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KenFountain

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Hello everyone, I am new here and new to model railroading. I am wondering which make of trains y'all favor and why? I have seemed to do more research on Kota and Bachman but I have not bought a set yet. I am looking for any guidance you folks would like to pass along to a total newbie such as what would be the best way to start as far as size etc. I am looking forward to learning this hobby and enjoying it. Thanks
 
I pretty much stick with the finer models that have best detail. Decoders of Soundtrax or ESU fit my expectations for options.
I've given away all the models of Tyco, Bachman or Lionel that I came into possession of over the years. Unless they can be detailed to resemble something other than a toy for the kiddies, I won't bring em home.
 
I'm with Ken. I too prefer to buy higher quality stuff. Early on I bought some inexpensive Bachman cars that gave me problems and as a beginner didn't know how to go about correcting them. Most of the time I still wouldn't :oops:. Almost no problems with the more expensive stuff. Last problem I had with a finer model was corrected by just backing off the screw for the trucks (the assembly which holds the axels and wheels)

As for size (scale), HO is the most popular but I guess it depends on how much room you have, what you want to model and other factors.

Locomotives? If sound and lighting effects is important to you that's easy. Go DCC as supposed to DC. It is an expensive hobby in my opinion but DCC starter systems aren't too bad and can be expanded over time if desired.

Good luck!!!
 


Kato and Bachmann are opposite ends of the spectrum.

If you want quality to build upon, then go with Kato.

If you're not absolutely sure this hobby is for you go with Bachmann.

I learned a long time ago. Buy once, cry once, and if you buy junk it will always be junk. I don't consider Bachmann junk. It's just not the level of mechanical or detail quality I want.
 
One strategy that will build your fleet and teach you a lot, is to get inexpensive freight cars, tune up the trucks and axils, and convert to Kadee couplers. They won't roll real well and the detail isn't good, but you'll have cars to use for now, and you'll have learned how to fix running problems.

Eventually, you'll find what you enjoy most in the hobby. If it's operation, you could well continue to use those cars, perhaps converting to metal wheelsets. But if you want nicer models or come to enjoy fine scale modelling, replace these cars.

But don't skimp on locomotives or trackage.
 
Just reading your first post again and saw the word, "set".
If you're focusing on a train set, your term in model railroading is already set and the set will soon be in the hands of the kiddies out in the sand box.
I would recommend you seek out a local model railroad club and just hang out with them for awhile. There will be plenty of train stuff with them to get the feel of as well as model railroad operating equipment, i.e. train control, track, benchwork, rolling stock and tools to name a few items.
Choose your scale of interest after visiting a few clubs. A good place to find em will be at train shows. You'll usually find 1 or more train clubs or various scales set up in the venues of the train shows. They are there to meet the public which is exactly what you are looking for.
I just took a quick look for model train stuff in your area. Geezo, what a bleak desert for model trains.
I do see a train club in Prattville, AL, near Montgomery. I know there's an HO club in Gadsden, AL.
 
I agree. Train sets are typically toys lacking detail and build quality. Model railroaders seldom buy toy train sets, but rather buy quality, individual locomotives, rolling stock, and control electronics.

My brands differ than most here because of the location of my railroad, so I won't recommend any of those to you unless you plan to model a European railroad.
 
RhB Michael said:
D&J RailRoad said:
Just reading your first post again and saw the word, "set".
If you're focusing on a train set, your term in model railroading is already set and the set will soon be in the hands of the kiddies out in the sand box.
I would recommend you seek out a local model railroad club and just hang out with them for awhile. There will be plenty of train stuff with them to get the feel of as well as model railroad operating equipment, i.e. train control, track, benchwork, rolling stock and tools to name a few items.
Choose your scale of interest after visiting a few clubs. A good place to find em will be at train shows. You'll usually find 1 or more train clubs or various scales set up in the venues of the train shows. They are there to meet the public which is exactly what you are looking for.
I just took a quick look for model train stuff in your area. Geezo, what a bleak desert for model trains.
I do see a train club in Prattville, AL, near Montgomery. I know there's an HO club in Gadsden, AL.
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I have decided to use DCC equipment from the start. Do you have a favorite brand for locomotives, control systems and track. You are right about the lack of groups or shows so I am going to have to do the bulk of learning from reading and videos. I appreciate your reply and help and any tips you would care to impart wil be welcomed. BTW I am pretty well on an unlimited budget so what size layout do you say I would ultimately try to build?
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"I have decided to use DCC equipment from the start. Do you have a favorite brand for locomotives, control systems and track. You are right about the lack of groups or shows so I am going to have to do the bulk of learning from reading and videos. I appreciate your reply and help and any tips you would care to impart wil be welcomed. BTW I am pretty well on an unlimited budget so what size layout do you say I would ultimately try to build?"

START SMALL!!! Learn from your mistakes and figure out what you want out of the hobby before jumping down the rabbit hole. Small mistakes are less expensive than BIG ones.

If you are going to go DCC, then buy an NCE unit, BLI/Genesis/Rapido engine and cars representing your favorite line, and start with a large oval, 2 or 3 sidings, and get your technique down. Once you have that done you can figure out what sort of rail empire you want.;)
 
Your choice for a DCC system should depend on available help for troubleshooting and learning.
Some will suggest the Mongolian Yickshute DCC system that only two people in the US vaguely know about. Others will tell ya you should consider building your own DCC system from available schematics available online and another source to buy all the components. It's easy, according to them.
Some will want to steer ya to a system that will save ya $20 but it's a PITA to operate and available tech support is open only three months out of the year.
Take your time. Look for opportunities to touch and hold the components yourself as well as see the operating manual.
 
Just for the heck of it look into the Ring Engineering Railpro system.
(Sorry, not intending to complicate your decision but it is another option)
It’s about the same initial cost as starting in DCC but eliminates all the fiddling around with CV's.
It’s sort of like DCC and not at the same time, and unlike the Mongolian Yickshute it has support.

The downside is you’re unlikely to find a loco with it already installed but it’s super easy to add to a DCC ready mechanism.
When we downsize a few years down the road I’ll be doing a switching layout and ditching the DCC.
 
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D&J RailRoad said:
Your choice for a DCC system should depend on available help for troubleshooting and learning.
Some will suggest the Mongolian Yickshute DCC system that only two people in the US vaguely know about. Others will tell ya you should consider building your own DCC system from available schematics available online and another source to buy all the components. It's easy, according to them.
Some will want to steer ya to a system that will save ya $20 but it's a PITA to operate and available tech support is open only three months out of the year.
Take your time. Look for opportunities to touch and hold the components yourself as well as see the operating manual.
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THIS!!! ↑↑↑↑↑↑

By the way, I also recommend RailPro. ;) Way better than the Yickashute! 🤣 🤣 🤣
DCC has TONS of support and experienced people willing to help. Lots of great systems to choose from (and a few that are crap). If you end up going to a club, It's almost a guaranty they'll be using a big name DCC system like NCE. Starter systems are okay (that's what I started with in the DCC world), but you'll find they can be quickly outgrown if you really get into the hobby.
I went with RailPro for my railroad for the same reason I prefer iPhones to Android: I find it so much easier to use and to be so much more intuitive to understand. Plus, consisting is so easy my 7 year old can do it! :D

I also highly agree with Marlin39. Start smaller, get a feel for what you like, and go from there.
I've loved model trains since I was a kid. I got a little Bachmann DC set as a gift and had it set up on the living room carpet many times. Shockingly, I still have most all the components. It wasn't until MUCH later in life that I had a space to set up an actual layout. That layout has expanded, changed, been torn apart and even torn down. Right now I am in the process of rebuilding modular style after tearing down nearly my entire layout. It has been a journey of exploration, frustration, and imagination - through which my little Bachmann loco has been with me, running the rails I laid before it, the whole time.

... not the Bachmann loco that was in that first set... I murdered that poor thing before I was 10! 🤣 Still got it though. :)
 
HO Adventure said:
Athearn and Mantua. Built like tanks. Long running. Parts available.
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Having been in the hobby for over 70 years (having started with an American Flyer train set at about 8 years of age, switching to HO scale as a teen), and having more Atherarn Blue Box diesels and Mantua steam locomotives, some of which have been converted to DCC, but most still DC), I would certainly agree with you.

But for someone brand new to the hobby, I would say those choices are getting ahead of the game. The first thing the new modeller must decide is why are they getting into it in the first place? Are they looking for a new hobby, and introduced to it from what they have read about it, some friends? Do they have youngsters that they are trying to bond with in the hobby, even if the young ones are still quite little. Is the newcomer interested in just seeing trains run, or getting into operations or at least some switching? How much room is available for something besides around the Christmas tree? How much money is available to start? (I can't afford drugs, alcohol or wild, wild women...I'm a model railroader!)

Is there a particular era that interests the modeller? Is there some event or experience of a relative that is interesting? (In my case, I model the '40's and 50's, because as a child, I rode the original Pioneer and Mark Twain Zephyrs, and later the C&NW 400's. If they could make me younger, the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago could use me as a model or docent on the Pioneer Zephyr down in the basement!)

If the modern era is what they have been exposed to, then the modern diesel models will be of more interest.

I certainly agree that the newby should get in touch with a club or clubs if there are any nearby. And, above all, the new model rail should NEVER be afraid to ask questions, general and specific!

Best wishes and "Green board all the way!"
 
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