My first post here...

AZBigDog Dec 22, 2006

  1. AZBigDog

    AZBigDog TrainBoard Member

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    ...so I thought, why not start a thread? I'm no noob to web forums, but I am pretty noob when it comes to this brand new hobby. Got my five month old son a train set for Christmas. I know he's too young, but I figured that as he got older I could do a hobby with him that would teach him a lot working with his hands AND his mind. Anyhow I got the idea when I saw my son respond to a Christmas train a friend of our set up. He just watched the thing go round and round I'd never seen him so entertained for so long- he was captivated.

    Ok, so I want to do things right and usually the best place to find stuff out is right from the people who love and enjoy what they're doing. That's where you all come in.

    For starters I got him a Bachmann set (because it was inexpensive) and it had the roadbed built in- great for the current temporary set up- I hope this will become permanent in the future, but for now it is what it is. The loco that came with this set is an F9 but I wanted to get him a more modern Diesel- (in the end I want him to have something that resembles the trainyards we have here in Tucson, AZ. So that means UP freight)- but I digress, the only "modern diesel" engine I could find locally was a BP 23-7 at a local hobby shop so be it. So now he has a simple little train with a couple of cars and a shiny new loco that KIND OF looks like what they have around here.

    NOW HERE'S THE QUESTION:

    What is the overall consensus on Bachmann? Should I look at other manufacturers? I'm going to eventually do a 4X8 layout- and I'll get into that stuff later, but I want to kind of get an idea as to what's available out there. I had some not so good experiences with a LifeLike set that I set up years and years ago, so I'm hoping that I did better this time, though I don't know- the locos at least are a lot heavier than what I remember from the previous set I purchased. Now I'll shut up and let the experts weigh in. :shade:
     
  2. Stourbridge Lion

    Stourbridge Lion TrainBoard Supporter

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    Welcome to TrainBoard!!!!!!!

    :teeth: :teeth: :teeth: :teeth: ​
     
  3. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    AZBigDog, welcome to TrasinBoard!

    Look at Walthers

    Wolfgang
     
  4. Cleggie

    Cleggie TrainBoard Member

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    Hi AZBigdog,

    Welcome to TB, IMHO you would be better off buying a better quality loco. I have a Bachmann loco on my layout but it is nowhere close in performance and detail to my Atlas locos. They are smooth and quiet while the Bachmann is less smooth and growls its way around.

    I have included a couple of pics. The BNSF Dash-8 is the Bachmann I have weathered it. The UP Dash-8 is an Atlas unweathered as yet, probably not a fair comparison but sums up how I feel about the two manufacturers, one uugg! the other AAAHHH!

    Cheers, Ken.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. AZBigDog

    AZBigDog TrainBoard Member

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    Wow, yeah I see what you mean. I guess around here what you see most is the Dash 9 at least based on cross referencing the loco numbers with what UP's loco roster says. What would I expect to pay for an Atlas? I only paid like 45 for the Bachmann.
     
  6. AKrrnut

    AKrrnut TrainBoard Member

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    AZBigDog,

    Welcome to TrainBoard!

    An Atlas engine is going to cost you between $75 and $150, depending on what model you purchase, and how good of a deal you can get. Kato is another good brand to purchase, although they tend to cost a little more. Athearn is generally good - not on par with Atlas or Kato, but dependable and easy to fix when something goes wrong.

    There are other good brands out there, but these three are a good starting point. Good luck!

    Pat
     
  7. Mike Sheridan

    Mike Sheridan TrainBoard Member

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    I agree with the points about quality. There's nothing to put you off playing trains like engines that run badly, or don't run well, or just don't run :unlove: .

    However, the problem with the 'better' makes (aside from cost) is the high detail level = fragile. (I recently got a P2K 2-8-4 steamer and just getting it in and out of the box is a scary exercise - there's only a couple of places you can grip it that don't have tiny pipes or whatever on them.)

    For a kids layout this is a definite issue. It might be worth seeking out models that come with 'separately applied details' (like the handrails and stuff) and not fit them, or only fit the minimum you can accept for looks.
     
  8. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    Welcome to Train Board,
    For a kids layout I'd say stick to Bachmann and have lots of fun. with a child I wouldn't overlook the steam engines. Steam has a magic power of attraction all of it's own. Those small moving rods and spoked wheels are just cool to look at. They even make some small/cheaper steamers with smoke generators. I would think a kid would get a kick out of seeing smoke come out of the engine stack.

    Roundhouse makes a little 4-4-0 steamer with sound that is relatively cheaper. I bet your son will adore a steamer with sound and a control that allows you to blow the whistle and clang the bell. Also works in DCC.

    Maybe you can purchase some more exotic and pricey stuff for yourself. That way you can sort of do a little of the toy like and a little of the prototype stuff and make everyone happy.

    Bachmann has a DCC system that is fairly cheap. if you are doing a table top setup, the DCC system would allow you to have multiple trains going different directions with only two wires to the track.

    I get this sense that the real train addicted one in your house is you. ;)
     
  9. N_S_L

    N_S_L TrainBoard Member

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    ... um, yeeeeaaaahhhhh suuuuuuuurreeeeee :thumbs_up:


    Welcome !!! :shade:
     
  10. FlamesFan

    FlamesFan TrainBoard Member

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    Welcome to Trainboard!

    Just learning the ropes myself... there is a lot of information and help from other more experienced model railroaders.

    Cheers,
     
  11. Ironhorseman

    Ironhorseman April, 2018 Staff Member In Memoriam

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    I'll add my welcome to TrainBoard too!
    If your railroad is strictly for your son, then I'd stick with the cheapest rolling stock. When my son was small, he wanted to hold the components of the train as much as run it. Sometimes, he would accidently drop them. Fortunately, they never fell to the floor .. just the plywood board.
    As *you* get into this hobby, I'm sure you'll want some better quality rolling stock. TrainBoard has a whole bunch of advertisers who offer some pretty good deals. Check them out.
    Have fun .. and Merry Christmas! :)
     
  12. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    AZBigDog-

    Welcome to TrainBoard!

    :D

    Boxcab E50
     
  13. EricB

    EricB TrainBoard Member

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    I would second the notion of using the Bachmann for your son. That way you wont have a heartattack when your $100 Atlas begins falling towards the floor at 32 ft/sec(squard). Also, the F units are really good for little hands as they don't have things that can break off easily such as handrails.

    Keep in mind , that your son will soon be doing taste tests on everything he can pick up. So watch out for those loose parts.

    My daughter was also captivated with trains when she first saw them. She will still watch them but she is very restless and wants to do other things within a short period of time.

    My suggestion is to build your layout to be kid friendly so that when your son wants to see the train its not a problem. And when he goes to bed you can bring out your detailed locos and cars.

    I agree with geekboy - I think you are the one who wants the trains more. They are a great diversion from life's stress. Enjoy your trains and your family.

    Eric
     
  14. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hi AZBigDog, a Verry Merry Welcome to TrainBoard, and Merry Christmas to boot!
     
  15. Scott R. Vantine

    Scott R. Vantine TrainBoard Supporter

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    Welcome to TrainBoard! I agree with previous statements about keeping the cheaper trains around for the "little one", I remember when I was younger and had a tendency to drop locomotives. Even though the cheaper engines don't run as smooth or quietly as an Atlas or Kato they handle being dropped a bit better. But all that being said enjoy the hobby for yourself as well!
     
  16. Tim Loutzenhiser

    Tim Loutzenhiser TrainBoard Supporter

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    I built this small layout years ago for the kids when they were little. I constructed it so that there is an approx. 1.5 inch high edge around the layout in case of a derailment - that way an engine is less likely to hit the floor. Now when littler ones come to visit, they can operate with IHC and Bachmann power.
    [​IMG]
     
  17. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Welcome to TrainBoard AZ, you have good advice on a 'for now' basis.

    The streamliner F-7 does have air horns that can be a 'swallow' hazard to tiny tots, so watch out for, (or remove) those.

    For now, while he is just 'watching', leave the plastic 'hook horn' couplers (NMRA X2F) on the cars and engine. They do work, and are cheap if you have to replace one.

    Expect to have lots of wrecks, because he will want to 'go fast' naturally, and will have to learn that engines wont couple to cars at 200 miles an hour! He will probably delight in seeing the whole train tip over when going around a flat curve too fast too.
    Expect him to run through turnouts set the wrong way and derail a whole string of cars when he picks up the engine, and the couplers pull all the rest of the train off onto the floor as he turns around to show you.

    The first thing to teach him is how to place all the wheels on the track, and how to make sure the car will roll correctly before trying to run the train.

    Yes, you may eventually buy a 'good' engine for your own pleasure, that is also natural.

    Try to keep you temper and not stomp him to mush when he picks up your $600 dollar super detailed 4-8-8-4 to look at, just when you enter the room and shout at him to LEAVE IT ALONE! He will be startled, and drop it immediately, which will totally destroy it, while he is screaming in fright and Momma is dashing to his aid! Of course you will be the bad guy, so live with it. Get used to the idea, when she says, "Well, you shoudn't have things he can't play with!" (Then you can change hobbies to guns.)

    As he gets older and learns more, and IF he grows to be CAREFUL with the train, then you may wish to experiment with expensive stuff like Kadee couplers, DCC control and all the detailing.

    Some of the guys didn't get tired of Thomas the Tank engine until they were in their twenties! :D
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 25, 2006
  18. BugNerd

    BugNerd TrainBoard Member

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    Isn't the Bachmann Spectrum stuff supposed to be pretty good? I know Bachmann also makes less expensive, lower quaility products as well.
     
  19. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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    I've heard good things about Spectrum steam - not so many about their diesels.
     
  20. AZBigDog

    AZBigDog TrainBoard Member

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    Wow lots of responses while I was otherwise occupied. Thanks for all the info. The idea for a train set for my son was originally mom's. She saw him shout with exhuberance when she was visiting some friends. They had a train going around their tree and the little man was ecstatic about it. I did try to do a train with my daughter when she was a little older than he was, but she never really caught the bug, so that's why I didn't really run out and get started with my son.

    As luck would have it, his grandfather sent him an Athearns set for Christmas with Bachmann EZ track (the silver nickle variety) and a GP38-2 for a loco it even came with a Genesis series boxcar. I must say the detail on the Athearns is far superior to the Bachmann. I will keep these two sets for him, but I think I may decide to do a more detailed layout for myself- initially that wasn't the case, but I think I've caught the bug.

    Here's the plan. Since there are little hands around- not only his, but his 8 year old sister as well- I will probably stick with Athearns for now- it won't too heartwrenching to have to replace an $80 loco! I bought my first- an AC440 (UP) but had to take it back to the hobby shop when it woudln't run out of the box. I'll be waiting for its replacement since it was the last one and they won't be receiving another shipment for about a week. As for layouts, I'll just poke around here ideas. I do have one layout related question though, is it really that bad to run one of those on an 18" radius curve? Will I have lots of derailments? Do I really need to go to 22"?
     

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