The Most realistic HO Manufacturer and other info?

[Anonymous]

I am new to the Hobby and am looking to get my son involved in the Hobby and though he is only 6 months old I want him to have the best start in the hobby that we will enjoy for years to come.

Which manufacturer has the most realistic features, color schemes, etc and the highest quality locos and rolling stock.

Also, what websites contain really good information and articles on model railroading and on real trains in general? The line that I am starting with is Union Pacific and I have been doing research on the history and current info on the company. The more I know the better my layout and lines will be.

[DigitalGriffin]

Ohhhhh that's like putting a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs and mouse traps.

Me's thinks that this is a MRR in denial about who this train is for. [:D]

[Anonymous]

The Best? Overland........ but the best at a reasonable price is Atlas, Kato, proto 2000, Athern,....... what exactly are you modeling... as far aswhat scale, era, locos. industry, things of that nature..... It takes time but you'll learn quickly what you want to get..... My recomendation to you is this...... join a club you can learn a ton of interesting stuff at club meets..... The reason I suggested Atlas first is I went to a club meet on monday night and a buddy of mine had a decked out, Filled to the gills Atlas Dash 9 with sound, lights every thing for only 190, (it was purchased from trainworld) like i said There are tons of things to learn and it's better to learn through friends you make at club meets.. because they're honest!!!!

[CMSTPP]

I do not know of any websites that you could go to but I do know some of the best makers in model railroading. You say that you want to start out with the UP. If you go with modern era then you want the AC4400CW or the dash 9's units that the UP uses. Kato, one of the manufactuers is a good maker of model RR but there not the nicest people on this earth. I would go with Atlas or broadway limited for your needs. Atlas is ranked number 1 for the best detailed and best looking locomotives. They also run really nice. The people at Atlas are also really nice to talk to. They encourage alot of people to buy there stuff. A nice locomotive is about 100$ but if you go to ebay you can find the stuff for about 50 to 60$. Broadway limited is also a nice maker of model RR. You can buy there locomotives with sound or without. A locomotive with sound runs around 220$ but without about 120$. If you go with the UP in the 1980's or even further back you want to go with the locomotives from Atlas. They usually sell the little older locomotives.
James

[emdgp92]

Here's an excellent site for photos: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/up/up-eng.html.

[potlatcher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lilbiker


I am new to the Hobby and am looking to get my son involved in the Hobby and though he is only 6 months old I want him to have the best start in the hobby that we will enjoy for years to come.

If it's really your son that you want to get started in the hobby, the best place to start is with the Brio and Thomas the Tank Engine wooden railway sets. Then he can work his way up from there (let him do it at his own pace - don't force the hobby on him).

Meanwhile, go ahead and get a few toys for yourself - it's OK, you don't need him for an excuse.

Tom

[GAPPLEG]

More great photos for a UP fan.[8D]

http://ncespee.railfan.net/

[GAPPLEG]

QUOTE: Originally posted by potlatcher

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lilbiker


I am new to the Hobby and am looking to get my son involved in the Hobby and though he is only 6 months old I want him to have the best start in the hobby that we will enjoy for years to come.

If it's really your son that you want to get started in the hobby, the best place to start is with the Brio and Thomas the Tank Engine wooden railway sets. Then he can work his way up from there (let him do it at his own pace - don't force the hobby on him).

Meanwhile, go ahead and get a few toys for yourself - it's OK, you don't need him for an excuse.

Tom

He's right , you don't need an excuse, play with trains, heck I'm 58 and enjoy the heck out it.[^] I enjoy all aspects of the hobby from wiring, landscaping, modeling, cars , trucks
and TRAINS !!!![#welcome]

[Anonymous]

You are right I don't need and excuse, I am a 42 year old Mom, but the original idea was for something we would be able to enjoy together, and since my back surgery sports is out.

I do intend to get him his own Thomas train set as soon is he is ready, but once the bug is in his ear I think we will enjoy it together.

The more I know the more we will enjoy it together, I started with a decent set and have since purchased different track, a model building, tools, etc. The guys down at the hobby store are great and very knowledgeable, but once I have a good handle on this stuff I will be able to bargain shop and shop on ebay.

Thanks for all your help

[Anonymous]

I am interested in the HO scale and will probably want to go with recent models and old steam locos.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dock_661

The Best? Overland........

Hmmmmm.. It is close, but I would have to contend that and say W&R. The most exquisite models I have ever seen. The problem with them is their limitation of making, mostly only, models of NP prototypes.

But assuming the original poster isn't interested in locos over $2000.....

QUOTE: Lilbiker Posted: Today, 13:17:40
I am new to the Hobby ...he is only 6 months old I want him to have the best start in the hobby that we will enjoy for years to come. Which manufacturer has the most realistic features, color schemes, etc and the highest quality locos and rolling stock

The most realistic, highest quality HO locomotives (Kato, Altas, Genesis [except the SD70], Proto 2000) have such fine detail it is very hard for careful adults not to break them. I smashed about 4 tiny parts off the top of mine last Friday just getting it out of the box. So even if he is the most careful, easy on toys, child in the world, they will become damaged in a very short time. I would think you really want the best running most durable.

In my opinon and experience the best running most durable locomotives that a six year old will still be able to play with after years and years of hard service are the mid range locomotive models like:
Stewart
Proto 1000
Atlas Trainman series.
They run very well, look OK, and don't have zillions of tiny parts (like window wipers, lift rings, grab irons) to break off the first time they derail running a loop around the layout.

Realistic color schemes is another issue. I just saw at Hobby Lobby (1/2 price trains) a bunch of Proto 1000 box cars painted for the presidents, or states, or some such silly thing. Micro-trains which is a high quality N-scale manufacturer made a set of "12 days of Christmas" box cars - gag. I guess I am just saying that the paint schemes have to be looked at with a different set of glasses. I am guessing Stewart hasn't made any "funny" paint schemes.

[ARTHILL]

I have one BLI steam with sound and I love it. Like a time machine to my youth. Lilbiker, there are so many parts to this hobby that you need to have more focus to know how to answer. If money is no object, brass engines and laser kits are the way to go. If you are like most of us and don't have the price of a good sports car to invest, you will need to settle for second best or third and get what you want, what ever that is.

[Jetrock]

If you have a six month old child it will be many years before they are ready for the "most realistic" variety of models--for young children, you want to buy the most durable and unbreakable toy kind, or the cheapest kind so you won't cry too hard when Junior uses a locomotive as an impromptu rocketship, complete with crash-landing. If it's really a hobby for you, that's great--start small and simple, read a lot, and make sure that Junior has his trains and you have yours.

[lyctus]

Just a couple of observations which I gained over Christmas... We visited a family with a 12 month old baby boy and proud Dad had purchased a Brio type wooden train set. I was asked to "set it up" as , well, I am experienced, right ? Well, in truth this was first time I was close to one of these wooden train sets. It was obvious to me that it was a bit beyond little Declan, and as soon as I set it up, Declan began to "play " with it...well wreck it. 1. He is too young to play with it.......2. I t will take some co-ordination and some "gentleness" for lil' Deccy to get value from it.
Later on Christmas Day my Pre-school teacher daughter gave ME a Fischer Price GeoTrack train......'cause I just became a GrandDad to little Chelsea Rose (3 weeks) and of course I would love to have a play train for when she is exactly 2 1/2 years old (it says so on the box) but what a well thought out system it is . I am impressed. Track snaps positively together, looks like track, good sturdy operating accessories, lots of add on stuff available. I am impressed. Can't wait (but will) until Chelsea is able to play with it. We WILL have FUN.
In the meantime, get that scale stuff for yourself.......you'll love it.

[accord1959]

My son is now 20 years old and is a conductor as was his father, (me) and his grandfather. He will become an engineer as did his father and grandfather, but he doesn't model railroad as does his father and not his grandfather. I love trains, sat behind the throttle of a QNS&L GP9 at the age of 6, was hooked. My son sat behind the throttle of a CN GP40 and later became a conductor. He says it is the best job in the world, but will he join the best hobby in the world, ??? Listen to the seasoned folks here on the forum and if your son likes it when he grows up, maybe he will be like his old man.