To kit or not to kit

[Anonymous]

I am just getting started in the Hobby. Starting with 4' X 8' benchwork. I'm going HO, but from there nothing is decided. I have read a lot about the subject but can'f find advice on the best way to start.

Should I buy a train kit (considering Bachmann Spectrum) and expand from there or buy the locomotive, cars and track separate at a show.

[RedSkin]

Well here is my two cents on this. I think the best route to go on this would be to do some looking, find a Road you would like to model, first. And which time period. I started collecting locos and rolling stock kits when I was in high school the old Athearn Blue box Kits. I never had the space to build a layout right away. Another factor is what kinda track you wanna work with, you have the bachman EZ track and then there is stuff like atlas flex track and sectional. I think alot of folks would steer ya away from buying a Train Set. Just because of the flexibility it gives you by buying one part at a time. You usually wind up with a better quality product if you do it that way as well. I hope this helps.
Brad

[Jetrock]

Buy the locomotive and cars separately, at a show or at a hobby shop. The items you get in packaged train sets tend to be relatively low in quality and detail. Also, you will be able to choose exactly the engine and cars you want.

[Anonymous]

I started with Athearn Blue Box kits myself as a way to increase the rolling stock for th money. Then I "Graduated" to some of the nicer Ready to Run items which were not offered in kit form.

Trainssets are ok, but virtually everyone wakes up one day wanting grab irons, steel wheels, kaydee couplers that work and perhaps a bigger train etc etc.

Then a scenery to run it buildings for the HO people etc.

Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

Welcome, model railroading is agreat hobby.

If havent seen them allready woodland senics (I'm pritty shure it's them)make layout kits in ho and n skale, the ones I've seen look like there worth the money(my local hobby shop made one In ho scale)and you could save a lot of money. I think the ho kit I saw was like $300. The kit comes with all the stuff to make the seneryand an instruction book, However it does not come whit structuers, track, or rolling srock.
but it's better to buy the locomotives and cars seperatly.

Sorry but as of yet I havn't been able to find woodland secnics web site.

Good luck

[tstage]

Try http://www.woodlandscenics.com

Tom

[Javern]

when I started on a 4 x 8 it was a plan from a older MR issue, they happend to list most all the componants and part numbers, etc. I just chose a online source that listed most all the items and orderd it. It came in 2 huge boxes and I went at it when i had the time. In one way this was the way to go for me, i got tired of searching sites on who was cheaper on this item or that item, I just wanted to get started. When it was time to build a larger layout I already had some rolling stock, scenery items, track, etc on hand so I was able to take more time and comparison shop, bargain hunt on Ebay, etc