HO Scale Trains - Any Advice?

[WPBCowboysFan]

Looking to get a set for my kid. He's almost 6 but he likes building and putting things together. Already has slot cars so I see no issues with trains.

Are all the sets pretty much the same except for cosmetics?

Better to get new, or maybe a bunch of used stuff somebody is getting rid of?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Longboysfan]

You may find some used at an estate sale.
But.... Collectors get there early and scoop up anything worth and coin.

 

[CliffnDallas]

Set aside a large area. The train will grow. Buy new. When he gives them to his kids they will be used.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Check out some different HO train sets here... http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/HO-Scale-Train-Sets-s/334.htm

I do a lot of business with them and their pricing is very good and their shipping fast.

Go new for the first train set. Locomotives and such are much more reliable than they were a decade ago.

Also get some extra track, especially switches. Just watching a train go round-n-round gets boring after a while. A few places to switch cars is highly suggested.

Maybe start with a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood.

Maybe get a subscription to "Model Railroader" magazine, the "bible" of the industry.

Here's a couple pictures of my N-scale layout: