Need some advice/help for my Dad, newbie

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C

Coachbowden

New Member
Hey guys,

I need a little advice. My Dad has loved model trains his entire life, but due to work, raising a family, and just not having the time he has never had a chance to start up the hobby. Well my sister and I are all grown up, and good ole Dad has retired and has more free time than he would like.

So, I would like to get my Dad started this Christmas, but of course I have no clue where to begin. I think he would like the "G" scale or the next scale down in size. Essentially Im looking to spend $350-$400 and just need a set to get him started. Even if it is just a circle track, that he can add onto later, that will be fine.

I just dont want to get him some garbage, and thought I would ask some "experts" for the advice.

Thank you in advance.
 
G is pretty big. Mostly and outdoor garden track. O would be what he grew up with. HO and N scales are smaller and more condusive to modeling indoors.
 


A good scale in terms of price and what he can do and his eyesight would probably be HO. I hesitate to answer your question because there are so many variables. If this is to be a surprise the thing to do would be to find out where he grew up and buy a locomotive from the line that would have been in his area. That will give you the most likelihood of success.

So tell us where and we can try to figure a set. Better yet, with a $350 Budget, we could help you piece together something right on target.

Check out my beginner's guide in my signature. It'll take about 5 minutes and show you what you are really dealing with.
 
You can actually buy some decent train sets with a good sized oval in O, On3 (narrow gauge) or G.

Atlas O makes some amazing O scale stuff. The 3 rail stuff is cheaper, but less prototypical then the 2 rail. Bachmann took over Williams, so they have some of the best large scale stuff.
 
SpaceMouse said:
A good scale in terms of price and what he can do and his eyesight would probably be HO. I hesitate to answer your question because there are so many variables. If this is to be a surprise the thing to do would be to find out where he grew up and buy a locomotive from the line that would have been in his area. That will give you the most likelihood of success.

So tell us where and we can try to figure a set. Better yet, with a $350 Budget, we could help you piece together something right on target.

Check out my beginner's guide in my signature. It'll take about 5 minutes and show you what you are really dealing with.
Click to expand...
This is a great suggestion, and one that I would have never thought of. He grew up in Batesburg-Leesville, SC. Did a quick little google search and looks like the "Southern Railroad" line ran through the town about the time he was a kid in the 50's-60's.

and thank you for the link to the beginners guide, I'll read over that today


*edit - doing a little more searching and not sure about the rail line now. I'll have to ask around.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
He grew up in Batesburg-Leesville, SC, and was born in 1954(if that helps with the time frame).

He lives in Annapolis, MD now;however, after going over Space Mouse's guide I am 100% sure his layout will be of his hometown. Rural South Carolina
 
hamltnblue said:
How much room does he have available to set the trains up? Is there a spare space to build a platform?
Click to expand...
.

At the moment there isnt alot of room, maybe 6x6, but really what Im hoping for is just some advice on manufactuers, and possibly a reputable online dealer. Essentially I dont want to get him something that is gonna break down or get ripped off.

Really I just want to get him a set, maybe a book or 2 and send him on his way, and of course refr him to this site haha
 


Here's a decent site for sets, but there are plenty of them out there.
http://www.trainsetsonly.com/
Never get the low end sets. Theyr'e mostly toys and not too good. You can get a decent DCC starter set at your price range. Atlas and Bachmann would be my choices, but Athearn makes some good stuff as well. 6x6 isn't much space for anything but N gauge, but being retirement age they may be too small for him to work with and enjoy it.
 
hamltnblue said:
Here's a decent site for sets, but there are plenty of them out there.
http://www.trainsetsonly.com/
Never get the low end sets. Theyr'e mostly toys and not too good. You can get a decent DCC starter set at your price range. Atlas and Bachmann would be my choices, but Athearn makes some good stuff as well. 6x6 isn't much space for anything but N gauge, but being retirement age they may be too small for him to work with and enjoy it.
Click to expand...

My Parents current plan is to move back to South Carolina with the next 2-3 years. Their will be more room in the future, and who knows, maybe my mother will let him set it up in a larger room lol.

Thanks again
 
Getting a set for the Southern RR in your Dad's time frame is doable, as they had a distinctive and attractive green color. You could get a steamer, but most likely he would have grown up with early diesels.

I don't think you could go wrong with this one.

http://www.internettrains.com/merch...AC-01303&Category_Code=TRNHSCBACSPC&Featured=

01303pkg3.jpg


lg160-01303.jpg


Shop around. I've seen it listed under $200. But be sure to ask about the dealer find first. We will usually know who's good and bad.
 
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