I'm new & need help

[dwiemer]

If you just want cheap for around the tree, etc. WalMart has a HO set. If you are wanting to get into the hobby, do like Daan says. I have bought a number of items off eBay. Other good spots to check are garage/estate sales. You should probably start with a starter set and a subscription to one of the train magazines. I went to Books a Million and looked through several. I went with Classic Toy Trains. This, and keeping up with the forum will give you plenty of insight to what products are out there that you will want to add to your set (s). Be sure to ask questions. Also, there are a number of train stores/ hobby stores on the west coast, go to any in your area or on your travels and see what is out there. You can get some good deals on the net, but remember, it is good to have a rapor with a local dealer too.
Good Luck, and Welcome[#welcome]
Dennis

[daan]

Hi siksk8r, welcome to the forum.
I guess for h0 you would be able to find a set in a trainshop, search for sets which are in a sell-out corner or which are down in price. But if you are willing to have a bit of patience (read: it doesn't have to run under the christmass tree) you should wait untill after the holiday's, since a lot of trains will be on a discount then.
If you want 0 scale (which is a completely other experience then h0, also needs more space) try to find your luck on ebay. There are complete sets for about 79 dollars, but you shouldn't expect a high quality train then. Those are starter sets, with smoke and light, but no sounds and relatively simple locomotives. They come mostly with transformer and track (Lionel section 1987-now) and have a 4-4-2 locomotive, a few cars and a caboose. But when coming close to the holiday's, also those sets get expensive (over 100 dollars).
You could also find the trainset in seperate items. The parts costing the most are the locomotive and the transformer, track is very cheap (classic 3 rail tubular) and a few cars won't set you back more then a few bucks, if you go for the cheaper ones.
A complete loco& cars set you can find for about 75 dollars, tracks are also on for a few bucks, and for a set like this, a simple transformer is enough. If you only want to run the trains around the tree, a simple 12 volt 1 amp transformer, without regulatable voltage can get that train running. Those transformers are very cheap, but you only have the option to run on 1 speed or stop (pull the plug).

If you're thinking about using the trainset after the holiday's for your layout, be patient and wait 'till after the holiday's, you'll find a lot more train for your money..

[Anonymous]

I live in sacramento Cal. Where can in find a cheap under $100$ set O or HO