Extreme Newbie here:)

[usaalways]

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Hello folks!
A brief intorduction: Im a single custodial father of a 5 yr old, and we reside in Fleetwood, PA(just north of Reading).
Son has a love for trains, so this christmas I decided to get him started on a real train set! I decided to go with a more modern approach(in terms of engine) to start with with this HO scale Bachmann.
While I am very excited, I am also in such awe!! Just glancing over these posts I never dreamed of the diversity and endless possibilites. Before discovering this forum I thought a set would be enough, but after reading a few posts I decided to get the expander kit and learn from there. Plus Im hoping this is something we can add on to for years to come.
While I did ask a lot of questions at Hobbytown and did learn what's compatible, such as alloy(this one) v nickel, I am only disappointed in two things: the freight station is a full model-glue project(thought is was snap) and the train doesnt whistle.
Frieght station will take long to do as time is limitied, and I guess I need some kind of addition to made the train whistle?
Anyway looking foward in being part of this community! I'm an avid BBQer and learned so much from a forum I frequent there, so Im hoping to gain knowledge and friendship here and I did there!
Happy "training"!, or is there another phrase?
Todd

 

[Littlefoot14]

Well Todd welcome to the forums and Merry Christmas. Youll find a vast wealth of information here from many, many great people. Youll have a blast here and in the hobby.

Your locomotive didnt come with sound simply because its not a sound equipped locomotive. Locomotives with sound vary in price, most around a few hundred bucks for high quality.

If you plan on making this a permanent layout, i would highly recommend making the move to DCC, it opens a word of oppurtunies and is a nice first step in advancing in the hobby. I highly doubt your locomotive is DCC equipped because your powerpack that came with it isnt (a manufacturer wouldnt include a DCC controller with a standard DC locomotive.) DCC equipped locomotives can be had for around 50 dollars, bachmann has a nice line of DCC equipped locomotives that are relatively cheap and a nice beginner.

www.nmra.org is a great read, Jim (UP2CSX) is a well known forum member here and he often recomends this site.

Best of luck with the hobby.

 

[UP2CSX]

Welcome aboard, Todd. As Matt wrote, going to the NMRA web site and reading the beginners guide is well worth your time. You'll get a basic undertanding of contruction, track, scenery, and electronics, including DCC.

As Matt also wrote, your train doesn't whistle because it has no sound decoder. Sound equipped engines are a ball to run but they are expensive. I'd recommend you get a DCC system and a few standard DCC engines and get your feet wet before you start shelling out $250-$300 for sound equipped engines.

As for your station kit, at least give it a try and see how long it takes to build it. Most basic plastic kits can be built in two hours or less. If you are really pressed for time, you can buy very nice built-up structures from Walthers and Woodland Scenics.

 

[jtudor]

Personally I prefer the building kits just like the rolling stock kits. Building stuff is one of my favorite parts of the hobby. But everyone has their own preferences.