Newbie Question

[Anonymous]

In the HO scale is there a particular brand that is recomended? Are all tracks the same? So no matter the brand it will run on the rails? What would be a good start up kit? starting from scratch?

[Anonymous]

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHMD5&P=F

[Anonymous]

All the track out there is pretty good, though I recommemd staying away from lIfe Like Power Loc Track. Yes, all the brands will run on all types of HO scale track. A good starting kit would be an Athearn Blue Box.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the hobby! Your best idea for getting answers (apart from posting here) would be to find yourself a Local Hobby Store (LHS). They'll be able to advise on the things you mention. In general, modern locos and cars will all run on the same track - there are standards set by the NMRA (National Model Railroad Association) that govern the vital stuff like flange depths, tread widths, etc.

If you don't have a LHS, these are some brands to look out for as a beginner - I'm listing cheap but good models, there are many more out there. Athearn's range of "Blue Box" loco and car kits are still good value - it says kit on the box, though they're very quick and easy to assemble. Also worth a look are Walthers Trainline range of locos and also the rest of the Walthers range of cars - reasonably priced, decent quality - they'll not look out of place as your layout progresses. Lifelike's Proto 1000 and 2000 ranges are also worth a look for smooth, reasonably priced locos. I would also advocate looking at Bachmann's latest locos and cars - their GP40/GP50 locos have a decent chassis (only thing missing is the flywheels, so they're not quite as smooth) and reasonable detailing, and are also very cheap!

Another thing to consider: I would suggest fitting Kadee couplers from the outset. Their website at www.kadee.com has advice on fitting the couplers to pretty much any loco or car under "Conversions". Kadees, when used with either fixed or electromagnets for uncoupling, make operating a hands-off experience and far more fun.

Hope this helps!

[PennsyHoosier]

Matt's points are very good. Be sure to go with Kadee from the start. As to advice, hang around this site and read the posts. I am consistently amazed at the level of expertise that is available here. Have fun!!!!![:)]

[pbjwilson]

Brian,
I've built several layouts and been modeling for about 15 years now. Last year at Christmas I was over come by an urge to run some trains. With no current layout to run trains, I went to my local hobby shop and bought a Bachman McKinley Explorer set. It had everything track, transformer, engine ,and cars. With Bachmans E-Z track you can set it up right on the floor and run your train. From opening the box to running trains in about 15 minutes. It ran so nice I went back about a week later and bought a second set, the same one. Now I had two engines pulling an 8 car passenger train! Went back again and bought an "up and over" trestle set and a few pieces of track. Now on the basement floor I had large figure 8 layout with an awesome train to run on it.
That's as far as I got with it. Presently I don't have room for a permenent layout, but in 20 minutes I can set up a cool little layout on the floor and play trains. Anyway that's one way to get started. Then you can build a table and set your tracks up and go from there.Here's a good website with some ideas for small layouts.

www.gatewaynmra.org/project.htm

Good luck

[PennsyHoosier]

That is a great website, PBJwilson. Thanks for sharing it! [^]

[SP4449]

[#welcome] [:D] Have fun.