A friend wants to buy a first HO scale train set for her son. She asked me for advice. I don't know what to say. (I know about building a layout, but not about which set is best.) Atlas Trainman sets look good, but what about Athearn? I have a disposition against Bachmann and Life-Like, but should I?
I know what the best locomotives would be, but I know nothing about train set track--which is the best kind? Which system will permit them to add pieces and expand the set?
I also like that Trainman and Athearn have knuckle couplers. What does Bachmann or Life-Like have? (Horn hooks are such a pain to try to take apart, especially for kids.)
Thanks!
John Longhurst, Winnipeg
Bachmann, and Athearn offered very decent trainsets last time I looked. Any maker that advertises in Model Railroader is good. I'd go for a freight set with a diesel, freight cars are shorter and more likely to stay on the track than passenger cars. Model diesels are easier to put on the track and keep on the track than model steamers. There are 3 or more types of sectional track packed into train sets. They don't intermate. I'd go with the track brand which the hobby shop stocks, so I (or other relatives) can buy more track to expand the simple oval that is all that comes in a train set. Much of the fun of the toy lies in laying track, flipping switches and routing trains here and there. Which requires more track sections. Look for nickel silver rail, it is more corrosion resistant than aluminum, brass, or steel, and corrosion makes the train stop. Knuckle couplers are the way to go. All train sets now ought to come with knuckle couplers. But there might be some old stock lying around with the old horn hook couplers. Best to inspect. A rerailer track section is VERY nice to have.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Ewe really do want a good train set. Nothing worse that a tempermental train with a tempermental kid.
ROAR
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I think one issue is, where do they intend to purchase this train set? I see cheap LifeLike trainsets for sale at big box stores of various types - places that do not normally sell model trains -- and sometimes I can see from looking through the clear plastic wrapping that the trains are already broken. Trucks busted off the cars or couplers broken off. It might be that there are gray market vendors of returned items that peddle these sets, and that LikeLike is not to blame - who knows? But they are out there.
All things being equal I think I'd go with a Walthers Trainline set. The engines run well and the cars are of reasonable quality. If the child goes no further with model trains at least the set won't be to blame, and if they do go further they can use the cars and engines without problems. The Walthers website has a segment on chosing a train set: https://www.walthers.com/exec/sets
I know Walthers = LifeLike but there is a reason for the different price points and there is a reason they use the LifeLike name for their cheap stuff. A cheap and bad trainset is no fun. I suspect many of us who grew up with the good old Lionel sets forget that they were not cheap things for our folks to buy for us.
If I understand correctly Bachmann now has beginner sets with DCC. That is a potentially significant development.
Dave Nelson
I will say that you need to have the best you can afford and are willing to buy. I went through this already with my kids and their friends. KEY NOTE: avoid frustration with cheap trainsets(of which most are). If this is their first memories, avoid negatives. Only get nickle silver track for example.
And kids want sound! along with action!
Richard
Nothing wrong with putting a set together from different manufacturers. Quality track and a good power pack are of utmost importance. I personally like Kato unitrack or Atlas Trutrack; it is a bit more expensive, but it is better than Bachmann's or Lifelikes. MRC still makes good DC power packs; you can find Athearn blue box bargains at train shows or on the online auction site. F7's always make good train set engines because they don't have many parts to install. Depending on the age of the kiddo, find them some blue box bargains or some rtr Bachmann freight cars.
The bonus is you can put everything in a big box that doesn't look like a train set, or you can wrap the pieces individually, so there is a lot of stuff to open.
Metal Train by Model Power...Inexpensive, indestructable (kinda), and if interest grows, it is compatible with higher quality items to come later.
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
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Hello all,
Bachmann makes some good starter DCC sets. One HO set even has two locomotives and a spur for spotting cars.
I agree diesel over steam for ease of use and fewer detail parts to break.
Assembling a starter set might be a bit daunting for the parents. Purchasing a RTR set would probably be the way to go.
This time of year there are lots of train shows. The parents might want to take the family to one in their area to check out what’s available and what’s possible.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I would go with a Walthers Trainline set .
They are good quality !
Like the others said , The Atlas & Athearn sets are great sets , but are more cost !
I wish the family a fun time with their choice of train set!
CHARTER MEMBER OF THE MILWAUKEE FALLEN FLAG MODEL TRAIN CLUB . I COLLECT HO, N , O-3rail & On30 Trains & run them ! I Use KATO HO & N scale Track . I also Use Lionel Fast Track ! I change track layouts Often !
Avoid at all costs the Bachmann black ballast track. It is low grade steel, not nickel silver and will rust. This may sound like a good thing to some people but electrical continuity will be a lingering headache.
Honestly, this is a dilemma of mine. I really want to see new folks join the hobby. On the one hand, giving someone a train set is a very convenient way to introduce someone to the hobby and give them the basic equipment for a complete layout without spending a whole lot of money. On the other hand, a train set basically reinforces the loop of track on a 4x8 sheet of plywood paradigm, and a cheap set that doesn't run very well is a sure way to turn off a newcomer.
I think really the best thing is to do what my father did for me: buy a lot of quality components and wrap them individually under the Christmas tree. No, I didn't have a big, fancy package under the tree, but I got my start with quality stuff, and a nicer layout than I could have had using a train set. This approach does require some higher knowledge of what is available, as well as a somewhat higher cash outlay, but I think it yields a better outcome.
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Thanks for all the replies. I passed info on to the child's mother. Now we'll see what happens . . . .
John
Wait...there is a 10 year old somewhere interested in model trains?!?!?!
Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.
Daniel G.