Hi, I've been away from the hobby for almost two decades and need some advice. My problem is that it seems difficult for me to find the locomotives and cars I need with the couplers that I think I want. I'm interested in Chessie stock and locomotives, also anything B&O, C&O, or WM. After reading quite a few opinions, I'm leaning towards MT couplers. In terms of rolling stock, I'd like to start with 10 or so of these (not necessarily Atlas, but Chessie covered Hopper): http://www.atlastrainman.com/Images/NFreight/n3560/0408/39922A_TQ.jpg In terms of locomotives, I'd like to find two GP35's, DCC installed preferably. I would also consider other 4-axle locomotives of the same flag (GP40?). So, I guess I could sum up my questions like this: 1) Is it possible to buy new (above) with MT couplers installed, or am I going to end up installing them? 2) Does anyone have opinions on the Kato couplers and how well they work with Atlas Accumate, MT? Kato has an NW2 switcher that looks interesting. 3) I welcome general recommendations on acquiring above, vendors that are most likely to have good inventory, etc. I know that's a little broad, but it's hard for me to start buying until I've made some decisions regarding the couplers and I don't want to make any assumptions that might come back to haunt me regarding reliability and interoperability. I'd rather not invest in a lot of Atlas, for instance, only to find out later that I'm not happy with Accumate and I want to convert everything to MT. On the other hand, Atlas seems to be widely available and relatively cheap (rolling stock). Oh, and I need mag decouple. Thanks!
Welcome to TrainBoard!!!!!!! You will find we have lots a folks here that can help give you advise at all levels... :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up:
1) Is it possible to buy new (above) with MT couplers installed, or am I going to end up installing them? I can't name any of hand that come with MT couplers when it comes to Locomotives, rollingstock might try Fox Valley they night, the others have either Atlas Accumates; ie: Intermountain or Athearn Knuckle Couplers; ie: Exact Rail & Athearn of course. All of which are compatible and also work well. Fox Valley have about the best detail in the hobby as a Thread out now here will verify. Micro Trains are the only other brand that carries their brand couplers. But they are not hard to install yourself, and on the Micro Trains site there is a conversion table that can assist. 2) Does anyone have opinions on the Kato couplers and how well they work with Atlas Accumate, MT? Kato has an NW2 switcher that looks interesting. From what I've read here the newest edition of Kato couplers are giving people some troubles. But then again they can be changed out fairly easily. 3) I welcome general recommendations on acquiring above, vendors that are most likely to have good inventory, etc. woo woo woo woo woo woo has a live inventory and so does Fifer Hobbies one of Trainboard sponsors I will post the links for both below, and I have had nothing but great experiences with both of those etail vendors. As far as GP35 with DCC installed can't say off hand GP40 you might have better luck with since it's been released more recently than the GP35. Also the GP38 has just been released by Atlas as well and I know you can find the later two with DCC installed by Atlas. Also might be able to find the GP's by Bachmann, but I would choose the Bachmann Spectrum or Plus lines if you go with Bachmann. I hope that helps you get off to a good start; and some others will be along before long with more opinions. Welcome and Njoy http://www.fiferhobby.com/html/atlas_kato_bachmann_mdc_n_scal.html http://www.some train store.com/N_Scale_Locomotives_s/1437.htm
Welcome aboard jcleland, When it comes to MT couplers I have a hard time finding anything wrong with them. Well ok, maybe one thing, the slinkey effect. Other than that they are my preference. That being said I have no qualms with Accumates either. I've heard some mention they have a problem with accumates uncoupling by themselves. I've run trains 20 cars long and up a 2% grade and never had an uncoupling issue with them but thats just one persons experience. If you buy the Atlas cars you want and later decide you dislike the accumates, the conversion to MTs is so easy even a ham hand like myself can do it with one eye closed. No experience with Kato couplers other than the ones that come on their locomotives. If you are planning on some tight radius curves on your layout then you may want to convert any kato locomotive couplers out for a longer shank coupler. As for Atlas locomotives with preinstalled decoders- in a word NO! The board decoders they install in their GP-40s are very basic. Forward/backward and thats about it. By all means don't be shy about buying an Atlas locomotive but you'll be much happier by geting an after market decoder. Both TCS and Digitrax make board decoders that are super easy to install. When it comes to venders there are a bunch of online stores out there. Most are reputable and competitive in pricing. Some sadly are not. My top 2 recommendations are Wig-wag and BLW. I've bought from others and had no problems but these 2 shops get 99.9% of my business. Of course never forget your local hobby shop. Sometimes you get great deals there as well. Lastly re. magnetic decouplers, I experimented at length with rare earth magnets trying to get them to work consistently and decided a rix pick is the way to go. Maybe someone else has got the magic trick to get the things to decouple at the right time but I couldn' make the system work to my satisfaction. Brian
Thanks for the detailed replies, links and information! In all my Googling, I never found some train store.com, but I've been making a "wishlist" for the past hour Oh, and Brian, they have the appropriate Digitrax decoder right below the non-DCC Atlas locomotives in "related items" Doesn't' get much easier than that, right? Thanks for the tip about the Atlas decoders. James
You might also try www.nscalesupply.com They have a section of used stuff with different road names. A lot of the stuff is actually new and you might find some Chessie, C&O, B&O stuff there. Oh and you might want to look at my rail images page with a bunch of those roads! http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4339
Thanks! I've poked around that site before, but I'll give it another look. Hey, is that the Kato NW2 switcher? I keep stumbling over this one and it's on my wishlist. Are you still using the original couplers? How do you like it?
