Lots of open-ended questions

I'll try to touch on all your questions, but I'm going to ask more questions of you, too, to ensure we know what you are after.   

can I use any of the track that came with it or is there something better now?

My guess is if your set is 30 years old or more, you could very well have brass rail which is not recommended.  Nickel silver (NS) conducts as well as brass, but doesn't oxidize like brass.  With the brass, you'll be constantly cleaning the track.

I want to stick to HO guage and have heard a lot about DCC. How much would a decent engine and controller cost? I have seen some engines for 300+ YIKES!

HO is still far and away the most popular gauge, so sticking with it sounds good.  DCC is fantastic, but it is not inexpensive.  Locos around the $300 mark are quite common, but they include DCC and sound installed for that in most cases.  If you just want a DC loco, you can still pick one up for $80-120 for a very nice loco.  DCC will run you much more as you need the system as well as a DCC equipped loco.

Is it better to buy a packaged set or buy individual parts. I would like to get started with either a set or engine/controller for around 150.00. Is that possible?

To "ease" back in, you can pick up DC train sets from Athearn, Bachmann, Atlas and MRH Sponsor, Walthers, for $100-150.  I would recommend the Athearn, Atlas or Walthers over the Bachmann, though, as the quality should be a little higher.  If you determine you enjoy it and want to go further, then you can look at DCC starter systems and the like, but you need to ask yourself how much you plan to invest in this hobby.  A few hundred dollars will get you the basics, but if you want the bells and whistles (like DCC), you're looking at spending quite a bit more for a modest layout.

Can you recommend any 5' x 8' or 9' plan with pics ( I heard 5' is better than 4') with a mountain or tunnel scene?

I think you are thinking of expanding the basic 4'x8' plan.  This is where it gets much more complex.  First, what space do you have available?  Chances are you'll make better use of your space NOT using a rectangle 5'x9' area, rather it would be better building a more linear type along a wall with a peninsula or something.  Determine what space you have and what type of railroading you enjoy, then we can help more with what you want to do as far as track plan.

Dcc starter set.

Dcc can get expensive if you plan to run a lot of trains at the same time, but if you are only going to run one or two locomotives, starter sets are available at reasonable prices.  I'm building a switching layout at home to run one locomotive on only, so I recently got an NCE Power cab for around $150.00.  How much you spend for a dcc locomotive depends on how many "bells and whistles" you want to have.

Welcome Back to Model Railroading and Welcome to MRH Forums

First Toss the old Power pack !! And the old track!!

Second try cleaning the engine it may work and may just be a dead power pack!

Third for about $80.00 you can pick up another starter Train set or for around $55.00 to $100.00 you can get a fairly nice engine and for $25.00-$40.00 each you can get some nice rolling stock highly detailed and protypically correct.

Main thing you need to do is find a Model Railroad Hobby shop and look at what they have up close.

As far as train tables go--How big of a room do you have? instead of the old style rectangle 4x8 in a 12 X 14 room think about a 2 foot wide shielf layout around the room and have a 6x8 foot access area in the middle in which to operate your railroad.

Then there is the new DCC (Direct Cab Control) which gives you engines with sound, and whistle control as well as being able to run 15 or more engines at the same time on the same track.

The main thing you need to consider is Do you want a toy train setup that has a train that runs around in a figure 8 that you set the controler and walk away and let it run or do you want to build a Model Railroad that you control and operate like a real railroad?

We can't tell you what to do that's your part, all we can do is give you our opinions and suggestions. Then once you make a choice We can help from there.

Dan

Thanks all, I am thinking

Thanks all,

I am thinking that I will go with a DC setup and maybe get into the digital at a later date. As far as room goes, I have a room that is about 10 x 15 but needs to have a walkway down one side to allow access to the ground level exit to the outdoors. I know I want a continuous loop design. I saw some ideas for a dog bone setup that may work. I also thought of table that can be moved out from the wall using castors on the feet. This would allow me to access both sides.

Are there any good books available that have detailed designs?

The Kalmbach Book Store is

The Kalmbach Book Store is the best bet for the beginner DC layouts click on the url below to go to the bookstore. If you subscribe to Model Railroader Magazine you can access their Library of 400 Plus Track plans. For now go to the following url.

http://www.kalmbachstore.com/modeltrains-railroading-model-railroading-books.html

Hope this helps for now.

Dan

Have you ever thought about

Have you ever thought about building your layout around the room on an 18" - 24" shelf? You get get basically a 50' run of mainline! If it is high enough and your door is not in the way depending on the swing (in or out?) you could duck under to get in the middle of your setup. Then you can have a continuous loop, and by following the train you are seeing only a portion of your layout at a time, making it appear that you are really going somewhere.    And the reach in is very easy, only 18"- 24"  at the most.  Good luck!

Steve

Also, if your LHS does

Also, if your LHS does trades, you may find some very reasonable used equipment for rolling stock that may cost from 5 to 10 dollars. Don't ignore used track either, a lot of times is was never even really used with no ballast, kinks, etc. Just suggesting to take a look and you may luck out and find some good values.

Steve

in case your wondering

LHS is the new age texter way or lazy way of saying Local Hobby Shop personally I'm just getting the hang of this short cut english. As far as used track if it's brass toss it I don't care what any of the noobs think Brass track is just plain trouble and a lousey conductor but thats up to you 100%, personally there is nothing like new nickle/silver flex 36" inch lengths. But steve is also correct if he was speaking of old Nickle silver track that never was glued down and ballasted with a little cleaning it's as good as new if it still in gauge. If your going to build a new railroad I would never start with old problems. especally brass track thats been put away for 15-20 years.

Dan

Welcome

Welcome back to the hobby and to this forum. All the advice posted above is excellent and

I'll try not to repeat any. A lot has changed in thirty years and those changes are coming faster.

So, if I were in your shoes I would do the following.

1- do this first- Find a Local hobby shop that is reasonably close to home and go there and

look at whats there.

2- While there purchase the most recent edition of Model Railroader Magazine and go through

it at your leisure. It will give you a good idea of how things are done in the hobby today.

3- Also purchase the latest edition of the Walthers catalogue in HO scale.It will have just

about everything involved in the hobby in it. Train sets, buildings, track, rolling stock, tools,

DCC sets, paints, airbrushes. You get the picture.

4- A good hobby shop will also have the schedules for the open houses of local HO club layouts.

Go to one.

5- remember ALL THE GOOD CLOSE OUT SALES ARE AFTER CHRISTMAS.

6- most important of all, have fun.

King Coal

If you do locate a local

If you do locate a local hobby shop that has a good train department, ask if there are local clubs that welcome beginners, and if there is an active division of the National Model Railroad Association in your area. Both can expose you to what's current in model railroading before you spend too much money, and you may meet some people who can answer your questions one on one.

Also, take your time to read through the past issues of Model Railroad Hobbyist and other publications to get a more complete idea of what people are doing and what hardware is available.

Was In the Same Boat as You

I feel for you. It can all be so overwhelming at first. I too began from scratch last January without a single clue about model railroading. All I had to go on were childhood memories of playing with Christmas train set gifts. The suggestion from Joe Brugger is worth its weight in gold. Reading Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine and their forums/videos/links/etc. provided me with a tremendous wealth of information. I subscribe to Model Railroader magazine and Trains magazine as well but they both pale in comparison to the nitty-gritty hands-on modeling information available right here at MRH.

A suggestion I have for you, and take this at your own risk, is to setup Google Alerts for your area of interest. For me it was Alert terms such as AC&Y railroad, HO model railroad, and HO model train. Brace yourself. The volume of alerts can be intense at first but soon you will see patterns that allow you to refine your Alert terms. A year later I have a well refined list that is consistently delivering to my desktop information worth viewing. When I find something especially interesting I either bookmark it or if available subscribe using RSS. This method saves you endless hours of Google/Bing/Yahoo searching in your thirst for knowledge. When you are in the mood to read, it is organized and waiting for you.