Hi all. First time on a train Forum. I have had O scale for years. We do a large layout for the winter season. The layout looks nice/ Scale. I do like the larger O train, but the problem I have there is no room for track and train with O scale, esp after adding the buildings. We will keep doing the winter layout but I want to try N scale for a permanent. My wife really likes the layout part of it, but I am more into the train. The O Scale takes up to much space to have long trains, or multiple trains. So want to try N scale. I am getting older so a little worried about the size of them for being able to see them enough to enjoy. I will probably build a layout up higher for that reason. I will being asking some questions about the DCC etc.
Welcome to TrainBoard High Plains Railer! N is a good choice but I may be a bit bias since I've been an N scaler for just over 40 years now. Think you will enjoy it.
I have a basic set, and a nice Kato FEF-3 Loco. Trying to figure the DCC out. Going to try the NCE Power cab.
That's a great starting point and the Kato FEF-3 is an excellent loco. Mine is still DC but want upgrade it to DCC at some point. . I've had a Digitrax system for a long time but really only started using it as my primary controller about a year ago. I'm not much of a sound person so I'm sure there will be folks here that can give you much better advice on that than me.
Welcome.......I'm also partial to N, going back 50 years, but I've also done HO and I have some G scale stuff as well. I still don't have any issues with the size of N. My layout is a large, around the wall affair with a center penninsula. So the layout is only 2 ft wide in most places, It's built at 42 inches tall, and I like to sit (I have 4 rolling dining room chairs and an office chair) which puts the trains at eye level. Hopefully you got a good FEF-3.........it's a beautiful loco, and looks great, but I've heard a lot of negative reviews, mostly thrown traction tires and DCC issues. A fellow club member had both issues. But Spookshow gives it a good review, so it's not a global issue. NCE is a good choice......a friend has one and loves it. Possibly not as versatile as Digitrax, but a good choice.........I use an MRC system because I think their WiFi is the easiest to use and I really like that when I use it at NTRAK club events. Sound is nice, and you can turn it down/off, but I find it annoying after about 10 minutes, and usually do just that. But it's a personal thing, and I find steam to be much worse than diesel on the annoying scale.
I am now looking into the Digitrax system as well. I like the idea of having a handheld remote so I had looked at the NCE first, but looks like Digitrax has that option as well. I also just noticed you can add your old conventional control to the Digitrax. So my kids could have a separate control that I already own. Not sure how good my FEF-3 is because it has just been taken around my basic oval and is new. Its the Greyhound version, it sure looks nice. Also been looking at the Big Boys, its a must have for me, wanted one for a long time. In "N" they are definitely more affordable but still not cheap so want to pick the right one. Watched some reviews on the Kato, Athearn, and Broadway Limited. I like how you can see the drivers better on the Kato to see all the moving parts better. The reason I like the train is all the articulation and parts. But reviews kind of point to the Kato isn't quite as good as the others and it has 2 motors not sure if this is harder but it says they are calibrated already. Anyone have any experience with these engines. thoughts? I find the sound on my O scale annoying, but it is just the Lion chief. I do not have Legacy or DCS. Its to loud, so I use masking tape on the speaker and I don't use the sound much. It doesn't sound realistic and there aren't many options. I wish the chug sounded better. The fake chug and the echo from the Fast track are intense. I do not know how much I'll like the sound on N scale but I am not to worried about it, main reason for DCC is I want to run a couple trains at the same time and it sounds like they will keep distance from one another so you can start them and not worry about it.
Haha I think I'd do to much damage just picking those Z scale up with my hands. They are neat, amazing how small they are. I've thought about getting a basic engine just to see one in person. I have an N scale Bachman DC 0-6-0 (switcher I think) that came in a a basic Yard Boss set. When I set it next to my N Scale FEF-3 its about half the length. The 0-6-0 Loco is about 2-1/2" long and pretty lean. It is hard to believe they can make a scale smaller than N that functions normal. This 0-6-0 would be tiny. Pretty neat when you think about it though, if you have very limited space and you can see well, you could pull out a huge layout in Z.
