Pat, N scale has come far since I started out in it in 1987. Most recent releases are quality products; some older stuff from the 70's and 80's needs improvement, but can be had for cheap and is a great way to start. Try the Spookshow site to do your homework of older engines. There's a gazillion freight cars available in N now. Not the dizzying selection seen in HO, but enough to make your wallet melt down... There's plenty of hoppers available in N. Every major era from transition to modern day. Bluford makes great stuff, Trainworx does top notch detail, Atlas Trainman is decent for a long string that won't cost an arm, leg and kidney. Atlas makes several varieties of Geeps in the era you seek. All are fantastic models. Kato makes SD45's, Fs and Intermountain makes nice Fs as well. Micro Trains makes nice FTs. I wish you success in your N-venture!
Pat, I switched from HO to N in 1993 and have had a lot of fun since. I see your in West Virginia, how far of a drive is it to Columbus Ohio for you? I ask because there is a great N scale only show coming up in a few weeks. May 16th-18th is the N Scale Weekend in Columbus Ohio, check out centralohiontrak.org for more details. I went last year and had a great time looking at all the N-Trak, T-Trak and displays. All the layouts, vendors and door prizes are N scale so even an older N scale guy like me was surprised to see all that there is in N scale. The guys in Ohio put on a great show with door prizes, a Saturday night dinner, auction and just a great time. You'll also find some great deals on N scale items. I'm like you, point to point at home based on the B&M in NH. I tore down the old roundy-round in favor for my own design 18X48 inch modular. My layout is only 8 feet long on one wall, 4 feet on the other making for an L shape. While one module is modeled after an actual town in NH, the other two are free lanced based on Concord NH. I have plenty of room to run my DCC super detailed and painted locomotives. For constant running, I have built a series of T-Trak modules that allows me to run with my local club at shows. My advice is to take a look at your space situation and start planing a layout based on space, your time frame and operating style. N scale has come a long way. I just bought my first locomotive with sound and now have a new chapter in N scale to learn. Come on board, there is plenty of room in N!
Thanks for the words of encouragement. Jim, Columbus is around 3-1/2 hours away. That's not a huge trip but I think I have plans that weekend anyhow. I'm an N scale guy in an HO dominated area. Probably 80% HO modelers, 15% O and 5% N. I know of two other N scalers within 100 mile radius. LHS owner is one of them, he keeps a reasonable selection of rolling stock. HO had always been pitiful in his shop, maybe I'll frequent more often now. I'm working on a track plan, ill be sharing in the near future. Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk 2
It official, I'm an N Scaler. Or maybe I have been all this time and didn't recognize the symptoms. Perhaps some long-timers on TB remember, but I actually traded all of my HO for N equipment around 12 years ago. Inexperience, at the time, as well as inferior equipment doomed that attempt. Ended up parting out the collection and returning to HO. Rapido couplers, Aurora "Postage Stamp" F7's and a poor track plan caused the most problems. I gave my dad a couple cars for his coffee table layout he had been working on. He gave them back to me last night, they looked nicer than I remember. Still have to convert the rapidos out of them. Ill start a layout build thread in the near future. Thanks again! Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk 2
Pat, the drive to Columbus on May 17 or 18 for the Ohio N-scale Weekend is one of the best things you can do as an N-scaler. All dealers are all n-scale. If you are busy that weekend, consider Bedford on August 23/24. It has some of the same dealers and is all n-scale. Hope to see you at either site. Look us up, Central Ohio N-trak, the host club of Oh and a participant at Bedford. Craig
Thanks Craig. Ill have to consider attending the August show. I know I can't make the May date, but August is a possibility. Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk 2
It seems like the N scale equipment you acquired 12 years ago was already 40 years old. Ready-to-run freight cars with knuckle (Kadee) couplers have been available since the early 70's. The Aurora-Postage Stamp/Minitrix F-uints were pretty good performers: http://www.spookshow.net/loco/trixf9a.html They likely either needed servicing or were simply worn out.
Right, 75% of that equipment was quite old. Fortunately, I know how to go about this the right way this time around. Seems rapido-equipped cars can be had for very reasonable prices, but would need conversion. I'm going to have to study more on MT conversion kits. Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk 2
