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That was more of an excuse, not a defense.;) Personally, I would like to purchase items there, but they don't even have what they advertise. Case in point - I wanted to get an additional battery for my cell phone responding to their radio ads all over the place about them having batteries for...

accountants, lawyers, financial planners, barbershop, check cashing

I've gotten some good advice here about where to start with this hobby and am now looking at starter sets to get me going for the Christmas holiday. I went to my local hobby shop - and what a hobby shop it is - to check out the trains they have. Well, they boast in their yellow pages ad about...

I agree with tf. Metal studs are nice for building walls but are questionable for other uses where they will be exposed. Nothing like good old wood - cheap, sturdy, easy to manipulate and not a good conductor of electricity.

I'm no expert, but you stated "old" layout which could mean that you have corrosion/deposits on the track that decreases its ability to conduct electricity. Is the track clean, or has it been cleaned lately?

Another word: Linux.

Thanks for the tips. TR, At this point, scale probably won't matter since this year will essentially be the "test" year. If it doesn't match up correctly, then we'll do something different next year - like get a bigger scale train to match the Dept 56 stuff :D and let me start a project...

Man, I bet you redskins' fans are upset over Schottenheimer's success in San Diego!!! What brand is the village? Does it scale out ok with HO? My wife is collecting some Department 56 stuff and is thinking about combining the train and her stuff in a Christmas layout.

Just so happens that a new Target opened up near me about a week ago. I will have to check it out on Dec 26. Will do. I'm sure my wife will have me put something down so her nice carpet doesn't get "ruined." As long as one of our cameras is working properly and I can get to the scanner.

Thanks, Tom. Not sure if I'm gonna lay down a board to put the track on, but it's good to know that the EZ track can go down on a carpet.

Thanks for your help. The decision is to go with HO, mostly motivated by cost - can't seem to find an O scale for less than $135 and I can't justify spending more than $75 with the wife if it turns out that the only time we bring it out is at Christmas time. Hopefully, the fun will take off...

Not that I'm an expert on this stuff, but you post begs some questions. If you remove the foundation, isn't that taking the bottom out of everything? If the only thing you want to salvage is the "scenery" how can you replace everything around it without tearing it down. It seems to me that...

Thanks for all your input, folks. The consensus appears to be that the better scale for letting the young kids get their hands on it is O, but the less expensive starter sets are HO. And, the overwhelming response is that I will get hooked once I start. Oh, and Ravens 17, Jags 10 Eagles...

Somebody needs a geography lesson. Erie is in Northwest PA. Sorry, couldn't resist.

From the responses, it seems like O will be a better starting point, but I may be limited initially by the space I have. Maybe I'll have to move some furniture around. I guess I'll have to see what's available at local shops. Thanks for your help everyone. Norm, No, I don't live in or...

Thanks. I started reading that beginners section and it seems like it is what I am looking for. The only thing is that it may evolve into more than just Christmastime enjoyment and I may want to use the "Christmas" set as a launching point. Would the O scale work in a 4'x4' or 5'x5' space?

Well, yes, there may be something in it for me, but if my little boy doesn't get interested, I may not be able to justify expenses with my wife. The space limitations now are just something that will fit under the tree temporarily, then likely to be relocated to a spot in the basement...

Don't know how I stumbled upon this forum, but I'm glad I did. I am new to this model train stuff, never owned one in my childhood, never had any interest in it...until now! The catalyst being my three year old son who wants a train for around the Christmas tree this year. (Do I do...