Your best bet is to get some of the beginners books like "Set to Scenery" and some track planning books. I wish I have done it instead of lots of trial and error in the my beginning but that was years ago. Have fun with it and don't bite more than you can chew. Loco's and rolling stock I like Kato's and Athrean's Loco's and Walther's and Athrean's car's. The more cost usually better the quality.
4x8 are fun too!!! RussellRail
NEW TAMPA TRAIN wrote:I am a new beginner. looking for a good hobby. I would like to start with HO scale. I need some directions.
What type of rails should I buy?
There is any particular type of locomotive should I start?
[etc.]We could answer this better if we knew what got you interested in trains to begin with, and especially if you could share what you are expecting to get from them.
For all of the information about the Largo show (April 26 and 27) go to the Suncoast Model Railroad Club website at:
www.suncoastmrrc.com
There is all kinds of information there. They include maps to the show, as well.
Jim
Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.
Daniel G.
Jim. Thank you very much. Please can you provide me the info about the Largo show.
Yes I live in Tampa and that will very easy for me to attend. Thanks again
If you are looking at train sets, check out this link:
http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=2107
Some neat videos of current, good quality sets plus a link to a listing of manufactures of sets.
Other than this, I can not see anything specifc on the MR site that is specific to new modelers.
And welcome, it is a great hobby, maybe the World's Greatest Hobby
http://www.greatesthobby.com/wgh/default.aspx?c=hp&id=4
The best advice I can give you is the same thing I did when I got into the hobby, I got this book:
http://kalmbachcatalog.stores.yahoo.net/msi050101.html
This book helped me the most when I got into the hobby, and the DVD is great. One other thing--have fun!
What they said!
Plus, consider visiting a train show or two and talking to some of the members of the clubs who are displaying their modular layouts,etc. Better, yet visit a local club layout and speak with some of them about entering the hobby. No matter what level we might be now, we all started out at the same place.
If you are in Tampa, there's a nice show in Largo in two weekends and they can provide a lot of information. If you want to make the trek to St Pete, I'd be glad to have you visit my layout and we can talk about this sort of thing as well.
New Tampa Train.
To a great hobby.
1st. Please realize that no matter what question you ask, you will get a number of different answers. As Martha Stewart says, "this is a good thing". What works well for one person may work even better for someone else or not at all for others. Use what works best for you.
Having said that, what has been said previously here is all sound advise, including the Train Sets. They are usually the cheapest of the cheap but they will USUALLY run O.K. for a while. If you can afford them, buy some decent equipment with Kadee Couplers AFTER you have decided on your era, (1800's, early to mid 1900's, transition,(mid 40's to mid 50's) or modern). In other words, know what you want to do BEFORE you plunk down a bunch of $$$$$ for something that may not be right for what you want to do down the road.
The main thing is to have fun with the hobby. If you have questions, try the search box at the bottom of the page. Most questions have already been asked and answered, but if that doesn't work, come on back and ask away.
Good luck.
Blue Flamer.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I may be opening a can of worms now, but here it goes...
All of the other replies are very good, but they are also from experienced modellers, and maybe their bar is set a bit to high for a newbie. Not everyone is interested in a lot of reading and researching before laying the first piece of track...
Buy a starter set with a track oval, an engine and some cars, a couple of turnouts for sidings, and run it for a while, figure out what you want before going to the next step.
Just my
Hello and welcome to the forums and to model RRing, May it bring you much fun and relaxation.
Check your PM's
Good luck, Mike
WELCOME TO THE BEST HOBBY! As mentioned, read some books, subscribe to train mags, and do your homework. I have 2 golden rules:
1.Never buy standard Bachmann (Spectrum is ok).
2.Atlas is the King of Locomotive manufacturers.
Now for a little advice. I'd start with flextrack because you'll definitly thank yourself in the future. Don't buy a locomotive or piece of rolling stock until you know what era you're doing. And, of course, lay down some insulation foam from DOW Chemicals as a scenery base. Makes laying track a whole lot easier.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
SpaceMouse wrote:Definately read my beginner's guide. You can click it in my signature. Might save you a heap of money.
I could not agree more...saved me not just $$$$, but time too.
or Ditto!
As David already stated, reading is the best thing you can do to figure out what your interests are. Any good LHS (local hobby shop) should have some beginner books to choose from. And don't forget your local library. The editions may be dated but you most of the material should still be applicable.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Lots of people start with Atlas track. It comes in different "Codes". The"code" is an indication of the height of the rail in thousandths of an inch. Most fine modelers are using code 83 track to model mainline rail. Code 100 is heavier and is larger, (in scale) than any mail line rail in use today. It is best to use flex track if you can. Less joints=less problems. Get nickel silver rail rather than steel or brass. Nickel silver conducts better and stays clean longer.
As far as Locomotives and rolling stock, you will usually get better quality if you buy individual pieces rather than a set.
Good to see yolu here, have fun.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
I am a new beginner. looking for a good hobby. I would like to start with HO scale. I need some directions. What type of rails should I buy? There is any particular type of locomotive should I start ? etc.....