Advice on which brand to start with?

[Anonymous]

I have a Marklin that I rarely use (it is in its box right now). I like it, but am an inexperienced hobbiest who is still trying to get into it. I would like to get into Kato, Atlas, Athearn, etc., but don't know which one to go with. I am looking for ease of use, and quick growth so as to experience with my 7 and 9 year old sons. Any reccomendations?

[Anonymous]

What scale? I'm sure you already know this, but different products can be used together. And as far as scale I would go with HO.

[AggroJones]

Any Athearn trainset. They feature the rugged, well running Athearn diesels and preassmbled cars. It should be quick to set up and easy to handle.

[CG9602]

Mark this as a second vote for Athearn. That company has a long history of providing reasonable quality products at a moderate price. The kits are even less expensive than the RTR gear, and you might get more enjoymnent out of something that you've spent a few minutes assembling, than something that you just take right out of the box. it has been my experience that the shake-the-box kits are easy to repair or replace parts.

[michaelstevens]

Hopefully # 73 is aware that Marklin is probably the one brand, which is not interchangeable with the others -- at least in HO.
I believe that the 2 rail is A.C. and their 3 rail is -- well 3 rail.
So he's going to need to start from scratch -- new track (try Atlas), new controller (try MRC), new Locos (I agree - go with Athearn or Spectrum).
As for freight or passenger cars -- if he needs operations by Xmas -- he'd better shop for "ready to run" stuff, again from Athearn or Bachmann.
Enjoy # 73 -- and Happy Xmas.

[Anonymous]

I started off with athearn as a kid. Its good, runs well, durable and inexpensive enough not to get upset when one of the kids or myself catapults it off the the track and down the mountain side onto the floor (cringe)

IHC makes a good starter kit, especially if your into steam.

[FThunder11]

I like athern, it was my first set and i still have the locomotive and rolling stock, and the trck and the power pack. I still use it all.

[IRONROOSTER]

Marklin HO is AC 3 rail, the third rail is a series of buttons in the center of the ties of their track. I don't think heir car wheel sets are insulated. This means you can't use Marklin engines with other HO trains and would have to change the wheel sets on any freight/passenger cars (lighted cars won't work unless you rewire them) and maybe the couplers. You can't use other engines with Marklin as everyone else is DC 2 rail. Other freight and passenger cars can be used (car lighting won't work unless you rewire and add a third rail pickup) but the couplers may have to be changed.

Since you like the Marklin, you could incorporate into your layout a separate loop of Marklin track and run that set on it. Nothing says all of your track has to be hooked together. For the rest of the layout I would use the other products like Atlas track and any or all of the lines you mentioned as they appeal to you. Or you could go all Marklin, there are many who have and like it.

Enjoy
Paul

[Hawks05]

for a set go with anything Athearn. the more expensive the better the quality. if you want to start buying individual stuff go with Atlas, Kato, Proto 2000, and Athearn for locomotives and Athearn rolling stock. you can usually find ready -to - roll stuff by Athearn that is pretty good.

[Anonymous]

Buy Athearn. My first US loco was an Athearn SD9, and I'd recommend these to anyone as they're smooth running and a joy to switch with. They also have little or no difficulty with dirty track, which can be handy! Just remember to paint the handrails after fitting them - this makes the model look so much better.

[AntonioFP45]

I partially agree with Hawk05, however, how much money are you budgeted for. If you want the "high quality" then Kato, Atlas, Stewart Hobbies, Proto.

If you're on a tighter budget, then you can't go wrong with Athearn as they are pretty reliable. The analogy you can use with Athearn and the high end stuff is like comparing a Chevy Impala (tough, reliable) with a Cadillac Escalade ( nice features, goodies, and very quiet performance).

Athearns were my first "model railroad" units and I was very happy with them. I proceeded to "dissect" my junker Tyco F7s which ran like rock crushers.

Later on, as you advance in the hobby, look into buying metal wheel sets for your freight & passenger cars as they'll keep your track much cleaner. (Plastic wheels deposit black grime on the rails that requires frequent cleaner, otherwise your locomotives wheels will encounter poor electrical contact. Atlas & other higher end locos can often be found used in good condition at swap meets.

Take your time and enjoy the hobby. If you do too much at once, you'll burn out and lose the enthusiasm (I was out of the hobby for a long stretch as I felt I couldn't meet "rivet counting" standards. - I'm back in it now to have fun!