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I am planning to get a starter model train set for my boyfriend for
Christmas. I believe he had one when he was little, but his mom threw
it out. I have no idea which set or type to get him. I looked online
and there are different designations like HO and N and I'm not sure
what the difference between these is..and which I should get so he has
a track and a couple cars. He would then be able to build on it from
there. Any help for a beginner for be appreciated. I am looking in the 150-200 price range. |
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-HO refers to train that are in a scale of 3.5mm = 1 ft or 1/87th of full
size. N scale is a smaller scale, about 1/2 of HO with a proportion of 1.160 of full size. A typical HO freight car is about 6" long, while a
similar car in N would be 3" long. HO has long been the most popular scale,
with the largest variety of equipment, buildings, track, and detail parts,
but N scale has come on strong and is nor a close second.
Because of it's size, craftsman still tend to HO if they want to detail and
paint models to match specific real RR locomotives or cars, but more and
more folks are achieving very accurate results in N. Again, in the past, HO
trains operated more reliably because of their size, but again, N scale has
made great strides, and is now about the same reliability. What are your
friends interests - is he a handyman/craftsman, a collector, or something
else?
The other big factor is space. A basic starter HO layout is often built on
a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood, but operators soon want to expand to larger
layouts. A similar N layout can be done in a little more than 1/2 the
space, or quite an empire can be built in 4 x 8. Modular layouts are also
popular, where a hobbyist builds a couple sections with standardized ends
that will mate with modules by other folks. Groups then meet to make huge
layouts of a dozens or hundreds of modules. This was initially most common
in N scale (search Google for "Ntrak"), but is becoming popular in other
scales. How much space does your friend have to give to the hobby?
My strongest advice would be to not buy a packages set. These often have
lower quality components that will be frustrating in the long run. Go to a
reputable hobby shop (buy a copy of "Model Railroader" magazine and look at
the list of shops by state on the back pages), and work with them to
assemble a set. In HO, Athearn and Proto-1000 make good quality locomotives
for less than about $50. Buy a mix of ready to run cars and some car kits
so your friend can find out what he likes. Choose cars lettered for the
RR's that ran where he grew up. Atlas is a well known maker of track
components. MRC is a good name for power-packs. -What a wonderful girlfriend you are. I hope he appreciates your efforts.
The deaignations HO and N are the letter designations for the Scale that the
trains are made to. HO is 1:87. That means that it is reduced from life 87
times. Thus an 87 foot item in real life will be 1 foot long in HO.
In N scale, the reduction is 160 times.
Reliable train sets can be had in both scales. In HO, Atlas and Athearn make
the best sets. Athearn is very relilable, durable and easily repaired (if
required). I would stay away from the plain Bachmann sets. If it says
Bachmann Spectrum then it is an alright set.
If he has a favorite railroad, then you might look for a locomotive and
caboose that is marked with that railroad. If he doesn't, then just buy
something that pleases you. (If you have a local hobby shop, they might also
sell gift cirtificates so he can choose exactly what he wants.)
I would also invest in some model magazines such as Model Railroader,
Railroad Model Craftsman, Railmodel Journal as well as some beginner books.
Atlas and Kalmbach print very good basic books as well as track plans with
the inventory that you will need and instructions on how to build the
benchwork or table top you will need for the railroad.
You might also consider not buying a set, but individual components to make
up a set. The reason for this is so you can get exactly the things that
please you and him. Inexpensive Athearn engines, cars and Atlas track with
an MRC transformer will have you running your rr with quality components. (Shameless Plug Alert)
If you are in the South East Michigan area, visit Joe's Hobby Center on
Grand River Avenue and Drake Road in Farmington, and we can show you some
choices and explain the differences. -These might help:
Thor's All Gauge Page:
http://www.thortrains.com/
NMRA's "Purchasing Model Railroad Equipment:
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/purchase.html |
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