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[Anonymous]

I have been surfing endless web sites and have found this amazing location. I have attempted to read some of the posts and decided to just ask some questions.

First off, I had trains for years ( born in 46) and lost them in a move back in the 70's.

I have an 8 year old son and he has expressed an interest in trains. I (Santa) gave him a Lionel Fast Track system for Christmas and now it's time to consider moving up. He loves the trains and this new hobby gives us something new to share.

The questions I have are:
1) Should I stay with Fast Track?
2) Can I include the basic Fast Track and provide an adapter to O guage as the layout develops?
3) Where is the best place to either research or buy layout instructions?
4) I have an area in my downstairs that will allow a layout of about 6 or 7 feet by 18 feet.
5) Best place to buy add-on equipment / ebay / dealers / private?

Any advice from the members of this site will certainly be appreciated.

Regards to all from New Hampshire,
John/NH

[Richard A]

John/NH,

Welcome to the forum. First of all, you may have noticed that this particular forum is just one of 6 that are grouped together. Each one has, more or less, a primary focus (actual railroading, model or toy trains in a specific scale, or comments about current affairs re railroading).

Try this URL and it will take you to the forum where most of the hobbyists hang out http://www.trains.com/community/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=95

I would also suggest that if there is a local model train hobby shop anywhere near you, check there with your questions. They should be happy to help.

When you begin to get responses on the other forum (Classic Toy Trains:Toy train Operating and Collecting), you'll no doubt be inundated with various opinions, especially about track preferences, Fast Track or any other.

Just to get you started, though, I would stay with Fast Track if you like it and want to expand gradually. I am not sure about the existence of a transistion piece to link Fast Track with regular Lionel tubular track. Someone else will be more knowledgeable.

Good luck and have fun with your son!

[CFournier]

I'm in HO with my 5 years old son, I think it's cheaper and I don't care if he breaks a car like an athearn .

[CFournier]

BTW I went DCC and my son can handle it. No problem. He owns A few Thomas the tank engine made by Bachman.
Chris

[spankybird]

Hi John,

Welcome to the Trains.com forum

As Richard has stated, please join us on the CTT part of the forum.

1) Should I stay with Fast Track?
Fast track is new, some folks say it is very nosy, it is about 3 times the cost of tube track

2) Can I include the basic Fast Track and provide an adapter to O guage as the layout develops?
Lionel does sell an adapter for fast track to tube track


3) Where is the best place to either research or buy layout instructions?
try this link http://www.thortrains.net

4) I have an area in my downstairs that will allow a layout of about 6 or 7 feet by 18 feet.

5) Best place to buy add-on equipment / ebay / dealers / private?
I personally like supporting your local dealers, great place to ask question and get help from

[Anonymous]

To All:

I have been reading a great deal of the posts on the site and have begun to feel comfortable re; the direction my son and I will go re; local shops and advice from veterans.

Regards,
John/NH