reliability

[Anonymous]

hello alll, my question is reliable products. I'm somewhat new to model railroading so i really don't know what is or what isn't. The last time i fooled around was the mid 80's, my father was an engineer for conrail and had an HO layout of the Enola yard. I ask about reliability because i am physically disabled and do not want to always be fixing things. I'm planning to do something in N scale for my son and myself. Can anyone point me in the right direction on what buy?

[mls1621]

I'm in N scale and have been for many years. I can state as a fact that the most dependable motive power comes from Atlas and Kato. I've also had good luck with Con Cor products. They run well, but they tend to use a lot of poetic license when it comes to putting railroad livery on equipment that was never used by the railroad, ie: the AmTrac turbine.

Rolling stock gives you more choices, the hands down best is from MicroTrains. Atlas is running a close second place.

MicroTrains concentrates on freight cars and all of their models come with automatic knuckle couplers. Atlas is also producing freight cars and is offering Accumate knukle couplers on their newer products. Kato does some freight, but mostly makes passenger sets. They have their own version of the automatic knukle coupler on their latest offerings. All of the couplers work well together.

There are other maunfacturers out there, but I've have the best luck with the three I've mentioned.

Your best bet is to get online and look at their web sites, Model Railroader provides links to all manufacturers from their home page.

Go to your local hobby store and look at the quality of each company's product. You may not share my opinion.

I hope this is helpful

Mike
St Louis

[snowey]

The newest offerings from Life-Like (by "new", I mean in the last, I'd say, 5 years or so) are also reliable.
As for track, Atlas & Peco are the best. For N scale, Code 55 looks the most realistic. For relilability, though, solder all your joints. With flex track, soldering joints is a must. However, I've heard that you can get around soldering (which is easy, despite what most people say) by using a product from Peco called "track connectors". As I've said, I've never used these-I have some, though-but I hear that they work GREAT! You may have a hard time finding them, though. I had to ask at 4 hobby shops, and everyone either never heard of them, or thought I meant rail joiners. I finnally found a shop (flying scotsman hobbies, at www.fshobbies.net) where they placed a special order for me.

Since you're new, go to the website of the N.M.R.A. (National Modeel Railroad Association) at www.NMRA.org They have a lot of information ther, and a section for beginners.

[Anonymous]

thanks for the info guys, i appreciate the support.

[Anonymous]

I find what I fix most is the turnouts. Use Peco, but even then, if maintenance is your issue (its a pain for all of us) do a simple track plan. To honor your father, a three track Conrail Horsehoe Curve might be nice!