Hello – I’m brand new to model trains, but my son has taken an interest in them. He has outgrown his wooden Thomas set, and I wanted to buy him a set for Christmas. So, I am humbly asking for any advice.
We live in the middle of no where in Georgia, and there is not a hobby store within a few hundred miles, so I’m relying on the net to purchase something.
From what I’ve researched, I think we want HO scale. My son is non-athletic and fairly careful with his possessions, and we don’t have unlimited space (atleast indoors) for a bigger scale. He likes intricate, detailed things. There are no younger children or pets to worry about. Does this sound reasonable?
I also think we would need the nickel-silver track instead of the steel, as it is fairly humid out here and I don’t want to deal with corrossion problems. The track that comes mounted on a roadbed might be easier for him to connect. We will help him, of course, but I don’t want him to become too frustrated.
He prefers older steam-type trains to modern deisel. I also think he would prefer enough track so that he could layout something other than an oval. (Perhaps a figure 8 or double loop or similar).
I’m looking to spend no more than a few hundred dollars initially, and I’m leaning towards buying a boxed set, perhaps with a track expansion pack if necessary, rather than trying to buy piece meal. We are geographically so far from any dealers that it would be nice to not have to worry about missing or incompatible components right off of the start.
So, does anyone have any recommendations as to which set(s), which manufacturer, and/or which internet dealer? Any advice would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks.
How old is your son? I agree, HO scale sounds good for him. I would strongly reccomend having a tabletop layout though, take a 4X8 sheet of plywood, put it on a pair of saw-horses, and then put the track on top. You could buy a plan book, and build a plan from there, or maybe build one of these 2 layouts:
Thanks, Trainmanty. The youth group looks wonderful – but we are in Warner Robins, GA. I didn’t see a group out here. I wish there were more resources in this neck of the woods.
Would a set such as:
Bachmann Spectrum HO Scale Southern “The Frontiersman” Train Set w/EZ Track
or
Life-Like HO Scale Proto 1000 Santa Fe Train Set w/Power-Loc Track
Yes, they’re of reasanable quality, but you may want to look into a track plan with switches and other features, even a 10 year old gets bored running a train in circles. Both those sets are fine, the EZ track is somewhat better, and both sets have fine rolling stock.
If it was me doing the buying I would go with new Atlas sets. The Atlas quality would mean less headaches for all of you and more reliable fun time for your son.
First off: [#welcome] to the forum! Good to have you aboard! [:)]
Between the two: Since you and your son live in GA, I’d go for the Bachmann Spectrum “Southern”. From what I’ve been able to see of the set, it comes with their Spectrum 2-8-0, which is a very nice locomotive, in and of itself.
The quality of the rolling stock (cars) and power pack won’t be as good as buying things individually but everything you need is in one box. (And since you’re not really near any hobby shops, you have to consider postage.) The set comes with a 56 x 38" oval of Bachmann E-Z Track. You may also want to look at a couple of switches (called turnouts in model railroading) and a little more track to provide some more interest.
Also, have you thought much where you plan on having this in the house? Up off the floor on it’s own designated table would be best. The locomotives and track will stay cleaner longer and be less of a trip hazard.
I thought that since the Southern did run through GA, it might have more of a local interest to your son. Here’s a link to the Southern Railway History Society:
I am in nearly the same position as you are with regards to my ten year old. He actually won a Bachmann train set when he was still a bit young for model railroading. We kept that set and were planning on adding an expansion set to the set he won and giving him that for Christmas this year. Since looking into the EZ-track system more thoroughly I have decided that the EZ-Track is not the way we want to go. We are going to start him off with Atlas code 100 track. Now, I do have experience with model railroading so perhaps that makes a difference in our case. However if you or someone else in the family are reasonably handy you will be able to handle helping him to properly lay track.
I too would go for a table top 4X8 layout, but if you are just supporting it with saw horses I would be sure to get 3/4" plywood. Even better is to build benchwork to support the plywood. Then you can use either 3/8" or 1/2" plywood.
My issues with the EZ-Track are simple. After laying out the track on a firm surface I find some of the rails to not align perfectly. In one case the problem causes a derailment every time the locomotive passes that spot. When I was ten, one of the most frustrating aspects of the hobby was getting my track derailment free. It is still a challenge with regular sectional track but I feel it is less trouble than the EZ-Track…but that’s my opinion
If he’s interested in trains, just give him a set and a plywood board and turn him loose. He’ll do the rest, with help of course. Accessories and extra stuff, of course, are always good, as is the usual assistance and encouragement, but of course you mothers know that. We dads tend to have more trouble being helpful without taking over and taking the creativity out.
(Ours is still too small for trains, but he already has one stored away. )
HOW TO RUN A RAILROAD, by Harvey Weiss. Our library had that. It was one of my several bibles, which also included THE BOYS’ BOOK OF MODEL RAILROADING, by Yates, and pretty much everything else the library had.
Others here can help you with quality, but don’t worry too much. My first HO set was a Tyco. I had fun with it, though, and almost any set today is better than that one. The plastic-roadbed track saves a lot of trouble, particularly with temporary setups, and even a cheap sidewinder Life-Like diesel runs better and longer than that horrible Tyco 630. The only downside is that today’s manufacturers don’t throw in all the extras that Tyco did - their themed sets and operating accessories could be neat, but it hardly made up for the Power-Torque drive, did it? Still, I had a lot of fun with that stuff.
I feel that Tom’s advice is very sensible. Bachmann’s Spectrum line Consolidation type 2-8-0 is a super locomotive that always has highly favourable reviews. It is a good model.
Secondly, their EZ-Track is appropriately named, and I think your son will have a blast with it. If nothing else, he’ll learn of its limitations, which are not inconsiderable, and he will improve his dexterity as he learns how to configure his own designs. I do agree that it is expensive to buy individual items, but much of what he needs comes in the first package. One or two extra turnouts would help at some point, so that will be in the order of $40, plus or minus, depending on how successfully you shop on-line. As a caution, though, those expensive turnouts often need a mature mind with skills and patience to tune them so that they don’t cause derailments. Many of us who started out with EZ-Track have commiserated with each other about how we had to file the points rails, the ones that slide sideways, until they were nearly razor sharp before they worked well.
This should be the "next step for your boy, not a “quantum leap.” Let him enjoy what you give him and learn from it, and then if he is eager for more development, he will give you more guidance from a broader knowledge base…himself. It is at that point that you can begin to indulge his interests with some more expensive trains over time and as you can.
It is very pleasant and refreshing, by the way, to have a Mom do this for her son by seeking help in this type of forum, if I may say so. Very nice, and I hope it works out swimmingly for both of you. [:)]
[#ditto] I was going to recommend this same train set. The Bachmann EZ-track has the prefabricated roadbed you indicated was desired. The locomotive is a good performer. The passenger cars are excellent for the price. http://markstrains.com/prodA/BAC1131.HTM
This is not an endorsement of markstrains. I have never dealt with them. It is only an example.
Bachmann EZ-track probably has the most variety of other pieces that can be added to make more interesting shapes. The down side is the quality and price of the turnouts, but that may or may not be an issue for a 10 year old. As a prior posted noted, EZ-Track is not totally wonderful, but a 10 year old might have problems with any type of track. The Atlas code 100 track is the most durable of the straight sectional track without pre-fab roadbed.
My second recommendation would be for the Proto-1000 sets. As in the link below: http://www.davidsdepot.com/browseproducts/Life-Like-8831-Proto-1000-HO-Scale-Great-Northern-Train-Set.HTMLThis is not an endorsement of davidsdepot. I have never dealt with them. It is only an example.
However the big issue there is their “power loc” track. It is really junk and you would not want to buy pieces to expand it, but rather replace it totally with some other brand like Atlas.
There are various starter sets out there. I would stay away from any of the cheap Bachman (not the Spectrum steam) or Lifelike sets. Athearn, Walthers and Atlas offer a very good set that if your son comtinues in the hobby will be able to add to and be happy with decent quality and operation of the track, engine and rolling stock(cars).
Many times a cheap set is given as a gift only to have the child become frustrated with the poor quality as the track separates, engines run poorly and constantly derail. Look for sets that have the track imbedded in a plastic roadbed, EZ track etc. This type of track can be set up on the floor and even carpet if need be and still work good until it can be set on a form of table generally a 4x8 sheet of plywood. When looking at these better sets, make sure they the power pack and wiring “tranformer”. I found that some aren’t fully complete. MRC makes some great powerpacks.
Hope you find that special set and in time for his gift.
You might want to take a drive to your local Target store. They are carrying Lionel again this year. Lionel makes the larger O-gauge trains, but they definitely deserve some consideration. For a 10-year-old, they offer a much more rugged train than the “model” HO trains. Yes, Lionels are more toy-like, but that can be a good thing, too.
Lionels will actually fit in the same size space as HO. The curves are very tight. That’s not very prototypical, but that is part of the fun of the trains, too. There is a lot of “action” in a small space. Lionel track is pretty robust, and it can be assembled and re-assembled easily without wearing it out. This in itself is a great learning experience. The setup and wiring are easy. From what I remember, all wiring is done with clips and hand-tightened binding posts. No soldering is required, which is a big plus once he learns to start re-wiring things by himself.
In a few years, if he stays with the hobby, he’ll be ready for models instead of toys. Buy him some HO’s then. But keep those Lionels in the attic. You’ll love setting them up around the tree every year.
Thanks, everyone, for all of your helpful suggestions. After obsessing on this project for about 3 hours, I think what I have ended up with is the Bachmann Spectrum HO FRONTIERSMAN Southern Train set which is about $160.
I could then add the Bachmann Expander nickel-silver set (12 pieces of snap-fit E-Z Track�, including 4 pieces of 9″ straight, 4 pieces 18″ radius curved track, 1 remote turnout-left, 1 remote turnout-right, and 2 Hayes bumpers) for another $57, -OR- I could assume the E-Z Track is going to be too frustrating and buy the Atlas figure 8 track set (Roadbed Estimate - 31 feet, Includes: Track, 3 Remote Control Switches, Track Connector Controls, Track Nails, Atlas Layout Book #9) for $100.
Would the Atlas track set be compatible with the Bachmann train and power pack/speed controller? Which do you think would be a better choice – stick with the Bachmann track and expander set or transition immediately to the Atlas track?
The Atlas track is a bit better than EZ track in terms of a permanant layout. It’s easier to ballast(gravel along the tracks) if you buy him a 4x8 piece of plywood that he can add structures and scenery to, and Atlas flex track will allow him to make a curve of almost any radius. The trains and power pack are compatable with atlas although bachmann’s power pack has a plug to plug into easy track, so If he wants to go atlas you would need to clip off the plug and solder, or find another way to attach the wires to the track.
You may want to start off with easy track, and if he is really serious about trains in a year or two, buy him a 4x8 sheet of plywood and take him track shopping so he can get what he wants.
Alex, 4 years older than your child.
President of Lowell Mass Division of Youth in Model Railroading.
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