I have a friend who has kids(4,2, and 1) who saw my layout at the house and would like to get into model railroading and want a starter set. I want to get contemporary trains,like a modern BNSF,KCS or NS engine pulling stack cars or modern boxcars, gondolas,or flat cars for play value.How well does the "Fast Track" stuff conduct electricity? Durability?I'm concerned about the plastic gearing in Lion Chief engines. I got my grandkids a K-Line starter set,some Williams engines, and a MTH Rail King dash-8. Why do the train companies make NYC steam freights and F-3 passenger sets for kids born after Barak Obama took office?
[/quote]
MikeSanta Why do the train companies make NYC steam freights and F-3 passenger sets for kids born after Barak Obama took office?
'Cause they're cool! That's why! Everybody likes steam and classic first-generation diesels! The kids might not know, but they'll learn!
Hey, I bought my then eight-year-old great-nephew a Lionel NYC steam starter set and he went nuts! And he lives out in BNSF territory! It's never too soon to turn the young ones into steam freaks!
Seriously, and this is my personal opinion, others may disagree and that's fine, but for a starter set you want something rugged, reliable, and simple. To me, simple means conventional control, that means good old-time transformer control. There's less to go wrong, and you don't want disappointed kids.
In my mind MTH makes the best starter sets, I've been an MTH customer for years and have never had a problem. Lionel starter sets are OK but the inexpensive ones are all "LionChief" remote control with no conventional option.
And you are correct, Lionel does use plastic gears on some of their starter set locomotives, typically the diesels. And they will wear out. MTH and Williams locomotives have all-metal gear systems, so you don't have that worry.
I'm not sure what Williams (By Bachmann) has available in starter sets. I'm not sure if they even have starter sets anymore.
Some large dealers have a selection of NOS, or "New Old Stock" starter sets in inventory. These are typically vintage twenty year old or older unsold starter sets but that means they'll fit the category I mentioned, simple. They may come with the old tubular track but that's fine, it works.
For example, here's the website for one of them, you can order on-line if you like.
http://www.grzyboskitrains.com
And FasTrack is good stuff, there's no problem with conductivity except for the same problem other track systems have, that is, the bigger the layout you're going to have to add track leads to prevent voltage drop-offs the farther the train gets from the transformer. But on a simple small track loop it's no issue.
Hope this helps.
Again, all may not agree with me but I won't be offended if that's the case. The more opinions you get the better.
Thank you very much, Flintlock. Also, I saw the post about the BNSF Tier 4 engine, and that tells me something.
You're very welcome sir!
MikeSanta... Why do the train companies make NYC steam freights...
because diesels are boring... turn the key... step on the gas... wow...what a thrill.
Good Lord, that live-steam Berkshire is astonishing! It's like someone took the real thing, ran it through a hot wash cycle and shrunk it!
Thanks 'flyer, that shot made my day, and the day's still new!
By the way, I was talking with a guy at a train show a few years back who was part of a live-steam display, and he told me you'd be amazed at how much power those live steam models have. And the ones they were running were G scale!
I can't imagine the power that Berkshire has.
a few years ago, there was a Classic Trains calender for sale i spotted that actually had a photo of the real NKP #753 on the cover (it's the one on the left )...
this NKP Berkshire is a design by Jim Kreider who supplied literally hundreds of castings for the build. there are a few dozen of these locomotives in operation around the U.S. and at least one i know of that's being built in England. most are oil fired but i decided to go with coal.
sadly, but not surprisingly, this very social hobby has been sidelined for a while.
...but keeping on topic, this was my live steam "starter"...
Incredible, just incredible!
You see, that's what I love about the CTT Forum, you never know what you'll see!
My grandkids love our BNSF Tier 4 set!! So do I!
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
That was a fun four minutes! Thanks!
Good evening all,
Nice video, Kevin. Thanks for posting. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month