New to trains

[Anonymous]

Need help finding a train to run around the the perimeter wall, just below the ceiling of my wife's candy store. I know nothing. Not even a scale. [8]

[Anonymous]

Well, of COURSE we would recommend G scale. Wlecome to large scale railroading.

There are all sorts of options for raised tracks. Some of the commercial systems are Eagle Wings Ironcraft at http://www.eaglewingsironcraft.com/overhead.html and even Arosto Craft advertises what they call their Transit System at http://www.aristocraft.com/ (select Aristo-Craft Catalog on the left side, then Transit System about 2/3 down on the right). The commercial systems are pretty pricey, though, IMHO, so you might also look for information on this and other Large Scale forums about building your own. It isn't as hard as it sounds.

As for scale and other things about G scale, you will want to read the back posts in all the forums for newcomers' advice. The number one rule is HAVE FUN!

What kind of candy store does your wife have? My cousin has a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store and I LOVE visiting. I hadn't thought about putting a train in it but I'll have to suggest it.

Have fun and remember that there are no stupid questions. We've all been there (and some of us aren't that far past).

Dan
Cortez, CO

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Well, I'll get the flames started. Aristo-Craft may well be worth looking at for your purpose as they market everything you'd need, even a suspension system! One stop shopping as it were!

The products of each and every one of the major manufacturers have thier pluses and minuses, advocates and detractors! Any would probably do you just dandy for what you want!

Lurk about the forums and check out the individual websites/catalogs. If you have a hobby shop nearby, get the catalogs. I would also suggest that you go to your local hobby shop or newstand and get a copy of Garden Railways and peruse the ads! Also check out the stickys at the top of the general discussion section of this forum!

The smaller scales may seem price attractive, but for my money when you put them up by the ceiling, they're gonna be too small! I'd say you're talking either O or G guage.

I ain't gonna get into the scale/guage argument here, but if you do some reading on these fora you will begin to get an understanding!

Welcome to the world of big kids who play with big trains!

[tangerine-jack]

Capt Bob hit on a good point indirectly, that is to keep to the same manufacturer for your components. That eliminates the scale/guage flame wars that are sure to ensue. If you are not aware, G "scale" can be any number of scales, all of which run on G track. Each manufacturer makes something slightly different and by cruizing the forums you can find out just how wide this difference can be.

I throw my vote in for Aristo-Craft. What can I say, for the price/value ratio it's tops in my book.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I think you'll find you will get a lot more help, and more practical help at that, if you were to edit your post to give a bit more information.
geographic location
level of mechanical abilities
railroad preferences, ie: steam or diesel, era, passenger/freight, etc.
enable the private e-mail feature (which works quite nicely, by the way)

Geographic info probably being the most important as if you were to give your nation & city/town, somebody who does know that area could probably steer you where to go to get your answers or materials!

[Camaro1967]

Capt Bob is right on two counts. You really should indicate where you are. That will release lots of local help. Second We (Bob and I) would recommend the aristocraft forum, at www.aristocraft.com, for the best help on Aristocraft products short of the main office. Also, I personally know the owner of Eaglewings. His stuff is pricy, but you could probably run a real train on it. Go to his web sitie, at www.eaglewings.com, and look at all the overhead systems he is installed all over the country in homes and commercial places.

Paul

[Bucksco]

http://www.lgb.de/english/index.htm

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Discretely done Jack! Although I did mention one, I tried to be fair to all you guys in my posting.

[Bucksco]

Just wanted to present options.[;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DryHeatDan

Well, of COURSE we would recommend G scale. Wlecome to large scale railroading.

There are all sorts of options for raised tracks. Some of the commercial systems are Eagle Wings Ironcraft at http://www.eaglewingsironcraft.com/overhead.html and even Arosto Craft advertises what they call their Transit System at http://www.aristocraft.com/ (select Aristo-Craft Catalog on the left side, then Transit System about 2/3 down on the right). The commercial systems are pretty pricey, though, IMHO, so you might also look for information on this and other Large Scale forums about building your own. It isn't as hard as it sounds.

As for scale and other things about G scale, you will want to read the back posts in all the forums for newcomers' advice. The number one rule is HAVE FUN!

What kind of candy store does your wife have? My cousin has a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store and I LOVE visiting. I hadn't thought about putting a train in it but I'll have to suggest it.

Have fun and remember that there are no stupid questions. We've all been there (and some of us aren't that far past).

Dan
Cortez, CO

Thanks Dan. My wife's candy store is the Kalona Candy Company. She makes fudge and chocolates. She is just starting. I really appreciate your input.
David

[Anonymous]

If you want the longest-lasting motors for the lowest price, LGB starter sets can't be beat! You will swear by LGB starter locos and NOT at them...compared to say...well, okay, I will refrain from mentioning....@#!@#@?!#@!?!

LGB has many American looking locos, the starter set locos are "toy versions" of real locos, but they are adorable looking and certainly would appeal to kids and family in a Candy shoppe! The European Green and Red steamer with its stubby Austrian cars may fit in the shoppe as well. LGB starter sets--the New York Central, and Union Pacific freight set--have sound systems as well to really liven up the atmosphere. The sounds are real recordings of real steam engines,too.

You can always get a non--sound set and add a sound box to it, also.

The LGB sets range (from dealer to dealer) from $270 to $460

They come with a loco, cars, circle of quality brass track, and heavy-duty power pack.
If the power pack says "1 ampere" you could actually use this in the store display, as it will run for a very long time. If you have a two-motor loco, then you'll need to upgrade to a larger power pack.

The only thing besides the starter set you need is some straight & curve track pieces to make a big "oval" or "square" (the perimeter of your store).

Note that the curve pieces in the starter set are "R1" (2 foot radius) ---you may want to forgo these and get larger curve pieces.

All in all, besides the starter set, look to about $75-$150 in extra track if you buy from the internet. You can get great deals off of Ebay too.

NOTE: After seeing the initial prices, you may be tempted to "think smaller". I am a BIG fan of O gauge (Lionel size trains) too....don't think that Lionel trains aren't as beautiful as G scale...Lionel and MTH in O gauge have some really great trains.

But the problems with O gauge is that because of the size, when you put these up high the younger kids and shorter people will not notice them as much. Also, these trains are much, much more fragile---LGB trains are made for the snow and outdoors! The O gauge models will not be as reliable as the LGB brand.

So, when you really compare O gauge to G Scale, G Scale is a much more better value and actually the prices are quite reasonable for the LGB brand particularly (because they last!!!!)

I know of two people on the G Scale group (Yahoo!) that maintain G Scale layouts in restaurants and they have bought many different brands and have come to the conclusion for constant running at commercial shops--LGB holds up the best. There will still be some maintainence--tracks need periodic cleaning (cleaning block will do)--and plastic wheelsets need to be changed over to metal wheelsets.

Regards,

Thomas M.

[piercedan]

One big difference between G and O guage is LGB, Aristo, USA all make solidtrack whereas the most common O guage is hollow.

For long term operation, the brass will survive better.

I would go with LGB for the operation of the train as I believe they are very robust.

I would also add a car with ball bearing power pickups and tie/mu this to my engine to get better power pickup and this goes for any manufacturer you select.

Keep in mind that you will have to clean the track, so make sure it is all accessable.
There iare many types of track cleaning cars on the market, plus LGB makes a motorized version which now may need MTS or DCC to operate it.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by piercedan

One big difference between G and O guage is LGB, Aristo, USA all make solidtrack whereas the most common O guage is hollow.

For long term operation, the brass will survive better.

I would go with LGB for the operation of the train as I believe they are very robust.

I would also add a car with ball bearing power pickups and tie/mu this to my engine to get better power pickup and this goes for any manufacturer you select.

Keep in mind that you will have to clean the track, so make sure it is all accessable.
There iare many types of track cleaning cars on the market, plus LGB makes a motorized version which now may need MTS or DCC to operate it.

Good tips! Yes, good idea---behind the engine you can put a car with LGB ball bearing wheelsets and put wires to these into the LGB power socket behind the engine or tender---that way you have extra power pickups for the engine which will make the train much more reliable when running at slower speeds around the layout.

Note that the LGB Track Cleaning Locomotive does NOT require MTS , it will work with either normal DC power or MTS.

Regards,

Thomas M.