new member help

[Anonymous]

Hello
I'm new to the hobby, I've started by building about 25 cars and 7 engines all different make and models. I must admit I like the kits better than rtr, just the joy of building them i guess. I've named the road already getting ready to do a layout next , no idea where to start, any help.

[lionelsoni]

If you're building from kits, my guess is that you might find more that interests you on the Model Railroader forum. You're welcome here, of course; but we are into toy trains, like Lionel and American Flyer, which are almost all bought ready-to-run.

[brianel027]

Indianvalley, just to let you know that even some of us Lionel guys get into what you are doing. I would always look for junkers, beat up or broken trains and run-fo-the-mill common lower-end trains to re-build, repaint or use for part and components to make my own custom built trains.

Both approaches to the hobby are fine. It's fun to find something just as you wanted right out of the box or to make your own items. I will say that if I had to sell stuff, the stuff I've altered and built would be the last to be put for sale. And I notice more and more when I look at the stuff I like to run, that they are "my" trains and not the ready-to-run ones.

I'm probably an oddity in the world of Lionel, 3-rail trains, but I know there are a few of us out there who enjoy doing this... certainly more in HO scale. But in the end, it's about having some fun - and how you approach that is up to you. Good luck and check out the other forums as Bob suggested.