battery operated toy trains in a garden railway

[Anonymous]

As I read the responses to this topic, I am sad to see the negativity that is common in this great hobby. I know that there is a broad range of experience when it comes to garden railroading, but I believe that a recent issue of Garden Railways made this clear- it's supposed to be fun and enjoyable- not rude and degrading.

I started with one of those $40 KB Toys G Scale Sets that my wife purchased for Christmas and I enjoyed it (as well as my 4 year old). Yes, it has it's drawbacks, but has served a great purpose for the past two years and continues to do so. I had to weigh down the cvab of the locomotive, but other than not controlling the speed, I think we got our $40 worth out of it.

I also have a converted remote control USA NW2 Locomotive that was considerably more than our first and it runs very well. So for the most part, you do get what you pay for, but I've also seen expensive rolling stock that does not perform well either- so there is always exceptions.

For someone that is thinking about getting involved in garden railroading and doesn't want to spend big bucks, you can have a lot of fun with the old $40 set, but a few tweaks may be in order- remember have fun and enjoy the outdoors!

[Anonymous]

As I read the responses to this topic, I am sad to see the negativity that is common in this great hobby. I know that there is a broad range of experience when it comes to garden railroading, but I believe that a recent issue of Garden Railways made this clear- it's supposed to be fun and enjoyable- not rude and degrading.

I started with one of those $40 KB Toys G Scale Sets that my wife purchased for Christmas and I enjoyed it (as well as my 4 year old). Yes, it has it's drawbacks, but has served a great purpose for the past two years and continues to do so. I had to weigh down the cvab of the locomotive, but other than not controlling the speed, I think we got our $40 worth out of it.

I also have a converted remote control USA NW2 Locomotive that was considerably more than our first and it runs very well. So for the most part, you do get what you pay for, but I've also seen expensive rolling stock that does not perform well either- so there is always exceptions.

For someone that is thinking about getting involved in garden railroading and doesn't want to spend big bucks, you can have a lot of fun with the old $40 set, but a few tweaks may be in order- remember have fun and enjoy the outdoors!

[Tom The Brat]

If it fits on the rails, run it!

[Tom The Brat]

If it fits on the rails, run it!

[Curmudgeon]

so, who started this thread then bailed?
error error is not a good handle.

TOC

[Curmudgeon]

so, who started this thread then bailed?
error error is not a good handle.

TOC

[vsmith]

Dave it was started by a particularly nasty little troll who later tried to convince all of us that he was a major exec at a certain very large rodent oriented company. His downfall was that while cliaming to be an exec, he also said he couldnt afford the LGB Disney forney set, which was lunch money if he was who he said he was, Rene nuked him (and his 5 aliases) in a most deserved action.

I stand by my previous comments on RC battery oped trains

Bman AC Accu USA etc etc converted to battery/rc, if you can afford it [tup]

New bright, Echo, Scientific, etc etc, [tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn]

i would rather have a HLW Mack for $40 and a used $10 bachmann powerpack any day of the year.

[vsmith]

Dave it was started by a particularly nasty little troll who later tried to convince all of us that he was a major exec at a certain very large rodent oriented company. His downfall was that while cliaming to be an exec, he also said he couldnt afford the LGB Disney forney set, which was lunch money if he was who he said he was, Rene nuked him (and his 5 aliases) in a most deserved action.

I stand by my previous comments on RC battery oped trains

Bman AC Accu USA etc etc converted to battery/rc, if you can afford it [tup]

New bright, Echo, Scientific, etc etc, [tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn]

i would rather have a HLW Mack for $40 and a used $10 bachmann powerpack any day of the year.

[John Busby]

Hi cumudgeon
The error error bit could mean a tech dificulty.for someone
I know because after an absence the forum would not let me back so all posts that I know are mine before that have the same error error in the from box.
This one however is not one of mine.
I have a battery loco that started as a $15 toy RC Car that was built by Toenail ridge.
it just has fwd back and stop for speed control and doest what it is suposed too
not much left of the car.
regards John

[John Busby]

Hi cumudgeon
The error error bit could mean a tech dificulty.for someone
I know because after an absence the forum would not let me back so all posts that I know are mine before that have the same error error in the from box.
This one however is not one of mine.
I have a battery loco that started as a $15 toy RC Car that was built by Toenail ridge.
it just has fwd back and stop for speed control and doest what it is suposed too
not much left of the car.
regards John

[ttrigg]

My "Old Timer" serves 2 purposes. 1) run around the Christmas tree. 2) pull the track cleaning car around the layout. (two laps per month seems to do it.)

[ttrigg]

My "Old Timer" serves 2 purposes. 1) run around the Christmas tree. 2) pull the track cleaning car around the layout. (two laps per month seems to do it.)

[GP-9_Man11786]

I run an 11 year old "Classic Rail" It ran quite well when it was new but has become fiesty in it's old age so it'snow only used for occasional fan trips and the occasional photo run-by.
It noticed the wieght of the batteries hindered it's pulling power, I solved this problem by simply converting the engine to use 9-volt NIMH batteries. It's a simple conversion.

I also used a classic rail mechanism to build an industrial diesle switcher.

[GP-9_Man11786]

I run an 11 year old "Classic Rail" It ran quite well when it was new but has become fiesty in it's old age so it'snow only used for occasional fan trips and the occasional photo run-by.
It noticed the wieght of the batteries hindered it's pulling power, I solved this problem by simply converting the engine to use 9-volt NIMH batteries. It's a simple conversion.

I also used a classic rail mechanism to build an industrial diesle switcher.

[Tommy0218]

Hello all -
Can anyone give me some insight on the Astor line?

[Tommy0218]

Hello all -
Can anyone give me some insight on the Astor line?

[Curmudgeon]

You mean Aster?
As in "expensive"?
A few are electric, most are live steam.
What do you want to know?
TOC

[Curmudgeon]

You mean Aster?
As in "expensive"?
A few are electric, most are live steam.
What do you want to know?
TOC

[Tommy0218]

I am trying to get feedback on the Astor line. I am a collector of steam engines from
"Z" scale to large scale mostly electric powered locos including the micro-metakit line based in Germany however I am just now "breaking" into the live steam market and trying to get as much feedback as possible.
Thanks

[Tommy0218]

I am trying to get feedback on the Astor line. I am a collector of steam engines from
"Z" scale to large scale mostly electric powered locos including the micro-metakit line based in Germany however I am just now "breaking" into the live steam market and trying to get as much feedback as possible.
Thanks

[Tom The Brat]

Astor?

Expensive. Beautiful. Way out of my price range[:o]

[Tom The Brat]

Astor?

Expensive. Beautiful. Way out of my price range[:o]

[Curmudgeon]

I had an Aster-Electric Big-Boy here for a long time (like almost 2 years) getting gears made.
Call for parts, they can provide anything you want....as long as it isn't for the electric version.
They make most if not all the special LGB items in brass.
I have an LGB/Aster Franks S. and an Aster C&S Mogul.
Good design and engineering, quality control, support.

TOC

[Curmudgeon]

I had an Aster-Electric Big-Boy here for a long time (like almost 2 years) getting gears made.
Call for parts, they can provide anything you want....as long as it isn't for the electric version.
They make most if not all the special LGB items in brass.
I have an LGB/Aster Franks S. and an Aster C&S Mogul.
Good design and engineering, quality control, support.

TOC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TurboOne

Hello all,

yes I have newbright as my only G scale so far. And the track isn't down due to rain again. But it got me started in G, and a dash 9 or cab forward will become my real first train, just depends on cab forward price.

Tim

Tim, Checkout Kimbrit's Cab forward project in scratch/bash section. Way more afordable.

I just going to start off in RC/battery to avoid the limitations of track power in the future.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TurboOne

Hello all,

yes I have newbright as my only G scale so far. And the track isn't down due to rain again. But it got me started in G, and a dash 9 or cab forward will become my real first train, just depends on cab forward price.

Tim

Tim, Checkout Kimbrit's Cab forward project in scratch/bash section. Way more afordable.

I just going to start off in RC/battery to avoid the limitations of track power in the future.

[Dick Friedman]

My first was a Bachmann Big Hauler. Cheapo "RC", but good cars. Plastic track was junk, but I gave it to my grandson, who uses it every day! RC ran fine, engine ran good for about three years. Then I put it away, and took it out a few weeks ago. Seem the motor froze up!

Got me in the hobby, and it's been a blast ever since. I've got a second BH, but its power train stripped out when my f-i-L had it. It's good for parts, though, as its motor is good!

[Dick Friedman]

My first was a Bachmann Big Hauler. Cheapo "RC", but good cars. Plastic track was junk, but I gave it to my grandson, who uses it every day! RC ran fine, engine ran good for about three years. Then I put it away, and took it out a few weeks ago. Seem the motor froze up!

Got me in the hobby, and it's been a blast ever since. I've got a second BH, but its power train stripped out when my f-i-L had it. It's good for parts, though, as its motor is good!

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tommy0218

Hello all -
Can anyone give me some insight on the Astor line?

Simple, Astors are like Ferrari's, if you have to ask what they cost...you likely can't afford them, or is that just me...[;)]

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tommy0218

Hello all -
Can anyone give me some insight on the Astor line?

Simple, Astors are like Ferrari's, if you have to ask what they cost...you likely can't afford them, or is that just me...[;)]