| Whether you are new to model railroading or a | | | | you choose, you will find a never ending supply of |
| seasoned veteran, building your own HO railroadwill | | | | trains and accessories available. |
| take considerable planning. It is a little more involved | | | | Will your HO railroad be specific to a certain railroad |
| than just assembling track on a piece of plywood. Will | | | | you may favor over others? Many modelers choose |
| your HO railroad be an indoor layout or a garden | | | | a local railroad, but there are no limits to what |
| railroad? What will be the theme of your railroad? | | | | locomotives or rail cars can run on your track. Your |
| A new model railroader may be well advised to start | | | | railroad can be as unique as you choose to build it. |
| with a quality HO train starter set at first. Several | | | | There are two choices of powering your HO railroad, |
| manufacturers offer quality HO train sets that will get | | | | DCC and analog. Analog trains use transformers to |
| your railroad off to a fast start. Later more cars and | | | | supply power. The power is sent through the tracks |
| accessories can be added as the railroad progresses. | | | | and the train will run as long as the power is on. |
| The amount of track needed will vary as to the space | | | | Reversing polarity causes the train to move in the |
| available, and the desires of the model railroader. | | | | opposite direction. DCC, or Digital Command Control, |
| A very important factor will be what time period will | | | | supplies power through a chip embedded in the |
| your HO railroad represent? Are you a fan of the | | | | locomotive. Different locomotives can move in |
| steam engines of yesteryear? There is a great | | | | different directions at the same time. DCC also allows |
| selection of live steam models that would be well | | | | for advanced and more realistic lighting and sounds. |
| suited to build railroads from the steam era. Maybe | | | | There are no limits as to how elaborate you can build |
| you prefer a more modern era such as when diesel | | | | your HO railroad. Whether from a bygone era or the |
| locomotives began ruling the rails. Or you can go for | | | | super trains of today, you can build your HO railroad to |
| the most modern locomotives of today. Whatever era | | | | be like no other. |