Okay, the standard beginner query: I've always wanted to run train track all over my house on little shelves about eye level... Now I'm actually maybe going to start doing it. My preliminary inquiries lead me to HO scale as being relatively affordable and durable. I'm probably going to be more interested in intensive miniature building and landscaping than in the innards of the trains. I want good detail, reliable mechanics. I can probably do easy electronics, but never have. I live in an apartment. With lively athletic curious cats. Books to start with? I've been told that the best deals can be had at train shows. How about e-bay or other auction sites? Recommended starter kits? Recommended brands? Kato? How to cat-proof? Little plexiglass shields? Can you get these pre-cut or do you have to make your own? Thanks much.
First off, welcome aboard! There are many good books put out by Kalmbach Publishing (the same people who publish Model Railroader and Trains), and your local library should have them. As for locomotives, I'd recommend getting Proto 2000 units on eBay. Proto, Atlas and Kato all make very good running units, but the proto's are the most detailed out of the box and that will be more important at eye level. For cars, I always recommend Athearn cars, but from a detail standpoint, the assembled proto and Intermountain cars are very detailed, though expensive. Plexiglas shields work well (we use them at the BSME to keep kids at bay) but you're going to have to cut your own. You might ask at a big home warehouse if they will cut them for you. Somthing to think about: A layouyt at eye level will ve very visually impressive, but difficult to operate. If you want to do switching, etc, a lower level will be more convienient. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask!
<font color="336633">Is that possable?? First off there is not many dud brands out there, but if you stick to Proto 2000, Kato, Atlas, Athearn Genesis etc you cant really go wrong. I cant speak for train shows in the US but there is some great deals to be had on ebay, just make sure you check the sellers ratings first. as for starter kits i am not really sure, as i have never had one. oh and Welcome to TrainBoard </font> [ 25. July 2002, 20:45: Message edited by: StickyMonk ]
Thanks very much. Now... to pick a theme... Wild West? Modern? English? I can tell the cat-proofing is going to be a challenge. They knocked down the shelf I put up on brackets last weekend. Luckily there was nothing on it, because I knew they were going to do that.
<font color="336633">Burlington Northern in the late 70's early 80's in the Pacific North West </font>
When you say "cats" are we talking domestic pus-sy or mountain lion? (The - is deliberate, else the censor puts **s in ) There was a topic on this a few months back, but no really solid conclusions except for keeping the door shut or getting rid of the cat(s). In fact I've found that having put a decoy of spare baseboard top near the door to the room for a couple of months the cat has now lost interest altogether! (touch wood).
not mountain lions... They're domestic kitties... the little one has an extreme fondness for climbing. Usually to get away from her brother, who seems to be systematically trying to remove her head. Sigh. it was a pretty flimsy shelf. Just designed to hold eyeglasses and a book--we have no room for a nightstand, we're so packed into a one bedroom apt. The trains may have to wait until we get a bigger place, too. But I can plan... Getting rid of the cats is not an option (you should see my husband talking baby talk to them... he's this big strong hairy tough guy, its absurd), and I doubt we'll have a spare room or basement for a few years, as we can't afford a house. So I'll come up with something else. No hurry. My husband was most enthusiastic about a historic British theme... I'm trying to get him interested in this too. What's special about Burlington Northern? [ 01. August 2002, 17:46: Message edited by: gupleton ]
