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

[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.

[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

[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

[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]

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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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. :-)

[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:::

[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]

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?

[Anonymous]

What should I stay away from????

[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]

[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]

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.