I'm New and Clueless.. SAVE ME!

[Anonymous]

Hey Loco-Fans,

Boy, I hate being the new kid on the block. I feel so overwhelmed with all there is to know, so I've been trying studiously lately to refresh my mind and learn what I need to.

I really want some advice before I get started buying stuff. This is a chance for all you pros to really show what you know [8D]! I have a few questions that I've developed over the past couple weeks of research I've been doing. I've done some HO stuff to a degree, but I've always had my eyes set on G. Naturally... [:)]

By the way, in return for great help, I would gladly offer free web hosting to some of you who maybe need a half a gig of webspace to post all your railroad pictures and videos.. I help run supremacyhosting.com, so if you need hosting, maybe we could trade know-how for storage and bandwidth :-)

Ok, onto the meat of my ignorance:

I would assume that I could get good bang for my buck with a G scale starter set, like LGB or Aristo Craft.. however I don't want to start out with any of the "set size" rolling stock, seems silly to mix up the regular stock with squished stuff. Are there regular-sized starter sets available?

Speaking of brands, I know everybody has their favorite, but I've read ( from poking around these forums) that LGB can seem... toyish? Though from what I can tell, LGB seems to have the most available variety of products. But, toyish is no good. I would like to get DECENT (not exceedingly excellent) quality for reasonable price.. I don't care if I have to go through eBay either, haha. eBay is a good friend of mine, we get along pretty well. So, used or new, which would you recommend I start out with?.. LGB, Aristo, Bachmann.. Life-Like?(just kidding)

And leading from that, once you pick a manufacturer, is it recommended to stick with them for most of the accessories you get thereafter? I've read that the scale for each manufacturer differs.. so does that mean a lamppost made by Bachmann would look silly on a Aristo Craft railroad set up? Same with cars, people, buildings, etc?

Another dumb question.. what do the "0-4-0" or similar.. mean? This is only Bachmann?

Basically I want to know what to keep my eye out for just in case I run across an eye-popping bargain.

As you can see, I'm a wreck. I'm 17, so my life experience novel has few chapters yet. I really appreciate any help you can give me, these forums are truly amazing. I hope to soon be contributing to the huge realm of knowledge instead of just trying to absorb anything that I can!

Indebtedly,

Brian

[Anonymous]

Hi bagzy
[#welcome]
First off LGB is regular sized stuff it's just the U.S got rid of 4Wh wagons very early in thier RR history[:D].
Bachmann do what you call regular sized cars as do all the manufacturers.
Welcome to the large mine field that is large scale mind your step[:D]
Most people on the Forum mix and match brands keeping a strong eye on proportions.as all the manufacturers use different scales on the same gauge, some also do a lot of scratch building.
0-4-0 means no leading wheels no trailing wheels and 4 driving wheels
it is one of the standard ways of notation for steam locomotives wheel arangements.
If you can afford it I would get individual pieces that you like
and the largest radius curves that will fit in the space you have avalable.
If you get Aristocraft locomotives pay attention to the radius that locomotive needs they dont have a rule that says everything must go round first radius 2'
most things look abit odd on that so its best avoided if you can.
are you confused enough yet[:)]
In my very BIASED opinion if you can aford it get an LGB set if you go down the train set route
With care a large number of the few lineside acsessories
avalable can be used with all brands its that watch proportion thing again.
Even some of the old tinplate stuff could work as well but take that back in when finished I believe some of that is very colectable not that i ever cared about that sort of thing.
regards John

[smcgill]

Welcome a board!
USA makes a starter set with a nw2 switcher - 1 box car - 1 caboose - transformer & 4'x5' oval of brass track (same as Aristo and like LGB)
Some use two scales .
I also have a Shay (1:20) I run it when my other usa trains are in the shed.
It all depends on what you like!
Narrow Gauge
Mainline
Time ( now or when the west was wone)
Passenger
Freight
Wimsical
Rivet Counter ( everything has to be perfect !)
Make your own
Weathered
Out of the box
Run a loop
Piont to point
Live steam
Track power
Battery power
Remote control ( track or Engine)
I'm getting tired Whi***his thing had spell check!
It all depends on what you like!
The only thing is go as big as you can when using curves (new engines need 8' or bigger!)
Good luck and get some track down were you think it will go and you might change you thinking once you start!
By the way you never are finshed!!!!!
It looks like your in the mecka of garden rail roads- go visit some they will answer a lot of questions! [:D]

Go to " http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/ " and look there for alot of questions already ansered !

[Anonymous]

SMC, you mention that I'm in a mecca of garden rail roads.. Just wondering, anybody out there reading this in the SD area? :-)

[kstrong]

Brian,

Go here first: http://sdgrs.com/

That's the local garden railway society in San Diego. Best to see things and talk to folks in person, also you'll quickly build up a support network for folks to help out and teach you the ropes, so to speak. There's A LOT of garden railroading going on in your neck of the woods, so you're in great company.

If you want a "full size" set, check your local Sam's club right now. Some of them have a Bachmann Christmas set for around $150, that comes with their "anniversary" 4-6-0 steam locomotive and two passenger cars. You'll be hard pressed to beat that deal anywhere. If diesels are more your style, then the USA Trains set mentioned above will probably be a better start, though at a higher cost.

My advice to folks just getting into the hobby is to start small, but sample everything. Your particular tastes in motive power and rolling stock, as well as all that "era" stuff will develop over time. For starters, get something down and get it running. Then expand from there, knowing that you'll be making changes along the way to allow for how your personal tastes are progressing.

Welcome aboard, and enjoy the ride.

Later,

K

[Rene Schweitzer]

Brian,

Kevin's right about the San Diego GRS (garden railway society). They are a large, active club and put on lots of how-to clinics. They also built and maintain a railway in Poway at at Walter Anderson's nursery. You're very lucky to be in one of the "hot beds" of the hobby.

Rene

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rene S

Brian,

Kevin's right about the San Diego GRS (garden railway society). They are a large, active club and put on lots of how-to clinics. They also built and maintain a railway in Poway at at Walter Anderson's nursery. You're very lucky to be in one of the "hot beds" of the hobby.

Rene

Wow I must be living under a rock! I LIVE in Poway! Gotta check it out!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kstrong
If you want a "full size" set, check your local Sam's club right now. Some of them have a Bachmann Christmas set for around $150, that comes with their "anniversary" 4-6-0 steam locomotive and two passenger cars. You'll be hard pressed to beat that deal anywhere. If diesels are more your style, then the USA Trains set mentioned above will probably be a better start, though at a higher cost.

Kstrong, I've read that the starter sets can get you in trouble because the radii can be too tight, and adding loco's and rolling stock might prove challenging if the set comes with anything under 4' radius.. I'll check on the USA sets and see if I can find radius details.
The Sam's Club deal sounds cool, except I don't know if I could deal with Santa 365 days a year [;)]

Thanks everyone!

[Marty Cozad]

Brain
i agree with Kevin S. simply because it is a starting point that is affordable. They may have tight curves but you can make them grow in time. then use the tight curves on sidings etc.
it wasn't till my 10th year in this hobby that I switched to 20 ' dia cuirves as my min on the main lines.
I still have one of my starter set Aristo 0-4-0s and it goes to visit on other folks RRs that still have tight curves because of space.
(just a thought ) If you know, really KNOW what you want and really want to jump in, then go for it.
Both ways will work.
WELCOME to the forum.

[Anonymous]

Welcome,

I am an advocate of "taking it slow." I use Bachmann since it is the least pricy and I dealt with them while in N and HO scales. Their rolling stock if of the late 19th Century early 20th, Aristo has a lot of good modern stuff and a diesel locotive that is reasonably priced at $169.00 or so at some mailorde places (I think it is powered? guys help me out on that)

Start with what you can do, then develop into a grand tycoon!

[yellowducky]

I just bought an Aristocraft Lil' Critter engine (ART-22502).

Threw some track down on the kitchen floor and was amazed at how well it operated. The Bachmann track had been in a flood about 2 years ago, dried in the sun but never cleaned.

I just wraped the wires around the rails and ran it. No trouble on switches, but just one section of track had some hesitation (it looked dirtier than the rest).

May buy a Lehmann ToyTrain passenger starter set at LHS for $120.
Anybody have experience with this line of LGB's?

[Anonymous]

The Lehmann sets are an excellent bargain and run well. This one I bought for my grandson, plus added the Lehmann boxcar (whose roof I painted silver) to serve as a baggage car.

Any unwanted graphics can be removed with very fine steel wool, or brake fluid, or a combination of both. The entire Lehmann/ToyTrain line makes for great kitbashing potential.

Regards,
Bill C.
South Jersey

[Gary Crawley]

Hi Brian
[#welcome]

I too was a convert from "HO" to "G" (Still have my HO layout) and living in Australia the range of G stuff isn't great so I mainly import from the US.

The best advice I can give you is to pick a theme and plan, plan, plan.
Take your time and don't rush picking up your rolling stock, locos etc when they are on special and you can afford them.
My preference is mountain narrow gauge, lots of tight curves, tunnels. bridges etc as it suits my small backyard.
Because of my theme I use Bachmann geared locos and I like the quality of the AM (Accucraft) narrow gauge rolling stock, have a look at the rgsrrhobbies.com web site.

One great thing about the Forum if you have a question just ask and somebody always has an answer.
Good luck with our Great hobby and remember to take your time.

Regards
Gary

[Anonymous]

yeah mate just get a starter set and get it going on the ground and you have taken the first big step, you will on your way.

Ignore what everyone else ahs advised you just do this , ok.

I started with an LGB starter set and now years down the track with 130 metres of track down and many problems discovered and solved I am convinced this is the way to go.

Do not buy anything else except a very limited amount of track, as you wll change your mind and just going around in an oval will not be much fun for long.

regards


Ian