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From: 4373jml@homxb.UUCP (J.LISS)
Newsgroups: net.railroad
Subject: model rr questions
Message-ID: <943@homxb.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 25-Nov-85 13:30:35 EST
Article-I.D.: homxb.943
Posted: Mon Nov 25 13:30:35 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 26-Nov-85 20:30:29 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 26


I have a 3 year old boy and am starting to think about model railroading.
(I wish I still had my Lionels from 20 years ago!).  Anyway I have the
following questions and would appreciate any answers.  I ultimately
would like to set up an L shaped layout using two sheets of 4 by 8 plywood as
a permanent layout in a relatively dry basement. I would like to initially
buy a starter set.
  1) what quage should I go with, HO or O (I have ruled out HGB (G?), N and Z).
     consider price, durability, accessories, repairs, etc. ?
  2) are all HO manufacturers compatible (I understand Marklin is not)?
  3) what should the track be make from ?
  4) are HO switches de-railing, that is if a train approaches from one of
     the legs will it become de-railed ?
  5) how do HO remote switches work ?  Are there two coils that are pulsed from
     two independant switches ?  Will the coils burnout if the switch remains
     closed ?
  6) how do I figure out what transformer to buy ?
  7) where can I get catalogs (preferrably free) ?
  8) what type of HO accessories are there (is there a working milk car) ?
  9) HO seems to be the guage most often pushed by the local hobby shops
     (central N.J.) why ?

 I have loads of other questions, but first I'd like to get answers to these
 any help would be appreciated.

 Jonathan M. Liss, AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel N.J. 201-9495632, homxb!4373jml