Looking for a little info/help on N scale

[Anonymous]

HI all...

I'm looking at putting my first N scale set together, Haven't bought anything, and I want to keep it simple/cheap/good (All 3 if possible)

What I'm looking to do is build a coffee table (Approx.. 2' X 4') and put the set inside it under a glass/plexiglas case. I've already downloaded the atlas track layout software, what I need help on is I need a good train set, info on wiring, help with applying scenery, and anything else that would be helpful...

I'm looking become very creative with this hobby as space/money allows (Hence the small start) Eventually (When I get a bigger house or a pole barn) I'll move to bigger sets if I keep an interest in it. So any help for this newbie would be greatly appreciated

[simon1966]

I'm in HO, but the quality of the HO sets is quite poor. Cheap rolloing stock, low end locomotives and very low end power packs. If you are going to take the trouble to build this into a piece of furniture, you should consider buying better qualityrolling stock and track. Give Atlas and Kato a really good look, they both make great products for N scale. Theyt both offer better quality loco's, rolling stock and track. MRC makes better quality DC controllers, as do both Atlas and Kato. If it were my money, this is the route I would take. I think both Atlas and Kato have track plan books for their sectional track products.

Have fun with this great hobby.

[egmurphy]

Simon is right regarding the train set. You're better off buying individual loco, cars, and power pack.

For scenery for a small layout I'd recommend you consider using foam as a base for all your hills (I'll assume you won't be doing anything too vertical in a coffee table). After shaping it, give it a coat of dirt color latex paint. Then use the Woodland Scenics products (ground foam) for ground cover and shrubbery.

Unless you get real weird, a layout in a 2x4 space will probably only require a set of wires from the power pack rails to the tracks. But if you do wind up with a plan where you want to run more than one train at a time we can help you once we have something more specific to work with.

Here is a website with a few suggestions regarding N scale track plans for spaces starting as small as yours:

http://www.naisp.net/users/mfischer/m_train2.htm

As more questions as you progress with your planning.

Regards

Ed

[artl88]

Kalmbach has a book out titled "Model Railroading in Small Spaces". ISBN 0-89024-295-x. There is some good information that should help you. In fact, there is a end table/ coffee table layout plan on page 53. Good luck and have fun with your project.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cmajor

... and I want to keep it simple/cheap/good..

Pick any two.


Sorry, I couldn't resist. There used to be a sign in my engineering department that said: Good, Fast and Cheap. Pick any two.

Keeping it simple, adapting materials found in lumber yards or dollar stores rather than buying the same stuff repackaged for model railroaders will go a long way to stretching the hobby budget for the important stuff.. For example: foam risers "which takes the guesswork and complex math out of building different levels of track." Scrap foam, a little time, and only the most basic of math and measuring skills saves you 15 bucks towards a good locomotive.

A good loco, good switches and some practiced skill in laying flex track is required. The first two may not be cheap by some definitions, but it is a key investment in the hobby. The latter comes with practice. And practice on some track you aren't afraid to scrap. Practice cutting & soldering before attacking the layout.

I never bought a train set and can't comment firsthand about the quality. I don't recall anyone singing the praises of any, though.

Wayne

[Anonymous]

here are a couple ideas for you.

1 - don't get a set.... if you get a set then get a good one... not a bachmann.

2 - Piece together a set.... this way you get your locomotive, Rolling Stock and everything else.... including a better power supply.

I was able to do option 2 for about $120 with a Normal Life Like Locomotive.... 3 packs of track.... 2 passenger cars.... and a power pack...... don't forget if you do this ootion you may need some poer wires as well.... this a a really good option in my mind because I was able to get some semplance of what I truly wanted.... and the Atlas track is much better than the track you would get in a set.

[Anonymous]

With this small size of a layout, you want to think small when you pick out your engines and cars. Nothing looks worse than a huge engine or car trying to go around a sharp radius curve. Besides small engines and cars will make the layout look bigger.
The largest engine I would choose would be a 4-axle Kato or Atlas and a few 40' cars and a nice caboose.
Or, if you wanted passenger service a Kato RDC would be nice. It is a little on the long side, but could run just one and it would have the entire RR to itself.
My current layout started out with one of these RDC's and I added a Kato RS-2 and a few freight cars because I like switching. And my layout is built on a 36"x80" door.
The Kato RDC is a very nice piece of work that has reversing headlights and red marker lights. And you can add a light kit for the interior.
Smaller SW's engines would be nice too and Atlas is coming out with an MP15 which would really be nice on a small RR.
Good luck,
gtirr

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the info... I need to keep looking a little bit and raising the money to do it. Is there any standard formula on how much things will cost? IE: I have a 2X4 area with 1 train of decent quality and modest scenery I should have X amount of money?

[Bikerdad]

For the home builder, there is no $per square foot formula. I'm sure that commercial builder's probably have a rough estimate, but the variability in what the private hobbyist will do makes such an estimate impractical.

As far as sets go, there actually are some decent ones in N scale. Kato has a set that has their superb Unitrack, a fine F3 diesel locomotive, a caboose, and a few cars. You'll need to get a separate power pack, and you can be off and running with very good quality stuff.

Expect that you'll pay $60 (if very lucky) to $100 for a quality (Kato, Atlas) diesel locomotive. Figure on getting two locomotives. I'd recommend that you avoid steam for now, or do more research, as the price of steam locos in N is higher, and the quality is variable. You'll pay from $7-15 average for quality rolling stock, plan on half a dozen or so to start, plus a caboose. Stick with shorter cars for smaller spaces, that way you get more train. $30 for a power pack, whatever you need for track, and scenery can cost as little as $10 total. A can of expanding insulation foam, a quart of brown/tannish "oops" paint from the hardware store, a 8oz bottle of white glue, and a single pack of gray/green foam groundcover, plus some sifted sand from the yard and voila, instant rolling desert. Conversely, you can make the entire thing an urban scene and spend almost nothing on scratchbuilt buildings (a few boxes of cereal, some paints and glue, and a lot of creativity) to spending a LOT on craftsman laser kits.

All of the above prices are based on new street retail prices. Better deals can frequently be had from various sources, especially when buying used, but as a newcomer, unless you're willing to risk being burned, I'd say stick with buying new. You can't go wrong with NEW Kato or Atlas engines. Not counting the cost of the coffee table itself, you're looking at a floor of about $200 to get started with a decent train, power pack, simple track plan, and very simple scenery. Obviously, you can spend more. The best investment you can make at this time, aside from asking questions on the 'Net, is to visit the local library and read. Many libraries have Model Railroader, and they usually have fairly extensive back issues... :D

A good N scale specific website is www.nscale.net, you'll find lots more friendly folks over there who can give you oodles and buckets of advice, some, of course, contradictory. I hope that you enjoy your foray into this hobby, and that it becomes a lifetime passion for you.

[Wdlgln005]

For such a small space, i'd go with a Kato Unitrak set. The trak is bulletproof, and they do make a good F3 with a few freight cars. A second choice may be to get a MicroTrains set with an Atlas or Kato loco & a few of their freight cars. They also do sets with their FT. You may want to check out their holiday set , announced to be produced in August.

[pbjwilson]

Here's some pictures of what I did with a Bachmann starter set. It's a simple oval of EZ track(came with the set) glued to a 28" X 36" piece of 2" foam. The set was $55.00 plus about $30 for the atlas bridge and scenery materials. The Santa Fe engine is by Life-Like - $22. Take a look -

[Anonymous]

Hi PBJ Wilson

That layout is amazing in my eyes!

I cannot beleive what you have done with 2x3!!!!!

Please,Please,Please if you have ANY more pictures please post them!

I was about ready to move on from model railroading till i saw that. It is an inspiration.

To anyone else that has pictures like that please post them.

And to pbjwilson, what set did you buy?

Sooo many thanks

Pavariangoo

[turbine682]

Hi,

Hope all is going well for your project! Here are a few thoughts...

1) Buy a quality loco and rolling stock as discussed. I've been running Atlas and Kato locos for years. Atlas makes excellent rolling stock... Micro Trains is top-line, but very pricey. I'd recommend any small 2-axle swticher such as GP-7, GP-9, H-15/16. Keep rolling stock short as discussed, e.g., 40' boxcars, short tankers/hoppers/flat cars.

2). Check out the Kato Uni-Track. Huge selection of radii for curves - bullet proof. Stick with #4 turnouts for small pike.

3). Buy good power supply such as MRC or Atlas. Both are high quality (I've had MRC for years, i.e., 2 pack bought in 1990 still in use today)

4) 2' x 4' N-Scale PRR model railroad made Great Model RR's 2002 issue.

Good luck and have fun!

--Ed

[Anonymous]

cmajor,

If you haven't yet decided what to buy, here are some ideas. If you're anything like me when I got into the hobby, you may not have a clear idea of what you want to model, and a train set can be a good way to get started. The downside of sets is that they don't give you enough track to make an interesting layout, and the track may not be the kind you want anyway. I ended up using the track from my start set for staging, and bought Atlas track instead - but track is quite cheap anyway.

People love to badmouth Bachmann, and a lot of their products aren't all that great, however their Spectrum line in my mind beats everything hands down in terms of quality vs price. If I were you, I would consider a Spectrum set - they have two with their 2-8-0 Consolidation which is a great loco - they also have diesels, but I don't know much about their quality. Check out the Nscale loco encyclopedia (www.visi.com/~spookshow/locos.html) for reviews of a lot of engines; not all of it recent. Kato and Atlas may make great locos, but they sure know to charge for them. I think you'll find that a really good power pack makes more of a difference; I built one myself for about $30 (including a handset) that provides amazing low speed control, based on a design on the web (www.awrr.com). Even my worst Bachmann loco runs perfect with this pack. It was a little tricky given that I have never done electronics before but quite feasible for a novice. Or buy an MRC pack on ebay, though I have no idea how well they perform.

I generally think it's a better idea to start cheap and simple rather than buying top of the line from the beginning - as long as you avoid the real junk (e.g. low-end Bachmann). If you decide in a year from now that you want to do things differently, you won't have invested hundreds of $$ in stuff that isn't what you want.

[Adelie]

You might consider setting up a search on ebay, under the model RR section for a locomotive you like. For instance, my railroad empire is a mostly Alco shop, so I set up a search within N-scale for specific Alco models.

If you search, it won't take long to get a reasonably good deal on a Kato or Atlas locomotive that is still new in the box. I don't think I've ever paid more than $40 for a locomotive that way, but if people bid them beyond that I just search for another one. If you go that route stick with new or test run only and buy from someone with a lot of feedback, all or almost all of it positive.

Like the rest, I'd go small. Switchers, 4-wheel truck road switchers, maybe F units or Alco FAs, small steam. I model the late 1950's, and 40-50' box cars, reefers, flats, etch are the norm.

Do you have any preferences towards era or geographic region?

[bikerraypa]

I'm building an N coffee table sized layout (3x5) myself, and the biggest thing is build the layout and THEN design the coffee table. If you build the table first, I GUARANTEE that the layout will end up being one inch too big. Murphy's Law.

There's a very similar idea in this auction:

http://tinyurl.com/6sapm


Ray out

[leighant]

My 2' x 3' layout The "Lighter than Air Railroad"
http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/aab.jpg
http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/aac.jpg
http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/aaa.jpg

[Anonymous]

Hi, hope your still looking for input. The idea expressed earlier about using smaller loco's like the GP7 with 40' cars was very good indeed, and you can go even smaller if you go to early steam era 4-4-0 or 2-6-0, etc... with their 32' cars, even next to diesel era n-scale they look small. And as was mentioned, Bachmann Spectrum loco's have been an impressive cost / performance item....see-ya, dougreed

[Anonymous]

do not by a train set by life-like the track stincks!!! on my former ho now a pile of track in a box i. got a life -like set for another engine and some track. the engine is very well running but i say again the track stinks

[Anonymous]

If you must go with a set, go with Kato. or at least use their unitrak system. Perfect for what you're trying to do.


mike