Hello!

[EddieA]

Hi, I am Eddie and I know very little about this hobby. I am interested in setting up an HO scale set in the near future. I just want something I can do with my girls that isn't Barbie or the like. I don't have a huge budget for this, but I will be able to get a piece here and there. I am retired Air Force and my wife retires early next year (hence the lack of funds). Would really prefer a steam engine to start out with.

Aaaanyway, I have a LOT of questions that many of you might find tiring, so if there are any of you that wouldn't mind humoring a newbie, I would totally appreciate it. For starters:

Are many of the HO brands compatible?
Where would be a good place to look for the stuff?
Are there any kits I can build myself (assemble, paint, etc...)?
What would be a good brand to start out with (remember budget is tight)?

Please bear with me. I really want to do this, but just don't know where to start. I am very handy at building, painting, etc... (I build guitars) and would love to eventually get into doing some weathering type of stuff as well.

Thanks in advance!

Eddie

[Burlington Bob]

Hi, Eddie. You've come to the best site on the Internet for model railroading! There's a lot of friendly and knowledgeable folks here and this is just the place to get answers to all of your questions.

I model in N scale but will try to answer a few of your questions. HO products should be compatible as far as mixing items from different manufacturers to run on the same track (rolling stock, etc.). Most new equipment comes with Kadee couplers or an equivalent that will work with other brands. If you buy older RR cars, they may have "horn hook" couplers on them which only work with other horn hook couplers. Google model railroad couplers.

There are kits out there, but I don't do HO so............. Newer Bachman equipment has been pretty good for the money.

You need to do a lot of reading and research your purchases well to get good equipment for a fair price. Also, ask questions here............don't be shy............no one here bites!

[Selector]

Welcome, Eddie. While the HO scale is widespread and enormously popular, the European and N. American versions are generally poorly compatible, if at all. Some European manufacturers market a few N. American style HO items, notably Hornby/Rivarossi and Marklin's Trix Brand...although I haven't seen anything new from Trix in ages.

For N. American models, though, they are fully compatible except in the case of one manufacturer, Mike's Train House (MTH) whose DCS control system is only somewhat compatible with the more common DCC system. In terms of scale fidelity, couplers that work together, and wheels sizes, virtually all of them keep to a narrow range of variance to keep market share.

There are many kits of all types, but some of them require some experience and considerable skill. The cheaper ones generally go together easily, some with snap-fits, but the finished product won't be nearly as 'pretty' or detailed as the more expensive kits, and that applies for rolling stock and structures.

Hobby shops that are well appointed are great places to shop, although they will be a bit more costly than shopping on line generally. If you do a search for HO scale locomotives, or for a specific type, you'll find lots of on-line hobby outlets.

If your budget is tight, it limits what you can do quite drastically because the hobby's enjoyment does tend to cost. If you will be content with an oval track arrangement for the next while, then a simple sheet of 5/8" G1S plywood on saw horses will do, provided you and the kids learn not to lean on it too hard. You will need track components, a controller for the locomotive, and maybe a couple of cars. If you go to modeltrainstuff.com, and look for train sets, you can sometimes find decent sets for about $150-$300, depending on the quality of the items and if a controller is included. Bachmann Spectrum train sets will be a safe bet, although more costly. If you want straight older DC sets, a controller can be had on line for a few tens of dollars plus shipping. Tracks will be about $100, although garage sales or local auction sites may help. Digital Command Control (DCC) is more costly, generally about $150 for a starter package, but the locomotive will have to have DCC 'on board', or a decoder already installed. If the decoder must be added after the initial purchase, and you can't/won't do it, expect another $40-50 for the decoder and its installation by someone locally who knows how.

[tootnkumin]

Gidday Eddie,
Is there any particular railroad/location that interests you more than another, somewhere from boyhood (where the interest usually starts). Where do you live now? Might help some of the members to point you in the direction of a good local hobbyshop where you can browse and talk to staff.

Are you more interested in passenger or freight operations?

This is the best forum I have come across and the folks are very helpful and friendly and are spread around the world (I even converse with one that only lives a few 'burbs away in Brisbane Australia. Crazy eh!)

[EddieA]

I really appreciate all of the replies! I grew up in Louisiana and didn't get to see a lot of trains as a kid, but have lived all over as an adult. I lived in the Pacific northwest for a while and love the old trains that used to run up there. My wife is from Michigan and every time we visit, the kids love to see the trains run. Now we live in Northwest Florida where you rarely see one. I guess I don't have a preference on what part of the country or world at this time I want the train to represent, but more interested in getting started. I love intricate, detailed model kits (used to do that a lot to pass time while deployed), and basic electronics wiring is also something I do a lot.

For now, I am going to keep my eyes peeled on ebay (and forum classifieds) for a good deal on a big steam engine and some decent cars/track/etc). My plan is to have a basic setup by Christmas, so I have time to get the things I need.

Thanks again everyone! I am researching as much as I can every day and I sometimes find more questions than answers. I am sure I will need to bend your ears from time to time to unravel what I learned!

Eddie

[EddieA]

Oh, and I think we may start off with a passenger setup, but I intend to get some freight stuff eventually. I am not as keen on all of the train details as most here, but that will likely start to change as I progress.

Eddie

[tootnkumin]

Originally Posted by EddieA

Oh, and I think we may start off with a passenger setup, but I intend to get some freight stuff eventually. I am not as keen on all of the train details as most here, but that will likely start to change as I progress.

Eddie

Seeing your purpose is to get your daughters interested (as well, hehe), a passenger train would be a good start as most brands of coaches can have the roofs removed to install passengers, something that would probably appeal to them (but watchout, you might have to get curtains as well).
Good places for ideas on a layout etc would be the magazines Model Railroader or Model Railroad Craftsman.

I think also that the level of detail that is being provided on ready to roll (RTR) equipment these days will satisfy your needs and desires and if later on you wish to indulge your obvious love of kit building, there is a wealth of aftermarket high quality replacement/additional bits and pieces to enhance them.

[EddieA]

Thanks again! I decided to get this set as a starter and build on it from there.

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachm.../bac-00692.htm

I plan on buying a passenger setup and more track as soon as funds allow and am going to build a station and some other buildings from scratch. I have until Christmas to have a nice little setup (nothing like the ones I have seen here, but something fun for us), and I think I am off to a start at least!

Eddie

[Gary B]

Welcome Eddie. I started my current layout with my son's. They're grown now but the layout continues. Your starter set is as good as anywhere to start. Since most HO is compatible, yours can grow as you want and can afford. There is a large used market on both e-bay and at swap meets and shows. Checkout your area for any. Most of all have fun and enjoy it with your daughters.

[tootnkumin]

That'll be an excellent starter set, must admit i've got a soft spot for the old 0-6-0's with tender, reminds me of the old model railroader mag I found when I was about 14 or 15 and there was a review of a "Varney" model in it.