What got you first interested in trains?

In the beginning . . . .

"Not sure where to start"  Perfect, in that case it doesn't matter.  Get two saw horses, a piece of plywood, and setout your 'collection'.  Try arranging what you've got into a scene.  What's missing from your scene, now you have a direction.  As Joe says above, what brings back memories, do any of your collectable's give you a memory refresher from years past, a second direction!  With your 'collection' on the plywood look at the pieces from all different angles and perspectives, this may also trigger a past memory and help you get started.  What ever you do, HAVE FUN!  Russ

The hobby is a great way to

The hobby is a great way to spend you time. Time being the operative word. I suggest finding what might satisfy your off time. For me it is building structures, the next guy might like programming arduinos.

I suggest not getting into the habit of buying what you think looks cool. And figuring out how you want to spend your time.

Read about TOMA

I suggest you go up to the search box on our site and enter the term TOMA. Read about TOMA in what comes up. (TOMA = The "One Module" Approach)

The idea is to start small with a single module and build it to completion, but add some staging tracks on each end so you can run trains back and forth across the finished module section.

This way in short order you will experience the entire breadth of the hobby but do it in a few months instead of years and at minimal expense.

After doing a single module section to completion and running some trains on it by doing some switching, you will have a much better sense of what you found to be the most fun.

I actually meant they were

I actually meant they were made in the 1940s. I inherited the set.  So, nothing "got me interested, other than inheriting the set.  But, I see where where are trying to send me - so thanks.  

You've identified my

You've identified my problem...... I dont what kind of scene to create!... i have lots of mix and match scenery, and cant figure out what to do with it......Lots of it is unrelated and I cant figure out how to use it... But I will try....

 "I dont what kind of scene

WW2 era HO trains are pretty primitive, HO was just getting to be popular after the war. For starters you might do some research and see what you have and how it runs? Some old HO stuff is better suited to a display cabinet than running on a layout. If your stuff turns out to be useable then you could search up some old photos of similar real trains in action to get ideas for a layout. ....DaveB

@Soccerdad

Hello, Maybe looking through this web site  http://www.scarm.info/layouts/track_plans.php at the different layout plans will give you some ideas?

Regards,

Actually, one of the

Actually, one of the locomotives is an old British locomotive that doesnt run - and according to a train shop "would cost a fortune to repair".  So it sits on a shelf

Go find some fun first

Soccerdad,

You need to find your Holy Sh-- moment. Since you can't find a mentor at a local Hobby Shop because you don't have a local HS go find a model RR club. Almost all of them welcome visitors. Operate some trains. If someone says something or you see something just ask about it. I guarantee multiple people will explain it to you. " You really understand this, could I see your layout some time?" will get you an invite and now you're on your way. Don't fret about your inherited equipment and don't worry about scale just have a good time and get turned on. All the rest will sort itself out. 

Cheers, Blayne