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Newbie with questions
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Here are my opinions: <br /> <br />Set or Separate: I say separate because just about everyone I know replaces everything -- track, transformer, locomotive, cars -- in their initial trainset when they begin their layout. But a trainset will allow you to have a train circling the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Also, I believe that Thomas and The Hogwarts Express are only available as trainsets. My advice is to certainly stay away from the cheaper trainsets. <br /> <br />What brand? Depends on what you are buying. If you want the pre-fab track with plastic roadbed Kato is probably the best, followed by Atlas Tru-Track. Bachmann's EZ track is of lesser quality than these two but is the brand that is most widely available. <br /> <br />Power Pack -- For DC power MRC tends to be the standard. DCC is a far more complicated question. <br /> <br />Locomotives -- For diesels the most reliable ones available for less than $45 are Athearn blue box kits and Walthers Trainline. The mid-range -- $55 to $100 -- give you a wider variety of options for diesels. Atlas tends to be the favorite but Proto 1000 and sometimes Proto 2000 are available in this price range. Same with Athearn RTR. <br /> <br />The cheapest regularly priced RELIABLE steam engines start at around $65. Mantua is the best brand for steam under $100. Mantua went out of business a few years back and sold to Model Power who is re-introducing the old Mantua line. I don't know if the ones produced by Model Power are as good as the old Mantua since I haven't bought one or heard from people who have. IHC is not as good as Mantua -- both in terms of detail and mechanically -- but I have owned one for a few years and am happy with it. The next level for steam begins at around $125 -- though you may find some deals -- and in this category Bachmann and Lifelike are the main brands. Though Bachmann diesels are not as good as other brands their steam engines that are not part of cheap trainsets are good. <br /> <br />Should I purchase track that is already built up? For running a train under the Christmas tree, yes. For a permanant layout flex track on roadbed is the cheapest and most reliable option. Laying flex track is a skill but not difficult to master. The only tricky part with flex track are tight curves. <br /> <br />Plywood or the Floor? If your goal is to build a small, permanant layout building benchwork is your best bet. Plywood on saw horses tends to sag in the middle no matter how thick the plywood and this will mess up your trackwork and cause derailments. Benchwork to a layout is the equivilant of a foundation to a building or a chasis to a car. You only notice it when it is faulty. Building solid benchwork is an easy skill to learn. <br /> <br />Mountains, hills, tunnels, rivers, scenery -- There are many methods to accompli***he same goals. Everyone has their own opinions in this area. I have used the Woodland Scenics products and methods for my layout but there is more than one way to skin this cat.
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