there is to be a major purchase (locomotive, etc.), your son will learn if he saves his money in advance of the purchase.
Next are the many skills needed in this hobby…mechanical, art, eelctricity, and so on… It is often said that “patienace is a virtue” and this hobby does develop patience…
Next are the the friendships built with others in the hobby. Model railroaders as a whole are good, caring people.
Cheers.
Since he’s shown an interest in model building, I’d recommend getting some of your rolling stock in kit form. Athearn makes a series of low-end models which aren’t much of a stretch for a 10-year-old to build, but will still give him a sense of pride in seeing it running. Also, look around for some structure kits that fit in with your layout.
More wonderful suggestions - thanks!
In just the short time since I’ve posted here, thanks to leads provided by your advice, I’ve found a very promising model railroad supply store less than 20miles from our home (in rural Oregon, that’s saying something!) as well as some very interesting history about a now-defunct railway line that actually ran right past our home! Great material for a potential theme for the layout.
Packer and Nik: thanks for the suggestion on Atlas, I’ll definitely check them out. Both Packer and Cowman pointed out the durability and ease of working with different track types, which is not something I would have thought of - great tip!
Great western, the thought about getting an inexpensive building and scenery is also very useful and something I had overlooked - I think that would work very well, and combines with MisterB’s kit train suggestion that would really emphasize my son’s love of model-building.
Phoebe, your story of how your project expanded to fill a garage is inspiring (and a wee bit daunting)! The good news is that we do have a pretty decent basement space to work in. Do you think 4x8 is a good enough space to start with?
Heartland: your suggestion on budget is ALREADY coming in handy! With all these great tips I’m seeing my potential “starter” set growing! So yes I’ll definitely be putting that tip to use! Your list of skills used in model railroading are a perfect match for my son’s interests so far - he’s even doing an after-school electricity workshop already! And I can already see how supportive the community is!
Also, has anybody heard of Marklin trains? Any thoughts about them vs Atlas and Bachmann for starting out? I’ve heard they’re good quality, but I wonder if their locos/cars/track would be easy to find and interchangeable with the other brands?
Clearly, I have a lot to learn - and it’ll be fun to learn it with my son a
I would recommend an Atlas set because the track is detachable from the ballast for future ventures.
Märklin is a German comany. They are older than Lionel, but they are currently under the German equivalent of bankruptsy protection. They are 3 rail AC and not compatible with US products, though it is a quality company.
When I was eleven years old, my father picked up one of those affordable Athearn figure-eight HO Scale Christmas train sets, and we put it together at the tree. For some reason, the train sets back then always had the Santa Fe warbonnet.
A little later on, we went to the lumber yard, and bought douglas fir 1"x4"s and a 4’x6’ piece of homosote. That corner of the basement stood up very well until it was time to move out after marriage. The layout would eventually have mountains, bridges, and trees, track sidings, trackside industry, and lush valleys.
My dad showed me how to use a saw, measure for drill holes, and put together a solid layout table. The figure-eight soon gave way to a double track oval, with four turnouts, for crossovers to any track, wiring with basic +/- electricity to a dual-control powerpack, with switches to power the turnouts.
Two years later we added one of those new German overhead trolleys, and the homosote made a good base to spike things down, let alone paint the trolley street. It was really neat to see how the trolley lights lit up the layout, along with a couple street lights, and some indoor building lights. We even used the old A.C. Gilbert American Flyer power pack to power the AC lighting.
This can be a precious time for your family with memories that will last for decades!
You might try joining a model railroad club if one is nearby. Our model railroad club has had quite a few young members over the years. Their parents bring them and both learn to do do train stuff together. One of our young members is in high school now and has discovered girls and cars. Once being a model railroader, the bug will come back and bite him again when the time is ready.
4 year old grandaughter playing with the 36" circle that came with Thomas.
Her older sister working on the original 4x8.
4x8 not finished (buildings not yet painted etc) before we decided to make it even bigger.
Marklin is mosty European, But they do have some American stuff, just in Z scale. Also, Marklin couplers are of different design.