Thank you to everyone that responded with all of the information. It's extremely helpful.

Quote from: Len on January 08, 2024, 01:19:22 PMJust a point of reference for 'under the tree' trains. The center rail of O36 O-gauge plastic roadbed track is the same diameter as the center-to-center diameter of a circle of 18" radius HO track, with or without roadbed. The main difference is the O-gauge track roadbed is wider.

Len

Len,

Well that certainly clears up any doubts.
Thank you.

Just an afterthought, do you know how much taller the O gauge is versus HO gauge?

Thanks.

jward,

Much less than a sheet of plywood(4x8), plus no room for a permanent layout for now.

I'm just going to go slow with this. One train at a time.

When I feel confident and have the space I'll definitely reach out for help.

Thank you so much.

Thank you for all of that information Tenwheeler01.
From what I've read and heard I don't think DCC is for me, to much noise and cost.

I chose HO because I don't have allot of space and I wanted something under the tree. I was tempted to try O alas the size.

In the future I would like to try getting into the hobby. Space is an issue so I might have to go N for that.

Nothing in the home to "attack" the train plus little space, makes using smaller gauge okay.

I do appreciate all of this valuable information that is shared with me.

Thank so much.

Thank you for the information jward.
The more I learn about this the more I realize it's better to buy a locomotive or set with sound installed.
Thanks again.

Thank you for the information trainman203 on dcc and dc.
I believe it's better to ask those with more experience for advice rather than learn the hard and expensive way.
Thanks again.

Thank you to both trainman203 and Tenwheeler01 for the valuable information. Experienced hobbyists such as you two are invaluable to a novice such as me.
I shall look for a locomotive with sound or maybe a set with sound.
Thank you both so much.

Thank you both Tenwheeler01 and trainman203 for the valuable information to my question. I mainly want sound, thought smoke would be nice until trainman203 pointed out some valuable information about smoke.
Under Christmas tree for now. Although in the near future I would like to make a small layout for I don't have much room. May have to N gauge for that.
Again thank you both the information.

Hello,
What is needed if anything if I purchase a C&EI #1925 (USRA AS DELIVERED) - DCC SOUND VALUE (HO SCALE) to make it work. I already have a Bachmann #00692 Pacific Flyer Union Pacific Freight Starter Train Set.
Thank you.

Hello the forum,
What would I need to do to add sound, smoke, etc to my Bachmann #00692 Pacific Flyer Union Pacific Freight Starter Train Set ho.
Thank you for your help.

Thank you. I'll have to try that one out.

Thank you very much.

Thank you for the information Terry.
I'm interested in the 30 degree crossing track list.
Thanks.

Hello the forum,

I'm new to this hobby and I would like to build a twice around the Christmas tree ho scale layout.
Does anyone know of or where to locate the plans for the layout? Everything online is for mostly O scale.
I'm not a diehard user of this hobby like most(job takes most of my time). Just want a nice running train under Christmas tree other than a circle or oval.

Thank you for any and all help.