HO Beginners Set?

[Anonymous]

I am thinking I need to start running a train around in my basement, but I am not sure the best route to go. I thought that getting a started set would allow me to get everything I need to run a train and gauge how badly I get bitten by the toy train bug.

What is a good beginner's HO train set, ready-to-run from the box?

[cnw1995]

Welcome Vonted! There are several forums on the trains.com website that may enlighten you if you continue to browse them. This particular forum focuses more on larger O-gauge trains - ones you may recognize as made by Lionel. That said, your local hobby store could steer you in a good direction. Even chains like HobbyTown USA and Hobby Lobby have a good selection of train sets of all size-trains - ranging from N scale through HO to O scale and $150 - $300 and more. Manufacturers of nice HO and N scale sets include Bachmann, LifeLike, Walters, and Kato, and O scale sets include Lionel, MTH and K-Line. The train sets at Toys R Us and other discount stores are pretty junky in my opinion. You are right in a starter set will help you gauge the depth of your interest. I started with a small N scale train set - and now - five years later - am greatly enjoying running an 11 by 24 ft. O scale empire.

[Anonymous]

Ahhh.... I did stumble across the other forums, I am learning way about the trains.com forums. I shall repost! :)

[3railguy]

For HO, an Athearn boxed set is a good choice. Everything in it is good quality.

[Anonymous]

For HO and N, it's best to stay away from "Beginner's Sets" because of poor engine quality. They have probably done more to "sour" newcommer's interest than anything else.