need some help...beginner

[YGBSM]

JAZ- I looked at the Centennial set at lionel.com and it seems to have all the basics.  It will certainly provide you with many years of fun.  Make sure it has a whistle, because the Lionel website doesn't indicate one!

However, if you are anything like me, you will want to quickly expand  and for that reason I would strongly recommend looking at the new Lionel starter sets with Berkshire 2-8-4s and fastrack.  You can get them a quite a discount from places like trainworld or Charles Ro.   

[Anonymous]

iam kind of new to more like a old tyco guy staring over again in this digital age. but becare full with AC. 3 rail  .dont mix with 2 rail DC or its short time. AC mainly  europe like marklin.very good detail  but $. even cars you cant mix .welcome and enjoy  pat.h. n cece  ps HO is good to not to small or big .

[Anonymous]

Thanks people!

How about newer sets from Lionel? I have my mind set on the 21976 Centennial Steamer Freight starter set(year 2000). It comes with a grade crossing, crate loads, and a tractor trailer. Here are some specs:
Can motor
transformer controlled forward/neutral/reverse
Die cast loco body
puffing smoke unit
headlight
whistle
40watts/3amps power control
27x63 oval track

Space is not a problem...I have my whole basement to work with. Question about smoke unit...do sets come with the liquid or is it a seperate buy? Do any brand work with it or only Lionel? How many maximum cars can a loco like this pull?

[phillyreading]

Welcome Jaz,

Try a starter set and add to it. If on a budget try RMT Trains or Williams as they are lower priced stuff with good quality but no major electronic systems inside.  In my opion Atlas is good but expensive, then MTH is good also but can be expensive.

Lee F.

[Anonymous]

Thanks again for the help.

Any thoughts on the set im interested in? I can get it way below cost!

[custom mike]

Hi Jaz,

You are going to love this hobby!  You will see  engines from $100 to $1,000 plus.  Fortunately, you are entering the hobby at a time where you can great feature packed starter sets for a favorable dollar amount.  I kind of prefer the M.T.H offerings in this catagory as you want some sound.  If you stay in the Rail-King line of M.T.H, there are many fun possibilities.
 

The first three things I recommend are:

Order catalogs from M.T.H and Lionel

Figure out how much space you want to devote

Don't be afraid to ask questions.  There is a lot of information to become familiar with.

Not on the list but most important.  Have fun!

[trainbrain]

Welcome,

Go online http://www.lionel.com and check out the sets they have to sell. See what you want and get the item number and search online for that set and compare prices. Also, look in Classic Toy Trains magazine at all the dealers ads and compare.. Hope this helps.

[BlackJack]

It's hard to say exactly, without knowing your funds. The cheapest recommendation would be to buy a new Lionel basic set, from a store like Hobby Lobby that offers 40 percent off coupons, on sale for around 120 dollars. I think the locos are 2-4-2s with light, smoke and air whistle. It would come with the cw80, 80 watt transformer which is decent power, but has compatibility problems with other brands of locos and is considered somewhat finicky at best. It would include fastrack, which is 036, and is a solid type of track/trackbed that can be used on carpet. Look at lionel.com for some ideas about their sets.

I'd look seriously at the MTH entry line of trains   mth-railking.com  for set ideas. It wouldn't have fastrack, but it has the MTH z1000 100 watt transformer that is quailty, and a very high quaility locomotive with great smoke, great power, and steam engine sounds, not just bell and whistle. Unfortunately, it would be more expensive.

I'd look at williamstrains.com, as they have good external reproductions of postwar lionels, but have modern electric motors. Dealers sell for less than the websites MSRP.

For track I'd recommend either fastrack, 031 0 gauge or if really on a budget 027.

[Anonymous]

Thanks people!

How about newer sets from Lionel? I have my mind set on the 21976 Centennial Steamer Freight starter set(year 2000). It comes with a grade crossing, crate loads, and a tractor trailer. Here are some specs:
Can motor
transformer controlled forward/neutral/reverse
Die cast loco body
puffing smoke unit
headlight
whistle
40watts/3amps power control
27x63 oval track

Space is not a problem...I have my whole basement to work with. Question about smoke unit...do sets come with the liquid or is it a seperate buy? Do any brand work with it or only Lionel? How many maximum cars can a loco like this pull?

[lionelsoni]

I have observed that the minimum radius is not much different among scales.  For example, the minimum in O is the O27 radius of 12.5 inches, while HO folks seem to consider 15 to 18 inches the minimum, and N is around 10 inches.  Of course, bigger trains are longer too; but disproportionate shortening of rolling stock to address this problem in the larger scales, especially O, is very common.  The bottom line is that going to a smaller scale does not save nearly as much space as you might expect.

[Anonymous]

If you have train shops or train shows that come to your area, that would be a good place to start.  Ebay has EVERYTHING but can get expensive.  As far as trains, any old Lionel set would be good, choose what you like.  Sets from the 70s are particularly cheap, collectors do not seem to go for them in a big way.  I have many and have had good luck with them.  Any repairs needed can be made by a full-service local train shop.  Parts are no longer being made but they are virtually everywhere (local shops, ebay, online stores).  Buy one, set it up, run it (get more track, a few cars, engines, ... enjoy!)

[envfocus]

Although you've probably already considered this question, the most important I found when starting out is how much space you have to set up your train.  This also implies how "portable" it needs to be.  In other words, if you have limited space or need to move/take down your layout from time to time, then the smaller size scales (HO, N, Z etc) would probably be best.  If you can have a permanent spot, then the larger scales would work great.  Also, I can say that older sets and parts are available, especially thanks to the internet and wonderful forums like this.  I just started in the hobby this past year and my interest is in O gauge Lionel prewar (pre 1942) trains and accessories and I have not had any trouble finding pieces, parts, and help.  Finally, I found it really helpful to go to a fair or convention to see everything under one roof.  Here in the Twin Cities, there is typically a modest sized train fair at the State Fairgrounds once or twice a year.  A great and easy way to see lots of ideas, trains, and accessories in one spot.  Good luck.

[pennsy_fan]

Hello JAZ, and welcome,

If I were starting out again, Id start with a LIONEL starter set. (another possibility is an MTH starter set). Reason being is that you get a locomotive (preferably steam :) ), some freight or passenger cars, an oval of track, and a transformer (power pack) right out of the box. A great place to start.Then, as time and money allow, expand with more track, some more train cars maybe, and an accesory or two. The possibilities are only limited by the imagination. (and the available real estate for a layout ;)...)This forum is a great place for information on the whats, wherefore's, and how too's.

  I know of some enthusiasts who simply run their layouts on the carpeted floor in a spare room! Definitely a worthwhile, time well spent, hobby.Good luck with your first layout, Im sure there will be more posts on this subject as well, stay tuned :).Oh,....almost forgot .... ,one rule of thumb for this hobby is...........

HAVE FUN!!!!

[csxt30]

Hello JAZ & welcome to the forum !!

Here are a couple sites for you to check out !!

http://www.thortrains.net/

http://www.postwarlionel.com/

Also, yes you can get plenty of parts for older trains. If you need sites for them, just let us know !

Thanks, John  

[Anonymous]

Hi all!

I have always been facinated with train sets. Never could get one as a kid(too expensive) and now being 29 I would like to fullfill an old dream of running my own train. I don't know much about gauges and scales. I'm looking for help on choosing a starter set. I want an old looking loco with real steam and whistle of good size. From what i've read seems like O-27 would be my choice. I don't have a big budget. What brand would you recommend? Should I look into old sets on ebay? If I get an old set can I still get parts/rails in stores?

Thanks for all the help.