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I'm a beginner as well, but I've lurked for months on these forums and am finally feeling qualified to start asking questions that I haven't found answered elsewhere. That is to say, very little of anything I feel I "know" I've actually proven. Still... I started with two sets, both LifeLike, one a small circle and the other a large oval with easytrack. For the cost of the sets of course I could have already invested in better engines, better track, and certainly better rolling stock. However, through the purchase of these small and relatively cheap sets I've already learned about certain things that I like and others that I don't without having to have made more expensive mistakes on a more difficult to change permanent layout. I'm going with atlas flextrack (currently have about 150 feet of it waiting to be laid) in the basement. As I started with the cheap included engines I do already have a couple that'll run on DC until I'm certain which DCC I want to get; when I upgrade they will become switchers, and when I upgrade the switchers they'll be retired but still loved as my first engines. This way I don't feel rushed to get a hastily built layout up just so I can start having fun now. I'm free to take my time and get it right. And with that easytrack...I can use it upstairs on the carpet in a small oval to demonstrate engines. My basement is a disaster with framed out walls, decking, track and insulation everywhere as I get building. I just got my first big Kato Dash 9 yesterday and spent the afternoon carefully breaking in the engine. My mom and sister came over to see it last night; because of the mess in the basement (and the comfort of my livingroom) it was easy to have a small oval of flextrack set up upstairs to demonstrate the difference between a quality Kato and the cheap Lifelike engines my family had been used to playing with previously. The moral is that even if you get something now that you decide you want to replace down the road, you don't necessarily have to consider it a wasted expense. Think ahead, start small, figure out what you like and build up from there. Money spent on educating yourself is never wated. So far it's working very well for me.
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