going to get back into it, its been a while

[ad356]

im new to this forum, and its been a while since I had a layout. I have kept all of my goodies however. the only thing I have to buy is everything related to a layout. I have several atlas desiels, a Bachmann spectrum J class, a spectrum articulated steam, I have an older MRC prodigy DCC system, an athern GP38, and a whole bunch of rolling stock. I also have broadway limited 2-8-2 heavy Mikado as well. most of my stuff has DCC decoders installed as well. I love broadway limited, athern, and Bachmann spectrum (I consider the spectrum to be excellent model grade quality as good as everthing else but I don't like the cheaper Bachmann products as I feel they are childrens toys)

my goal with my layout is to get back into it, I have all of this great stuff that I would love to run again. I also have a 3 year old son that loves trains, he is constantly watching chugington. I want a layout where daddy can play with his models and my son can play as well. I'm going to buy him some cheap toy grade stuff and have a cheap transformer that he can run his toys off. he will not be allow to play with my models for good reasons. layout space Is going to consist of 2 4x8 tables butted together. I would like to have a roundhouse, a small yard, and a continuous loop. I will start with the 2 4x8 tables but there is room to grow. I have a barn with a fairly good sized loft and a nice wood stove on the first floor for heat this winter.

I visited my local hobby shop that I used to go to. I was not happy with their selection, they have changed everything. the have a limited HO scale selection and what they do have is way over priced. they have almost no atlas code 83 track, I think they had 2 packages of radius sections, really a bad selection. they had a fair amount of code 100 but I don't think im going to use that, its nowhere near prototypical. seems like they had a ton of O gauge stuff, and that's OK if you have an unlimited budget and space. the cheapest O gauge locomotives they had started at $300 and went up to $1,200. $1,200???? I would seriously question anyone's judgment that would spend that much on a single locomotive. it was a nice looking J class, I think I have the same thing in spectrum HO, I think it was less then $200. years ago they had more HO then O gauge. they had NO atlas track plan books that I used to use. I was disgusted with them, I walked out without spending a single cent. I used to spend allot of money in that place, I don't think I will be returning.

so what is a good online source for HO gauge track and accessories. I am also missing the plug for my prodigy unit, the plug that goes from the power supply to the track. is online currently the best place to buy this stuff and the local hobby shop scene dead for model railroading or is it just me. I used to enjoy going to the hobby shop, looking at the locomotive's and picking something out. sometimes pictures do not do justice, you cannot see the fine details.

 

[P&LE]

Welcome back to the hobby ad356,

I too am just getting back to it after a very, very, very long absence.

Unfortunately, here locally (NE Ohio) it seems that the local hobby shop scene is pretty dead as well. Or maybe I just haven't found the right place. There is one shop in my area that carries train stuff in stock, but it too is mostly O scale and Lionel, big $$ stuff. There are a few other "hobby shops" around here, but they mostly carry R/C cars and planes.

I'm still looking for that local shop where I can go look at train stuff (HO scale), BS with some guys and buy things, but as of right now I do most of my hobby shopping online. I've always ordered stuff from Walthers. They have pretty much everything in stock. I'm sure there are other places, maybe even some better, but I've always been comfortable with Walthers (even when I was in the hobby years ago) and have bought lots of stuff from them over the years.

Lots of stuff on fleabay, if you don't mind dealing with them (I swore off them several years ago after too many bad experiences), and there's always train shows (at least around here every couple of months).

Best of luck.

P&LE

 

[Cjcrescent]

Atlas track has pretty much been in short supply ever since the factory shakeup in China. While I feel for you not having a true LHS to shop at, after reading these forums since 2004, an joining in 2005, the most recommended online shop on here seems to be http://www.modeltrainstuff.com which is MB Klein's in Baltimore. Great prices and great service from what I hear. I haven't had to rely on online ordering since we have a good shop here.

 

[ad356]

I do have a local hobby shop but their selection of HO gauge stuff is almost non-existent and the stuff is way overpriced. I saw a single piece of athern rolling stock for $44, nothing fancy just a grain car. or could it be that I was used to prices from 8 years ago and our money is now truly worthless so everything is allot higher then it used to be. the hobby shop had a much better selection the last time I was there, which was a while ago. what I need is a train shop and not a one size fits all hobby shop that carries trains, plastic models, arts and crafts, well you guys get the idea. not much focus on model trains and then only the really expensive O gauge, I guess that's where the real money is on $1,200 locomotives.

well enough of my rant. I will check out modeltrainstuff

also is atlas code 83 the way to go for the $$ or is there better out there for the money. I always kind of stuck with atlas, it's a name that I am familiar with and I always thought the product quality wasn't too bad and the prices weren't cheap but fair.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

I think you might have trouble with the two 4x8 sheets butted together unless you are butting them end to end. A 8x8 square will make it difficult to reach to the center parts and encourage the little guy to climb up on it.

 

[Selector]

I would generally agree....sheets of plywood are limiting and often a waste of central space that will either stay looking like flat plywood or have to have a hill or be scenicked one way or another...but essentially unusable.

However, t'aint necessarily so. The key is to ensure you don't have to pull up stools to reach turnout throwbars, or to place items of rolling stock back on the rails if they derail. Elbows destroy scenery, and having to reach hard-to-reach places quickly helps a layout to lose its appeal...and eventually you lose interest after all that expense. Yet, if you do keep all your track elements reachable on a sheet of ply, we come back to my original observation...the center becomes a wasteland or something of a bother/expense to make it look decent and belonging.

I would urge you to consider building a few 5' long bench modules and pinning them together so that the tracks line up each time you pin them. Quick wire disconnects solve the electrical power issues from module to module.

 

[dinwitty]

usualy you dogbone the 4x8's making an L shape, but restricts you to 18"-22" radius. If thats your limit, fine. Dogboning will make a more interesting layout, for your child you might designate an outer loop for him to run while you run your own, or make another layout for him.

 

[alcoman]

Welcome back to the hobby.

If you can make those tables 6'x8' you open up a lot more layout possibilities and can make the curves bigger. Cut the plywood into 2'x8' pieces and leave an access opening in the center of each table. Lumber stores will usually cut panels for free.

One thing I did when my kids were small was 'give' them a siding at the front edge of the layout. They had some cheap train cars and other small toys to play with while I worked on other things. That area didn't have any easy to break items too close to it.

 

[Cjcrescent]

...I also have a 3 year old son that loves trains, he is constantly watching chugington. I want a layout where daddy can play with his models and my son can play as well. ...

My grandson is also into Chuggington. He turns 4 next week. While he has the Brio type wooden trains and the plastic Chuggington sets, he wants something like his Gop, (me) has.

Either later on this year, or early next year, Bachmann will be offering the Chuggington engines and some of the cars, scaled to run on HO track. They will be coming DCC ready, with a decoder installed, or with DCC and sound installed.

Grandson will be getting some as soon as they come out.

 

[otiscnj]

Alcoman's idea of 6' x 8' gives you lots of options. Even a 5' wide layout has more possibilities than 4x8. Peco makes decent track and switches, possibly made in England.