Help! special christmas present wanted

[bobbydazzler]

I know its not long 'till christmas, but my dad has been a complete rock for me just recently and I want to get him an extra special present.

He loves steam trains, and has mentioned having a set up in the garden.

I know nothing about it at all, and was wondering if anyone could help point me in the right direction. Should i get a starter kit? What are the better makes (I dont want to buy him something that will fall apart after a winter outside). Is 'G' guage the right guage to go for (he has a generous garden).

Any other information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[MDLR]

Oh, Lordy! Where to start? I know - buy him a subscription to the 16mm Association www.16mm.org.uk: he'll become part of a large organisation with local meetings (assuming you're in the UK - you don't say) an excellent magazine and (perhaps most importantly at this stage) a New Members' Guide which gives lots of pointers on how to get started.

If he's within easy reach of Peterborough, you could also buy him a ticket to the National Garden Railway Show on 27th April next - he can walk in there with nothing but a credit (or debit) card and walk out with the complete makings for a garden railway!

Thinking gauges - 32mm gauge is more common in the UK so if you were buying stuff for a line, I'd go with that.

If you want to buy him some actual rolling stock, I'd think about something from IP Engineering - their EZee range http://www.ipengineering.co.uk/page33.html is not TOO expensive - you could go for a Daisy or a Rapier loco and a couple of wagons and have change out of £100, and it would give him chance to "dip his toe in the water" so to speak before going onto bigger, better and steamier things, which start at around £300 and go up from there!

................ and of course, if he does the Internet, you can point him in the direction of this Forum - we'd be happy to have him along!

[Mike PVLR]

16mm association is an excellent idea, lots of help available from there. if you do go to the show then take some money with you as we dont all take credit cards just yet. Dont forget your buildings for a railway as well. www.pendlevalleyrailway.co.uk no harm in a quick plug, but dont forget there is so much to choose from out there but it is a really enjoyable hobby.

[bobbydazzler]

Thank you, thats all really helpful.

We are only 20 minutes away from Peterborough so thats a brilliant idea and will give him something to look forward to.

So... off to subscribe him to the 16mm Association, and have a browse around the internet and see if i can get anybody to deliver a 32mm engine before christmas, preferably with some track as he will be itching to have a play!

Many thanks again for your help.

[Steven.T]

have a browse around the internet and see if i can get anybody to deliver a 32mm engine before christmas, preferably with some track as he will be itching to have a play!

Give Trackshack a go, they have plenty of stuff 16mm scale on their website, they also sell Peco 32mm track (branded as SM32).

I have nothing but praise for the owner, helped me get a live steamer this time last year much quicker than I thought!

[Sir Clothem Cap]

A mamod starter set would give him a fine start with an instant track and easy to use engine. its also the same gauge as the recommended SM32 so no compatibility problems.

http://www.dreamsteam.co.uk/mss-mamod-l ... r-set.html

[Keith S]

How much are you willing to spend? If your Dad has been talking about a garden railway because he loves steam trains, then get him a steam engine. I would get him a kit of parts from Roundhouse engineering to build a "Katie" locomotive. "Live Steam" is a hobby unto itself that sometimes leads to an interest in garden railways. If your Dad likes steam engines, I think this is the angle you want to take. Personally I think there is nothing as fun and informative as building your own steam locomotive: you get to pick the colour, and every time it chuffs by on your railway you get to think "I made that". They come with excellent directions written in good English and anyone should be able to do it. Plus, it's cheaper than buying a ready-built one.

Downside, you're going to spend about 600 pounds for the kits. This is the best gift you could give your Dad. It's expensive, but it's the "steam locomotive" part of "being interested in garden railways because he likes steam locomotives".  I bought my Dad a steam engine a couple of years ago; according to my brother he still can't walk past it without stopping to admire it. Also, it makes it easy to decide what to get him for every Christmas and birthday and Fathers' day from now on: tracks, wagons, and little people.

[bobbydazzler]

Thank you everyone for all your help.
There is so much out there to choose from, it can be very confusing when you dont know what you are looking for!

His love is certainly for steam engines. I remember when I was very young he had an old Mamod engine that ran on meths that he had been given as a little boy. He let my sister play with it and she burnt her finger, so lo and behold my mum confiscated it and it has now been lost over the years. Such a shame.

I was looking to spend about £500, but he deserves a very special gift this year, so I'm sure I can stretch a bit further.

Definately a plus point that I would always be able to find christmas/birthday presents for him, he can be so difficult to buy for!

Again, thank you every one for all your help and suggestions, they are very much appreciated.

[jim@NAL]

good book to get practical garden railways by peter jones