Build a Model Railroad for Under $200! | Starting a Model Railroad HO Model Trains

#modeltrain #lionel #bachmanntrains #HOtrains #steamtrain
So you have decided you want to begin the hobby of model railroading? Welcome aboard! In this video, I will explain how to effectively save your money while creating a wonderful HO model railroad train set. I hope this is of some use to you all and thank you for watching.

[@amyreynolds3619]

As a older model railroader I go to train shows with less than $100. Plus I walk out with many bags coming out.

[@WWIIREBEL]

Same!. Last year i went to my local train show...came home with 8 Rivorossi steam locomotives and a box full of the older wood/metal Walther's coach kits. Paid a total of 50 bucks.

[@uravggamer4620]

​@WWIIREBEL Was it a multi day event? Because you must've gone at the last possible second, that's insane!

[@WWIIREBEL]

@@uravggamer4620 I got all of that in a single hour on a saturday afternoon. The thing is. It's best to check under the various tables. that's how i scored.

[@WWIIREBEL]

@@uravggamer4620 I went on a Saturday morning!. Most train shows out my way (Fort Wayne area)are one day events. Like any train show though, prices can be high, but i always look under the tables....that's where most of the greatest bargains are!. Just remember: The higher end/priced stuff is always on the table up front. Bargains are below (mostly).

[@toystorycollector7025]

I like his advice of getting used things. That is where I got most of my buildings usually $2.99 for each building

[@emagenevanhorn1543]

And it gives old things a new life

[@savagegardenfan9680]

I like the Use the Hornby Plastic Playmat with the Sets and lay the Track on it plus adding Buildings, Trees and Accessories.

[@SpongeEngine423]

Fantastic tips, Brett! I'm planning to make smaller sets rather than a layout for my future videos, but a lot of these words of advice carry over, such as the grass mats and kitty litter. Reminds me of the old World's Greatest Hobby video with Michael Gross. Thanks for the suggestions! :)

[@manningautogarage]

Can you make more of these where you expand the layout like every 2 weeks or so and spend about $50

[@etapproductions]

You can’t make a model railroad for under 50 bucks

[@parkerwilliams7652]

Etapken Gaming he means expanding the layout

[@ThatOneHWcollector]

The great fact I have a bottle of turf, earth, a lot of trees, a mountain already made, a wide variety of track, multiple trains, lots of rolling stock, and lots of buildings already

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. A TOTALLY AWSOME MODEL TRAIN BUILD!!!! A TOTALLY AWSOME VIDEO AND EDUCATION. THANKS FOR SHARING!!! I LEARNED SO MUCH.

[@Sashin-d8t]

Why is this channel dead he doesn’t post anymore

[@wadepenley817]

You have honestly calmed my nerves. Im a train lover and can say I haven't built a layout because of the price. Thank you

[@johnbehneman1546]

GREAT FOR ANY BUDEGT!!!! BUILD IT AND HAVE FUN!!!!

[@gtown150]

Great beginner series. Nice work and valuable to the hobby.

[@Mikey109105]

I live in a small apartment and aI have been interested for a while in building my own O scale layout on a 4x6 foot table, which is all I have room for in my bedroom, which is the only place I have room for it. I am planning to put it in a corner, and perhaps if I have more room than I thought, build outward from there, or even upward or below the table. Of course my big problem with doing this has always been the same as everyone else's, money. I can see from the comments that it is entirely possible to do this with $200, and maybe even less if I can find the right prices for the right items. Definitely going to be continuing to look into it because I really do want to set something up sometime soon.

[@nicholmansgarage3501]

I got LOTS of trains, but having just gotten a loft bed with ample room underneath, I'm ready to build my first home layout. This video is was very useful, thank you.

[@curtismarean6963]

Thanks for the advice, you gave me somethings to think about! Take care and thanks for a great video!

[@HarryWarren1223]

Awesome video! Another great way to make some buildings for an HO layout: use wooden coffee stirrers and build your own custom buildings!

[@chuckmaddison2924]

Where I am in Australia, there is a small second hand box of bits $ 700.

[@armchairrocketscientist4934]

10:12 - Hey, that's the sawmill on my dad's layout!

[@cheevlubs4540]

One of my friends actually made that and sold of the blueprint

[@WasatchGarandMan]

I've got to say, this was a really well though out video. And yes its true. Model Railroading is a very expensive hobby. Coming back to model railroading as an adult really made me appreciate how much my parents spent on me as a kid. Wish I had kept those models around. Hope to get a small layout going soon.

[@DuckRon626]

Does the $200 limit still apply since this video is 4 years old! But, even at $200 it is still too expensive for me. I should have discovered things like this before I retired 16+ years ago…

[@TheNutshaq]

I think you can definitely still get a decent looking layout for $200, but if that is still cost prohibitive for you then there is no shame in just running a starter set on a table. We all start somewhere, and whether your pockets are deep or shallow you’ll be accepted in this community

[@WWIIREBEL]

The best deals overall are found at local /area ,"Model Train Shows". I can go into one and walk out with a box or bag full , having spent @ maximum 30 to 50 dollars. and have an engine a couple of freight or passenger cars and a caboose. Maybe even some spare track and a couple of buildings on a good day.

[@acceleratedcreative]

I love the Strasburg in the background. My favorite railroad

[@EngineShedStudios]

...And, added to liked videos! But seriously thanks Brett! This was a big help! I’m mostly collecting the tomy trackmaster trains but i did get a bachmann thomas set at a train show not to long ago so this will be a big help!

[@HighOutlook]

The start of this just got me pumped up

[@nabil944]

The Santa Fe Flyer was my first engine!

[@emagenevanhorn1543]

Thanks for the advice I will build this 🔜

[@prosperity144]

U dont know how much i got to know about HO scale!! Starting my new hobby thanks! Bro

[@parkerwilliams7652]

sharpflickz_CS Same I started this 4 month ago built a big table for this got to finish it tho

[@prosperity144]

@@parkerwilliams7652 noice u hav discord?

[@monmixer]

I think I would go with the new Bachman ns grey bed. that's a problem right now and has me torn between DCC and regular DC.in a starter set.

[@TweetsieRailroader]

Well Done! This could come in handy should I try to expand my layout on a budget!

[@TrainGuy-tl8ke]

Thanks for getting me started now I know what to buy!

[@michaelgibson5047]

personally nice presentation. I have old atlas track from the early 60s. the brass type. bought from a neighbor kid in the early 70s. enough for a small switch yard and. round the 4 by 8 type table. the yard would be separate. paid 50 cents! for all of it. nice suggestions. but I never had room. bad excuse and all that snap track. and new track I have sits in a huge. storage bin. rubbermade. 80 cars and 10 locomotives. athearn. bachmann. and those tough as nails. tyco rolling stock with horn hooks

[@loganduckthomas1best697]

If only I had this video before I started mine. I could buy a car with the money I’ve spent on my Railroad.

[@catfisherboy]

You and me

[@Mtmg2006]

Great tips! I’m about to build an ho layout after I get the funds for Christmas.

[@NERRP2017]

That’s actually cool and I like it, I’m gonna expand my ho roster and make a bedroom layout with a industrial theme, but I prefer o over ho scale and it’s just a side hobby.

[@bradyrinard5550]

Buying trains used is the best way to go because you can still get some good quality items of almost a fraction of the price of a new locomotive

[@tencents49]

Idk why, but i thought an instrumental version of Love Me Do by The Beatles was the background music at one point

[@Moltar_Railfan]

This might work on my new layout! Thanx Thomasdotd!

[@syedjavedahmad9719]

Great help, thanks a million. 👍👍

[@Shipwright1918]

One way to save is to make things yourself and to kitbash, as well as buying used when it's practical to do so.

[@autistic_playerhbz]

200 dollar railway but.. but thats impossible. We all know how expensive this hobby is

[@smr0m670]

ebay and amazon have sets for under $100 easily

[@haydenbrooksarenburg3024]

Buying a set around where I live (Canada) can be around $150-180 (CAD) on Amazon. The hobby store near me has some locomotives for $75, some damaged ones for less, and a whole whack of used rolling stock for between $5-15 each. Some used transformers are around $40. It's cheaper and honestly better to buy used, as if you end up fixing the issues (broken/missing pieces, wires needing to be replaced, etc.) you learn some valuable skills. Of course sets are easy, that's what they're for, but not always the ideal or cheapest option depending on the situation. Now I don't have enough space for a static layout, so I pack it up in sections afterward, so I don't know anything about the proper decorations. With that said, I'm not going to comment on that part. Hope this potentially helps someone out! Newer is nicer and easiest, absolutely, but starting out is not always better, especially for learners.

[@sleepdeep305]

Yeah this guy is kind of talking out of his ass

[@swag858]

​@@sleepdeep305watch the full video lol getting stuff used saves so much money

[@jacobrealsponge.o2436]

oh wow this is a great video thankyou for this information

[@johnschutt9187]

Very nice. Thanks.

[@robkiger3434]

Could you do a budget incline for the railway?

[@coreyfellows9420]

Hey kid great video

[@nejay5540]

Man I got that set back when I was in kindergarten in 2006...still haven't built a full set

[@aidancprailrailwaystuffeng4612]

I would use kitty litter if my hobby shop has no ballest

[@mrperkinsthehusky]

I live in America and I love model railways but personally I import all model railway items from England from hornby as I don’t like he American brand of model railway locos and rolling stock I’d prefer the British ones from hornby

[@thomasdotd500]

chase x everest different strokes different folks. Same methods in the video apply to different brands

[@hugothomas1199]

What a bout hornby I have to!

[@Eric-l6n1c]

How did you gets yours so cheap the same train is 131 bucks now

[@fox5news68]

GREAT LAND

[@Badumpop]

Good Vid

[@TheNickphantom]

I've found buying used for everything is an awesome way to get started too! Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of room right now but I easily have 50+ steam & diesel locomotives, even a Bachmann Amtrak Acela, tons of track, tons of buildings (assembled and unassembled) and tons of transformers for well under $800!

[@STho205]

Least expensive layout to look much more expensive than it is: Old Timer Bachmann set. Short line that therefore requires no additional rolling stock and no complex yards. WINTER SNOW SCENE because snow will cover up poor details on odd lot buildings and rough terrain carving. Terrain from carving blueboard applied to the bench and stabbing on cheaper model pines and simple knurled hardwood twigs (taken from bushes like azaleas and florist dried flowers) Actual dirt glued over the whole scene. Track with ballast. Lay down lumber, boxes, piles of firewood some covered with tissue, etc... Spray the whole layout with snow flocking leaving mud ruts drug in the dirt for roads and some mud on the side if hills. Clean the track. Take your cheap buildings and spray the roofs and balconies. Dirty up the cars and locomotove with charcoal and powder. Drop bits of winter white, talcum powder or baking soda on the car roofs. Apply model figures, horses, a cow pen and a wagon or two. Run train. Your so so detailed first layout will look like it is much much more detailed than it is because the "details" are imagined under the snow.

[@thomasdotd500]

Just like in real life, snow can cover a lot of the "ugliness." Great suggestion, very clever!

[@sabbah9961]

Hi bro! I would like to get more information about this train setup with the buildings and decorations. Can I have the information on where to get this model train and products shown in the video or their contact information?

[@KapybaraKSP]

10/10

[@ktsp2538]

Have you seen the British ho/o trains, aka Hornby

[@thomasdotd500]

KTSP of course I even showed them in the video. I have a couple Hornby locomotives

[@falconeye577]

I am about to give up on building a layout, at age 60 with the children out of the house I have 116 Rolling Stock, 6 Freight Engines and 2 Switchers, most new in boxes that I purchased many years ago (not counting my one Stream Engine I would give away (New in Box) No one will be happy with a circle, the Bachman EZ Track Pack with 4 switches, 12 straights, 1 Termail, 20 turns will cost you another $119.99 on sale ($219.00 retail) Now you have the track you need to build something to start with Back to my system, and I have all my Engines and Cars, but the cost to conver to Mag Couplers is very high My 4X8 layout will cost me WHY 7 Switches at $20 each alone is $140 My samm layout will cost no less than $1,000 to get running for half a dozen cars

[@aureliocastrellon2323]

Man, for a 60 year old, id say a kindergarter can spell better

[@rolandcharriez7631]

Great video. I am a beginner. It took me 1 year to create my layout. Many of the pieces and tracks I inherited. Others I had purchase during the planning and execution of the layout. I love trains but for me it's the design and journey to create the layout. Many of the building I created myself and it was great fun. If you look on KZbin under "designer77", you can see my layout. Thanks again.

[@MarilynMananquil]

Scenery is hard:(

[@certifiedtrainboy]

Are O gauge layouts more expensive to make? I'm making a 5 x 10 layout in my basement, so I can run my O gauge trains on it. Any help or tips would be appreciated! : )

[@thomasdotd500]

Beginning in O is significantly more expensive. A beginners starter set will start anywhere from $150-$450. The $200 HO budget would have to be increased to around $600-$700 to get the larger scale details for the layout

[@dergenmusic2081]

Hey man, awesome video! I’m planning an O-Gauge Railroad layout and some of this may help me in that field as well. Unrelated question, what’s that outro song you used? I really like it

[@traveler7353]

Sad how expensive this is. I have 2 s scale engines with no track 🥺

[@amyreynolds3619]

But you can not use kitty litter if you have a cat.

[@slepey_]

I got a Lionel O Scale train set for Christmas and I was really happy. But I really want to start HO/OO and N Scale. Which is the best to use?

[@slepey_]

Oh, yeah, I forgot about G scale too. A few years back I started looking at G scale products. I was thinking of building one in my backyard.

[@diviserm936]

The thumbnail I have the same train but the tender slants

[@fireb0xes938]

can you please do n scale?

[@houseoftrainsgarcia9794]

My I started with the royal gorge passenger train set

[@erikhobby6542]

I have the pacific flyer set and the santa fe flyer set

[@stepneybulstrodemusic1761]

Just curious, are these all your train sets, or did you get some of the footage from stores/museums?

[@thomasdotd500]

0:14-1:00 are from model train shows, everything else in the video is made by yours truly.

[@stepneybulstrodemusic1761]

thomasdotd so you’ve made a huge number of sets

[@fredwest7436]

Still seems like a lot of money for people just to get started. I often tell people who see my collection and want to get started to buy some cheap new locos but all the rest used at fairs and such. You do need a bit of luck and you do need to know where to look but you might get some great bargains. People might also get scared off when they see todays prices.

[@thomasdotd500]

While $200 is certainly up there, if a kid or teenager were to show interest in the hobby, bare in mind the two things they'll most likely ask for or buy (such as a console or phone) are nowadays around $300-$500. There are spectacular model trains out there, upwards of $200 alone. But to just get started and be able to make an actual layout instead of painting a table green and working with a loop of track, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree by saying $200, while not ideal per say, is certainly a viable option considering the prices of what mainstream things people buy today. The prices are only going up in this hobby (sadly), so starting off just under the price of an O gauge starter set could be beneficial

[@fredwest7436]

@@thomasdotd500 I agree with you on the phones and consoles as options. If you look at it that way it's certainly viable and admirable to create a project as this. It's just a trend I see in the hobby that people might get discouraged at some of todays prices. After all, you only need one phone but you can never have enough rolling stock :-)

[@enderplant]

I've decided to make mine off of British culture.

[@shanestrains548]

Its so sad Hattons and Modeltrainstuff have Ceased Business

[@Tyhammonds06]

Spread the word!

[@8213_productions]

my collection is worth a few hundred pounds but i dont have the space for a layout

[@CoreyKinley]

+thomasdotd nice layout it looks nice.

[@thomasthetankdank9708]

great now if i can make i little train set then i can make my hole atic full with train tho i'll stick with UK train like Flying Scotsman

[@wideworldofrailroads4014]

I own a old ho Santa Fe train layout I’m not done I’m making it bigger

[@evanblack827]

What are the dimensions of the layout?

[@pybr021]

Its triple the price here in Brazil

[@TheComengSset]

That wall plug exploded it or burnt out when I send power to run it just popped and made a pop noise and then started smoking

[@mrpip3508]

OwO cooooooooooooool

[@The_gaming_octopus]

N scale

[@tardis5179]

What About 00?

[@thomasdotd500]

That's the same scale

[@parkerwilliams7652]

Is Hornby ho scale?

[@griffinellis1666]

Hornby is OO gauge, which is the same as HO but british.

[@parkerwilliams7652]

Griffin Ellis oh thank you

[@griffinellis1666]

@@parkerwilliams7652 no problem.

[@robkiger3434]

Ho is American scale and OO scale is British but run one the samsize stracks.

[@rosalindaflores5006]

vamos a bailar algo

[@joestrainworldvideos3977]

Thanks for the nice video. Great ideas. I subscribed. If you like support me too.

[@thomasdotd500]

curt died

[@parkerwilliams7652]

thomasdotd 😥

[@cooliotrainlover1213]

HO

[@glimpyrimpy6258]

Y tf did you use dirty kitty litter and continue to pick up one of the turds!?!!?!?

[@thomasdotd500]

Uh.. may wanna watch the video again buddy. I bought new kitty liter and what u see in the video is green foliage, gravel, and coal. Lol.

[@glimpyrimpy6258]

@@thomasdotd500 lmao it looked like duty sorry

[@raymondleggs5508]

Instructions unclear, cat pooped on layout!

[@brightredmogul1912]

Raymond Leggs Did you put your layout on a table?

[@raymondleggs5508]

@@brightredmogul1912 I don't have a layout or trains yet lol, I used to though a LONG time ago. It was just a joke :-D

[@privatejoker5403]

ITS RAILWAY NOT RAILROAD IM BRITISH WE INVITED IT WE ARE CORRECT YOU ARE WRONG 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

[@thomasdotd500]

Lol calm down Beavis

[@Vinyl_guy]

Wow private joker its just a different pronounciaton

[@alexthetankengine]

This video inspired me to get bachmemn,Thanks!🚃🚅🚈🚂🚝🚄🚇🚆