Quote from: jward on December 24, 2014, 10:08:34 PM
I have a rail chief set. yes I would recommend. steel track can be replaced at a later date. bear in mind the cost of all the equipment and track in the set, with the 40% off coupon at hobby lobby the price is about $120 for what would list at over $300 if bought as individual pieces. I would, however recommend that any additional track purchased be nickel silver, and that the steel track be used on sidings if possible.

in the old days we used brass track, which was much worse than steel to keep clean. this is a dc set so keeping track clean won't be as uch of an issue as it would be with dcc.

That was my first thought too, that I could purchase the set to get up and running and replace track as time and money allow. As it stands, I'm not even sure what layout I want to do. Since this is a DC set, is it upgradeable to DCC or is DCC something I can add on to it later on down the road?

I'm thinking about going with the Bachman Rail Chief HO Set to get me up and running with. I think its a pretty close approximation of what ran on local lines.

Also, what about scales? I was thinking of going HO because its widely popular and theoretically accessories would be easy to come by but while at the local hobby shop I noticed the selection of N scale was better than HO.

Any considerations one way vs the other? I mean other than size and space?

Quote from: jward on December 23, 2014, 10:22:50 PM
I am not a steam expert, but I can offer suggestions for the diesel era.

p&e was a new York central property, so any new York central painted locomotives should be appropriate. p&e itself owned a fleet of gp7s, which Bachmann makes in nyc colours.

Illinois central ran a huge fleet of gp9s, which Bachmann also makes. they also had a sizeable fleet of gp40s painted orange and white.

the Bachmann caboose is similar to those used by Burlington and Wabash, both of which ran in Illinois. the heart of the Wabash was its terminal in Decatur.

in addition to the Bachmann starter sets, those of athearn are good quality, walthers trainline are decent as well. keep in mind that if one set doesn't have everything you want, you can mix and match brands to get what you want.

This is exactly what I was looking for, something like this. To be honest I'm getting lost! I know that Champaign was part of the Illinois Central and also part of the Wabash, Peoria and Eastern Railway, and the Big four Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis lines at one time or another. Also realizing that I may have to start with Diesel until I can find a Steam Locomotive.

What about layouts? It seems that a lot of these lines are straight runs instead of a loop, how does that work out?

Thanks!
Tim

Quote from: Hunt on December 23, 2014, 08:24:46 PM
Suggest you forget train sets and focus on locomotives and rolling stock that are appropriate for what you want to model. 

Thats kind of what I was thinking as well, but wasn't sure if there was a set out there that would be a close approximation.

Hello everyone!

After my previous post about being new to the model railroad hobby and asking what next, I've come to need some advice on a Train Set. Now I know I'm posting this on a Bachman forum, but please if there is another manufacturer out there that will fit better then please suggest it!

Now, I'm looking to model some of the track in and around Champaign, IL which was located on the Illinois Central Line as well as the Peoria and Eastern Railway company (part of the Big four Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis Railway). I found a great roster of IC Steam Locomotives here: http://www.illinois-central.net/Steam%20Roster/SteamRoster.html

Alternatively I'm looking at creating a steampunk railroad to incorporate with my fantasy minis from my board games.

Anyways, for the Prototype, what would be a good approximate starter set ?

Thanks!
Tim

Quote from: jward on December 23, 2014, 01:21:49 AM
champaign is on the Illinois central isn't it? try the Illinois railway museum or the ic historical society. you can also search www.fallenflags.org for photos of the ic.

Indeed, Champaign is on the IC and found some great info on the IC historical society's web site. There is also another line the runs East-West through town as well.

I also was meaning to ask, is there a site out there that is like google maps, but for railroads?

Quote from: jward on December 20, 2014, 12:40:19 AM
where is local?

Local is Champaign, IL.

Quote from: Doneldon on December 20, 2014, 04:44:56 PM
FX-

If you know the railroads which operated in the area which interests you,
do a search for them. Virtually all major railroads and most regional lines
have historical societies which are wonderful resources.
                                                                                    -- D

This is kinda what I am trying to do. I did come across this so far: http://www.cumtd.com/about-us/history/railroads

Quote from: Jerrys HO on December 20, 2014, 07:48:57 AM

FX,
I see you are more like a very few others and me,  where you are not so much into historical accuracy. I love to run trains and build the scenery. Everyone that visits my railroad does not have a clue that "an SD70ACE did not run in the early 70's".
Not knowing much about railroads I have been building layouts for years mostly O scale but now HO.
Which ever route you choose whether it's prototypical or not, the MOST IMPORTANT thing is to enjoy having FUN with your SON.
My son was not into railroading but I did find that he is interested in r/c cars. For now I am back into r/c's having a blast with him and occasionally I get to the garage to have a little quiet time with my trains (they sure do miss me ).
If you get a chance check this thread out I started awhile back, there are many folks who shared their skills with the rest of us. ENJOY and do what you like, as you will find a lot of praise and a few that will have their own way of doing things.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,20416.0.html


Jerry

Yes, I'm actually thinking of doing two different layouts. I have room in the basement to allow for it. I'm thinking of doing a historical setup based on the routes in the area, or possibly my hometown of Joliet, IL as opposed to Champaign, IL. And the other I'd love to do a setup using the miniatures from my fantasy board games including building a steampunk locomotive.

Thanks everyone for the info and support! Its been really helpful. Once I can figure out the historical track, I'll be in need of some advice as to the best "set" to get started with.

Thanks!
Tim aka Fxguy

Thanks for the information!

So I visited the local library and pulled some of the recommended books for further reading. Is there a good source to find / research local lines / trains?

Thanks!

Hello everyone!

So I was out shopping for a Christmas present for my soon to be 15 month old son and since he likes Dinosaur Train I thought maybe he'd like an actual train set. We had gotten him the Thomas and Friends wooden railway and while he sort of likes it, he's not that into having to push the train himself. So I happened across a Bachman Thomas and Friends Troublesome Tracks set in the Scratch and Dent section of the local hobby store. It was basically just the track and controlled. It was missing the locomotive and the two cars. I then happened to find the James locomotive and car for it and after it was all said and done I got the set for $75 (also with a Thomas and Friends wooden railway 15 pc expansion set).

So I got a great deal! I get it home and put it together and its missing the power connector that snaps on the track. So I took a couple of insulated wires from an electronics kit and made the connection and low and behold it works great! Best part is the laughter from my son as he watches it go around. :-)

Anyways, now I'm hooked on the idea of model railroads..... So, where do I start? I know this is a Large Scale set and so I was looking at perhaps getting a small HO scale set to start off with and go from there. Any suggestions? I'm more drawn by the system of track and control and the possibilities of railroad crossings and bridges and tunnels than I am about the locomotives themselves. I mean just not that into historical accuracy as I am more of the "fun" part of just building.

So any suggestions? Also don't want to break the bank (which looks all too easy to do in this hobby! )
Also suggestions for my son to at least let him explore the trains and if he likes it be able to "grow" into more sophisticated setups. I don't want to "force" him to like something his dad likes if he's just not into it, but want to foster that I will be into whatever he is into. :-)

Thanks guys!