Starting my first set

[Anonymous]

I'm 23 years old and I'm wanting to start up an HO scale train set. I have done some research but I can't find any place that tells you how much you can actually build yourself. Are there sets to build locomotives or cars or anything else. I know you can build the scenery and paint it and things. Thanks for any imput I can get.

Brad
Texas A&M class of 2003

[Anonymous]

Brad:

First: Welcome to the 'Worlds Greatest Hobby'.

In answer to your question: You can build virtually everything associated with model railroading from 'scratch'. However, and it is a HUGE HOWEVER, scratchbuilding requires time, patience and skill. I would advise you to leave that for later and go with a quality RTR (ready to run) trainset and track.

First thing I would do is decide what size (scale we call it) and what era you want to model. Many decisions are made more or less automatically for you once you have
decided those two questions. Do you prefer steam, diesel, or a mixture? Freight, passenger or both?

If you like to do research there is plenty of information available on the web, you might want to begin by scanning the Walters website ( they are a large and comprehensive wholesaler and retailer which most hobby shops use) www.walters.com/ for ideas. Alternately you could go to your LHS ( local hobby shop) and discuss your options with them. Another possible avenue would to attend a meeting of your local model railroad club and ask them. Novices are always welcome in my experience and model railroaders are a talkative bunch.

There are any number of 'getting started' books available. Buy or borrow some and look them over for ideas and answers. Back issues of train magazines are commonly available at hobby shops or at swapmeets, they are a prime source of information and 'how to' articles. At the top of this web page, are links to various monthly publications which have articles for the amateur.

Once you have done a bit of reading and discussing you will be ready to purchase your first trainset. I STRONGLY SUGGEST you spend a bit more and get quality. If you don't find a set which pleases you ask your LHS about 'mixing and matching' to make up a set which pleases you. Nearly all hobby shops will be glad to work with you.

Finally, this month's (January 2004) issue of Model Railroader has two articles which would be helpful to you. The issue is currently at your LHS.

Good Luck and have fun.

Randy

[preceng]

Welcome to the hobby. Randy speaks the truth. READ. Subscribe to Model Railroader first.

I started up again a few years ago. The amount of information to absorb can be seemingly overwhelming, but taken in small bites ... You will be amazed at how much is involved with MRRing. The great part is that you can do as much of the work as you feel comfortable doing. Todays world offers anything you want to do from scratch, as well as pre-manufactured pieces to entire layouts.

The best way to start would be to pick up a couple "start to finish" how-to books. They provide a great all-around education. You can get a better idea of how far you want to go in the "from scratch" world. Then pick up some specialty books (i.e How to ... Build Scenery, track, layouts etc.).

Have Fun

[nfmisso]

Hi Brad;

Congrads on graduating. We had friends over for Christmas who graduated from A&M 15-20 years ago.

There are kits for most things. Some are little harder to find, but they are out there.

You need to make a few descisions before you jump, as mentioned above. Plus, what part of the hobby interests you most at the present - don't worry, your focus will change over the years. As an example, my current focus is the N&W in the 1950 to 1955 time frame (with some cheating on the era). A while back it was the N&W and related roads during the 20th century, but that became impossible to afford after Life Like's Proto 2000 line of trains came into existance.

If you want to build locomotive kits (some tools are required); for USA steam locomotives, currently, there are Bowser http://www.bowser-trains.com/ and MDC/Roundhouse http://www.mdcroundhouse.com/ Bowser is the better of the two. At shows you may find Mantua kits, these are also fine models. None of these three match the detailing of today's ready to run steam, but Mantua, and especially Bowser will pull.

International, there is DJH, who 20+ years ago made three USA kits, which occassionally show up on ebay and at shows. They have incredible detail. http://www.djhmodelloco.co.uk/

For USA diesels, there is Tiger Valley Models and Highliners, both one man operations.

TVM has a range of Alcos, which are very heavy, and have incredible pulling power. http://www.lynnet.com/~tigervalley/ Mr. Guilford Mack is TVM.

Highliners makes EMD F-unit shells for installation on other companies chassis. These are the same shells that Athearn uses in thier Genesis line. Paul Lubliner is Highliners. I cannot find a website, but he does advertise in MR, and Walthers carries his stuff.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everyone who says "read", but I also believe its important to see other people's trains. Look in the back of Model Railroader or Railroad Model Craftsman and see what local clubs are having shows or an open house. Also, when the Great American Train Show comes to town, attend. And while you're there don't be afraid to ask questions and listen to other people's conversations. You'll learn a bunch!

[dharmon]

I understand that y'all have the best of intentions with regards to helping our young collegue here off on the road to model railroading bliss, but I must remind you that your advice for him to get a book isn't really gonna help. You see he is an Aggie and they can't read nor are they technically adept. It has to be a book with pictures, lots of them...[;)][:o)][:D]

Welcome Brad.....and Go Horns

[Hawks05]

burnnnnnnnnnnnnn

anyways i just starting in this hobby about 3-4 months ago. i love it so far. i've bought 2 locomotives that were already put together. then i bought 2 that just needed the shells put on and then like awnings and some little details like that.

i bought/received 4 kits of rolling stock. 2 are Athearn, 2 are Roundhouse, and the other is a Con-Cor passenger car. Athearn and Roundhouse alike are really simple kits. i was nervous about trying them but once i looked at it there is nothing to it really. just glue the weight to the floor and glue that to the shell then screw the wheels on and put the couplers on. nothing really.

Kalmbach makes great books. i think i have 4 of them. ones a basic overview of model railroading (red cover), one is a description of how to make Lou Sassi's Maine railroad or something (not helpful to me at the moment). another is a book about scenery, like woods, roads, buildings, lighting, and stuff like that.

i'd suggest finding maybe friends that you know that are in the hobby and talk to them. also going to the LHS is a great idea, usually they have a lot of knowledge and know how to help. a show or some sort of swap meet is also a good place to shop. usually you can find great looking and running locomotives and usually you can find already assembled cars for a nice price. usually less than what you'd pay for a kit of RTR piece. i've also found that Ebay is a nice place to go. although you have to be careful of who and what you buy.

Athearn i know makes great kits for beginners. usually they'll have everything you need to start a layout. otherwise if you want to buy individual pieces look at Roundhouse, Athearn, Proto 2000, and Atlas for rolling stock. Atlas, Athearn, Proto 2000, and Kato are great locomotive producers. i have 1 athearn, 1 atlas, and 2 P2K locomotives. all run really well.

also like stated above pick out a Era, location, season (winter, spring, summer, fall), and finally how much space you have. it doesn't matter if you buy a lot of stuff and can't run it. you can always store it away when you finally get that large space for your trains.

some helpful sites would be:

www.walthers.com
www.discounttrainsonline.com
http://listings.ebay.com/plistings/list/all/category19128/index.html?from=R4
www.1stplacehobbies.com
www.internettrains.com
www.railroadforums.com (great for real train chat, pictures, and some MRR talk)

those are probably the best sites to look at besides this one. also you should look at the NMRA site. www.nmra.com

hopefully this helps

just look on the net, buy some books, and talk to people.