New start

[NEW TAMPA TRAIN]

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.....

[SpaceMouse]

Definately read my beginner's guide. You can click it in my signature. Might save you a heap of money.

[BlueHillsCPR]

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. 

[tstage]

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

[sparkyjay31]

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.

[Packers#1]

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.

[mikesmowers]

   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
 

[Annonymous]

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

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Most of all, don't buy cheap. A cheap locomotive is almost always of train-set quality and will not run well for long. If you can't afford an expensive one there are options. The Walther's Trainline locos are of good quality, Atlas has quite a selection though they can be pricey, Bachmann's Spectrum line is descent if you're looking for a steamer, Athearn has the line of blue box locomotives that go for under $70 usually (I've bought them as low as $10) that are a tad noisy but they are rugged and dependablem not to mention easy to work on. Proto 1000 and Proto 2000 (Walther's) also have good quality locos that can be had for good prices, I've bought some for as little as $40. There are other lines available that other members can tell you about better than I can.

[NEW TAMPA TRAIN]

Thanks for your advice. Yes I have about 15 magazines right now.

[NEW TAMPA TRAIN]

I sincerely appreciate all those feed back. They are good information.Thanks again

[Blue Flamer]

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. 

[jag193]

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.

Jim

[KlickyMobster]

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!

[Pathfinder]

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 

[NEW TAMPA TRAIN]

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

[NEW TAMPA TRAIN]

Thanks. I appreciate very much.

[dale8chevyss]

Yes I suggest RESEARCH so you are well informed and you don't go out and spend $$$ on stuff that you'll end up regretting later.  If you make informed decisions you'll likely enjoy the hobby better (or so I've found out.. the hard way).

[jag193]

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

[Texas Zepher]

I am a new beginner. looking for a good hobby. I would like to start with HO scale. I need some directions.

When I was starting, I had access to exactly 1 book.  It was "Practical Guide to Model Railroading".  It was the only thing I had from when I was about 6 years old until 7th grade or so.  Many parts were  obsolete even at time, but I had it memorized anyway.   I learned a lot from it, but I also learned alot by just having a bunch of old track and continually laid it out on a board in various combinations.   Even today I keep a flat board and a bunch of sectional track that I can throw out and see things.   I learned how trains ran over various combinations of track, how tight of curves a locomotive would go around, how to wire wyes and reversing loops, signals, etc.  So, I guess the real answer to your question is how much of the hobby do you want to experience and what do you want to skip?  Trial and error can be fun and a much more growing experience than being too worried about "doing it right the first time".   

What type of rails should I buy?

I would start with basic Atlas sectional track.  The other types with the molded on roadbed are entirely too limited in the variation of pieces available.

There is any particular type of locomotive should I start?

A small one.  The first real question-behind-the-question is steam or diesel?   Small steam would be something like 0-4-0, 0-6-0, 2-6-0, or 4-4-0.   A small diesel is an Alco S, RS or EMD NW, SW, GP types.  A small generic locomotive is easier to work into a bigger more elaborate scheme than the other way around.

[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. 

[RRTrainman]

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.