Where to start for total beginner.

[Anonymous]

If youv'e seen my previous post on my grandfathers old trains, you already know that I know absolutely nothing about model trains, but I am interested in learning.

It seems it might require alot of work and converting to get my grandfathers trains from the 40s & 50s to work today, so I guess I will try my hand with a new set. But this is where the questions abound.

First off, I guess the best place to start would be a iss of Model railroader as I have seen suggested in another thread, but in the meantime, maybe the people here can help.

I am looking for HO scale from a reliable co. whos engines hold their value over time, I'd like to give to my grandkids like mine did to me.

Does anyone have suggestions, and places to look on the inetrnet whila I am work?

Also does anyone make a HO size late 1930s-40s Milwaukee Road Hiawatha?

Thanks
BSD

[electrolove]

When it comes to trains I think Kato is the number one. Atlas is also very good.

www.katousa.com
www.atlasrr.com

QUOTE: Originally posted by BSDtrain

If youv'e seen my previous post on my grandfathers old trains, you already know that I know absolutely nothing about model trains, but I am interested in learning.

It seems it might require alot of work and converting to get my grandfathers trains from the 40s & 50s to work today, so I guess I will try my hand with a new set. But this is where the questions abound.

First off, I guess the best place to start would be a iss of Model railroader as I have seen suggested in another thread, but in the meantime, maybe the people here can help.

I am looking for HO scale from a reliable co. whos engines hold their value over time, I'd like to give to my grandkids like mine did to me.

Does anyone have suggestions, and places to look on the inetrnet whila I am work?

Also does anyone make a HO size late 1930s-40s Milwaukee Road Hiawatha?

Thanks
BSD

[Anonymous]

I would go down to a local hobby shop and pick up an Athearn train set. They have a couple of different roadname out there. While the engine rolling stock you get aren't considered top of the line, they are way better than the WalMart, toy store train sets. This will give you an idea of a good quality running engine set. Also load up on magazines. You'll find over time you will start to aquire other manufacturers engines because word of mouth on them says they are better or whatever.

As for something as specific as the Milwaukee Road Hiawatha, you gonna have to search long and hard. I suspect it will be a while and a few engines before you aquire something that is truely worth passing onto the next generation.

I'm suggesting you start simple and work up to the ultimate set of engines and rolling stock. Stay away from the cheap train sets, they could discourge you very easily.

[jfugate]

Some good model train "online hobby shops" I frequent are:

http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/
http://www.internettrains.com/
http://www.internethobbies.com/internethobbies/inmodtrain.html

[Anonymous]

You know what everybody says opinons are like? Well, everybody has one and everybody wants to show you theirs. What I would recommend doing is exactly what you ARE doing. Read on this forum. You can get a very good idea of what's good, what aint, and then decide for yourself, without all the personal opinions from everyone else. That way you'll get closer to what YOU want.

QUOTE: Originally posted by BSDtrain

If youv'e seen my previous post on my grandfathers old trains, you already know that I know absolutely nothing about model trains, but I am interested in learning.

It seems it might require alot of work and converting to get my grandfathers trains from the 40s & 50s to work today, so I guess I will try my hand with a new set. But this is where the questions abound.

First off, I guess the best place to start would be a iss of Model railroader as I have seen suggested in another thread, but in the meantime, maybe the people here can help.

I am looking for HO scale from a reliable co. whos engines hold their value over time, I'd like to give to my grandkids like mine did to me.

Does anyone have suggestions, and places to look on the inetrnet whila I am work?

Also does anyone make a HO size late 1930s-40s Milwaukee Road Hiawatha?

Thanks
BSD

[SpaceMouse]

I would say not to worry about your grandkids. The technology is changing so fast, that what is good today may be obsolete 10-15 years from now. Just like trains from 1990 are now.

The best place to start is education. Take some time and learn about the hobby. Yoou'll save a lot of time and money if you do. There are many beginner books availible. You can get them at your local library and if they don't have them they can get them pretty quickly through inter-library loan.

Next, join a train club. You may need to buy a locomotive at that point and maybe a throttle. But you will learn what kinds of things you like about running trains. This will help you when it comes time to build your own layout. It will also let you run trains while you are deciding what kinds of locomotives you want to model. (There are a lot of factors that can go into that choice.)

[dgwinup]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BSDtrain

If youv'e seen my previous post on my grandfathers old trains, you already know that I know absolutely nothing about model trains, but I am interested in learning.

It seems it might require alot of work and converting to get my grandfathers trains from the 40s & 50s to work today, so I guess I will try my hand with a new set. But this is where the questions abound.

First off, I guess the best place to start would be a iss of Model railroader as I have seen suggested in another thread, but in the meantime, maybe the people here can help.

I am looking for HO scale from a reliable co. whos engines hold their value over time, I'd like to give to my grandkids like mine did to me.

Does anyone have suggestions, and places to look on the inetrnet whila I am work?

Also does anyone make a HO size late 1930s-40s Milwaukee Road Hiawatha?

Thanks
BSD

I think I remember you other posting on your grandfather's trains (Hiawatha, wasn't it?).

My comment to you is this: You want to buy new trains rather than use your grandfather's trains because of all the work necessary to get them to run properly. If you buy good quality products now, by the time you pass them of to your grandchildren, they will experience the same trouble you are having, i.e. getting to run properly. That would put them in a position of having to buy newer trains rather than fix yours. It sounds like a self-defeating proposition. Even buying the highest quality trains available today, by the time your grandchildren get them, the hobby will have evolved in ways we can't imagine.

I think you should buy some trains for yourself and try to get your grandchilden interested now (how old are your grandkids?). You will have good quality trains to run now, your grandkids will have a ball working with Granpa and all of you will have fun and grow together. THAT sounds like a win-win proposition!

The other suggestions in this post are good. I model in N scale, so I'm not qualified to comment on HO equipment. You local hobby shop (LHS) will be able to help you. Tell tham what you want and tell them what suggestions you have received from this forum and they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Most of all, have fun with your grandchildren! I sure enjoy mine!

Darrell, aging quietly...for now

[jxtrrx]

Hi BSD,
I sure agree with the post that suggested studying DCC before you start. It's the way to go -- especially when starting out without a fleet of old locos to convert. You can even buy locomotives complete with DCC decoders (and sound if you want) to get started without having to install the decoder. (Atlas is my favorite for engines and rolling stock).

[selector]

BSD, the lecture continues..[:D] This is not like school where you are shoved out the far end with a piece of paper and some useful knowledge. No degrees here. All you get out of model railroading is what you invest in it, and like any good investment, it is the FRONT END loading that makes the difference. In this hobby, that is everything after your decision to get into the hobby, from reading-in, to listening, to lurking here (if you are a bit shy of jumping into the discussions), to overt asking of questions without fear of ridicule (okay, some of us may role our eyes, but we often remind each other that everyone was brand new once). "Time spend on recce is seldom wasted." is a dictum I learned to take to heart in the Armoured Corps many years ago. It applies in hobbies, too.

So, I concur completely with what the others have said. Planning from the standpoint of information will be the strongest suit in your hand, by far. And it will take a few weeks for you to sort it all out. Please.

[DavidGSmith]

The advice Ive read here is good. We all started someplace. Anyone remeber the rubber band drive Atherns? That was where I started. If they didnt stop one nothing will.

[cefinkjr]

[#welcome] to this forum and to the hobby. I could have warned you about this incurable disease (model railroading) but it sounds like my warning might be too late. Even sounds like it might be genetic in your case. [:)]

My best advice, after 40+ years in this hobby, would be to read every back issue of MR, RMC, and any other train magazines you can find -- including the advertising. You'll only have to discard about 10% of what you read but the other 90% will help you figure out which way you want to go.

If you're in the North Texas area, I'll be happy to let you BORROW from my priceless (to me anyway) collection of MRs.

Chuck

[Darth Santa Fe]

If you just want a starter train set than you could go with Athearn, IHC or Bachmann. (Bachmann recently started making their cheap engines smooth and reliable runners) A Life-Like Proto 1000 train set would be a good one to start with ,too.

[TrainFreak409]

Well, my first HO train set was a Bachmann. If taken care of properly, I could see it lasting for quite a while...Mine still works after 11 years, with about 7 of those being very neglectful. I sacraficed it for another project though...

I would reccomend either Bachmann Spectrum, Kato, Atlas, or Athearn for reasonably priced, but good quality equipment.[:D]

Welcome to the wonderful world of model railroading! [#welcome]

[SpaceMouse]

There are also so good online tutorials. One on this site as a matter of fact. Go to the home page and scroll down.

Another good one is the NMRA site.
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/

[SpaceMouse]

Oh, and by the way. Take the time to fill in your profile. Someone in your area might see one of your posts and offer to take you under their wings so to speak.

[Rotorranch]

Do a little research, ( like you are doing now ), then run down to your Local Hobby Shop and buy one of everything on the shelf! [;)]

Seriously, though, do go get yourself some trains and run them while you decide what you really want to do with your layout! There are a lot of good sets out there, or you can piecemeal a set together with different manufacturers equipment. If you like steam, buy a decent steam loco, or if you're into oil burners, get a decent diesel. No need to go overboard at this point, just buy something that LOOKS GOOD TO YOU!

The R&D that will go into your layout will be a lot less grueling if you can actually run some trains while working on the rest of the layout.

I think a major consideration in the planning stages depends on how much space you plan to devote to the layout. It can also have a determining factor as to what scale you want to model.

And by no means should you abandon your Grandfathers trains! Get some track down that runs well, give Grampa's trains a cleaning and lube, and see how well they run. You might be surprised! A little oil and clean wheels can make a big difference! I still run some of my stuff that I've had for over 40 years!

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Rotor

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rotorranch

give Grampa's trains a cleaning and lube, and see how well they run.

If you try cleaning and oiling the Hiawatha, make sure you Don't get any oil on the plastic. It is made of Bakelite, which will deteriorate if oil is allowed to get on it.[:0]