Getting back on board and of course lots of ?

It has been many moons since I watched the rails in my garage. I was looking at a MRR magazine to see what was out there. It looks like I am not in Kansas any more.

I had a nice 5 by 8 N scale layout. I started it and worked on it for 3 plus years then it sat there hanging from the ceiling of the garage for several more years until I gave t to a friend that I knew would take care of it and not just junk it.

I will be working in HO scale ( see I said what scale )

Has Bachman improved there quality over the years or are they still on the poor quality side? I was looking at some HO scale steam era units but from what I remember they were not worht buying. Are there any steam engines that are affordable?

I have two Athearn GP 35's from way back with a few box cars, tankers, and a lone stock car. So I am pretty much starting from the very beginning. Are there other sites to look at some track plans in the 5 X 12 size range? It just seems that the track plans I have seen go from the very basic once around 4X8 to rather large room size plans.

I did see one I liked it is called the Inyo & White Mountian RR. It is an L-shaped layout that is 9 feet by 12 feet. I like the way the main line runs for a long time and it has a nice amount of switching do while the trains run on the main line. If I beg, plead, bribe, harass, bug, and pester the planning department I can get ths much space alloted for the railroad. I can not tell you what I want in a track plan, but if I see it I will know it is one I like

The area I think the railroad will be in is the high desert of southern California, Nevad, and Arizona. That could change as I start to get all of the things together. I live in the high desert of southern California so it is local to me.

To DCC or not. Is it easer to go this route or the old style with all of the blocks and switches? If so what would be a good start to a system that will not break the bank?

Thanks for any tips and help.

Dru.

 

I have yet to see a negative MR review on Steam Locos. That doesn't mean there aren't problems since the manufacturers are also advertisers.
For consideration if you have the resources, MR June 98 review, Bachmann Spectrum Series, the
2-8-0 affordable consolidation, $70.00 out of Standard + shipping. Engine weight 13.4 oz.

MR Dec 99 , Athearn Genesis Line, 2-8-2 Mikado, $90.00 out of Trainworld + shipping. Engine weight 13.oz.

MR Aug 01, Athearn Genesis Line, 4-6-2 Light Pacific, $90.00 out of Trainworld + shipping. Engine weight 12.75 oz.

Also go to the www..ihc-hobby.com site. Click, on-line catalog, Click HO, Click Steam. This site give you the steam details/models.

Important steam factors, loco weight. On the Athearn/Bachmann, you may have to add weight to the boiler to avoid wheel slippage.

On the IHC 4-8-2, the engine weighs in at 16.9 oz., somewhere around $100.00 + Shippping.

Some models also have electrical pick-up from each rail in both engine and tender.

 

I purchased a Bachman Consolidation 2-8-0 in January at the Great Scale Train Show.

I got it home and it ran like a dog. The wheels had NO play (side to side) plus the coupling pin between engine and tender was biased upwards.

Result.... stayed on track for about 24" before it decided to take dirt roads, or other "alternate" routes other than the track.

I sent it back to Bachman, they replaced it... no charge, and it runs great. I have since decaled and weathered it, and it has been put into service for about 2 months now. It is a well running engine, suitable for pulling small, "consolidation-sized" consists up and down the 2.8% grades on my layout.

Bachman now builds good products and it has been my experience they unconditionally stand behind them... no questions asked. As Bachman comes out w/ other engine products that are appropriate for my layout and era... I will not hesitate to purchase them.

-Kitbash

[ 29 April 2002, 13:22: Message edited by: Kitbash ]

 

Welcome Dru! Let me be the first of many to say YOU MUST GET DCC!! Especially since you are just starting up again. There are many discussions here at Trainboard on the subject. I have a Digitrax Empire Builder ll which operates flawlessly. It is easy to set up and operate. There are cheaper sets out there (Atlas, MRC) but as Bill said, you get what you pay for. The main point is, don't even consider the old way of wiring for block control. DCC is far simpler in every aspect, not to mention the sheer joy you get from operating the trains. It's a great time to get back into model railroading! You're definitely not in Kansas anymore... Welcome to OZ!

 

I will add my confirmation about the Bachmann Spectrum locos- They do run really well and the factrory will make it so -- test first to avoid a trip for your engine to Phila.
A few other thing to think about as you re-start -- use metal wheels and Kaydee couplers on everything (easier now than when you've amassed a fleet).
Use Nickel-silver track, and try to use larger # turnouts and larger radius track if you have the space - especially with steam - the long engines look much better on larger radius curves. The higher number trunouts (#6 instead of #4, for instance) are less "curved" and therefore cause fewer problems.
If you have space try to include some staging tracks -- a place to temporarily "park" trains "off scene" (representing the far away destination or source for your trains)
Definately DCC -- Makes playing with trains really fun -- you can even have a "cornfield meet" with two trains facing each other on the same track. But aside from that, it makes operation of any kind much more fun (not having to switch blocks to run more than one train is worth it, by itself). I have NCE and love it's easy to use (and remember) controller -- but all the major systems out now can do quite a lot -- more than enough for the average operator. The best way to decide for yourself is to actually use controllers from various systems. If you operate and program with each system, you can see for yourself how easy it will be for you to use and remember.
It will also be much better to start with decoders in your engines -- again, rather than waiting till you have a fleet -- and how you can get engines with decoders installed, or specific decoders that will fit into an existing plug.
And then there's sound -- I can't say enough about the value of user controlled sound coming from the engine (or a car behind...).
...you can also control track switches and accessories right from your handheld - and it could be wireless!

About your plans - you have a good idea to include some industrial switching as well as long straight runs, to keep the interest going. You're on the right track! Enjoy!

 

A while back we ran a survey on locomotives. While the Bachman steamers rated high, the diesels rated just above limburger. I had the misfortune to order 3 of them all together, and all three died miserable howling deaths all in the same night. I'll not get another iesel from them again. The steamers are tepting, but my hands still smart from the disels.

Athearn still makes a decent and affordable diesel. It's got some well-known problems, but he fixes are fairly easy and you can get a well running diesel for not much money if you want to do some work.

Atlas, Stewart, Kato all make good diesels.

Ther's plenty of good information on layout design and materials. Basically: Nickel silver track IS the only way to go. Flex track should be used as much as possible. #6 turnouts are much better than #4's, but take up more room. Most all locomotives should run on 18" curves, but everything runs better and looks better on larger curves. 4% grades are steep, but doable. 1" in 36" running is a nicer grade, and usually doesn't crimp the design style too badly.

And most of all, have fun doing it all!

Mark

 

I have been tring to learn all I can about the NEW and IMPROVED stuff on the market. The DCC just seemed so much easer to setup and get more then one train going copmpared to all of the blocks and switches.

My old N scale layout was an HO I put N scale track on. The 18 inch radius curves made all of the N scale cars and engines really happy.

I will have to do some really hard begging to get any more room then 9x12. I can get that much if I give up some area from my wood shop to the train area.

I am glad to hear about the Bachman steam loco's. I did not want to spend $300.00 on just one steam loco. I asked because the one diesel engine I had from Bachman would not stay on the tracks nor pull over three cars on level track. I did not want to spend $80.00 to $100.00 on a loco and have it be a fishing weight.

Most of my stuff will be from mail order. The closet train store is 65 miles one way from home. I do not mind spending a little more at my local shop but when it is twice the price it makes it hard to spend there. I will still get allot from them because they are there to talk to and if I do not spend there they will not be there any more.

I have been to the IHC web site along with any other one I can find with railroad stuff. I have delt with Tower Hobbies for over 15 years with my R\C planes, boats, and helicopters and was unaware that they carry all sorts of train stuff.

I have some stuff coming from Micro Mark. I ordered the track laying tools and some thin wood strips so I can start scratch building some industries for my soon to be EMPIRE. I also ardered some balsa from Lone Star models so I can make my own strips.

Thanks.

Dru.

 

Welcome to Trainboard Dru!

Yes, Bachmann has gotten way better. They are filling a huge void for the steam era modeler in plastic. Affordable yet very detailed. I have one of their mountains and the new 'J'. They are fabulous! Rivarossi is great too, the new Alley is a dent in the pocket, but it's beautiful. As with Life-Like, no one mentioned them here, but their detail is unbeatable. The new Y class malletts along with their 0-8-0, a great company. Look for the Proto and Heritage lines. Welcome back!

Jeff

 

I believe Bachmann has a limited lifetime warranty.
Failures less than one year, repaired/replaced with proof of purchase.
Over one year, a $15.00 service charge'.

Life like proto 1000 & 2000 series has a limited life warranty.
Failures less than 90 days, repaired/replaced with proof of purchase
Over 90 days, a $5.00 service charge.
This can really pay off if you have a problem with their Heritage 2-8-8-2 steam loco..

I think Kato is 60 days, Atlas 90 days.

Walthers trainline products and Stewart both imply Lifetime.

Don't know what the Athearn policy is but since they make steam locos, it would be interesting
to know their policy..

The Walthers Rivarossi policy is for one year as well as the Trix..

It's nice to know a modelers recourse should a unit fail.

 

Well it is nice to hear that a company can change for the better. I have a Bachmann Plus HO Scale Southern Pacific Daylight GS4 4-8-4 on the way. I also have the Athearn car set of it coming with the order. There is just something about the SP Daylight paint job that I really like.

I am just picking up somethings from here and there until I can figure out the track plan.

Thanks.

Dru.