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 AMERICAN FLYER S GAUGE D H GONDOLA no916  US $15.95
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 AMERICAN FLYER S GAUGE T P GONDOLA no931 EXC US $15.95
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 AMERICAN FLYER Train FRISCO LINES GONDOLA S Gauge Original AF Catalog 1949 VG US $12.99
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 American Flyer S Gauge 916 Delaware Hudson Gondola Type I Vintage 1955 56 US $32.00
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 AMERICAN FLYER S GAUGE N W GONDOLA no24103 EXC US $24.95
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 AMERICAN FLYER S GAUGE FRISCO GONDOLA no941 EXC US $19.95
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 AMERICAN FLYER SCARCE S GAUGE 620 SOUTHERN GONDOLA W OB US $65.00
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 American Flyer Lines S Gauge 24110 Pennsylvania Gondola Car US $18.89
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 AMERICAN FLYER S GAUGE 6 9301 B O GONDOLA W CANISTERS US $23.99
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 AMERICAN FLYER S GAUGE 6 48545 DMIR GONDOLA NIB US $59.99
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O gauge trains are one of the most popular sizes of model trains, second only to HO trains. O scale trains are one of the larger sizes, but many hobbyists prefer this scale precisely because of their size. These larger model trains are easy for young children to handle; and adults who have visual impairments or difficulty working with smaller trains may also find O scale to be the right choice.
O gauge trains have been available for over a century now, having first been introduced by the German manufacturer Marklin. It took some time for these trains to catch on with serious hobbyists and were long considered to be just children's toys. Due to their larger size, these trains once used a triple rail system in order to support their weight. The exact ratio of O scale trains depends on where the trains were manufactured; in the US, O scale trains are 1:48 compared to real trains, trains made in the UK are at a 1:43.5 ratio and in the rest of Europe, the ratio is 1:45. Before you purchase an O scale train, make sure it's the same size as you currently use, since it won't run on your rails otherwise.
One thing about O gauge trains is that they are a little more expensive than some of the smaller sizes of model trains, though the cost is still more than reasonable. However, hobbyists should be aware that the scenery and other accessories for this size is a little more costly as well. Of course, there's no need to buy any accessories which you don't want to - you could buy a basic starter set and add to it piece by piece or even make your own layouts from scratch if you have a knack for handicrafts.
The Lionel O Gauge B&O Ready To Run Set is a popular choice for those just getting started with O gauge trains. This is a high quality set including a die cast 4-4-0 steam locomotive with very realistic simulated smoke and a fully functional headlamp, as well as a tender car, a gondola car, a Lionel Lines boxcar and a red caboose to bring up the rear. A Sentinel boxcar is also included in the set, as are 10 telephone poles, an extension bridge, FasTrack sufficient to make a 40" by 60" oval and a PowerMax transformer (featuring forward and reverse movement) - all for less than $200!
There are a lot of online resources and retailers which offer accessories and supplies as well as cars and tracks for O gauge trains. You should also have a look at your local hobby shops, most of which will carry a variety of trains and accessories in this scale.
The staff at local shops are also an excellent source of information if you have any questions about model trains. These shops will also carry books on model railroad layouts, including plans and lists of the materials you'll need to build them as well as a wealth of other information to get you off to a good start in your new hobby.
The Author is a Model Train enthusiast. He shares his knowledge in his blog ModelTrainsLessons.com, where you should subscribe to his Free Mini-Course that has helped a lot of hobbyists to be successful in Model Railroading.