Welcome to the hobby!

First off, let me welcome you and your son to the hobby and hope you have many wonderful years in it.

The Digitrax Zepher system is hard to beat for value and should be fully upgradeable as your needs grow.  As for the Bachmann DCC models both with sound and without are a good value to get your feet wet.  I own two of them and both run very well.  My Sound Value RS-3 is actually one of my best running locomotives and having sound makes switching cars more enjoyable.  As for getting a more "high end" unit like an Atlas, Kato or Athearn, there are no real benefits other than the detail on those engines may be better but more fragile!  So I would stick with the Bachmann for now.  As for freight cars, look for good old Athearn Blue Box kits, Accurail, Roundhouse and others all make good basic cars.  Your EZ track should be just fine for dcc, just make sure all your connections are clean and solid and at least have two districts on your layout.

Does the fun stick or not?

No right answer to that question. Only opinions.

I would suspect a 10 year old will be more interested in watching the trains go than in admiring details. Variety of locos probably wins out. Bachmann are typically the lowest cost units but likely more than good enough for a 10 year old with a vivid imagination. If he gets into it, his own growth in the hobby will lead him to acquiring better locos in the future. No sense spending a lot of money on high end loco(s) if the adventure ends up being short lived.

Investigate the relationship between curve radius and locomotive before making a purchase. A poor operating train will kill the fun for him in a New York minute.

Awsome

Glad to hear this.  i will be getting the Zephyr UPS today and will have to hit the hobby store on the way home for an engine or two. 

Never ship packages to your work.

The problem now, I just got the Degitrax shipped to my office.  So I have to sit with this package on my desk for the next 4 hours before I can even open it...  

Accurail and others

I would strongly recommend, whatever rolling stock you get, that you make sure it has metal wheels and decent couplers, or switch the existing ones out for better ones, as soon as practical.  Metal leads to cleaner track and less trouble running.

Like in the locomotives, a variety of rolling stock is a good idea, so he and you can switch them out.

With a ten year old, even a couple of buildings will allow stopping at the station or delivering his favorite whatever to the local freight station--after picking it up from the factory.

2 locomotives let you really use the DCC to park one and get the other going.  (Perhaps one or more cars with removable loads?)

If there's a local tourist railroad, perhaps something similar to what that line runs?

Break time?

Gabe,

So, don't you get a break during that 4 hours where you can take a "peek" into the package?

Metal Wheels

I will keep that in mind Irish, Thanks.  

Rick, Yeah I can open it and peek, but that would make the day go even slower

Gabe

"As a starter engine, are they a good engine?"

 I don't know as I've never had one but I'd ask the local shop to demonstrate it for you and see what he says? The advantage of shopping local should be this kind of customer service.   In general for a 10 year old I'd keep the layout simple and trouble free so he doesn't get discouraged before he learns how to over come the problems. There's many years ahead to worry about the latest - greatest most prototypical stuff for now stick to the basics, stuff you don't mind a kid playing with,  rugged enough and cheap enough that he can handle it without being stressed out from fear of damage. I'd also suggest taking him out for train watching trips if there's any railroads near you, kids seeing the real thing are more likely to want to model what they see and build a layout. I think most of us that are long term modelers had some exposure to trains in our childhood.  .DaveBranum

Shake the box?

I just had another thought.  A simple kit or two, either rolling stock or a building, might be an intriguing thing for a ten year old to work on with you.  The accurail and the old roundhouse kits are both good for that.  As for building kits, look for ones with the windows and doors molded separately, so painting is either easier or not needed.  If you two don't want to paint at all, a coat of dullcoat can at least tone down unpainted plastic.

Bar Mills Shack Pack

I was recommended this as a low cost starter pack for buildings, so I am going to order this once I get the tables built and get the tracks off the concrete floor.

http://www.barmillsmodels.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=18&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=999&vmcchk=1&Itemid=999

Gabe

Bachmann yes, DCC no

The current run of Bachmann engines, especially the diesels, and pretty good models for the money.  I've had a GP40, SD40-2, and F7, as well as working on a 45 tonner.  All have been surprisingly good.  They're not in the same category as a Kato or BLI, perhaps, but they're also nowhere near the price.  I would not hesitate to recommend them as a first engine.  If you have the inclination now or in the future, some of them (the F7 comes to mind) could definitely benefit from extra weight, but it's not a requirement and I would not take that as a criticism or a reason to avoid them.

I also own and like a number of the Spectrum steam engines.  I have a 2-8-0 and three 4-6-0s, and have heard nothing but good things about the 4-4-0 (modern version, NOT the old timer) and 4-8-2, as well as the non-spectrum 2-6-0 which came out recently.  Some of them, especially the smaller models, do suffer from weight and pickup issues which are easily rectified by an experienced modeler, but they might not be my recommendation for a first engine, or for a 10 year old.  However, given the price you mentioned, I don't think you're looking at steam anyway!

On the other hand, I've had and heard of mixed results from the low end Bachmann DCC (non-sound) decoders.  The motor control is not the best, and almost every model I've seen with factory DCC has benefited from replacing the decoder with a better quality model from a company like Digitrax or TCS.  You will generally get better low speed performance, quieter running, and probably better features (lights, BEMF) with an aftermarket decoder  If the decoders are on a socket, replacement is as simple as unplugging one and plugging in the other.  If they're hard-wired in, you'll need a little experience soldering small wires, but it's not hard at all.

Go ahead and buy the DCC models, since you have the Zephyr, but consider replacing the decoders in the future.  It will be a good way to get your feet wet and learn a little bit about installing decoders, so that you're more comfortable buying a non-equipped model in the future.  Also, I should note that the Bachmann sound equipped models typically come with a Tsunami (or at least a stripped down version of one), and the quality comments do not apply there.  They're an excellent value, and I would not suggest replacing those decoders without a good reason, as there's no need to do so.

Now, if I may, I'd like to make a suggestion.  You have an excellent opportunity to teach your son how to work on things, and to build things.  I have often found that the skills I've learned as a modeler have come in handy in my daily life.  Sometimes it's in repairing something around the house, other times it's in my knowledge of materials and solvents, or painting, soldering, or a number of other aspects which I've been able to apply.  I strongly encourage you both to try kit building, and never to be afraid to open up a model and see how it goes together.  It seems that the ability to actually build things is fast being lost as more people move toward a consumer and virtual culture.  I believe that having some practical mechanical skills is a very good thing, and I am frequently grateful that my father took the time to teach me how to work with my hands as well as with my head.

Plastic?

Despite the excellent quality of Bar Mills, you might want to consider plastic for the first building kits--some of them are quite easy and end up looking pretty good.  The ones with the windows and doors molded separately from the wall are much easier to paint--or look ok if not painted, but hit with dullcoat.

Plastic is, IMVHO, easier for the young ones to work with.

A word of caution

Indeed, but take care with solvents used to weld the plastic pieces together.  They (like everything else in the universe, apparently) are known to the state of California to cause cancer, brain damage, bad hair days, and anything else you want to blame on them.  I've been building plastic models since I was a kid, and look what happened to me!

Joking aside, I would not let kids use solvents unsupervised, at least until I was certain they could use them carefully and responsibly.  I don't see them as being a major health risk or concern when used appropriately, but I also wouldn't want to be huffing or bathing in the stuff.  Some of them are also flammable, and can definitely damage a variety of surfaces if spilled.

Again, another opportunity to teach - responsibility around hazardous materials this time.  Have fun, safely!  Remember the two most important rules on pretty much every railroad for the last century or so - Safety First!

My Son...

Just to give everyone a quick idea, He is 10 but understands a lot more then one would let on.  He is very proficient with R/C Planes - He glues his own wings when broken as well as gets into R/C cars and is good with a wrench.  

That aside, I understand the help full hints but just wanted to throw it out that he will probably be able to build and paint a building or weather a train better then I.  I should give him an account on this site so you all can chat with him and then he can teach me.

Can't wait to see his face tonight when he gets teh Zypher and new engine.  Ill make sure to capture the moment and share.

First train

I still remember getting my first train set - still have it, too!  I was 2, it was Christmas, and the set was a repaired, used, bottom of the line Lionel O-27 set.  If my parents had known what they were getting me into, maybe they would have bought me a plane instead - pilots make more money!

Listen to Rick - at least peek

Hi Gabe (and Rick)

First - welcome to you and your son to the hobby and to MRH.  There are a lot of very skilled and knowledgeable people here who are eager to help.  They have all been very patient with me.

I have to have things shipped to work out of necessity (disabled wife can't get to the door in time).  But I can't just "peek";  I open it all the way and take my prizes around to show off.  Some here understand (our secretary's husband is a BNSF engineer); some don't (bypass them).

Some suggestions for newbies

We've all been there - being a model railroader newbie.  Here are some of my suggestions:

One man’s opinion for newbies to model railroading:

1.)    Have fun – you determine what that is for YOU

2.)    Try and find local model railroaders if possible

3.)    Read all that you can about model railroading – books, web, magazines

4.)    Get trains running quickly and don’t worry if it’s not perfect

5.)    Think about the future of your railroad and what you want next

6.)    Develop thick skin – don’t let criticism ruin your railroading fun.

7.)    Expect that your first railroad may be “practice” and you may discard it

8.)    Start with something manageable – you can always build an empire latter

9.)    Practice your techniques off of the railroad and learn from your mistakes

10.)    Have fun!

# 11

It's your railroad!  Do what you both want with it.  And if all else fails, see Ricks #1 and #10 suggestion

wise guy...

I can be a wise guy--at one point, since I knew I was going to be seeing someone who was nuts about prototypical railroads, I had a string of Southern Pacific bright orange cars being hauled by the General.  That was long and long ago, the Southern Pacific cars are long since sold, and the General (my first loco, a Christmas present) no longer runs.  A bit of cosmetic restoration, and she'll have a place of honor in front of the station on my future layout.

In other words, as others have said, HAVE FUN!

Welcome!

Welcome to the most wonderful hobby to you and your son, Gabe! Wishing you both many happy hours of train time ahead.

Lots of good advice here...want to second Ken's comments, go ahead with DCC and before long you can unplug the somewhat cheesey Bachmann decoders with better ones factory-wired with an 8-pin plug. Easy to do, and you'll get all the advice you need from the helpful folks here.

One final comment...I totally get what you said about your son...I would see where his interests lead, and present him challenges to suit those interests. I have known young people who are way 'beyond their age' and delve into some pretty advanced stuff.

I don't think he liked the train and Zypher?

SWEET!!!

That is one happy kid!!!  Is that a set with a steamer I see in the background?

Priceless

Cherish the memories.

It is an O scale

It is an O scale bachmann christmas set.  we got it years ago to put around the tree.