need help,Need Help,NEED HELP!!

[Razorclaw]

Okay, I need help. First I know all the scales that are acaible and I can't decide on which one to model on. I know Z scale and G scale are out though-one is to small and the other would have to deal with a large dog in the backyard.

Second, we'll be moving to Arkansas from Texas and the house may be smaller than the one we have now. Not that I have room here in this house-the designer was not thinking clearly.[banghead]

Third, my parents don't like my decision to start something new and sometimes I wonder that myself(like M. Poirot in The Orient Express"I am of two minds.") Can ya'll help?

By the way, I have heard that train sets are not a good purchase in the long run, but could ya'll recommend a good one?

Thanks, Stephen

[Anonymous]

First off is there room set aside to run trains in the new house?

HO is the most common scale, O gauge is easier to "Play with" but requires more money and space. N scale you can do alot of "Training" in a small space but may be difficult to handle.

You may be better off "assembling" a train by picking out a engine that you like and buying each of the cars (Kits? or RTR?) and planning your track. The quality of Trainsets are geared to children and may not be what you are seeking.

Good Luck on your move to Arkansas There are LHS's in Fayetteville, Mabelvale (South of little rock) conway and Jacksonville. There are other LHS's about the state but I dont kno much about them.

[cefinkjr]

Last things first: You heard right on train sets. Stay away from them. Even those sold by otherwise decent manufacturers typically have the bottom of their equipment lines. You would be wasting your money.

As for moving from Texas to Arkansas: I'm really sorry to hear that. There is one possible bright note there. You just might get a basement -- one thing that is in extremely short supply in Texas.

And finally, as to scale: That's a decision that you have to make for yourself. I kind of agree with your assessment of Z and G but, again, that's your decision. Although I'm in HO and have dabbled with N, I really think S is a better scale if you have the room and prefer to scratch build most things. Before you S scalers jump up and down on me, I know the availability of S scale RTR equipment and kits is steadily improving but it just can't match HO and N. The same is true of O scale with more of a problem in the available space factor.

But don't let the scale question bother you too much. Most good modelers work in more than one scale. The scale they use at any one time depends on a whole host of factors -- not the least of which is how they happen to feel at that moment. (I don't consider myself in that category. As I said above, I've "dabbled" in N; I've not really done any work with it.)

If you're worrying about scale as it relates to selecting equipment, I would submit that you should be more concerned about the era that you want to model. If modern railroads float your boat, select only modern equipment. One or two excursion steam engines might be OK but don't show me a regularly scheduled Amtrak train behind a 4-4-0 and expect me to accept it as believable. It will look like a toy. Similarly, if you go with the 1940s (my 'era' is 1943), any Diseasel more modern than an FT is going to strain credulity.

Chuck

[dragenrider]

Razorclaw,

[#welcome] to Arkansas! There are quite a few of us from Arkansas on this forum, I've noticed. What area are you moving to? Maybe we can offer guidance on hobby shops and train events around your new home.

I agree with the posts above. A train set is not the best way to start. I'd go to a hobby shop and buy one very nice quality engine, lots of track, a dozen cars, a power pack and accessories to start with. Once that's up and going, you will find which direction your interest pulls you. Buy quality! Cheap stuff (like train sets) will undermine all your fun. [soapbox]

Good luck!