Before I buy my first set: A few basic questions...

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Im about to get my first G-scale set and I have a few issues that I would like to resolve. By the way, I have decided to go with either LGB or Aristo-Craft, Bachmann may still be a possibility (feel free to try to influence my choice!).

Here we go:
(a) Aesthetic and scale issues aside, can cars from these brands be mixed together? That is would the wagons couple with each other?
(b) How about power requirements? Could I, for example. use an LGB engine and a Bachmann engine in the same set? Do they have similar power requirements?
(c) Suppose I really want to run 2 trains in the same set: Suppose I go with LGB's MTS and then I really like that Aristo Engine. Can I use them together? Or is MTS only an LGB "thing"? Are there any options then for that Aristo and LGB digital engines to share the same track? Im a bit confused as you can probably see from my questions.

I appreciate your answers.

[RhB_HJ]

Hi there,

a) in most cases yes, many of the mfgs include hook and loop couplers as an alternative to what they provide. The Aristo, LGB and USA Trains H&L couplers work quite well together.

b) depends which engine you're talking about. Some of the engines with sound (LGB being one kind) have higher starting voltages than engines without sound.

c) You can run one engine that is not decoder equipped with LGB MTS, however most people with DCC experience advise against it since the method used to run the engine is hard on the motor.

If you decide on DCC I would recommend you look at more than just the simple "dumbed down" systems, but basically you can equip any engine with a decoder - they do it even in Z scale. What will limit your performance is the control unit i.e. if your unit only offers 14 or 28 speed steps you will get that performance even if your decoder can handle 128 speed steps and all kinds of other goodies.
It also needs to be mentioned that you pay too much for a "low end" unit when you consider all the add-ons you'll require if you want to do more than just run and blow the whistle.

Hope that helps.

PS get a simple starter set powered by straight forward DC you'll get running and won't paint yourself into a corner from the start. You can always upgrade to other propulsion later on, when you have a better idea of what you would really like to do on your GRR.

[vsmith]

Originally posted by abcTrains
Hello,

Im about to get my first G-scale set and I have a few issues that I would like to resolve. By the way, I have decided to go with either LGB or Aristo-Craft, Bachmann may still be a possibility (feel free to try to influence my choice!).

Here we go:
(a) Aesthetic and scale issues aside, can cars from these brands be mixed together? That is would the wagons couple with each other?
If you use their proprietary knuckle couplers, NO, they will not Work right together. if you use the hook and loop couplers then YES everything will work together.

(b) How about power requirements? Could I, for example. use an LGB engine and a Bachmann engine in the same set? Do they have similar power requirements?
YES they both work of the same power settings. I would suggest the basic LGB pack which is a 1amp rated and will give better long term performance. The Bachmann powerpack is only 1/2 amp and is not very usefull.

(c) Suppose I really want to run 2 trains in the same set: Suppose I go with LGB's MTS and then I really like that Aristo Engine. Can I use them together? Or is MTS only an LGB "thing"? Are there any options then for that Aristo and LGB digital engines to share the same track? Im a bit confused as you can probably see from my questions.
Stick to basic DC for starts. get your basic layout done, then do your studying as to installation od DCC or MTS. Its a complex subject and not tread into lightly.

I appreciate your answers.
I hope this helps a little. Both the LGB and Aristo have good starter sets, bachmann has good starter equipment also but their track is sheeee-it. you will need to buy brass track for it. LGB does sell a starter set with two locos and a basic digital control system of thier MTS system. Aristo sells starter sets that come with a Crest Basic Train Engineer control system, an R/C handheld control system, but it works for one and only one train operation. The multi-control Crest Train Engineer system is a seperate purchase. As to whether Aristo or Bachmann can be fitted with LGB system I dunno, but i doubt it. LGB usually makes stuff work exclusivley for their stuff but I'll have to let others answer that.

The most basic question is "What do you want to do?" standard gauge? Aristo is best. LGB's starter sets that are ment to represent standard gauge are not what I would call "Standard Guage" The 2-4-0 starter sets use a 1/29~32 scale loco and 1/22 narrow gauge cars. However Aristos Critter and 0-4-0 switcher starter sets are both 1/29 scale standard gauge representations. However the Rogers 2-4-2 starter set IS a good representation of 1/20.3~22.5 scale narrow gauge. I have this engine and its a very good runner...smooooth and slooow. Bachmann's starter sets are ALL 1/22.5 scale narrow gauge representations. So its mostly up to you? are you Narrow Minded or Standard Issue? [;)]

[Anonymous]

With the sound coming out of LGB these days and the extra control you can get with the more modern locos, i would not consider anything else but LGb MTS right from the beginning if Ihad my time over again.

I have a new Sachsen withe the latest in sound from LGB and what an experience. I can slow the loco apply braking sounds when the loco is coming to a stop. I can then wait a while and initiate an announcement (in german unfortunately) let off some steam, blow a whistle start the engine moving and then blow a different whistle, all very European of course and this is abig step up to just running stuff around a circle.

I even have a crocodile loco that makes and announcement in german with a Swiss accent and i can blow a whistle with or without an echo.

As well I can run a double header under complete MTS control with both locos doing identical things.

You have to experience this sort of sophistication to appreciate it and make a decision from there.

rgds Ian

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

With the sound coming out of LGB these days and the extra control you can get with the more modern locos, i would not consider anything else but LGb MTS right from the beginning if Ihad my time over again.

I have a new Sachsen withe the latest in sound from LGB and what an experience. I can slow the loco apply braking sounds when the loco is coming to a stop. I can then wait a while and initiate an announcement (in german unfortunately) let off some steam, blow a whistle start the engine moving and then blow a different whistle, all very European of course and this is abig step up to just running stuff around a circle.

I even have a crocodile loco that makes and announcement in german with a Swiss accent and i can blow a whistle with or without an echo.

As well I can run a double header under complete MTS control with both locos doing identical things.

You have to experience this sort of sophistication to appreciate it and make a decision from there.

rgds Ian

Oh dear,

You should have waited 'til they come out with the Anglo-Saxon Saxon, it will have whatever announcements in Cockney.

On the LGB MTS: anyone who buys MTS without having a very good look at whatelse is in the DCC field has

a) too much money (MTS is a beginner's system at a mid-range system price where every little bit will cost extra.)

b) does him/herself a disservice and will miss out on a lot of truly excellent stuff that MTS can't cope with (see above for beginner's system).

c) every right to buy what he/she likes ( one can always change systems later, when one grows tired of the "cantankerous simplicity" of that beginner's system)

The above is strictly my opinion!

[chug chug]

Would like information on how to wire in a reversing switch. I have a Train Engineer from crest / arsitocraft. I am building a lay out that requires a reverse loop to operate. Is thier a module that can be put in the power line to dect the reversing current. I also am using a bridge works 15 amp supply. This loop is going to be a block.

chug chug

[smcgill]

USA has a nice starter set-- desiel
Comes with 4' X 5' loop of brass track
1 - Transformer
1- box car
1- caboose
1 - Engine
moe - one motor / set $200
nw-2 - two- motors / set $250

[Tom The Brat]

For wiring your reversing switch:

http://www.gardentrack.com/info/reverse.html