Newbie to the hobby

[SGTDDY]

Hello all, I am very very new to the hobby, and have never owend a train set in my life. But i am looking forward to get into the hobby, but dont know where to start. Can someone point me in the right direction to buy a good starter set PLZ?                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

[RAM]

Welcome.  Point you in the right direction.  We don't know what direction you want to go. For one thing, what are your interests.  what part of the country do you live.  May be even you age would help.  Do you like steam locomotives, or do you want to some thing up to date.  If you live in the East, you might want to model NYC, PRR, C7O while if you live in the west it might be SP, UP, ATSF, or BNSF.  Just give us a little feed back.

[jbrock27]

A lot of your choices will be dictated on what your plans and aspirations are.  Do you need DCC or would be content with DC?  Do you have plans and room for a permanent layout?  Or do you want flexibility in having a temporary layout?  Only one certainty, what ever you buy, be sure to get nickel silver track.

(edited for spelling)

[Trainman203]

If you don't know anything just buy a train set you like.  Things will start coming to you.  Most of us started with train sets bought at random  and didn't  know anything  either.

  Bachmann is one of the last purveyors of train sets and have a bunch available last I looked.  Your biggest decisions will  be steam vs Diesel engines and straight DC power vs. DCC / sound equipped. 

Don't buy your first stuff at train shows.  The risk of going wrong is too high.

[jbrock27]

If you don't know anything just buy a train set you like.  Things will start coming to you.  Most of us started with train sets bought at random  and didn't  know anything  either.

What kind of advice is this??  Especially when the OP has the brains and forethought to ask the question he is asking?   And while I agree, that it is quite likely most of us started with some sort of train set, does that mean that everyone has to go that route?   Perhaps a better option turns out being buying components separately.

Don't buy your first stuff at train shows.  The risk of going wrong is too high.

Now this part, I am on board with.

[Trainman203]

It's good advice Brock. He is not sure what he wants.  So steam vs diesel, DC vs dcc / is about as good as I myself can give.

What else would you tell him?

[SGTDDY]

I would like Diesel and DCC i would like all the bells and whistles, i'm a disabled vet and would just love to get into this hobby.                                          thanks for all your alls help.

[Trainman203]

http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=258_269_620

There they are.  You can probably get a more discounted price on line.  You won't go wrong with either of these.  The Bach Man has a lot of great stuff to fill this out more as you go.

[SGTDDY]

I really like the thunder cheif, is that a pretty good set to start with?

[jbrock27]

Only if A) it comes with nickel silver track or B) It does not come with nickel silver track, but you get such a fantastic deal on it, it makes economic sense for you to also go out an buy nickel silver track.

BTW, I PMed you the day you first posted...

[jbrock27]

It's good advice Brock.

Your advice Flory, telling him to just buy a train set you like, is good advice  No way, give us a break

What else would you tell him?

At the time of this (your) post, had you read any of mine?  Have you read any since?  I am not going to do this dudes' shopping or decision making for him, but will be glad to provide answers and feedback as he asks questions, if that approach is ok with you...
As I already stated, a lot depends on what the OPs plans and aspirations are.  Unless you can read his mind (I can't) more info from him would best serve to help him.

Ask away Sarge

PS But let me ask you Sarge, what kind of disability to you have?

(edited for spelling)

[Trainman203]

It's just too hot to argue Brock. 

I think he's got what he's looking for, the point of all of this.

[jbrock27]

It's not that hot here...

I think he's got what he's looking for...

More mind reading?

[Jhanecker2]

To   SGTDDY  :     Get some of the books  on  Model   Railroading   published  by   Kalmbach  or  read some of the magazines  of the Hobby to inform yourself of what is available  and  how the various  systems  operate  .  There is  a good deal of material  out there and it does  help to make decisions as to what your current and long term goals are  .     The hobby  has   many different  aspects  and provides a lifetime  of  enjoyment  . Good Luck  John2

[jbrock27]

I don't see the expenditure of getting books, magazines or any other written publications as necessary to soliciting opinions on and receiving feedback on, a starter train set