Use whatever brand you like in the little chimney type smokers. They don't work that well no matter what you put in them. I picked up some coal scented MTH fluid at the local hobby shop that I like to run in my C-16s. The newer fan driven smoke units (SD-45 units) are more finicky from what I have heard. The Aristo fluid is supposed to be an ultra fine grade and other lesser grades can clog the wicks.
-Brian
Or build your own.
Keystones are weak engines, only good for dead level track. The cars are very close to Bachmann rolling stock, like they used the same molds, and as such are fine for most uses. But the locos I have had were very dissappointing.
Buy a Bachmann starter set if your interesting in narrow gauge, Aristo or USA if your interested in standard gauge trains.
Have fun with your trains
Moozuki wrote:I was thinking aristo brass track, not sure if the extra cost of SS would be worth it here in AZ.The wife just wants to watch train run in garden, not do operations so no switches. Planning a 20' x 23' folded dog-bone ( L shaped ) layout with min 5' radius curves.
I would say the extra cost of the SS track is worth it for primarily one reason - thermal expansion. SS track expands and contracts a lot less than brass and in your neck of the woods that can be a big problem. Split Jaw also makes special short sections of track that can help compensate for thermal expansion. Rail clamps are a good idea too. A second reason may be that MTH DCS system. I heard it can be finicky on less that perfectly clean track and SS will help that out a lot. If you go brass, look at the American Mainline track. You can find it for around $3.50 a foot but you need a rail bender to go with it. The Train Li dual rail one is the best and goes for around $270 (but I heard its increasing price soon). Ten foot diameter curves are great.
Some folks say the Keystone trains are fine but I have heard more negative than positive about them. They drivetrain on the locomotive seems to be the weak point (it is a nice looking 2-6-2 though). There's a guy in Australia who has a number of these and has done extensive modifications to beef up the faults in the drivetrain. The cars are identical to Bachmann Big Hauler and are 1:22.5 scale narrow gauge. I don't think they come with metal wheels like the newer Bachmann ones do.
If the look of the locomotive is what you like look into the new version of the AristoClassic C-16 (1:24 scale ng).
Its been recently redone with a heavy duty drivetrain, new smoke unit, and track/battery power switch. They can be found for $300 or less with a matching caboose. I have bought a quite a few Aristo loco (many used on eBay) and have done little in the way of repairs to them.
btw Mike, the club is trying to plan a "class trip" to the MTH headquarters (just up the road from me in Columbia, Md). They did one a few years ago and I heard its a fun place to visit.
If I were starting out I would look hard at MTH.
I have mostly Aristo stuff and it's good and priced right and their repair dept is excellent--whch is good because they need repairs pretty often. Aristo makes a full product line--they make everything you need.
MTH makes a good variety of stuff and what's more important, their engines have sound and remote control built in. You might pay a more up front, but you're getting a state of the art remote control and sound system already installed, instead of having to figure out how to wire everything yourself.
MTH stuff is in a the smallest scale--1:32 instead of 1:20, 1:24 or 1:29 (aristo). Sometimes that will make for problems mixing stuff from different manufacturers.
Age is only a state of mind, keep the mind active and enjoy life
Moozuki, and your pick of Aristro-craft is a good one.
As for Keystone they look to me as a knock off, Vic can tell you more about them cause his wife bought one. I would not say there worth the money I see on eBay. Think Vic had a problem with his wifes....can not remember.
Toad
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