Anyone play with HO model trains?

[hillslider]

Well it was rainy the other day so I could not work the Kubota. The kids and I dug out an Athearn Genisis train set I have had for years and never set up. We had a great time. I do not know much about toy train sets so I was wondering if any of you tractor guys or ladies are toy train experts. I want to expand the set. I have learned a little online but need more info. Are there any good web chat pages on this? Name brands to buy or stay away from? Types of track? So far I have noticed that you can spend a lot of money and I want to start out on the right path.

 

[hillslider]

Well it was rainy the other day so I could not work the Kubota. The kids and I dug out an Athearn Genisis train set I have had for years and never set up. We had a great time. I do not know much about toy train sets so I was wondering if any of you tractor guys or ladies are toy train experts. I want to expand the set. I have learned a little online but need more info. Are there any good web chat pages on this? Name brands to buy or stay away from? Types of track? So far I have noticed that you can spend a lot of money and I want to start out on the right path.

 

[pilonidal]

I've always wanted to get into HO trains and hopefully in a couple of years I can get started on a nice set up in the basement. This is a great site I lurk around on for info.
http://www.the-gauge.com/index.php

 

[pilonidal]

I've always wanted to get into HO trains and hopefully in a couple of years I can get started on a nice set up in the basement. This is a great site I lurk around on for info.
http://www.the-gauge.com/index.php

 

[Bird]

I don't even know what the "HO" means in relation to model trains, but I've got a son-in-law who has enough model train stuff to open his own store, I think. I didn't realize until I saw some of his stuff that there are magazines devoted to the model trains, many websites, etc. One whole room in their house is nothing but train tracks and all the model landscaping, etc. I wanted a model train when I was a kid, but couldn't afford one. And I had no idea grown men even had setups like that until I saw his. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Bird]

I don't even know what the "HO" means in relation to model trains, but I've got a son-in-law who has enough model train stuff to open his own store, I think. I didn't realize until I saw some of his stuff that there are magazines devoted to the model trains, many websites, etc. One whole room in their house is nothing but train tracks and all the model landscaping, etc. I wanted a model train when I was a kid, but couldn't afford one. And I had no idea grown men even had setups like that until I saw his. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I "play" with N gage trains. Looking forward to our new house so I can do a set-up in our basement. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I "play" with N gage trains. Looking forward to our new house so I can do a set-up in our basement. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="blue">I don't even know what the "HO" means in relation to model trains </font>

Trains come in various sizes. Z being the smallest commercial size; N is the next larger size. HO stands for "Half O Gauge" and is consequently 1/2 the size of O. S is in between HO and O but closer to O than to HO (think of the American Flyer trains).

O is what Lionel trains are sized as, and generally are what most people think of running under the Christmas tree.

Then there is a screwed up gauge called 1 Gauge or Garden Scale, it is the largest commonly commerical size available and when true to form is 1:32 scale, but often is produced as a Narrow Gauge so some brands are actually larger than 1:32 eventhough all the brands in this range use the same 1-gauge/G-scale track.


The attached photo shows a 1:32 scale European pattern Marklin freight car (over 12" long) and a Z scale 2-6-0 Steam Engine with 3 axle tender (under 3.5" long)

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="blue">I don't even know what the "HO" means in relation to model trains </font>

Trains come in various sizes. Z being the smallest commercial size; N is the next larger size. HO stands for "Half O Gauge" and is consequently 1/2 the size of O. S is in between HO and O but closer to O than to HO (think of the American Flyer trains).

O is what Lionel trains are sized as, and generally are what most people think of running under the Christmas tree.

Then there is a screwed up gauge called 1 Gauge or Garden Scale, it is the largest commonly commerical size available and when true to form is 1:32 scale, but often is produced as a Narrow Gauge so some brands are actually larger than 1:32 eventhough all the brands in this range use the same 1-gauge/G-scale track.


The attached photo shows a 1:32 scale European pattern Marklin freight car (over 12" long) and a Z scale 2-6-0 Steam Engine with 3 axle tender (under 3.5" long)