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HO is the most popular scale, but N is growing fast! If you want a RR empire, go N. If you want to detail your locos/rolling stock, HO is far easier - especially with MY vision! That's why I'm in HO. Here is my "take" on HO loco and rolling stock brands. Others will disagree, I'm sure, but compare them for yourself and see what YOU like! The better brands usually have more detail, a better motor/drive system and, in the case of Atlas Master Gold, a DCC decoder and perhaps sound! In order of the best (and most expensive - you get what you pay for!): Diesel locomotives: 1. Atlas Master 2. Kato 3. Life-Like Proto2000 (P2K) 4. Stewart 5. Athearn Genesis 6. Atlas Classic 7. Athearn RTR 8. Life-Like Proto 1000 (P1K) 9. Athearn blue box (Avoid generic LL, Bachmann, Tyco, Model Power! I'm not sure where Broadway is yet.) Steamers: 1. Broadway 2. Proto 2000 Heritage 3. Bachmann (certain models better than others - their 2-8-0 is great!) 4. Athearn Genesis Rolling Stock: 1. Atlas (RTR - "Ready to Roll") 2. P2K (kits or RTR) 3. Kadee (RTR) 4. Intermountain (RTR or Kits) 5. Stewart (RTR) 6. Athearn Genesis (RTR) 7. Branchline (kits) 8. Athearn RTR 9. Athearn blue box (kits) As has been said, most people start with the Athearn kits, but you can get far more detail and more accurate paint/markings more accuate lighting and a better drive system on the others. You can superdetail the Athearn BB locos, but all those parts add up fast! Of course, if you enjoy superdetailing, have at it! I like to detail, too, but would rather start with an Atlas loco and add a smaller number of specific detail parts to bring the model up to a Rock Island look. I then have a better detailed loco that has a superb motor/drive, realistic directional lights, etc. But regardless of your choice, the main thing is to have fun !!!
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