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 Posted - April 09 2017 : 9:34:32 PM
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I'm Ed. I'm a retired construction worker and know very little about model railroading. Got into it because of my 5 year old grandson who is fascinated with trains. Was searching Craigslist recently for wood working tools and stumbled across a local guy who was selling several HO "starter sets" . I bought one and have it set up on our pool table at present. Have Bought a few things on Ebay including a lot of three Tyco locomotives-- all three identical. Looking for info on those locomotives and other Tyco stuff I have led me here.
Ed.
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Posted - April 09 2017 : 9:52:00 PM
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Welcome to the forum, Ed. 
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Posted - April 09 2017 : 10:18:42 PM
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Hi, Ed. Welcome to the tumultuous world of model railroading. You will find invaluable help and assistance here on all things Tyco ( and many things NOT. LOL ). Don't be shy to ask questions. Glad to hear your grandson has gotten interested in "big iron".  Hopefully you'll enjoy your immersion in this new world of fun. Some tyco engines can be frustrating, usually they just need some oil and maintenance to operate well. Sometimes they need hard-to-find parts to fix them. Either way, post some more descriptions of what you bought.
Jerry in Virginia
model train repair tech
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - April 10 2017 : 12:21:52 AM
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I rather agree with AMC Gremlin, Ed. Tyco locomotives, while colorful,
end about there. You know how some boxes have "not recommended
for children under 12" on the side? Tyco locomotives should have
"not recommended for children under 40." Tyco locomotives generally
were designed to go around the Christmas tree a few times.
Having written that, I can almost hear the howls of protest, but
most 5 year olds are not up to installing rare earth magnets .
Five is a bit young, but that is when I got hooked on the model
railroading bug. Maybe a sturdy Athearn Blue Box locomotive,
or two. They are reasonably cheap and can take a beating.
Depending how far you want to get into this, I would suggest
using "Fast Track" or Bachmann EZ track, which includes a
plastic road bed. These little model trains love gravity and
reliably fall off the rails with little hesitation. The plastic road bed
of these tracks helps to keep things running, and keeping five
year olds interested.
Let us know how his interest develops. Most young 'uns want
video games, nowadays.
Edited by - Chops124 on April 10 2017 12:31:40 AM
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Posted - April 10 2017 : 12:49:48 AM
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Welcome to the Forum!
I agree with Chops on the fact that Tyco locos are alot ot work. Bear in mind, the newest of these locos is almost 30 years old.
That said, Model Railroading is an awesome hobby. I'd also agree with Chops on the Athearn Blue Boxes. Easier to maintain than a Tyco and everything just clips and presses together.
Welcome. You'll definitely find alot of knowledge here!
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Posted - April 10 2017 : 01:48:45 AM
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Starting with Dan. I am a mere fumbler. The Tyco cars are
fairly reliable, however. There appears to be an almost
limitless variety thereof. Oh, Dan, you've probably seen this, but...
https://youtu.be/fanHjt29QaA
Edited by - Chops124 on April 10 2017 01:52:03 AM
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Posted - April 10 2017 : 08:09:56 AM
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** Welcome to the Club Ed. Along with having and running trains you'll see here, taking pictures of them and lots of sharing here. Lots of info on many different kinds of trains here. So get out your camera and send us some photos of your stuff. Questions can be better answered if you show a photo of what your train or concern is. I got my third grandson and he is fascinated with my trains and does a good job rearranging them. You will get very good at fixing them.
* To find trains you know a few ways already. Also there seen to be Train Shows in all states. Their is a magazine "Trains". They have a on line site and in it is a list of train shows all over the country. They list Train shows, Train swap meets and events of other names all about trains. Most also have local train clubs setting up their traviling layouts, and operating them. They can at times be very big. Nice to see. You and your Boy, even your Wife may enjoy going to one of these train events.
frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on April 10 2017 08:24:33 AM
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Posted - April 10 2017 : 7:56:57 PM
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Thanks gents ! This model railroading stuff seems to be quite addictive ! Since I bought that set I have spent a good many hours on this computer trying to learn a little about it-- and buying more stuff ! Picked up a Model Power Alco locomotive--now have three running locomotives-- some freight cars and a couple of Amtrak passenger cars and ........ My watch list on Ebay has about 50 items pertaining to HO. Also bought some stuff on Etsy.
Ed.
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bnsfIA
Big Six
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Posted - April 10 2017 : 9:50:42 PM
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Welcome aboard! You've stumbled across a treasure trove of a website in regards to vintage trains. Happy railroading!
Dave from Iowa
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Posted - April 10 2017 : 10:26:03 PM
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Thanks Dave !
Ed.
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