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Help getting started decisions

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Help getting started decisions
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 3:42 PM
Hi everyone I need some help making up my mind getting started. I just bought a Lionel set for the kids and would like to expand and build a layout but have limited space. The bigger O gauge would have to be in the garage and I could lean it against a wall to get the cars in on those cold nights. (I hate scraping windows and getting into a cold car) HO would present the same space issue as well. So I’m thinking about getting started in N scale but the small size doesn’t thrill me. I figured if I spend 300 bucks it would get me going with a nice little N layout. I have already spent 200 on the new Lionel set and would like to keep it for the Christmas tree, but figured another 300 bucks towards the Lionel would get me a decent 10’X12’ layout. (But out in the cold garage)
I know this is more of my personal preference but figured I would ask for some opinions anyway. Also suggestions on manufactures for N as far as loco’s, track and power would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 3:49 PM
well, if you dont want to spend a lot, HO would be the cheapest way to go, also with the widest selection of products out there
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 3:59 PM
N scale would be good for the spot, and is usually the least expensive. Some track, a nice Atlas loco, some Atlas and Micro Trains cars, and you'd be in business...
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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 5:29 PM
Some people build the layout high enough to clear the hood of the cars in the garage. A few folks have used a pulley system to raise the layout above the cars when not is use.
Enjoy
Paul
If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
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Posted by pbjwilson on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 7:07 PM
Lionels are easy to set up on the floor. Easy to take apart. The wiring is simple also. My sons and I spend an evening or two setting up a layout on the basement floor. We try to get as many trains running at the same time on individual loops(some just circles). Add a few lighted accessories and it's a blast. Mom gets tired of tripping over it in about a week and then we disassemble it and start again when the mood sends us.
My "modeling" is in N gauge. It is small but you can really model nice vistas in a minimal of space. An old hallow core door is a great platform for N gauge and is plenty of space to keep you modeling for some time.
I guess what I'm saying is I play with Lionels and model in N.
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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 8:47 PM
If you are going for duribility, go with O. If you want something cheap, go for HO. If you want space saving, go N. Out of the three, Ho is the cheapest, then N, then O. N has the least features on a locomotive though, but still has a considerable amount of detail on the cheaper end. HO will save you the most money on locos and freight/passenger cars, with good detail and running characteristics. O, although most expensive, will get you standard features like smoke, whistle, and depending on the brand, bells, and chugging. Kids will probably be more interested and want to be more involved with an O scale layout, as it is strong enough to endure them, and makes more noise.


As far as reccomendations, I have a CorCor turbine, and two Bachmann Spectrum Dash 8 diesels. Both run like champion. I have heard good things about Kato as well, but you'll pay a bit more for that. Track, I'd go with Atlas, runs about $.35 a piece.

~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 9:07 PM
Thanks for the help, I think since i've already got a starter set I'm going to stick with O. I can build some type of folding layout in the garage. I guess i'll have to figure out how to make it easy to remove the track that will be on the folding joints. Thinking about what pbjwilson said I really don't want to get into the modeling yet, just want to set up some track at this point and get things rolling. Plus try to keep the kids involved and the N is just too small for them.
I guess I will stick with the Fastrack since I have some already and I am space limited it shouldn't be too expensive to fill up a 6x12 table.
Is a 6x12 table a decent size to start an O layout or will I run out of room too fast?
Plus any suggestions on some type of folding table would be greatly appreicated.
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Posted by CBQ_Guy on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 10:26 PM
Howdy, Houdy.

When I was a kid my Dad built a "train table" in the basement for my Lionel train set. He used a "piano hinge" along the long edge of the table, screwed to a 2x4 which was nailed horizontally across a couple studs. The legs were also 2x4's which were hinged. The tracks were attached to the table top using some small, short, black, round head wood screws. You could fold the entire layout up against the wall, and the legs would fold flat against the underside. Worked pretty good, though we didn't usually fold it up.

Hope this helps.
"Paul [Kossart] - The CB&Q Guy" [In Illinois] ~ Modeling the CB&Q and its fictional 'Illiniwek River-Subdivision-Branch Line' in the 1960's. ~
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Posted by PennsyHoosier on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 10:31 PM
If you don't want to "model," then stay with the O gauge. Your kids will be able to handle the locos and rolling stock more easily, and getting them running around the track is simply a blast. Have fun!
Lawrence, The Pennsy Hoosier
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 10:37 PM
Yeah I was thinking like an accordian type deal with one end permantly attaced to the wall and could add sections as it grows. Only problem would be I would be limited to a flat surface with no raised levels unless I can fold it into a box leaving space between the surfaces.......
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 25, 2004 12:51 AM
Hey PennsyHoosier, Thats an interesting name, I grew up in Pennsylvania and now live in Indiana.
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Posted by Richard Kucharski on Friday, November 26, 2004 12:35 AM
Houdy--
How about an around the walls. Three walls and maybe you will still have room for your car.
I am currently starting an HO set in my garage but I don't plan on putting the car there. The garage has been insulated, wall boarded, painted and lighted. Very little cost. Benchwork might reach into your pocket somewhat though. I couldn't belive how much it cost me for lumber and other materials. Good luck and enjoy.
Rich.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 26, 2004 1:04 AM
You can get close to scale modeling with modern O gauge locomotives, its called HI Rail, and can be quite fun. I model the PRR Era of the northeast corridor using Lionel GG1 electrics. The older 2332 model can be had for a decent price due to it having only one motor and no magnatraction(magnetic traction assist) But they run darn near silent, can be wired to run off of overhead wiring. The only down side is they usualy need the stripes and the Pennsylvania name redone as the original printed ones fade away. Lionel can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. And the kids can play with it. Cheers Mike
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 26, 2004 9:47 AM
My bench size in the garage will be limited to 7'x11' and since I am in the building material sales biz and pretty handy the cost and construction of it should be no problem. It will be stored against a wall when not in use. I think that this size in O guage will help keep it inexpensive as I won't have the room for a lot of track and scenery so the small size will keep me from buying too much... is this a reasonabe assumption?
When the bench is not in use to store my cars in the garage I am limited to about 16" from the wall to get the car in the garage.
I want the layout to have two levels with a small mountain (or hill) with a tunnel through and another track on top. Since the bench is going to be 4" thick that leaves 12" for the rest is this enough room to have two levels on an O guage layout?
Another concern is the moisture in the garage especially in the winter when wet cars are put in the garage, will the moisture rust or damage the track on the layout? I figured I would have to cover it when not in use but should I worry about making the cover as air tight as posssible?
Next is track type I already have some Lionel Fastrack but not too happy about its looks and recommendations on a better looking track to use?

Thanks

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