HELLLPPP! I know nothing and I need to get him a train....

[Anonymous]

Okay, so this year I want to be a really great girlfriend to a really great guy. We're from the Reading area and he has always been fascinated with the Reading Lines....we in fact rode on the "Santa Train" yesterday which is authentic old Reading Lines Passenger cars and Engine. They run these special days occassionally out of the old Temple station. Anyway, I would like to get him a whole Reading Lines set and don't know where to start....he has nothing....I would need to get track, engine, cars, etc....I want the best....I know he wants HO scale....what is the best? Where can I get it? Not worried at all about price.....i have good credit...haha.

[frisco1519]

You can go to your local Hobby shop and ask them. They will have a catalog and can order cars and engines for practically any roadname you want. I doubt you will be able to find a set as you mentioned. You will have to buy it by the piece, engine, cars, track, power pack, etc. There are also many manufacturers to choose from. Athearn is a good name as are Kato, Proto 200 and others. Again, contacting your local hobby dealer might be the best way to go. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

"Not worried at all about price.....i have good credit...haha."

Don't go there... you can blow $2,000 without even sneezing. ... and it won't even garuantee it being the right stuff.

IF you go for getting a model (one model) look to get him a really good loco and a length of track to sit it on. If that gives him inspiration to get more and build so be it... and (if you can't get him out of his train room... remember... you started it and at least he isn't in a bar etc).

Good steam locos... Rivarrossi. ... and others?

Good Diesels... Kato, Atlas, P2K possibly BLI (haven't tried it yet).

Or go mad and get brass... $800 a loco.

I'm just wondering... are you trying to get an angle on how much he's really spending?

Walthers have an online catalogue and mart.

Best Christmas present... give him a smile and a hug... all year... then the same next Christmas.

Oh yes, who pays the credit card? Sorry... just like the ladies we've learnt to be suspicious.

If it's for real it's great though... but go one step at a time. He may not really want to get into all the woodwork, wiring and stuff... if you start it don't blame him for the sawdust and bouts of bad language when a part goes flying into the air and out of sight.

Local hobby shops (like all shops) come in all grades from excellent to "take the dummy's money and run"... so be cautious... try the water. If they're good they won't mind taking time and will give you advice that you can tell makes sense. If their bad they'll tell you one size fits all and run up your bill... just like a dress shop.

You might see if you can find a local Model railroad club and get their help/advice... then again that could get you seen going around with strange (very strange) men...

Have a good time [8D]

[Anonymous]

What should I stay away from????

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by piccolotess

What should I stay away from????

Cheap

One top quality loco will be better than a poor trainset with everything.

What standards do you look for when you buy something for yourself... or receive a gift?

[SMassey]

I think I know just what you are looking for. Bachmann sells nice little starter sets in their upscale line called Spectrum. They offer a set that has power pack track and a locomotive with a few cars (usualy only 3 in these sets) I just checked their website for the set number and page but they dont currently list anything in a set with Reading. I know this exists my local hobby store used to have it on their shelf. Check around or even call bachmann it may just not be listed on the website. The locomotive is a steam 2-8-0 Consolodation. I have 2 of these little locos and they are very good quality smooth running locomotive. I dont remember if the reading set comes in freight or passenger or both but they are bot hnice sets. The passenger cars are lighted inside and are the heavyweights that were common in the late 1920's and used well into the WWII era. The sets run usually around $150-$200 and is a great place to start.

[Anonymous]

True.....problem is I'm afraid I won't recognize cheap........I'm thinking I'll go to a hobby store like was suggested........get a rough estimate of about how much I want to spend on him..........and hope that the hobby store has gift cards or something.........this just sounds sooo overwhelming to me!!!! I really don't want to mess this up..........but gosh a gift certificate just doesn't seem like too much fun to open on christmas morning....can't really play with a gift card on christmas day.....:::sigh:::

[Anonymous]

SMassey, that sounds exactly like what I want....it would get him started....it's reading....and gosh......it would be a complete set.......that's much less in price then I was actually looking.........wouldn't be against spending more....you've given me hope....now all i have to do is pray that I can find something like that somewhere. :-)

[tstage]

piccolotess,

[#welcome] to the forum! Good to have you aboard! [:)]

You gave us a start so far:

1. Reading
2. HO scale

Now, let's narrow the field a bit. You said you took the "Santa Train" yesterday. Do you think your boy friend wants to model:

1. Passenger or freight?
2. Steam or diesel?

In order to get the best, you'll need to get things separately rather than in a set. Not always, but for the most part, sets are not the best quality locomotives and cars. Here's what you'll need to outfit a layout:

1. Locomotive(s) - Steam or diesel (or both)
2. Cars - Freight or passanger (or both)
3. Power pack - DC or DCC --> This will determine what kind of locomotives you get. We can explain this further, after you answer the questions.
4. Track - Code 100 or 83 --> The code designates how high the rail height is in thousands of an inch (i.e. Code 100 = 0.100"; Code 83 = 0.083"). Code 100 is heavy duty and bulky looking; Code 83 is more prototypical (or realistic) looking.

piccolotess, answering the above questions will help move things along so that you can get this "really great guy" a wonderful present in time for Christmas. Sounds to me, he's already got a good Christmas present...in you. [:)]

Tom

[Anonymous]

Why not buy him a gift certificate, and you BOTH go shopping for the train stuff together? That way, he'll be there and be able to get the things he wants, and you can put your two cents worth in, too. You can both have fun at the same time. Just a thought.

[selector]

If you go to a well-known hobby shop and fix the owner with your steely eyes and tell him in a no-nonsense tone that you want to give your boyfriend a good quality locomotive, and that you know they run from $140 on up, more with decoders and sound, he will very likely be impressed and show you some good stuff. Plan on spending near $250, give or take, for a good locomotive with sound.

[ARTHILL]

I don't model Reading so i can not be specific. It sounds like you want an old steam engine and some passenger cars. I am assuming you want HO scale. If you want O gauge or Lional tin plate, that is an entirely different set of issues. There is a company called Walters. They have a web site and a catalogue. If you can't find a hobby shop to talk to go to the web site, plug in Reading and see what you get. There is a company called Historic Rail who advertise a Reading passanger set for $78.95. They have an engine for $64.95. I don't know much about them. Their phone is 800-261-5922. I assume they are selling a brand called Bachman. It is a fair brand and they have an unpgrade called Spectrum which is very nice. You need to check which Bachman it is. For track there is Atlas Snap track and Bachman Easytrack. Both are suitible to lay on the floor or a table. If you want a layout, you have an entirely different set of issues. MUCH more complex. We would be happy to continue to discuss this further as you have more specific question. Word of warning, there are lots of bargins on Ebay, but unless you know what you are looking for you can get burned.

[Anonymous]

Dear Tom:
first....I think I'm leaning towards passenger since that what we were in yesterday....old reading lines passenger cars.....oh it was awesome......(first time on a real train since I was 4)....
I don't know really what is meant by steam or diesel??? does the steam ones look like the one from the polar express? diesel more like the newer modern looking engines???

DCC is when you can program an engine via wireless remote correct or something so that multiple trains can use the same track....Keith is very high tech.....so I think I read up on that sometime back....not sure....

I guess track codes would be dependent upon what type of train i would get???? again clueless about that....

Tess

[ARTHILL]

Don't get too far ahead of yourself. A train with some track is a good start. Ad an inexpensive DC transformer and see where it leads. He can then upgrade as he is led and it will open the door for wonderful gifts for years to come. It sounds like the Bachman starter set, maybe from Historic Rail is a good start if there is no hooby shop in your area. We don't know where you live, but in the Twin Cites are ar 4 or 5 great places to shop HO.

[Anonymous]

Art,
Thank you as well! You've given me things to think about as well. And well....nope...not going to get into any thing like layouts yet.....he's gonna have to prove he's serious about this and then maybe next year. ;-) Thanks a bunch Art!

Tess

[tstage]

Tess,

Nice to know you by name. Now let's answer your questions:

QUOTE: Originally posted by piccolotess
first....I think I'm leaning towards passenger since that what we were in yesterday....old reading lines passenger cars.....oh it was awesome......(first time on a real train since I was 4)....
I don't know really what is meant by steam or diesel??? does the steam ones look like the one from the polar express? diesel more like the newer modern looking engines???

Yep - you got it! Either one are fine but steam is more visually pleasing to look at because you can see piston and rods moving back and forth.

QUOTE:
DCC is when you can program an engine via wireless remote correct or something so that multiple trains can use the same track....Keith is very high tech.....so I think I read up on that sometime back....not sure....

Yep, again! Looks like you've done some reading up. If Keith is very hight tech, then I'd encourage you to go the DCC route. It's just way to cool Basically, with DC, you run the "track". With DCC, you run your "train" - and you can run more than one train, on the same track, and have them doing two totally different things. You can do that with regular DC. If you choose DCC, you'll need to get a locomotive(s) with a "decoder" inside. To save time, look for a locomotive that is "DCC-equipped" or "DCC on board".

QUOTE:
I guess track codes would be dependent upon what type of train i would get???? again clueless about that....

Tess

Not necessarily. Most locomotives and cars will run fine on either Code 100 or 83 - accept for the older Rivarossis.

Tom

[ARTHILL]

My family has been buying me stuff for 60 years. My wife got me my first nice engine 35 years ago. She had a 70th Bday party for me and everyone brought train stuff. It has been a life time of family joy. You are just beginning what can be great.

[Anonymous]

Actually, I'm in Reading, PA....you'd think it would be easy to find trains here....the last hobby shop I was in though didn't seem very interested in my business...and they had no trains from Reading...it was funny.....there's other hobby shops in the area and well I think I'll give it a shot again....doesn't mean the next shop will be like the last one.....I don't like it when shops don't take my business seriously....:::sigh:::

[ARTHILL]

There are a lot of those unfortunatly. I do business with Becker's in St Paul and he takes good care of me. He would do business by phone, but that is advertising and we don't do that here. Ordering direct from Walters also works, That is my daughters way of getting me stuff.

[Anonymous]

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/rdg/rdg.html

if you re looking for diesel for a passenger train it would either be E units, F units, Roadswitchers(RS) or GPs the first letter or 2 describes what class of loco it is.
scroll down and you ll hit the steam locomotives.

[Anonymous]

Here's the other thing............christmas is coming.........i want to give him a start then..........then about 2 weeks later is our anniversary............i want to give him maybe a bit more to add to it...............and then a month later we have valentines day........soooo Fellas...........i thank you for all this advice......I KNOW for a fact that he will like this.........it's come up sooo often with him.........and a fact about me........I love antique and more retro items......i collect more specifically antique postcards......that's my hobby where I like to blow lots of money........I prefer finding cards from early 1900's postmarked....real photos of towns they way they were 100 years ago.....so having in mind the long term with Keith I kind of hope for a very retro look.....so steer me that way!

[tstage]

Tess,

We'll continue to give it a go. I've been scouring the Net for Reading items. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a one-stop "set" available in Reading. I'm afraid it's looking that it might have to be piece-meal. Not such a bad thing. Don't panic. Christmas is 3 weeks. Still plenty of time to order if nothing is in a local hobby shop (LHS) in your area.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Jadormdrache,
Oh my gosh!!! That website is overwhelming......I'm gonna have to spend more time looking at later......go***rains are truly beautiful...........darn it........i want this to be keiths hobby........not mine!!!! GRRR! :-)

[Anonymous]

Tom, Well thank you so much for your help.......i'm going to be hanging out quite a bit on this site in the future....i'll be back at a later date....please send any suggestions my way....you've already given me so much to think about.....well I must be off to bed....i need to be awake tomorrow while i'm teaching. ;-) Thanks and good night!

[tstage]

Tess,

Is this a picture of the Temple station?:



I was trying to find some info on the Santa train and ran across it.

Tom

[twcenterprises]

QUOTE: I don't know really what is meant by steam or diesel??? does the steam ones look like the one from the polar express? diesel more like the newer modern looking engines???

Yes, and yes. Real steam locomotives were powered by a fire boiling water to produce pressurized steam and using it to drive the wheels. They are the ones that have side rods connecting the driving wheels. Diesels came around in the late '30's and the basic design hasn't changed. They use a diesel generator to provide electricity to drive electric motors (usually one per axle) which turn the wheels.

I have about 60 locomotives, 6 of which are steam. I think in your case you can't go wrong buying a steamer, even if your boyfriend takes up a modern time period, he could still run a steamer as an "excursion" train.

QUOTE: DCC is when you can program an engine via wireless remote correct or something so that multiple trains can use the same track....Keith is very high tech.....so I think I read up on that sometime back....not sure....

Not quite wireless per se, but yes, you can run multiple trains on same track. Each engine has a "decoder" installed (sometimes from the factory, other times installed by the hobbyist), and responds to commands sent to its "address" by the system. For a beginner, I'd recommend using DC (direct current) and not worry about DCC for now.

QUOTE: I guess track codes would be dependent upon what type of train i would get???? again clueless about that....

Not really, just that code 83 is more realistic. Code 100 and 83 are both about equally as common as far as track by itself. All newer model trains will run on code 83 as well as 100. If buying a set, then I would buy any additional track in the same code unless you buy an adapter piece(s) to go from code 100 to 83 (or vice-versa).

We will be happy to give more advice on this as needed. How much information do you need, there's a plentiful supply here....

Brad (Co-Moderator on Yahoo group HOtrains)

[tstage]

Tess,

Found an entire set of Reading passenger cars on the IHC web site:

http://www.ihc-hobby.com/cgi-bin/bsc.cgi?sn=528

I'll see if I can't get others to chime in on how good these are.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ATTENTION! Anyone have an idea or opinion on the quality of the IHC passenger cars? $80 for an 8-car set. I'm familar with their locomotives: Good runners but detail is lacking.

Thanks.

Tom

[twcenterprises]

IHC steam engines and passenger cars are good. Same thing as the latest Rivarossi's, I mean same molds and everything. I have 3 of the IHC engines, too.

Brad

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by piccolotess
i want this to be keiths hobby........not mine!!!! GRRR! :-)

Why not? The best part of model railroading is its social aspect and sharing the fun with family and freinds. It can also be good Boyfriend Girlfriend Bonding time.

OK I did some quick digging on your behalf.

That walters website you refer to has listed when I checked the following in stock

International Hobby Corporation Pulman Standard Streamlined Fluted Side Passenger Cars 8-Car set $79.99. Item # 348-47918

The 8 Car set includes the following.

Baccage,
Coach
DIner
Observation
Combine
Railroad Post Office
Sleeper
Vista Dome.

The only car that is in this set that wouldn't match a real reading car is the Vista Dome as due to Dome Cars being my specialty or sorts I can say with certainty they never owned any. The rest would be reasonably acceptable matches for cars Reading would have had.

As for Motive Power While I do not think it is authentic Reading Passenger power. (I model Great Northern so Reading doesn't show up on my radar very often) It would look pretty cool just the same. Walthers Showed "FT" (Pronounce each latter individually) Locomotives in stock from Steward Hobbies.

They are listed as

Diesel EMD FT A (Powered) B (Dummy) Set -- Reading #1 Item # 691-5041

Diesel EMD FT A (Powered) B (Dummy) Set -- Reading #2 Item #691-5042.

Are listed at $185.00. Ordering both sets will yeald a a complete set of locos known as an ABBA Arrangement. One set will be sufficient however.

I don't know if Blowing $400.00 on a christmas present is what you had in mind. But I give you my honor that these Items are of good quality and if treated with care, will last long eneugh to be passed down to any interested model train nut grandchildren you two may one day have.

I hope this helps your dillema.

Oh Almost forgot. Walthers Toll Free order hotline [phone] (or 1-800-4-TRAINS)

I hope I have been a big help. Also if you want to get him a spectacular Birthday Present. (Because they arn't in yet) Reserve yourself a Precicion Craft Models Reading T-1 Class 4-8-4 Particularly Item #588-589. (399.99)It is for #2102 as it was painted for special excursion service. And the locomotive traveled far and wide beyond Reading Rails on various trips. It still exists and To my knowledge as We sit here and discuss this, it is being moved to a new home Near Tacoma Washington.

I am sure if you give them a call first thing in the morning, THey can have it shipped out to you and have it in your hands soon eneugh to get it wrapped up for christmas.

Yours Truely

James Mitich

[Anonymous]

http://www.internettrains.com/
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/index.html
http://www.trainworld1.com/index.html
http://www.readingrailroad.org/