I have been trying to find track for my layout(under construction), and I can't find any track sets where I do not have to buy individual pieces. Does anybody know where I can find any sets for not too much money?
Mattisaki - Welcome to trains.com!
Darren (BLHS & CRRM Lifetime Member)
Delaware and Hudson Virtual Museum (DHVM), Railroad Adventures (RRAdventures)
My Blog
Hi, and welcome to the forum............
You didn't mention your gauge (HO/N/S/O/Z, etc.) which obviously affects your answers. As HO is the biggest segment of the Hobby (and the one I am most familiar with), I'll talk to that.
The typical newbie in HO starts out with Atlas sectional track. There are others put out by various firms, but I believe Atlas to be the major provider. Atlas does make some track sets, but most MRs will opt for buying pieces or packs of pieces. Of course, more advanced MRs will use flex track, which comes in 30 inch flexible sections.
What I really urge you to do is to put down the tools and pick up a couple of Kalmbach paper back books from a hobby shop or online store or Ebay. They have titles like "HO Primer (or N Primer)", Realistic Operation, Scenery, Wiring, Benchwork, etc.,etc.
Believe me - a guy who has been playing with trains since the 1950s - spending time with these primers and checking out hobby shops and clubs and Forums BEFORE you buy/build, will make your world a whole lot easier in building a good layout.
ENJOY!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Mobileman makes an excellent point. It's generally best to decide what you want to do with your layout (i.e., design it) before you run out and buy a lot of stuff.
That said, most train sets are going to come with a simple oval of track or at best a figure 8. That will keep my cat interested for a long time.... anyone with higher intellectual abilities will soon get bored.
There is one exception that I know of: Woodland Scenics makes layout kits (two in HO, 1 in N), which contain a layout base and all the scenery materials you need. Atlas makes a "track pack" for each of these, and there is a companion structure kit to go with each or them as well. The kit, track pack, and structure set together will set you back about a grand, though. Read about the products here. All you need is benchwork and wiring.
Thing is, though, one of the best things about this hobby is that you DON'T have to work from a kit. Let your imagination roam and have fun with the design.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
I have to agree with the above posts. But I will also add my two cents worth. I have been modeling in HO scale since the early 60's and things have sure changed. So do a lot of research first. It is fun, but may not be as much fun as building or operating a layout, but in the long run you will save time and money. When I started out brass rail was all there was, or at least all I knew about. Nickle silver rail is way better. I used code 100 rail, bought inexpensive turnouts, but over time was not happy. Bought better turnouts and was happy until I saw a code 75 layout. I decided to switch to code 75. I sold my code 100 stuff, at a loss mind you, and started to buy code 75 stuff. I was not happy with the selection of turnouts and have now decided on code 83. I spent more time and money than I care to think about getting to where I am now. I wish I had done some more research early on.
Good luck,
Paul
Living in Fernley Nevada, about 30 miles east of Reno, also lived in Oregon and California, but born In Brooklyn NY and raised on Long Island NY
Good advice from Mobileman.
However many beginner model railroaders do start out with a track plan from a book such as those published by Atlas for HO scale and for N scale. Starting with an Atlas plan is a good way get yor feet wet. Get experience making benchwork, laying track, wireing, and constructing scenery. .
If you start out with an Atlas trackplan, they offer their track in sets.
Go to http://www.atlasrr.com/ then click on "LAYOUTS" to see the sets offered.
Most plans could be built less expensively using flex track instead of sectional track.. Sectional track is easier to lay without kinksespecially at the beginning and end of curves..
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
You might want to consider the Kato Track Pack.
Check out this link:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/381-3103
This product is on sale at Walthers for $179.98.
The World's Greatest Hobby Track Pack fits a 4 x 8' area, and can easily be expanded with the purchase of additional Unitrack System track sections, sold separately. The set include four manual turnouts, 13 straight sections of various sizes, 29 sections of 22.5° curved track (specially designed for this track pack), one feeder track section, a rerailer and an adapter cord.
Rich
Alton Junction
Although you (OP) haven't been back (or at least, haven't replied), there's another idea that you might consider. Many of the available computer-assisted layout design programs will print out a "materials list" for you which will tell you exactly what you need to buy.
Ultimately, this might prove a better option, because it will allow you the flexibility to design your own layout and still not purchase unnecessary track pieces.
The World's Greatest Hobby track pack mentioned above is better than a standard oval or figure eight, but it does ultimately limit your creativity to what's in the pack.