I want to see if I can get my daughters (4 and 7) interested in model trains by setting up a temporary layout under the Christmas tree. I have loved model (and real) trains since I was a kid, and thought this might be fun for the three of us. If they don't care for it, I'm ok with that, since I still like them and can eventually work up a layout. I think that sound or sound and smoke would clinch the deal for them. I am struggling with the decision of whether to go with an O scale 3-rail Lionel TMCC railsounds-equipped set for about $300-$350 off ebay (a $450 set retail) or an HO setup with a nice DC/sound loco and a couple cheaper basic DC locos for them to goof around with. With either scale, I'd use integrated track so that the layout initially can be modified on the carpet to various configurations while we see if the girls are getting into it at all after the holidays. The up side to O scale is the quality of the sound and the sheer size. The down side of the O is also the size and cost; not so much initial cost, but more of cost of turnouts and other locos and rolling stock, though I guess I'd have room for a lot less of it. The up side to HO is we can make a bigger carpet empire, and buy more locos, stock, switches and track. The down side to HO is the apparent fragility of the equipment, the higher potential difficulty of railing the small trucks, and the seemingly lower quality of the sound (less bass, depth). Cutting to the chase, here are my main questions: 1. what would be a well-performing, dc (not dcc) HO scale loco that has nice sounding sound? I've heard that p2k, Spectrum, and BLI models are good. What are some others? 2. is there any good HO sound/smoke equiped DC steam locos that don't cost $300+? 3. is there much difference in quality between Atlas, Bachmann and LifeLike integrated roadbed track? 4. what would you do in this situation? O or HO? 5. [somewhat unrelated] does anyone make british steam in HO scale? or is it all OO? who makes decent running brit steam that is available here in the US? FYI--I tried out some n-scale stuff, thinking that would be the way to go, but got rid of it. I loved how it worked, but it was just too small for the kids to deal with, and honestly, it lacked the "presence" I was looking for. HO is what I grew up with, and think it's a great compromise size (like most of the world).
I can only write to point 4. With 7 I would go with H0, But 4? Our children had LGB and Playmobil, with is compatible. And they used it a long time. And they had much fun. I've bought used material, too. I myself got my first train with 3, nearly 4, an 0 scale train. I wish I had it still. I changed to H0 with about 7 years and lost all with 15 when we absconded from Eastern Germany in 1961. Wolfgang
I have a few each of P2k and BLI and they seem good. Possibly not. Sound is still a premium 'extra' so mostly it is found on the better engines. That said you can get BLI Blue Line (DC) diesels for about $150, so there may be steamers around for $200. Dig around - with the current financial woes there will likely be some heavy discounting about for a while. The other catch is that decent models, and especially steam ones, have a lot of fragile detail and motion parts that be very easily destroyed. Getting my P2k Heritage steamers out of the box onto the track, and vice-versa, is a real exercise in "where the heck can I put a finger to lift this without crushing anything?". For a first few you might consider getting cowled diesels or hood units without fitting the handrails - they'd be more tolerant of the 'sudden hand' I don't know, but Kato Unitrak is very good. Try and foretell the future . If you expect to make a layout regardless of your kids level of interest, then go for the scale you think will work in the space you may have. I'm not into British these days, but from the exhibitions I go to I think HO is rare. The unfussy majority use 00, the fussier (OK, the rivet-counters ) use things like P4 or EM (I think - don't quote me) which correct the scale:gauge issue by using the 00 scale bodyshell with a wider track gauge (about 18mm IIRC). You may find the odd H0 item - many, many years ago I had a (Lima IIRC) 'Western' which was H0; the review said this didn't notice much as the prototype was (by UK standards) a hefty piece of work!
Oh, by-the-by. Most H0 sound systems are based on DCC decoders - even the BLI Blue Lines use one for the sound and can be programmed with DCC. Most, if not all, DCC units have an automatic DC mode (that is if placed on DC track they will behave much as a DC loco would), so don't restrict your search to just DC - it might be rather short
If you are looking to get your children into trains, a big factor is running trains. For smaller hands smaller scales tend to be a problem. Kids really like to run the trains and play with them. Smaller scales tend to break easier and are generally more fragile. If the things become inoperable the kids will go on to other toys very quickly. Elaborate layouts that are difficult to use or can only be used under supervision will quickly start to collect dust. For a carpet layout I would go with one of the O Lionel train sets. They have various themes such as Harry Potter and the Polar Express that the kids can identify with. These are good quality sets that will take the kids playing with them in stride. The new Lionel molded track that is included seems to be fairly kid and foot proof. The loco's are heavy and will last for a long time. The couplers will not brake off easily and the wheels will stay on the trucks. If you do go with HO get high quality track such as Kato.
