Brand new HO user

[Anonymous]

I just set up my son's first train. Papa has an extensive HO set that my toddler son is facinated with it and all trains in general. My dad was incredible enough to pack us up a small sealed box on our last visit. Arriving home we found the beginnings of a HO set. After some trial and error we have a small oval track with a small Sante Fe Steam Engine 0-4-0, a couple of cars and a caboose. I hope this starts a fun family hobby.

[SpaceMouse]

Hi and welcome. This is a great place to educate yourself and expand your circle into an empire.

Here is a link that was just set up to help newcomers and common questions.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=45705

[Adelie]

That sounds familiar. Welcome aboard [#welcome]

The train bug does sometimes bite at an early age. It can be a very fun hobby for the family. Please keep us all posted on how things progress. Any questions you have or advice you may need will be answered out here, too. We have a good bunch of folks patrolling this forum.

My first setup was an old Mantua 0-4-0 saddle tank running around a glorified circle on a piece of plywood. A few cars, not much else. But that's how my dad got me started, probably 37 or 38 years ago. Later, we built a 4x8 with two ovals. Then added a second 4x8.

I have a lot of memories of us doing things with those layouts together, including trips to the hobby shops. I still have the Manuta 0-4-0, too!

[mcouvillion]

Hello cookywomyn,

Welcome to the forum and to model railroading. Well, you started it now! Your son has been initiated at the right age to be infected with the train bug for life! I was. My mom tells me I stood on my tiptoes looking out the window for hours at the engine service facility in DeRidder, Louisiana when I was barely a year old, watching the trains. I've chased them ever since. I've seen one picture of me standing there, but none of what I was watching.

Your toddler has the beginnings of an empire. He'll learn how to handle the engine and cars, and if he likes what he has, he'll want to expand. It may be a few years before he's ready for much more, and you may have to replace what gets broken while he's little, but he'll remember his first trains for the rest of his life.

Good luck,

Mark C.

[ereimer]

[#welcome]

sounds like your dad is a cool guy . have fun with the trains and bug us anytime you need some info

[loathar]

Welcome!!! Trains are WAY better than TV or video games. This is a great sorce for info. Also try nmra.org.
Good luck!

[steveblackledge]

Welcome on board[#welcome], Cookywomyn if we can help in any way just pop the question, we have members all over the world sharing one common bond[;)]

[Anonymous]

Welcome aboard Trains.com. Use your free-unlimited pass frequently. We run 24/7 and on time too.

[icmr]

[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]

Ask anything about the hobby and we should be able to tell you.



ICMR

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]

[Anonymous]

Most everyone else has already said it, but I will, too!
[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]

This is the best place I know about to receive information about any phase of this hobby. Since it sounds like you are very new to model trains, you will likely have a ton of questions. Feel free to ask away as things come to mind. You will certainly receive some of the most helpful and thoughtful responses to your questions from the folks on this forum. Don't forget, there's no such thing as a stupid question, except the one that doesn't get asked. Here's to a fun, rewarding, exciting, challenging and fascinating beginning for you and your son.

P.S. The loop of track you now have is just the beginning... There's so much more to this hobby that you will never grow tired of it as long as you want to stay interested. I would suggest picking up a copy (or two, three or more) of Model Railroader magazine. This will illustrate what you can do with this hobby and will give you some ideas about what you'd like to build in the future.

[JohnT14808]

Welcome, cookywomyn, to the forum! I am certain that you will find a LOT of good information and folks willing to help you over the "fun" spots that will come up as you ride your HO train round and round. Wait until you get your first pair of switches!!
And when you have questions, don't hesitate to ask!! Welcome!!

[railroadyoshi]

As said:
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[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:-^]

[trainboyH16-44]

[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]
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Have I outdone everyone yet?
Start small, get your skills up, and constuct an empire!
Also, go with Kato, Atlas, Proto 1000 and 2000, Broadway Limited Imports, and sometimes Athearn Genesis. Can you remember all that? Did I miss anything?
If that's too much, do what I told my cousins. Kato, Atlas, Proto.
Best of luck,
Trainboy