Radio Control Battery Powered Engine advise?

[Anonymous]

I'm a fresh starter on garden railroading. I currently use those crappy Scientific Toys LTD. train sets. They are junk. I'm moving up the ladder to more advanced form of trains. Do you have any suggestions of what kind of Radio Control Battery Powered Engines I should buy? I prefer low-priced ones (less than $200 total). I'm looking for a small engine, but can pull at least 4 short passenger cars. I'm aiming for battery operation because electric operation is difficult and more expensive. Thanks

[vsmith]

Golden Gate Welcome again,

You've got a bit of a problem here because almost everything in the New Bright, Scientific, and Echo Brand of battery operated trains are nothing but pure crap!

There really isnt anything out there in the quality battery operated off-the-shelf sort of thing. Your best bet is if you are using the plastic crap-burger track that comes with the battery sets, then I would look on Ebay for an original Bachmann Big Hauler set. These were battery operated with plastic track and a radio controls similar to the Scientific set, but they look and operate a million times better than the other low-end stuff.

The only other option is to get a track powered engine like a Bachmann Anniversery 4-6-0 and get it comverted to battery power , this is not going to be cheap though, plus even with battery power it should be run on brass track.

[Anonymous]

[#welcome]
I would try Aristo-Craft at first. Only thing it is track powered.
But it has a + , give it a check out.
Go to http://www.aristocraft.com/ then click Aristo-Craft catalog, then click Lil' Critter Freight Starter Sets $225.00 or click on the other sets there.

Or a BACHMANN G Gauge Big Hauler from $199 - $224. Now this is also track powered http://www.internettrains.com/train-sets-all-scales-g-scale-train-sets-bachmann-big-hauler-electric-train-sets.html
If you get one ask me for some tips, I have a large collection of links.
And remember get what you want and where you get them.
Like here near Houston they have a Big Hauler set for $150.00 at one store.

I hope this helped!?!?

[Anonymous]

Thanks, but I was looking more of converting electric trains into battery operated radio controlled ones. Any engines out there that are low price? What kind of radio control kits should I buy?

[Anonymous]

I did a web search for you.....here is the links:

http://www.thortrains.net/kidstoys/battery2.html
http://www.thortrains.net/yule/yuleg44a.html track lay out page

Hope that helps

[Anonymous]

You pay peanuts and you get monkeys and that is true of garden railways. For $200 you willbe lucky to get peanuts and you will spend years regretting wasting everyone of those $200.

Ian

[vsmith]

Also try Battery Backshop, they specialize in battery conversions. I would still recommend the Bachmann Anniversery even if you want to switch to battery and R/C. Its a good engine and will negotiate the 4foot diameter curves you have. It sells for around $150, the battery R/C conversion will be extra but its a good place to start.[8D]

[Anonymous]

Hi Golden Gate
for $200 you probably won't get anything bigger than a Lehmann line locomotive If that (LGB Toy train Range) these are not bad locomotives but are very small 0-4-0 locomotives they have been bashed into all sorts of things. The mechanisam is quite good and are ideal as a small industrial type locomotive to battery power it you will need a suitable tender for it I don't know if the Lehmann line 4wh tender would be big enough if it is or you find a suitable tender then find the US
dealer for RCS radio control gear I have heard very good reports on it.
But I have never used it my line is track power or steam.
regards John