Need Advice/Suggestions

[Anonymous]

We live in western Pennsylvania and would like to set up a display.  I have 6 children (oldest boys are 12 and 10) and are very interested in participating the planning/building of a display.  Any suggestions on a "beginner train set" I could purchase that would have an engine/a few cars /caboose etc ....also any hints on a good book/dvd/video for building basics?

Thanks!!

By the way....we would like to do an outdoor display....

[altterrain]

I would suggest - Getting Started in Garden Railroading by Allan W. Miller. A good book for G newbies. Also a subscription to GR is a good idea. They also have quite a few downloadable articles (some free, some for a fee) that are pretty good.

Most of the big manufacturers make starter sets. Many of us cut our teeth on the Bachmann big hauler set. The engine and cars are good but the track can not be used outside and the transformers are a bit lacking. LGB and USA trains make fine stuff but my favorites are the AristoCraft Lil' Critter or 0-4-0 sets. Shop around online for good prices or your local hobby shops if you a lucky enough to have any that carry G trains. My favorite online store is Ridge Road Station - http://www.ridgeroadstation.com/trains.shtml. Have fun!

 -Brian

[John Busby]

Hi Newtrainfamily

I assume you mean in G scale.

I would suggest a Beginners Guide To Large Scale Model Railroading by Marc Horovitz and Russ Larsen

Garden Railways  How To Design and Build Your Garden Railroad by Jack Verducci

Both published by Kalmbach

If you can find a copy

Model Railroading with L.G.B by Robert Schleicher will also be use full.

There are not a lot of books dealing with Large scale published and most of them deal with garden railways

With large scale going on the rolling stock list you provided you will need to get a set plus one car most of the start sets have a Loco a freight car and caboose Or two freight cars the passenger start sets usually have a Loco and two passenger cars.

BIAS ALLERT

My suggestion would be an LGB start set + extra car noting that you will probably be better off getting a high power train controller rather than the one in the set, the one thing all train sets no matter how good they are have in common is the controller that will not handle much more than is in the set.

The sets also come with 4' DIAMETER curves which most people try not to use for long opting to get much larger curves so as not to restrict the possible locomotives and cars that can be used.

The one thing I can add is most of the reputable large scale manufacturers stock will stand up to children and have every single part including handrails and grab rails available as spare parts which is handy for the children's accidents don't get cheap #### in large scale you do get what you pay for in robustness and quality

regards John

[ttrigg]

References?  As far as I'm concerned You are looking at the best reference available, this forum.  For printed matter just have a look at the listings from Kalmbach.

Starter sets;  There are a large number to choose from.  Most come with "shortie" cars, (half then length of a regularly available car).  Pick any set that turns your fancy, then get a couple of "opposite cars".  By that I mean, if you got a passenger set then pick up a couple of box cars / cattle cars / coal cars / etc. plus a caboose.  

You will now be set to run in a four foot circle.  You will be more than ready to go back to the store for larger track, switches (turnouts), bigger transformer, so on and so forth.  Save that 4 foot circle of track for the Christmas tree or whatever.  Anything other than the "shortie" cars that came in the set will not look good going around that little circle.  Some of the larger stuff cannot make it in that tight of a circle.

My recommendation before you go to the hobby shop or Internet store:
1. Measure the available space you have for the layout.  You will want to use the widest possible curves, (preferably 8 ft or larger).  

2. Get enough straight track to make an oval, a pair of switches (one left, one right) and some more straight  for a siding (or two).  

3. Get a larger transformer than the one in the starter kit, keep it for other uses.  

4. Track connection: You will want to explore a different way of connecting the track than comes equipped with the track you are purchasing, those little slip on snap together things do not hold up for long, the little screws seem to be a pain in the posterior (so I've heard, but not experienced).  Look at getting some rail clamps, either Split Jaw or Hillmans, both provide a durable mechanical and electrical connection at rail joints.

5.  As far as the starter sets go, let your imagination run wild, and pick the set that most turns your fancy.  The extra cars you get now, need to be of the same brand, different brands do not always hook up to each other without changing couplers.  This may or may not be a task you would want to tackle at first.  Later on it will become a routine once you have selected a coupler type that you like.

Having said all of that it is now time to, Go outside and play in the dirt.  Oh, by the way, we love looking at pictures of each others work, whether you've been in the hobby a month or 40 years.

[two tone]

Hi, to G gauge are you putting your layout out doors if so, for starting I would go for  Bachmann locos 4-6-0 or 2-8-0 good for starting with this leaves you free to buy coaches or frieght as you wish.  Buy a 10amp power supply this will cover all your needs when you extend your layout later. As for a controller I use the Crest Train Engineer Made by Aristo craft its a good unit hand held very good for all things as you progrees with your lay out the train engineer can controll your turn outs.Next track I use LGB not the cheapest but in 5 years I have had no problens with it fish plates are strong so no break in circuit. Always use radius 3+ curves large locos need this to run with out any problems.  Hope this helps

Enjoy setting it up then relax with a glass of some thing and wath your trains run

[Capt Bob Johnson]

The major thought here is to get something running, you can then dream up ideas for expansion to suit your fancy.  A simple loop is sufficient to get started, but do get it started!

[ttrigg]

Newtrainfamily;

Just a little addendum to what I said before, and Capt Bob filled in the major point that I missed.  When buying your track get enough to have a good sized loop on the ground.  As you begin to acquire more cars, engines, and buildings, you will want to grow accordingly.  From your basic loop an empire shall spring forth give enough time.  Do not expect to have a complete empire in just a few days or months. These things take years to grow.

Like I said before, get something in the dirt and start playing.

[piercedan]

For outdoors, do not use the Bachmann or Lionel track, these are indoor track only.

 I agree with the comment on LGB and the toytrain series of sets are very robust and come with very durable brass track and a 1 amp power pack for operation.  USA and Aristocraft make very nice sets as does Hartland, but they are not as robust as the LGB, but do cost less.  You usually get what you pay for in this hobby.

 

The power units are not weather proof, but everything else is.

 

I have 10 cars I leave outdoors all the time made by LGB, USA, and Bachman.  Some for 5 years.

 

I never leave engines or cars with electronics outdoors.

 

 

[Tom The Brat]

Family in the train garden? What a delight!

Welcome to the hobby.

[dwbeckett]

Don't go cheap when installing track, as in using fence boards to lay track they will not last as long as the do in the vertical position, if you do use wood go with a good grade of presser treated Green not brown. made for grond contact.

[GP-9_Man11786]

Welcome to the hobby!

 My advice is don't take shortcuts with the wireing. I origionally used 16-gauge speaker wire and it was a disaster. I have since rewired my entire railroad with 14-gauge copper Romex cable, the same stuff the wire houses with. It's tough and is more than adaquet for a garden railway. I have feeders every five feet. Trainbs never stall or hesitate. However, I did this before the cost of Romex cable shot up to $72 for 250'. These days it might cost almost as much as the track to do what I did.

 My other piece of advice is totake plenty of "before." pictures. I've taken photos through every step of my layout's eveolution. It's fun to look back and see how you started out.

 Best of luck.