I'm New to The Scale and This Forum

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

I am new to this particular forum.

I have been playing with O Gauge trains most of my life. And now, I would like to set-up a loop Garden Trains on the deck.

I am not sure where to start:

Do I buy a starter-set and some additional track?

Do I buy my components separately?

To set up a loop about ten feet long, will the transformer in a starter set be powerful enough?

Are all tracks compatible? And do I need a track made of a specific component such as brass?

I’m not necessarily looking for the top of the line product, but I certainly don’t want trash. Any suggestion for manufacturers?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[vsmith]

Loco-Kelvin Welcome to the forum...

Lets see...

Hello all, alot depends on what your interests are, standard guage or narrow gauge. I assume that coming from O your primary interest would be standard guage.

Do I buy a starter-set and some additional track?
This is a good way to get started. USA and Aristocraft trains sells good starter sets that will get you a good engine, a car and a caboose, good brass track and an OK powerpack. LGB sets are also very good, bulletproof engine, cars track and a good powerpack. Bachmann sets are a great deal, except for the track which to me is worthless outdoors or indoors.

Do I buy my components separately?
You can but it can get expensive, but this way you can get exactly what you want. I did this for all my narrow gauge junk. but it took a long time to get all the things I wanted. You will most likely be buying all your extra track seperatley.

To set up a loop about ten feet long, will the transformer in a starter set be powerful enough?
If its a 1amp pack, yes, no problem. LGB and I beleive Aristo and USA's packs are all 1amp. Bachmann's is only .5amp and is kinda worthless. I would suggest investing in a Aristocraft "Basic Train Engineer" R/C controller, this is a handheld controller and a reciever that installs between the powerpack and the track and uses the r/c controller to regulate the speed and direction via r/c. simply the best thing I ever bought for my tiny layout. My layout is 8' x 20' and i use the r/c and an LGB pack with no trouble.

Are all tracks compatible? And do I need a track made of a specific component such as brass?
Most track is compatable, USA and Aristo are from the same Chinese factory, LGB works with them but is initally very tight fit at the joiners. Bachmann only works with Bachmann. I use Aristo/USA for straights and curves but LGB for all my turnouts as they have the least # of complaints for operations.

I’m not necessarily looking for the top of the line product, but I certainly don’t want trash. Any suggestion for manufacturers?
Cash Strapped? Join the Club! Bachmann is great price wise. Hartland Locomotive Works sells a cool little engine called the Mack that can be found for under $50, best deal for a cash strapped starter, also LGB's TOYTRAIN line offers a lower price entry into their product line, I have a mess of all the above. Aristo and USA's starter engines are also good to start at the $100 up to $200 limit.

[Anonymous]

VSmith,

Thanks for the suggestions, I really appreciate it. After your comments, I went to TrainsWorld's web page and saw this wonderful LGB starter set for $ 229.00:

PRR Passenger Starter Set
120 Volt

Part # 72323

It a small steamer, from the picture I can't decipher the wheel configuration, but the set looks fairly nice.

A really appreciate your comments and insight, I will use your information going forward.

[vsmith]

The PRR starter set features a 2-4-0 engine, while not based on any prototype, its a nice little engine.

[Rene Schweitzer]

Vic,
That was very nice of you to provide such a long and thoughtful answer to Kelvin.[tup]

Welcome to large scale and the forum! You'll find lots of helpful people here. Enjoy!

[tangerine-jack]

[#welcome]to the forum! Vic gave you excellent answers, and I can't really think of anything to add except that once you get started, there is no stopping!

You mentioned the loop will be on the deck, I was wondering why. Is it because you have little yard space? Or are you thinking "benchwork" as in an indoor layout? Any thoughts for plant life?

Sounds like you are asking the correct questions, hopefuly we can give you sound "guidance" as "correct answers" in the garden RR world are as varied as the individual RR. Your railroad will be as unique as you are as an individual, from concept to construction. Feel free to ask anything, the only dumb question is the one not asked.

[oX)]

[Anonymous]

Loco-Kelvin,
Some very good advice from Vic.I started with an LGB starter set.This consisted of a 1 amp powerpack loop of track ,loco and trucks.
I extended the track a bit but remained with this setup for about 2 years in the garden,trying different things out and learning.
The layout has been extended quite a bit since using Aristocraft 5 ft lengths of track.I too however prefer LGB points.I now have more power on the layout but still use the little start loco all the time.
There is no point where everything is finished.Learning all the time .
Troy

[Anonymous]

Don't forget Loco that in this game nothing is ever wasted. I started with an LGB stainz passenger set and 20 years on it has been bashed into an almost american loco with a huge tender. One of the coach bodies is destined to be a trackside diner and there's all sorts of bits in the scrap box. Start of the journey my friend, enjoy.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

Thanks all for the warm welcome!

I want to reiterate, Vic provided invaluable info to a novice.

Tangerine-Jack asked:

"You mentioned the loop will be on the deck, I was wondering why. Is it because you have little yard space? Or are you thinking "benchwork" as in an indoor layout? Any thoughts for plant life?"

I just moved into another house recently. Boy do I have enough projects. Moreover, I plan to do benchwork for my O Gauge layout, which I haven't started. At this point, building a G Gauge layout of any sophistication would overwhelm me. With that said, I am simply going to run a loop on the deck, where I can go out with a plate of food, and watch her{an engine} go around. At some point, I imagine I would aspire to something a bit more elaborate. Your implied recommedation for LGB is appreciated.

I see, LGB has been the starting point for many:

troybetts
kimbrit

I will admit my ears aren't exactly virginal in terms of manufacturers'; considering I have been involved in the hobby for so long[:D]

You all have given me a good starting reference, and maybe I'll be running shortly, at least a loop of track.

[tangerine-jack]

Loop of track? Plate of food? I'm there, dude!

No matter how large or small, it's a RR![8D]


[oX)]

[Anonymous]

Hi Loco-Kelvin
[#welcome]
It looks like others have got it just about covered covered.
That is a nice looking locomotive
Start set is the way to go regardles of chosen manufacturer to buy all the bits seperatly will cost more.
The only thoughts I can think to add is once you have your set and some extra track so you can play trains OOPS!! I mean operate a railway[:D] .
Give some thought to a more powerfull controler and larger radius curves
the controlers in the set are good for the set but once you want to ad electrical acsesories or coach lighting you start to run out of power fast,
and some of the larger locomotives just will not go round the first radius
curves that are supplied with the sets.
I rather like the shorty cars LGB is starting to make for the sets shame I have not seen any in AUS yet.
regards John

[TurboOne]

A belated [#welcome][#welcome] loco kelvin. Have you picked out your train yet? What O trains do you have now? A loop with a plate of food. Awesome. Advantage of G, you could have the loop go from the kitchen to the deck and have the food delievered. [:)] Enjoy the forum.

Tim

[Tom The Brat]

Pleased to meet you, Loco!

Vic gave you some great answers.

Since I'm normally short of cash, I called my railroad "Nickel & Dime," and started with old stuff I could pick up on eBay and repair[;)]

[Anonymous]

TurboOne,

Which O trains do I have? Well, I will put it this way: I've been collecting since I was eight years old, and I am now 45. Got a bit of stuff from MTH, Lionel, K-Line, and Williams. I am starting to admire the brass stuff from 3rd Rail.

[TurboOne]

Kelvin, Williams reminds me of old trains. Simple, good detail, great quality. Some on the forum asked about putting O outside, it seems as if the two rail is UV protected so the track is ok, but the trains don't use UV paint like G scale. Also the G buildings come protected or you use paint to protect, again O doesn't. But I am thinking O is so much smaller, you could get some awesome layouts in a 20 x 20 space with it.

I am into all trains, so I have HO, O, and G. Would love to see pics of your trains sometime.

Take care
Tim