new and need advice...

[Anonymous]

I want to thank all of you for your advice. It helps to know ya'll are there if, when, I have more questions. Again, thanks. Alexis

[Anonymous]

I want to thank all of you for your advice. It helps to know ya'll are there if, when, I have more questions. Again, thanks. Alexis

[cp1057]

Hi Alexis,

Another model railroader is born (insert fanfare here!!) Even though I model in HO I am going to try to remain unbiased. HO does have more selection in terms of kits and ready-to-run items. My adult hands and eyes seem to deal better with HO. But N scale does allow more railroading per square foot. If I were in N scale I would be able to run much longer trains. So the choice is yours.

One bit of advice: definitely go for the 'nickel silver' type track and turnouts and avoid brass track. It will greatly reduce cleaning chores even if the price is slightly higher.

Enjoy!
Charles
Hillsburgh On

[cp1057]

Hi Alexis,

Another model railroader is born (insert fanfare here!!) Even though I model in HO I am going to try to remain unbiased. HO does have more selection in terms of kits and ready-to-run items. My adult hands and eyes seem to deal better with HO. But N scale does allow more railroading per square foot. If I were in N scale I would be able to run much longer trains. So the choice is yours.

One bit of advice: definitely go for the 'nickel silver' type track and turnouts and avoid brass track. It will greatly reduce cleaning chores even if the price is slightly higher.

Enjoy!
Charles
Hillsburgh On

[preceng]

Alexis

Welocome to the hobby. I model HO scale and have been pleased with my choice. Mine was basedon spce requirements. I have a basic 4X8 layout with a small yard addition. I use Bachman Nickle-Silver EZ Track. The track is a good starter track for beginners. The track is attache dto a plastic roadbed. The swithes are built into the turnouts and the wiring has color coded plugs.

The down side is the track has less flexibility as far as layout options. As my skills and knowledge have incresed, I have modified the track to more complex layouts.

AB

[preceng]

Alexis

Welocome to the hobby. I model HO scale and have been pleased with my choice. Mine was basedon spce requirements. I have a basic 4X8 layout with a small yard addition. I use Bachman Nickle-Silver EZ Track. The track is a good starter track for beginners. The track is attache dto a plastic roadbed. The swithes are built into the turnouts and the wiring has color coded plugs.

The down side is the track has less flexibility as far as layout options. As my skills and knowledge have incresed, I have modified the track to more complex layouts.

AB

[Anonymous]

Alexis,

I model in HO and I recommend it. I also have a boy about the age of your son. If you are interested in something near a 4 x 8 layout, I would be happy to share some plans I prepared for my son. I recently moved into a home with more potential for modeling so I am not going to continue with the 4 x 8 but I think it is a great learning tool for the new modeler. Good Luck - Ed

[Anonymous]

Alexis,

I model in HO and I recommend it. I also have a boy about the age of your son. If you are interested in something near a 4 x 8 layout, I would be happy to share some plans I prepared for my son. I recently moved into a home with more potential for modeling so I am not going to continue with the 4 x 8 but I think it is a great learning tool for the new modeler. Good Luck - Ed

[Trainnut484]

Welcome to the hobby Alexis[:)]. I'm a HO modeler, and been doing this off and on since I was 8 yrs old. If you want to start with something simple, then a "starter kit" like a Bachmann set from a hobby store would be ok. You can find hobby stores from the retailer listing by state in the back pages of Model Railroader magazine, or go to www.hobbyretailer.com, and find hobby stores in your area. Also you can read through the other threads on this website. Most modelers use nickel-silver tracks, because they conduct electricity better than the "gold" track.

Again, welcome to the World's Greatest Hobby [:D][8D]!

[Trainnut484]

Welcome to the hobby Alexis[:)]. I'm a HO modeler, and been doing this off and on since I was 8 yrs old. If you want to start with something simple, then a "starter kit" like a Bachmann set from a hobby store would be ok. You can find hobby stores from the retailer listing by state in the back pages of Model Railroader magazine, or go to www.hobbyretailer.com, and find hobby stores in your area. Also you can read through the other threads on this website. Most modelers use nickel-silver tracks, because they conduct electricity better than the "gold" track.

Again, welcome to the World's Greatest Hobby [:D][8D]!

[Anonymous]

Its a myth that HO is better for a young child than N. The reverse is true. First look at all the toy sizes for a four year old in the stores- the great majority are small (fits in the hand better). Secondly, look at the size of Thomas the Tank and Brio engines, closer to N than to HO. Why? Well, these manufactures know that kids prefer smaller toys that are easier to hold than large toys. It also depends on your son. A chap had his two sons in too the local LHS this past Sunday. His older son really liked the HO trains (age around 5), his younger son (around 4) loved the N scale trains - started crying when his dad took him away from them (Dad said is younger son will watch trains go around for hours); the LHS has two operating layouts - one in N and the other in HO.

Trust me, your son will be able to re-rail your N equipment much easier than you by the time he reaches age 6. His little fingers will be able to reach in and sort the trucks out much easier than your hand and fingers. In N scale, I've decided that what's sons are made for - re-railing.

As for track, it is a question of how easily intimidated you are by facing problems you don't have the skills for. Flex track and good turnouts are the way to go for the great majority of folks. For a quick "up and dirty" layout, Kato Unitrack is good, but expensive.

[Anonymous]

Its a myth that HO is better for a young child than N. The reverse is true. First look at all the toy sizes for a four year old in the stores- the great majority are small (fits in the hand better). Secondly, look at the size of Thomas the Tank and Brio engines, closer to N than to HO. Why? Well, these manufactures know that kids prefer smaller toys that are easier to hold than large toys. It also depends on your son. A chap had his two sons in too the local LHS this past Sunday. His older son really liked the HO trains (age around 5), his younger son (around 4) loved the N scale trains - started crying when his dad took him away from them (Dad said is younger son will watch trains go around for hours); the LHS has two operating layouts - one in N and the other in HO.

Trust me, your son will be able to re-rail your N equipment much easier than you by the time he reaches age 6. His little fingers will be able to reach in and sort the trucks out much easier than your hand and fingers. In N scale, I've decided that what's sons are made for - re-railing.

As for track, it is a question of how easily intimidated you are by facing problems you don't have the skills for. Flex track and good turnouts are the way to go for the great majority of folks. For a quick "up and dirty" layout, Kato Unitrack is good, but expensive.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Rick. I think we'll definately go with HO. My son is only 4 so I think the N scale would be too small for him just yet. I appreciate the help. If you have any advice about choosing track type it would be appreciated. Alexis.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Rick. I think we'll definately go with HO. My son is only 4 so I think the N scale would be too small for him just yet. I appreciate the help. If you have any advice about choosing track type it would be appreciated. Alexis.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to model railroading and this forum. The two most popular scales are HO (1 to 87) in an overwhelming majority, followed by N scale (1 to 160). About 99% of hobbyiest decide on a scale, then try and fit the scale into the area they have to model. This isn't a big deal if you are modelling in a basement, but it is some what of an issue if your space is limited. A 4 by 8 feet layout in HO scale will yield you a modest layout; that same space in N scale can provide you with a heavy industrial layout, with lots of track and switching interest.

So if you aren't too far into the hobby, look at the space you have, then decide what scale will fit best in that space for what you want.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to model railroading and this forum. The two most popular scales are HO (1 to 87) in an overwhelming majority, followed by N scale (1 to 160). About 99% of hobbyiest decide on a scale, then try and fit the scale into the area they have to model. This isn't a big deal if you are modelling in a basement, but it is some what of an issue if your space is limited. A 4 by 8 feet layout in HO scale will yield you a modest layout; that same space in N scale can provide you with a heavy industrial layout, with lots of track and switching interest.

So if you aren't too far into the hobby, look at the space you have, then decide what scale will fit best in that space for what you want.

[Anonymous]

I am very new to the train world and am wondering the difference in the scale types. I've been looking into HO scale, but have noticed that there are two different track styles. Are they compatible? If not, which one is better, the "easy nickle" looking tracks, or the tracks that don't have little notches? Which scale is bigger, N HO,Z, O, I am clueless and could really use some help. Thanks for any advice ya'll can offer. Alexis[8D]

[Anonymous]

I am very new to the train world and am wondering the difference in the scale types. I've been looking into HO scale, but have noticed that there are two different track styles. Are they compatible? If not, which one is better, the "easy nickle" looking tracks, or the tracks that don't have little notches? Which scale is bigger, N HO,Z, O, I am clueless and could really use some help. Thanks for any advice ya'll can offer. Alexis[8D]