I just in the beginning stages of starting a layout. I am wanting have a 1880's theme to it. I envision a gold mining town in the mountains. I love steam and would really like resources for buildings of the peroid as well as rolling stock. Any help would be great.
There are basically two quality locomotives currently available that suit your era, the Atlas Mogul and the Athearn (former MDC Roundhouse) Consolidation, although the Atlas is really an 1875 model and the Athearn an 1889 one. Athearn makes some of the former MDC line of circa 1900 freight and passenger cars. Bachmann does make a 4-4-0 and freight and passenger cars of Civil War to 1875 era, but the quality is poor. One problem you will have is that the Atlas and Bachmann stuff has Rapido couplers, while the Athearn all has Accumates, so you'll have to convert the former to MTL couplers. As to structures, there are kits out there. Period Miniatures makes some 1880's era buildings, and Republic Locomotive Works has also made some. These are all craftsman kits of wood, metal, carboard, sheet plastic, etc. that require cutting and painting. You'll have to dig around to find them though. Good luck. :cat:
Welcome to Trainboard and plan carefully. Please ask for all required help. I would suggest you go to the sites of several on line retailers and see what locomotives AND rolling stock are available for your desired period. Thirdrail is almost correct since there are a few more locomotives of the period out there and at least one more manufacturer. The rolling stock might be more problematic.
dmc8409: Welcome to Trainboard. The MDC 2-8-0/Athearn 2-8-0 are some of the best performing steam loco's in N scale. Have fun planning your railroad. Stay cool and run steam.....
Welcome aboard dmc, Have you thought about including some cowboys and Indians. That would add something unique also.
For scenery, there is also this manufacturer: http://www.musketminiatures.com/ They offer many things from the 19th century. I do not know the quality of these items, because I have never seen anything in real life. You want a mining town? Thought about Nn3? There is not much, only MT and some small companies make locos and cars, but the things they offer are nice. At http://www.nscalemonster.com/nn3/nn3.htm you can find some examples. This steamer from Aspen Models is pretty expensive, but I have seen it at our club layout: it is beautiful!
