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T

TxTrainGuy

New Member
Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the board and to the hobby. Infact, I haven't bought anything yet. (If that doesn't qualify for new, I don't know what does.) Before I jump in, I want to make sure that I'm buying quality product, but at the same time, I'm not exactly made of money.

I have spent about 4 hours in the local Model Train store asking questions, about six hours researching online and reading magazines, and I have decided that I want to do a standard HO - steamer, but have no idea what brand Loco to buy. I'm hoping someone here can help me out.

I'm looking to spend about 150.00 initially. I'm hoping that will get me a power pack, 8-10 feet of track, a Loco and some foam for modeling. The rolling stock and landscaping will come later.

I found a Bachman steamer (new) for 75.00, but have been told that they are not a quality brand.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
welcome to the site

$150 will get you a circle track,cheap engine, cheap cars and a DC power pack. basicly an upper level starter set that still is not much better than the basic starter sets. We need a little more info..

What size steam engines do you want to run?
what size and kind of cars do you want to use?
DC or DCC track power?
size and intent for your layout. will this just be a temp set up or a expandable layout?

Trent
 
Hi,

I would also suggest reading my Beginner's Guide clickable below. I think it will help save you some $$$.

The Bachmann Spectrum is a decent buy for $75. The non-Spectrum Bachmann isn't so good.
 


$150 isn't going to get you much in the way of a quality product, especially in the way of steamers. They are usually the most expensive loco you can find. On the other hand it can get you a diesel set of passable quality.
 
If there is a Hoggy Lobby store near you, they have a Bachmann Digital commander set that includes some track, 2 DCC loco's, a starter DCC system and a couple of pieces of rolling stock. Hobby lobby currently has a 40% off of one item coupon on thier website, which will bring that set down to about $120.

Its a starter set, and the DCC is limited, but functional. I have one (in addition to many other items) and for now I am satisfied with it. I got it knowing that I woudl eventually outgrow it and will replace it with something else later, so I am happy. If I had thought it would be my ultimate DCC system, I woudl not be happy with it at all.
 
Go to modeltrainstuff.com and look at their current listings for Bachmann Spectrum steamers. They have several that should appeal to you for a bit more than a song. Just note that, as a general rule, steamers with a number higher than 6 in their middle number of the Whyte Notation (such as a 4-6-2) meaning that it has 6 coupled drivers, are going to require somewhat wider curves. In other words, a Northern type engine (4-8-4) will be hard pressed to negotiate curves with a radius tighter than about 20". Usually the manufacturers will state their minimums on the box, but you should plan for curves around 22" if you want reliable running. It'll look toylike, but it will work.

On the other hand, Bachmann makes an excellent 2-8-0 (called the Consolidation type) that undoubtedly will do okay on 20" curves.

Virtually all diesels will be okay on curves wider than 19-20". Once again, a general rule is that tight curves make a train set look so much more toylike than it would on curves nearer to 30". And that places your desire for some realism well outside the bounds of a 4X8 sheet of plywood.

If you are really tight for room, ask Chip to show you some diagrams of what can be done with a sheet of plywood.

-Crandell
 
That may be so, Jeff, but we're attempting to steer him towards a better start than what he can get with a set and all its inherent deficiencies. Part of that concept includes a decent engine, which a set is unlikely to have...at least as far as steamers are concerned, and steamers are what he has said he wants. Part of our message to him, if it is unclear, is that his price range will constrain him to a set, and that he is likely to have troubles with it before long, possibly right from the start. With a Spectrum level of engine, he is much less likely to be disappointed. We are therefore asking him, in a round-about way if he is stuck with a firm figure. A more realistic figure, even for a plywood pacific with a loop of track, 18" curves, a DC power pack, and decent rolling stock, will set him back more like $180-200. If he lays his own flextrack, he'll do better.

-Crandell
 
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