ho manufacturers

[Anonymous]

hello, thank you for reading my post. i was wondering if i could get any opinions on which manufacturer of ho scale trains to buy. i am planning on building a layout with my son, and noticed there are quite a few companies out there. i want to work with a company that has any and all accessories that i may need. price isnt an issue, as we intend to make this a lifelong hobby and will acquire items as we need them. thanks again

[Anonymous]

The companies that I like to deal with are Woodland senics, Atlas, Kato, Walters( buy thier catalog its the model railroaders bible). Hope to see some pics soon.

[Anonymous]

Sorry spelled Walthers wrong

[Anonymous]

Ty and get a sneak preview of the www.walthers.com HO reference book. The 06 version
has over 1,000 pages of HO products but does not include all Manufacturers such as
Athearn or Intermountain.

In Steam & Diesel, there are probably 15 listed and just as many or more for rolling stock.

The selection can get a bit overwhelming. You should also have a budget since locos
can cost anywhere between $25.00 and $260.00.

For starters, Atlas , Kato, Athearn are recognized diesel names and all three
are putting in a great operating performance at Chgo's Museum of Science & Industry's 1400 sg ft layout. Take a look.
http://www.msichicago.org/exhibit/great_train_story/index.html and click on "TOUR".

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: "... i want to work with a company that has any and all accessories that i may need... "

That best descibes the 'Toy' builders, the best of which was the old LIONEL. Today most 'Hobby' manufacturer's leave the Accessories to other suplier's.

ATLAS MAKES good engine's and track. BACHMANN make's fair engine's, track, and beginner's DCC. KATO makes very good 'N' guage engine's, passenger car's, and track.

YOU need to have some CONCEPT on where you want to go, what you want to build.

'N' gauge best for Passenger operation (wide curve's)in limited space.
'HO' gauge best for unlimited freight option's. IE selection.
'O' gauge best for 'ruggedness' and handling.

"Price is not an issue". Oh, REALLY?

You need to visit a Hobby Store and buy a copy of MODEL RAILROADER and later a Wathers Catalog.

If you wanted to buy a Boat, would you go on the internet and ask "What kind of boat should I buy?". Skiff, Sail, Outboard, Inboard, or Catamaran.

When armed with more of a plan, get back to us.

[nbrodar]

Walthers book is the best resource for seeing what's out there. No one company makes everything (although Walthers comes pretty close).

I use the following:
Atlas and Peco track.
Atlas, Spectrum, and Athearn locomotives
Athearn/MDC and Accurail cars
Woodland Scenics scenery stuff
and whatever structures strike my fancy, though I'm partial to DPM and City Classics.

Hope this helps
Nick

[Anonymous]

thanks for all the responses, i guess what my main question is, is that, do you have all the same manufacturers trains running on the same layout, or do people mix and match?

also, noone mentioned marklin, is there a reason for this

sorry if these questions seem so obvious, but this newbie really appreciates everyone who takes the time to reply

[cjcrescent]

Chuck;
Locomotives can cost a lot more than 260.00. Try a HO Key Imports AC-12 4-8-8-2 in brass. Caboose Hobbies are taking reservations (new model not out yet), on these with a price of around $2500.00. I bet most are already sold,

MWohlers;
The reason no one mentioned Maerklin is because their equipment is mostly European prototype, which only a relative small number of modelers follow in North America and except for the small amount they make under their Trix label most is incompatible with North American equipment as it runs with a third rail/stud pickup AC system. North American equipment is two rail DC or DCC.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bgardner2
Sorry spelled Walthers wrong

Do you realize you can edit the original message and fix the spelling there..[:)]

Edit - When you look at your original message there is an "EDIT" icon in the upper right hand side.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mwohlers

thanks for all the responses, i guess what my main question is, is that, do you have all the same manufacturers trains running on the same layout, or do people mix and match?

Generally mix and match. All U.S. & Canada companies that I know of are compatible for N, HO, S, and G. G might have a few coupler problems but nothing insurmountable. O there are two schools 3 rail toy-trains, and two rail scale trains. There are certain vendors like HO Marklin (Germany?) that are totally different. Last I checked Marklin ran on AC power and used a center "rail" like Lionel.

[Darth Santa Fe]

I'd say the best manufacturers to start with would be Bachmann, Athearn, Walthers and Life-Like Proto series for engines and cars. If you get Bachmann, make sure the engines are newer, with features like a metal frame, a can motor, all wheel drive and all wheel pickup. IHC is good if you want something cheap that runs well. So far, I have 3 IHC steam and diesel engines and all of them are excellent runners.

For scenery, Woodland Scenics is one of the largest scenery companies I know of.

For track, Atlas, Bachmann and Kato make good track that's already attached to a roadbed. IHC's steel track is good too.

I hope this was helpful enough.[:)][:)][:)]

[Anonymous]

I didnt know there were companies that made hos. Can you order a ho with really big boobs?

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by On30Shay

I didnt know there were companies that made hos. Can you order a ho with really big boobs?

[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D] Go talk to the local pimp...

Beyond that, lot's of good advice given already.. Here's my addition..

http://www.rolleiman.com/trains/clinic2p1.html

Jeff

[trainboyH16-44]

ON30shay, that's not appropriate....lol
For my engines I use Atlas, Kato, Proto 1000 and proto 2000, and other good ones are Broadway limited imports (sound) Athearn Genisis, Athearn R-T-R, was there another?
Matthew

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the good info. I am sure there are alot of people like me listening to the conversation besides the original person who asked. As a newer hobbyist this conversation has helped me alot.

[red p]

QUOTE: Originally posted by On30Shay

I didnt know there were companies that made hos. Can you order a ho with really big boobs?

yes there on back order, should be ready for shipment by spring.

[Anonymous]

My number one choice is always Atlas.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ftwNSengineer

QUOTE: Originally posted by On30Shay

I didnt know there were companies that made hos. Can you order a ho with really big boobs?

yes there on back order, should be ready for shipment by spring.

Ah, backordered with no firm delivery date: so they come from Walthers then...