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Post by seadog03 on May 2, 2024 15:35:45 GMT -8
So I’m new here, I personally haven’t had any electric trains since I was a kid. I loved them and what my dad and I built. It created lasting memories. Today while at a customers house they had a huge box of I believe ho train tracks a couple transformers the cars etc etc. I inquired if the was selling it and they said nope throwing it away. Long story short I received it all. I have a 5 year old and a very autistic 15 year old so figure we can make some memories with them  So first off I did a quick search on google and I’m assuming this stuff is ho because it’s the most common and that’s what the tracks look like. Anyway to be certain of that assumption? Where is a good place to buy tracks locomotives etc at? Once again I’m assuming online? I don’t want to invest to much money till I see if this hobby will keep the boys interest (my youngest I’m pretty sure it will as he loves trains). I’m sure I’ll have more questions along the way, hopefully I didn’t break any rules or ask any completely dumb questions. Thank you for your time and answers. |
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Post by loco8107 on May 2, 2024 15:56:30 GMT -8
Yes online and eBay can yield some good deals on locos and cars.
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Post by loco8107 on May 2, 2024 15:58:33 GMT -8
And the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask. We’re here to help, ask away.
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Post by grahamline on May 2, 2024 16:11:59 GMT -8
'Best place to buy' depends on where you live. Some areas still have good train-focused hobby stores. There are several reliable mail-order shops as well. I live in the western US but often order from Lombard Hobbies in Illinois. Be careful about spending too much money starting out. Mess around with the items your friend gave you, and then decide what you "need."
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Post by edwardsutorik on May 2, 2024 16:44:32 GMT -8
So first off I did a quick search on google and I’m assuming this stuff is ho because it’s the most common and that’s what the tracks look like. Anyway to be certain of that assumption? Welcome! HO track has a distance between the two rails of about 5/8". If yours is close to that, it's HO. I recommend getting a copy of this book: kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12495Ed |
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Post by wagnersteve on May 3, 2024 1:58:55 GMT -8
May 3, 2024, starting close to 6 a.m., EDT
seadog03, welcome aboard!
Depending on where you live, you might also try checking public libraries in your area for books and magazines on model railroading and railroads. Also consider taking your sons to train shows and/or just to watch real trains in locations that are safe. Or take them on an actual train ride.
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Post by lvrr325 on May 3, 2024 12:10:44 GMT -8
Train show.
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Post by loco8107 on May 3, 2024 15:58:56 GMT -8
I was too tired to bring that one up lol. They’re very good for finding bargains! |
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Post by edwardsutorik on May 3, 2024 16:05:29 GMT -8
I was too tired to bring that one up lol. They’re very good for finding bargains! Maybe for someone who's educated in the field, but I don't think for a beginner. I would recommend looking, but not buying. For a beginner. Ed |
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Post by jbilbrey on May 4, 2024 8:09:39 GMT -8
Seadog03,
First, welcome to the hobby and to the forum.
Second, don't be afraid to go to a local model railroad club (assuming there is one) to ask questions. If nothing else, they can tell you of local shops and/or shows.
While some my recommend not going to a train show, I don't necessarily agree with that. First, you will get more exposure to the different scales especially if there are operating layouts at the show. Also, don't be afraid to take a notebook and ask the vendors questions. Explain to them that you are just starting off in the hobby and looking for ideas. Also, explain to them that you have a 5-year-old and 13-year-old. When my friends and I set up in the shows in the past and saw a particularly enthusiastic child, we have been known to slip the parent an extra freight car. We also have steered parents away from more expensive and fragile items on our tables because we knew that broken parts just lead to frustration by the children. In some ways, a F-unit is the perfect locomotive for a child because there are no handrails and other details to break off. On the other hand, steam locomotives, while they tend to catch the children's attention with the moving rods and stuff, tend to break much quicker.
Finally, don't be afraid to get a train-set to start off with. I would avoid the really cheap ones that you typically see around Christmas time. Instead spend a little extra and get a higher-priced Bachmann or Walthers Mainline train-set. You should quickly find out whether or not your children (and you) will be interested in diving deeper in the hobby.
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Post by bnsf971 on May 19, 2024 2:15:38 GMT -8
Since one of your children is autistic, I would suggest starting off with colourful equipment. Chessie, the newer Kansas City Southern, and Southern Pacific Daylight passenger equipment should be good for the beginning. It also adds a bit of "getridability" if everybody involved ends up not liking the whole idea.
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Post by prr 4467 on May 19, 2024 12:57:36 GMT -8
I have one child who is autistic and age 17, and one who is "on the autistic spectrum" with a learning disability and dyslexia, who is 22 and entering his final year of college--when our high school told us PRIOR to 9th grade that he'd NEVER be able to go to college (because of being on the autistic spectrum, and the professional school dimwits wrote him off as being too STUPID to ever attend college).
They were dead wrong! For that and various other reasons I have no respect for high school guidance counselors, because they always think they know so much more than they actually do.
The baseball--which they also thought my sons were too stupid to play--got my son to college and got him scholarships, and he is the only one of his high school class to get to college baseball despite his playing the LEAST for the high school team, behind the 8 other members of his senior class. The travel baseball got him to college, had him pitching in front of college coaches, and yes, he needed some special tutoring but he is still there, has pitched in games, and has never been cut like others he knows who also got to college baseball. He still has one year left to play. He won. He did what they said he could never do and is now actually certified to coach. He learned not to give up on your dreams but to hang in there.
So, on the TV show Big Bang Theory, Sheldon is an autistic character who loves trains, which is actually quite typical for autistics. I also have been told that I have some of the classic autistic traits and have always loved trains since I was a little kid.
There is something about trains that is or can be calming/relaxing for autistics or those on the autistic spectrum--both riding trains, but also watching them whether real trains or model trains. Maybe it provides a sense of order to their world...order amidst chaos.
This is a great hobby. It can teach certain aspects of engineering and other fields to children. My autistics are better at handling trains than the average person who enters a train store. They don't damage the trains but are very respectful of others' property.
I would highly recommend finding the closest local train store to help with specific questions, etc. There you can meet similar-minded people. Our local store here also is run by huge baseball fans, so my kids have a connection to the store owners that goes beyond trains into sports and other areas of life. Some of my best friends in this life were made at the local train store, or through people who I knew from the local train store.
If you have specific questions that you don't want to write publicly, you can always pm me and I will try to answer them as best I can. I once did work in model train retail sales as well as in a model train factory, before my real job.
Most of the people here will be helpful and I wish you the best as a returning hobbyist.
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Post by prr 4467 on May 19, 2024 13:19:37 GMT -8
Beware the public-school teachers who can and do teach kindergardners and first-graders that "model trains are for babies" as literally happened at my local public school, in 2006 and 2007.
My older son stopped playing with trains after hearing that, and we had a small fortune in Thomas trains, videos and books at that point. He loved both the Thomas and real or prototype trains.
Apparently, the public-school teachers would rather my child be playing Grand Theft Auto in first grade instead.
My 17 year old autistic son still does play with trains, in addition to working on his Eagle Scout Project, playing trumpet, and playing baseball, and spending too much time on video games. At least he is well-rounded in life. He also doesn't care what the idiots from the local school might say.
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Post by riogrande on May 19, 2024 14:58:52 GMT -8
Beware the public-school teachers who can and do teach kindergardners and first-graders that "model trains are for babies" as literally happened at my local public school, in 2006 and 2007. My older son stopped playing with trains after hearing that, and we had a small fortune in Thomas trains, videos and books at that point. He loved both the Thomas and real or prototype trains. Apparently, the public-school teachers would rather my child be playing Grand Theft Auto in first grade instead. My 17 year old autistic son still does play with trains, in addition to working on his Eagle Scout Project, playing trumpet, and playing baseball, and spending too much time on video games. At least he is well-rounded in life. Too bad that happened. Probably a one off - I've never heard of that happening ever until now. Did you complain to the teacher? I would have. |
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Post by edwardsutorik on May 19, 2024 15:17:55 GMT -8
I, on the other hand, was invited to come help set up the classroom trains (HO) at one of my grandkids' schools. It was a pretty long drive, so I couldn't show up often enough to do the whole thing. I DID offer a small part of my vast model railroad knowledge. Plus an old Walthers catalog, to thumb through.
That teacher thought model trains were/are great. But knew nothing about them.
I'll add that many teachers would be thrilled to have a parent or two come in and help out with the kids. And concurrently convince those kids that model trains are pretty cool.
Ed
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Post by prr 4467 on May 19, 2024 17:37:22 GMT -8
I wish I could say that was a one-off occurrence. However, it has not been. It actually happened on more than one occasion, both at school and in the nursery in the gym my wife and I have used for 20 years, and the idiots at the local school have never given a darn what I think or have to say about anything because they know so much more about everything than I/we do (ok, the music people are not that way).
Ironically our redneck school is the one located right across the street (US 15) from the former PRR Middle Division Mainline on the west shore of the Susquehanna River. They just tend to be ignorant of the history right in front of them.
I have tried to fight good battles, pick the fights that matter, and have not ever won. There are kids about whom I complained to the athletic director who were being over-used by his coaches to the point of injuring their arms. One just had a sore arm but the other cannot throw anymore, at least not like he once could. They overuse them here until their arms break. I tried to warn.
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Post by prr 4467 on May 21, 2024 17:36:30 GMT -8
Sorry I derailed the topic a bit.
Does anybody have questions they want to ask?
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