| Model Railroad Supplies for Beginners | | | | Starter train kits can be purchased for as little as $80 |
| Starting any new hobby always brings a sense of | | | | or $90 but most will want one of the kits in the $200 |
| anticipation and Model Railroading is no exception. | | | | range. These train kits can be specific to an industry or |
| Once they have been to a train show, or have simply | | | | a type of train, steam or diesel for example. Starter |
| seen a model train layout displayed somewhere, many | | | | kits typically come with a 4' by 3' oval track, a |
| people become excited by the possibility of operating | | | | locomotive, several cars and a simple transformer and |
| their own train setup. This excitement often leads to a | | | | controller. |
| sense of being overwhelmed and sometimes sticker | | | | Scenery kits, building kits and layout kits vary widely |
| shock, after visiting a hobby store and looking at the | | | | depending on the components and how much do it |
| huge array of model railroad supplies available and the | | | | yourself work you want to do. A building kit for a |
| wide range of prices. | | | | simple small town with 15 buildings can be purchase for |
| Well, it doesn't have to be overwhelming and it doesn't | | | | about $160. Layout kits, which provide the base for |
| take a fortune to get started with model trains. The | | | | your layout including materials for hills, valleys and |
| simplest layouts consist of a small oval track and an | | | | tunnels start at about $250. Scenery kits which contain |
| locomotive with a few cars. It can be set up on the | | | | materials for trees, grass, rocks, etc. start at about |
| floor, a simple table, or even an old door or piece of | | | | $65. Each of these can be purchased individually as |
| plywood on two saw horses! Often when you talk to | | | | the need arises. |
| experienced hobbyists, they talk about the need for a | | | | Software for model trains starts at as little as $20 for |
| strong custom bench and lots of room to set up your | | | | simulation software, and layout controllers at about |
| layout, but don't let that stop you from getting started. | | | | $200 but you don't have to have either of these for |
| You can graduate to a more complex and expensive | | | | your first train setup. |
| setup as you get more involved in railroading. As a | | | | Any of these model railroad supplies can be |
| beginner, you may not even know in what areas you | | | | purchased at your local hobby store. Hobby shops are |
| are most interested. Do you enjoy the different | | | | usually very helpful because they want you to keep |
| locomotives and rolling stock which comprise your | | | | coming back. They can provide a hands-on |
| trains, or do you prefer building the scenery and | | | | experience and the chance to talk to others who |
| making the miniatures look realistic? Maybe you prefer | | | | know what it is like when you are just getting started. |
| wiring the electrical control parts of the track or | | | | They can often help you avoid common beginner's |
| configuring the software to work to your liking. One of | | | | mistakes that they have already made. These items |
| the best things about model railroading is the wide | | | | can also be found at local model railroad shows and |
| range of skills that you can learn and put to use. There | | | | conventions. |
| is something for almost everyone to enjoy. | | | | You may also find these items locally advertised or at |
| The other nice thing about this hobby is that you can | | | | yard or garage sales or auctions. All model railroaders |
| do as much or as little of it yourself as you like. Some | | | | were once beginners and you can often find bargains |
| of the most popular model railroad supplies are kits for | | | | on trains from the hobbyist who is ready to trade-up. |
| just about every aspect from trains to tables to | | | | Be sure to do your research before buying from these |
| scenery, to electrical wiring and software. These range | | | | sources so that you know the value of what is being |
| from simple all inclusive starter kits to kits for individual | | | | offered. |
| parts designed for the more advanced modeler. You | | | | As you can see, there are many sources of model |
| can buy train and scenery kits separately or kits that | | | | railroad supplies for beginners on any budget. One of |
| include both. The kits themselves can be either | | | | the great things about this hobby is that you can get |
| completely finished and ready to set up and run, or do | | | | involved as deeply, or as little as you like. You can |
| it yourself kits that require more complex construction, | | | | begin with a simple kit and advance in whatever |
| painting and assembly. Once again, it is easy to get | | | | direction your interest takes you. Some hobbyists |
| started with a simpler kit and upgrade to something | | | | never make their own scenery, preferring to enjoy |
| more complex as your needs dictate, and budget | | | | simply running their trains, while others get involved in |
| allows. These kits also vary in price and complexity | | | | every detail down to making their own coal and logs |
| depending on the scale or gauge with which you | | | | and plants! So get started. You're going to love this! |
| decide work. | | | | |