Model Train Advice?

[Herknav]

My youngest LOVES trains. We are going to get him a model train set for Christmas. Because of my job, I move a lot. I want something that can be carted around from place to place, so I'm thinking elaborate setups are out of the question. For similar reasons, I'm thinking I want to stay small scale. (I'm thinking HO, but am open to whatever.)

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Herk

 

[EdwardM]

I think much depends on the age of your child and your thoughts on how he or she handles their toys.

For a younger person (say up to age 10 but that's arbitrary) I think it's hard to beat the Lionel O or O27 size items. I say Lionel because I suspect most can relate to their size but there are other makers with nice offerings in that class such as Williams and MTH. These can also probably stand somewhat rougher handling than the smaller scales.

I have a few pieces in On30 which is O scale that runs on HO track. The equipment is noticeably smaller than the Lionel style.

Have you also looked at S scale? This was the old American Flyer size and there are some newer makers now in the field.

HO certainly offers a huge variety of items and if you feel your child can handle them with the care they deserve would be a fine choice. The smaller scales such as N and Z might be too small for a youngster to easily handle.

Not an easy choice but hope this helps.

Ned

 

[JcMack]

I still have a few N Scale Atlas steam locos I bought from a hobby shop going under in the 80's. You can build a respectable layout on a hollow core door using N guage. Moving it without damage however is a problem. For anyone under 10 I'd say stick with O gauge. Most N or HO has to have rail joints soldered or your in for constant problems.

 

[G.T. Smith]

I am not sure of the gauge, but I got an American Flyer for Christmas in 1960. It was a big oval set up with a car disconnecter and these little red capsules of great smelling oil you have to put down the smoke stack to get smoke. The little feller on the back of the caboose went in and out when you started and stopped. It was an easy set up and take down outfit. It has taken almost 50 years of use and still runs good. I never could find any of that oil after the Western Auto went out of business in our town.
Peace,
gordon

 

[Poorshooter]

I have four kids. We first tried HO, but I foundn that it and smaller scale were just to delicate for younger kids. They broke a lot of cars and locomotives, even though they were not being rough. I think those scales are better for permanent layouts rather than something to put up and take down frequently. Larger scales are better.
My kids favorite from about age four through about 14 was a Lego. Lego used to make a pretty neats set, easy to manipulate, fun for the kids to assemble and lay out track, and durable. I bought several extensions and add ons and they could build a layout that would fill a couple of rooms. I probably had at least $500 in that set and still have it. Lego would come out with different trains every so often. Unfortunately, they no longer offer this design. Maybe ebay?
Other than that, go to larger scale like O. I think they have more fun when they can do a lot of the assembly themselves.
I have a z-scale set too. Don't even think about that. Really cute, really expensive, Too tiny for young hands, and my old ones too. But you can make a layout in 2-3 sq feet, if you wanted.

 

[310Pilot]

Depending on his age, tinplate O scale (think Lionel) may be the best choice, but if he's old enough, HO would also be good, and would provide a good basis for eventually graduating from "toy trains" to more in-depth modeling. Regarding portability, the best approach would probably be to build the layout in modules, which has been an increasingly popular technique over the last 10-20 years. Basically, you build a small section of the railroad (say 2' x 4-8') on standard benchwork, with the main line and, in some cases, additional tracks, at standardized locations, allowing quick assembly and disassembly for moving. There are a number of standards for this type of modeling, and several associations dedicated to it, many of which have meets around the country at which different modellers attend, bringing some of their modules, and connecting to others, to form large layouts. I recommend you check out some of the model railroading magazines, such as Model Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsman for additional info. You may also want to contact the National Model Railroad Association for more info. All have websites, I just don't have them handy. Hope this helps, and I'm sure your youngest will enjoy his trains!

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I have moved alot my self. found the twin bed that has the drawes in the base of the bed it just right. I took a piece of 1/4" plywood and atached to the chip board that the mattress on and covered with green felt (for grass) you can set a double track around it, store your building and stuff inside where the drawers are. When he isn't playing with the train you two can build building for the time you build around. I like the old logging trains and stuff. Have fun - John

 

[Herknav]

Bullseye, what gauge are you running with that setup?

Anybody--I think you've convinced me to go O gauge. What is the difference between 2 and 3 rail?

Thanks,
Herk

 

[moosedog]

I would choose O gauge. The stuff has a wide variety of animation, sound and enough realism to hold the child's attention long after they watch a HO scale or smaller go around the track.
It's basically geared toward children (of all ages) while HO and N is more prototypical.
I have a 16 x 35 room with a HO lay out on it that adults spend hours looking at, but kids loose interest quickly and would rather run and watch my Lionel or MTH equipment. Just my experience.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Ok, quick primer on model train gauges vs. scale.

"O" gauge is refers to the distance between the rails.
"O" scale is the exact size of the models, which is 1:48 scale for Lionel/MTH scale models.

Three rail O gauge trains will be far more user (child)friendly, much more available, and will have many more features and play value for $$$$ spent. Two rail O scale trains are for specialty modelers that want the most realism, and will typically shy away from anything that does not look like something in real life, and true to scale.

Most O gauge 3-rail trains are only approximately scale, but because of that, they don't have as many small parts that will break off and not as easily damaged. Now, there are true scale, 3-rail trains, but these are more expensive and are known as "Hi-rail" trains. Many in the HO and 2-rail O-scale hobby look down upon 3-rail hobbyists as "playing with toys," but the advantages to easily wiring in accessories more than makes up for the aggravations of other hobbyists.

Since the bottom fell out of the Lionel boom some years ago, you can find some good used sets from the postwar period up to 1980's that were still made in the good old USA for very reasonable prices when compared with the new Chinese stuff. Get a good die cast 2-4-2 Lionel steam set with a can motor, and it'll last forever. It's the "Model 10" of the electric train world.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Bullseye, what gauge are you running with that setup?

Anybody--I think you've convinced me to go O gauge. What is the difference between 2 and 3 rail?

Thanks,
Herk

I am running the "H" size, They may be easy to tear up, but on Flea bay they are cheap to replace.

 

[safearm]

I've had model railroads since I was a kid. Like most, I started with O guage, Lionel and Marx 3 rail. By high school, I was in HO and have never changed, although I have been seriously condsidering HOn30, which is smaller sized HO that runs on N guage track. I agree that most children (10 or less) would be best served with a larger, more robust set, like Lionel.
HO guage has more opportunities to model. You can model anything from the start of railroading to modern, high speed diesels and electrics. You might want to buy a couple of Walthers catalogs, one for HO and one of their large guage catalogs.
Another option is G Guage, which is large. LGB makes fine, expensive sets as well as individual cars and accessories. Bachman makes some sets that are battery powered, so no powerpack is required. These sets are robust, but take up a lot of space.