What's Better, a Set or Scratch?

[Anonymous]

I have been modeling in HO for quite some time, but due to some space reastraints, I can't get a decent HO sclae layout up and running. I am pretty sure I'm going to go N-Scale since thqat seems to fit in a much msaller space, but I was wondering, what is better: Buying a set or buying everything individually. I can see the advatnages of buying individually since you have some flexibility, but what is better economically (as in $$$)?

[Anonymous]

I have been modeling in HO for quite some time, but due to some space reastraints, I can't get a decent HO sclae layout up and running. I am pretty sure I'm going to go N-Scale since thqat seems to fit in a much msaller space, but I was wondering, what is better: Buying a set or buying everything individually. I can see the advatnages of buying individually since you have some flexibility, but what is better economically (as in $$$)?

[Anonymous]

Depends on the set. Price out what it would cost to buy the same individually, or with the stock you would rather have than what's in the set. I've seen sets that that cost more than the individual items by the same manufacturer.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the set. Price out what it would cost to buy the same individually, or with the stock you would rather have than what's in the set. I've seen sets that that cost more than the individual items by the same manufacturer.

[Anonymous]

Most train sets are of inferior quality rolling stock and track, so even if you get things cheaper, you end up paying for it in the end once you realize the reason for your frequent derailments, jerky operation, and incoherent freight-car assortment. I am in the process of rebuilding my layout, and replacing my rolling stock, because the original stuff was all purchased when I was in high school and thus dirt poor; I bought the cheapest I could find, and now it's just a waste. By contrast, the few Atlas/Kato "premium" engines that I did invest in are still good reliable runners. Don't sell yourself short.

I think some premium manufacturers like Kato or Kadee might offer some train sets, which might be a way to go, but they aren't going to be the cheapest packaged train sets around.

[Anonymous]

Most train sets are of inferior quality rolling stock and track, so even if you get things cheaper, you end up paying for it in the end once you realize the reason for your frequent derailments, jerky operation, and incoherent freight-car assortment. I am in the process of rebuilding my layout, and replacing my rolling stock, because the original stuff was all purchased when I was in high school and thus dirt poor; I bought the cheapest I could find, and now it's just a waste. By contrast, the few Atlas/Kato "premium" engines that I did invest in are still good reliable runners. Don't sell yourself short.

I think some premium manufacturers like Kato or Kadee might offer some train sets, which might be a way to go, but they aren't going to be the cheapest packaged train sets around.

[Anonymous]

To add to Avondaleguy's comments, the power supplies in train sets aren't the greatest, either.

[Anonymous]

To add to Avondaleguy's comments, the power supplies in train sets aren't the greatest, either.

[ddixoncint1]

I vote for scratch. If, like me, you model a particular road name, looking for "sets" is very limited or impossible. But I speak as a HO modeller. Can't speak for what is available in N scale.

[ddixoncint1]

I vote for scratch. If, like me, you model a particular road name, looking for "sets" is very limited or impossible. But I speak as a HO modeller. Can't speak for what is available in N scale.

[Anonymous]

I have yet to see any train set sold at stores that was suitable for anything but running until New Years Day under the Christmas tree. Walthers lists a nice set from K Arnold Gmbh & Co 125-413 for $269.98 that may be worth a look, but all the rest of the N sets are "department store'" train sets by Lifelike.

[Anonymous]

I have yet to see any train set sold at stores that was suitable for anything but running until New Years Day under the Christmas tree. Walthers lists a nice set from K Arnold Gmbh & Co 125-413 for $269.98 that may be worth a look, but all the rest of the N sets are "department store'" train sets by Lifelike.

[Anonymous]

Scratch....Locomotives..Kato, Atlas, or the newer designed split frame Life Like loco's like the GP 20 or SW9/1200., Rolling stock... Micro Trains, Atlas., Power Pack... MRC., Track... Atlas, Peco or Kato Unitrack. As stated before most sets are of inferior quality and for the Christmas toy sale market.

Bee Line

[Anonymous]

Scratch....Locomotives..Kato, Atlas, or the newer designed split frame Life Like loco's like the GP 20 or SW9/1200., Rolling stock... Micro Trains, Atlas., Power Pack... MRC., Track... Atlas, Peco or Kato Unitrack. As stated before most sets are of inferior quality and for the Christmas toy sale market.

Bee Line

[Anonymous]

The train sets are the most expensive way to go. As everyone above noted, you are compromising quality big time. So what happens is that everything in the set becomes junk, then you go out and buy the good stuff.

Or, you could just go out and buy the good stuff, and save yourself the cost of learning that sets are junk and just take our word for it.

[Anonymous]

The train sets are the most expensive way to go. As everyone above noted, you are compromising quality big time. So what happens is that everything in the set becomes junk, then you go out and buy the good stuff.

Or, you could just go out and buy the good stuff, and save yourself the cost of learning that sets are junk and just take our word for it.

[Wdlgln005]

I'd rather you spent good money on a good loco & power supply than get ripped on cheap stuff. Bachmann is OK only if you get one of the new 2-8-0 Consols in the set, but the cars will be difficult to convert to MTL and the track is very limited & good only for a small circle. LL GP-20 or SW9/1200 are good, cars can be decent, track just as limited as Bachmann. Your best bet is to find a set with Atlas or Kato locos, cars & track. Also. I don't like some of the selections of roadnames with the cars in the set. The caboose & at least one freight car should be the same roadname as the loco. And the other cars should be a road that could have a direct connection. You can always add more cars later.

[Wdlgln005]

I'd rather you spent good money on a good loco & power supply than get ripped on cheap stuff. Bachmann is OK only if you get one of the new 2-8-0 Consols in the set, but the cars will be difficult to convert to MTL and the track is very limited & good only for a small circle. LL GP-20 or SW9/1200 are good, cars can be decent, track just as limited as Bachmann. Your best bet is to find a set with Atlas or Kato locos, cars & track. Also. I don't like some of the selections of roadnames with the cars in the set. The caboose & at least one freight car should be the same roadname as the loco. And the other cars should be a road that could have a direct connection. You can always add more cars later.