The various HO knuckle couplers will work together, with varying degrees of compatibility (except for Sargent brand). There are also various types of 'scale" couplers available now that are smaller.
HO has virtually everything you want. Sound is very doable. N scale can do just about as much, I'm not sure about sound though, you would proably have to hide the sound chip in a boxcar on some engines.
One thing with US railroads is that location and era are important. A railroad on the east coast will look very different from a railroad on the west coast and both will look very different from a railroad right in the middle of the country. And different eras will have different rolling stock, "liveries", engines and operations.
Good luck.
Dave H.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
FrodinghamMPD wrote:Dear all,Apologies if this is not allowed on the forum, I'm from the UK and have become interested in the American railscene over the past twelve months and have got to grips with the design differences between GE and GM locos etc..However, I've decided to try my hand in modelling a US freight railroad for two reasons, one for the interest and the second because I have a desire to try DCC. Although the UK model railway scene is now going for DCC in a big way, the American models are far and away more advanced!Now the reason for the posting is I'm hoping somebody can give me some background information. I've been a OO gauge (HO gauge to you guys!) modeller for years and have dabbled in N gauge and I've yet to really decide which is the best to use for this project. I have a large loft area so layout size isn't a problem. From what I can see from looking at various model shop websites, there seems to be an equal coverage of locos and wagons in both scales, but do both HO and N enjoy DCC with sound? Also, I'm presuming its the same as the UK scene where some manufacturers models are better either for pulling power, DCC sound quality or in the actual detail of the model. Can anybody point me in the right direction?
Rich,
Welcome to the party and no apologies necessary....you've come to the right place. You're a brave man to abandon UK railroading for the mindbending variety across the pond....
If you have a generous area to build in then you've beat back one demon that we all have to face, namely the issue of space, or lack thereof. Now you have to make some decisions on what you actually want to model. Broad scenic vistas with long trains running through them? Unless you've got a dairy barn at your disposal, N is probably the way to go. Something a little more intimate with an emphasis on detail and switching or local freight operations? HO might be a better choice. These are generalities but might help your decision process.
DCC and sound is available in both scales, although sound is more widespread in HO. DCC quality is more a function of the DCC system and peripherals than the locomotives themselves. However, some locomotives are easier to equip with DCC decoders and speakers, but I don't think one manufacturer has a clear advantage here. Factory-equipped DCC locomotives are pretty common.
Aside from DCC issues, Kato and Atlas are generally regarded as the overall highest quality mass market locomotives in either scale. In HO, I might give Atlas a slight edge due to their closer attention to details and painting....that's not to say that Kato is shoddy about it, just that Atlas is a little more meticulous. They're not cheap, but you won't go wrong with them. LifeLike/Walthers Proto 2000 locomotives generally look nice and are now all available with DCC & sound, but they have been plagued with mechanical problems. Walthers seems committed to resolve the problems, but caveat emptor. I personally don't like some of the plastic details on them, but that's just me. Athearn has several product lines. Athearn N looks pretty good but performance seems spotty. Athearn Ready-to-Roll locomotives and rolling stock look great....some of the locomotives are a little shy on details, but the painting is right, they run well and are rugged. Each new release gets better. Athearn Genesis is an enigma....they look terrific...detailing and painting is second to none. But, to be blunt, the SD70/75 series run like crap. Some folks will disagree and my experience is probably not universal, but try before you buy. The other Genesis models seem to run better.
Now, where can I get a reasonably priced Class 66 in EWS paint......
Bill
"Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig"
In the UK and in Europe especially we now have NMRA coupling boxes fitted as standard to some models. Into these are fitted the UK style couplings. By simply pulling them out any coupling type can be inserted and I believe there is a Kadee with an adapter on for just that job. Is a similar arrangement available on US stock, so that if it doesn't come with Kadee or compatible, it can be easily changed? Or its a hacksaw and superglue job!!
Actually, I think you're referring to the NEM 362 standard box, which is Continental in origin. However, Kadee does make couplers (no's 17 - 19, these have varying shank lengths) that will fit. To the best of my knowledge, no maker of US stock (save Trix/Maerklin) actually uses the NEM box. Kadee is the only manufacturerer that I know of to make couplers compatible with the NEM 362 standard.
I do have several Bachmann UK outline locos bought as souvenirs from trips to the UK and I agree Bachmann does a nice job. My favorite is also the newest, the BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4T equipped with the NEM coupling box.
Regards,
Andre
Let me add my welcome. I lived in Lincolnshire (not N. Lincolnshire, but still) for three years back in the late 90's. Not really relevant, but interesting! You'll probably want to start a thread up in the Layout or General section of the forum, I think there are more regular visitors up there, but you have gotten a good start.
As far as the HO vs N question goes, it is a tough one. Your space would allow for a wonderful N scale layout, large enough that you could run nice long trains (a difference between most of what I saw there and over here) and they would not be chasing their tails. And you'd have plenty of room left for 'shunting'. As far as sound goes, there is no question that N is trailing HO, and due to the physics of things will never catch up, though the gap may close. There are a limited number of N scale locos now being produced with sound, and there are some sound decoders designed for retrofits into N scale locos. I think that over the next few years taht will contimue to increase. Of course, speaker size will always be a limitation. My personal opinion is that one or two sound locos on a layout is plenty, the room isn't big enough to hold the sound, but it is a personal choice. Anyway, I am an scaler, so I would have an opinion there, wouldn't I?
If you are going to plan a railroad, the first step is to get this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Track-Planning-Realistic-Operation-Railroader/dp/0890242275/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196813274&sr=8-1
The first resource you need. You will use it often.
Also, go up into the other parts of the forum, and find a post by SpaceMouse, in his signature is a link to his 'Beginners Guide'. It is well worth reading.
I'd have a bit more of a think on N/HO thing, and then start a thread inthe layout section.
Again, welcome!
EDIT:
N scale knuckle couplers. Sometimes easy, sometimes hard. Most new stuff comes with one type or another. They are in general compatible. Some people curse at different ones, MicroTrains is the 'standard'.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
dehusman wrote:One thing with US railroads is that location and era are important. A railroad on the east coast will look very different from a railroad on the west coast and both will look very different from a railroad right in the middle of the country. And different eras will have different rolling stock, "liveries", engines and operations.
The most recent GMR, Great Model Railroads 2008, is actually an excellent primer for U.S. era, prototype, operations, etc. Most of the layouts are HO Scale, and the N Scale article provides good rationale when choosing an era to model. There is even one layout that combines HO Scale and N Scale.
https://secure.kalmbach.com/offer/Default.aspx?c=IF79MH
If you are looking to model steam, keep in mind that most railroads had dieselized by 1960. For example, you'll see that my layout is circa 1956, one of the last years to easily combine prototypical traction, diesel, and steam for what is called "the transition era."
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
FrodinghamMPD wrote:Alfadawg01 (being new, i'm not aware of your actual name, apologies!)
No apologies necessary....real name at the bottom.
FrodinghamMPD wrote:Thanks for the comments. The UK rail scene has become alot more standardised in recent years with almost 90% of the diesel locomotive fleet being replaced by GM Class 66s! Despite there being four basic liveries, plus a couple of one-off's its made it very dull and boring!! Although the variety may be mind bending the possibilities are far more interesting i think!
I still find the UK more interesting now then when I used a British Rail Pass in 1983 with my wife. Solid blue with yellow noses as far as the eye could see. But then again I was with my lovely bride riding behind a locomotive named for a princess (A class 47 named Lady Diana Spencer).
FrodinghamMPD wrote:I am fortunate in that my loft area is currently boarded out using 2' wide boards to give a 24' x 12' area with a center control space. I am considering adding a 24' x 2' center piece to give some added variety, but that will depend on the choice of HO or N I think! My personal interest is more in shunting (sorry, must get use to the US railroad dictionary! ... switching!) and yard operation that in watching trains following their tail. I also personally like a layout to portray a section of line rather than just a one location area. Thankfully I have some space in which to do this, its not massive, but I am very fortunate in that I'm not working on the top of a bookcase!
That's a serious piece of real estate you have for railroading. HO would serve you quite well..heck, you could do a pretty decent O scale shunting layout in there. Think that center peninsula over carefully. A two-foot wide peninsula would leave you 3' wide aisles....you might find that a bit tight, especially if your loft area has low or sloping ceilings and you have friends over to help you operate (especially if the session is fueled by Guiness.....
FrodinghamMPD wrote:From the comments past by yourself and the other responders, I'm thinking HO is definitely the way forward. I want to experiment with DCC and the sound systems. I'm presuming the sound gives a good accurate representation? Thanks for the feedback about the different manufacturers, I know we all have personal preference on whats good and what's not, but its helpful to have an idea of what people think are the 'good' guys!
Yep, I'd say HO for the space you have and the general concept you have in mind. DCC and sound would probably be fun, too, but that's a hobby unto itself. I have no personal experience with DCC.....no layout at the moment. There are numerous threads on the forum on the subject. Some general thoughts (am I ever without those?): Go hear the sound in person. Find a layout at a home or exhibition and listen and ask questions. I've only heard recordings of the sampled decoder sounds and, frankly, I didn't care for them. Too tinny and shrill for me. Real locomotives cover the entire frequency range. Conversely, most folks agree that if the volume is turned down from the factory settings, distortion is removed and the sound improves. I do like how the horns sound. Some of the cooler tricks are the lighting effects.....dimming headlights, flashing ditch lights, oscillating lights, etc.
FrodinghamMPD wrote:I'm hoping to create a small website of the layout as it progresses including photos (my other hobby!) and video of the work and trains. So if its allowed, I'll tag this discussion with the web address as and when I get there!
Sounds great....keep us informed.
FrodinghamMPD wrote:Can anyone recommend any good US model shops by the way that are happy to do oversea's sales?
I think most large ones do overseas work....you might check with some of the other Brits that hang out here. I've had good experiences with M.B. Klein ( www.modeltrainstuff.com ) . Check the ads in Model Railroader. Good luck with your project....post here with questions and progress....and pm if you care to.
Best wishes,
Although the running qualities of N scale trains have improved greatly in recent years, it's probably still more geared towards multiple diesel consists pulling long mainline freights. HO would be a better choice if you're interested in way freight or freight-yard switching operations.
N scale is just starting to see engines with factory-installed DCC sound, but I'm sure more will come available in the next few years.
If you haven't already done so, I'd suggest trying to pick up the current Walthers HO and N/Z catalogues, if nothing else it will give you a good overview of what's available in both HO and N.
FrodinghamMPD wrote:Andre,You are of course correct, I'm getting my initials mixed up! Is it a relatively easy job to change the couplings on US stock then?CheersRich
On older and toy train-quality locos/rolling stock, the design and placement of the draft gear box can vary widely. Kadee has an HO scale conversion list (http://www.kadee.com/conv/holist.pdf) which gives mounting suggestions. Most HO modelers prefer their DGBs to be mounted on the body shells of locos and frames of rolling stock, so models with truck-mounted or frame-mounted DGBs may need to be converted.
If you ever have trouble with converting a model to take a certain coupler, just ask in the General Discussion forum, you'll get at least 5 different suggestions to try. Good luck with your new railroad!
Yes it is. However, it's usually not necessary as most rolling stock now comes standard with knuckle type couplers. There are those that insist that only Kadee makes a truly reliable coupler, but if one wants to replace the coupler that comes with a piece of rolling stock, there's a Kadee that is a drop-in replacement.
FrodinghamMPD wrote:Trying to find DCC Sound to listen to on a layout in the UK could be tricky, but yes I agree it should perhaps be done before accepting it for the entire layout! In the UK we have a major exhibition every December which is attended by around 80 layouts and a similar (if not more!) number of traders. Is there anything similar in the US? I'm considering coming over for a week or so if there is (and I can save up for a cheap - is there such a thing? - flight!!!)Oh thats one point! Can anyone explain to me what flashing ditch lights actually mean? I've seen videos with the lights on and other times flashing ... i'm presuming there is a purpose to it?
British-style exhibitions with a gymnasium full of operating layouts are not common in the US, but not unheard of. Most large swap meets have at least one operating modular layout and often more, but are mostly vendors (private individuals, hobby shops and, occaisionaly, manufacturers). The Greenburg shows and the Great American Train Shows usually have half a dozen layouts in different scales. More common here are open houses by clubs and individuals that have large private layouts. These events happen a lot around the holidays (the time during late November and December leading up to Christmas) and in conjunction with NMRA regional and national conventions. The layout tours during the conventions are quite good. Check MR for schedules.
Flashing ditch lights are used in conjunction with the bell and/or horn, but not all railroads and locomotives use this feature. I once saw a Denver & Rio Grande locomotive that had flashing ditch lights and an oscillating headlight.....with all those fireworks it looked like something out of Star Trek.....
FrodinghamMPD wrote:I have just about decided to settle on a HO layout, based in the 21st century so 2000 onwards, with the ability to run longer trains as well as switching. Thought is to base it around a UP route (due to the number of models around) but I do rather
Actually that opens a lot of possibilities. the UP covers the entire western half of the US from the Mississippi River to the Pacific and from Mexico to Canada. It serves just about every concievable type of industry and every type of terrain, from dead flat prairie to rugged mountains, from forests to desert, from remote badlands to major cities.
Plus by choosing that time frame you can pick an area and pretend your railroad is a shortline that was once a branch line of the UP and was "spun off" after the MP/WP/MKT/CNW/SP (take your pick) merger. Many many possibilities. So you can have your own "livery" and the UP. Plus since the UP has run through power agreements with every class 1 railroad in N America you can run the occaisional NS/CSXT/CN/CP/BNSF/CR/TFM/KCS unit on a train over your lines. there are other benefits as well (more on that off list).
With the 2000 time frame you will be able to run a lot of the former SP and some of the ex-CNW units too, plus the UP still had a wide roster with units left over from the CNW and SP mergers (many of them gone by 2005 or later).
Oh thats one point! Can anyone explain to me what flashing ditch lights actually mean? I've seen videos with the lights on and other times flashing ... i'm presuming there is a purpose to it?
A couple random thoughts....
The "ditch lights" started out in North America at least in Canada in the 1980's (or maybe a touch earlier?) but didn't become standard in the US til the 1990's. (As I understand it they're based on the triangular lights used on European railways.) The purpose of the lights is increased visibility, particularly having the lights flashing at grade crossings. (Unlike the UK and Europe, very few US railroad / road crossings are gated.)
Most DCC sound decoder manufacturers have sound samples on their website that you can download and/or stream, although finding someone with a sound-equipped engine would give the more accurate idea of how it will sound...depending on how well they did the speaker and enclosure set-up of course!! Union Pacific actually goes quite a ways east of the Mississippi now. They bought the Chicago and NorthWestern in the mid-nineties, whose tracks extended across Wisconsin to Chicago and into the iron ore country of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. BTW you could sneak some Wisconsin Central engines into the layout, they ran the English Welsh and Scottish railway in the U.K., the EWS uses/used the same colors as WC did, maroon and gold.
Fordingham,
I was into HO in my younger years pre teen till mid 20's now I am S gauge and O Gauge and G gauge and a little On30 as well also have one N scale set and just a few HO trains that I keep such as an ALGOMA CENTRAL passenger car I built from an undecetrated kit and some decals actualy went to Canada to ride the Algoma Central very cool tourist train. Anyway if you want American style railroading Era is important as is location(if you are a rivit counter (takes scale to the extreme)) I just like trains and am more of a runner(plays with trains) than a miniture historian.
If you like Switching there is a book that I have some where about a layout that was built around a switching module called the time saver "problem" the thing about this book is the author used what he called a libary of buildings and rolling stock(trains) so that he could portray the same location in different eras simply by changing the scenery(buildings) and the trains a pretty cool idea. If you go with HO you could take it a step further and also switch between scales as On30 is O scale narrow gauge that runs on HO track just a thought. will post the title of book or maybe someone else may know the book as well.
Enjoy this great hobby that is an international past time.
Looking at ideas for possible track plans from the MR vault on this website, I have just about decided to settle on a HO layout, based in the 21st century so 2000 onwards, with the ability to run longer trains as well as switching. Thought is to base it around a UP route (due to the number of models around) but I do rather hanker after the idea of my own imaginary railroad with its own livery etc.. In some ways I think that would be easier, but in others definitely harder!
Might I suggest a visit to Joe Fugate's website? Joe models the SP in the Siskiyou Mountains of Oregon in the 1980's before it was taken over by the UP. Much of what Joe has to say would be useful for you even though the Siskiyou line was sold off to become the Central Oregon & Pacific in the 90's. Here's Joe's website: http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.26
Joe's scenery modeling would be directly applicable to for you as would his tips on painting, DCC and sound installation and operation. He has a series of videos for sale that outline what he has done and what he is doing. Unfortunately, these are all in NTSC format. If you can get a DVD player that will handle multiple formats, you'd find that you'd get good value for money.
Here's a link to info on the Central Oregon & Pacific: http://www.alpharail.net/corp/corp.htm
More pictures: http://www.craigsrailroadpages.com/corp/index.htm
FrodinghamMPD wrote:Looking at ideas for possible track plans from the MR vault on this website, I have just about decided to settle on a HO layout, based in the 21st century so 2000 onwards, with the ability to run longer trains as well as switching. Thought is to base it around a UP route (due to the number of models around) but I do rather hanker after the idea of my own imaginary railroad with its own livery etc.. In some ways I think that would be easier, but in others definitely harder!
One nice thing about the current era of railroading is that leased units that could be used by any railroad are common, so if you want you could make your first diesel purchase one of these units. That way, it could either be used as a leased unit on your free-lanced road, or if you end up modelling the UP or another real railroad, it would blend in easily in a consist of diesels.
Kato makes a red CEFX SD-90, and both Kato and Athearn make GE AC4400's painted as blue CEFX units...although being in the UK your "Big Four"-era modelling friends might be interested in seeing an engine owned by Locomotive Management Services....
http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/HOLocomotives/hodash840cw/5406/7682TQ.jpg
Here are some more ideas for the Omaha/Fremont area
Starting at Fremont, Nebraska, here is the UP yard office (the building with the cars around it). The track behind it are the engine tie up tracks (notice the UP engine) and the building behind the engine is the old CNW freight house.http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.429214,-96.495865&spn=0.001657,0.004265&t=h&z=18&om=1Across the tracks on Main St. is the BNSF (ex CB&Q) yard office.http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.428216,-96.495865&spn=0.001657,0.004265&t=h&z=18&om=1Here's a double stack train coming through town between the elevators.http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.429946,-96.499202&spn=0.001657,0.004265&t=h&z=18&om=0Here's the Fremont Dinner Train (above tnd to the left of the Ronin Park)http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.4469,-96.508863&spn=0.003313,0.008529&t=h&z=17&om=0A loaded stack train and an empty coal train next to the Fremont Power Plant.http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.426961,-96.459961&spn=0.003314,0.008529&t=h&z=17&om=0Valmont Industries in Valley, NE.http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.328132,-96.365418&spn=0.006639,0.017059&t=h&z=16&om=0The yard at Valley, NE with the wye to the Lincoln branchhttp://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.314144,-96.344905&spn=0.00664,0.017059&t=h&z=16&om=0Pacific Jct. The line running along Bob Boozer Dr. is the original UP main line west out of Omaha . It is now just a stub ended industrial lead.http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.240965,-96.156485&spn=0.006648,0.017059&t=h&z=16&om=0Here is the rail car rebuilder on the old main line, with a concrete yard and a lumber yard beyond it.http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.212948,-96.125715&spn=0.00665,0.017059&t=h&z=16&om=0Due north of there are a series of industrial parks along the Omaha Sub (the current main line). Here is the wye connection up into the industrial parks The big building at 96th and I st. is Kelloggs.http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.218953,-96.067264&spn=0.00665,0.017059&t=h&z=16&om=0Another set of Industrial Parks to the Easthttp://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.218953,-96.021538&spn=0.00665,0.017059&t=h&z=16&om=0The Junction with the former Missouri Pacific line for Kansas Cityhttp://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.224957,-95.954869&spn=0.006649,0.017059&t=h&z=16&om=0Continuing NE is downtown Omaha. The big building on the left is the old UP Union station (now a museum) and the station at the bottom left is the CB&Q station that the Walthers Union Station is based on. At the time of the photo the UP's display Big Boy was parked near Union Station. You can seee it as the black thing in the area where the old station tracks were. A couple miles north along the Missouri River is another coal fired power plant.http://www.google.com/maps? f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.250968,-95.926073&spn=0.003323,0.008529&t=h&z=17&om=0Going across the river is Council Bluffs yard.http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.246967,-95.881011&spn=0.006647,0.017059&t=h&z=16&om=0This is Fox Park where they service reefers.http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.248894,-95.87216&spn=0.001662,0.004265&t=h&z=18&om=0On the other side of Council Bluffs is the old CNW yard with its roundhouse. The large whit building is a brand new building where they maintain the UP's business cars. All of the UP passenger trains are based out of this location.http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=fremont,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.269437,-95.861356&spn=0.003322,0.008529&t=h&z=17&om=0Council Bluffs is milepost 0, Fremont is milepost 39. So in about 40 miles you have a half dozen grain elevators, 2 power plants several industrial parks, 2 major train stations, 3 smaller yards, 1 major yard, a ruling grade, 3 class 1 railroads (UP, BNSF, CN), 2 shortlines (FEVR, IAIS), a roundhouse, a freight car shop, a passenger car shop and one (UP) maybe 2 (UP, FEVR) railroads that operate steam engines, all in the year 2000, all prototype.
Hi all,
Apologies for the delay in replying to some people!
Well thanks again to everyone for their help and assistance on this. You've all helped a newcomer feel really at home! After discussion with several people (and of course you guys) I think I've just about got the basis of an idea sorted...
A HO gauge layout based around Fremont in Nebraska, which will allow me to run UP and BNSF thought trains. Ok, I'll probably use some modellers license and have a bypass route around the town, over which both UP and BNSF have access rights, running through a seven/eight road yard, which is switched by a private rail operator, together with the odd factory or two for box cars. The private operator will then have a branch from this yard, to serve a grain terminal and power plant, together with a smaller three/four road yard at the far end of the branch for the local industry. How does this sound with you guys? Realistic? Logical? Achievable?
I've worked out that I should be able to get storage sidings for the UP/BNSF line that can hold trains of around 12-foot in length. I think that should allow a good representation of a pair of units and long coal/stacker set? Again, any comments from people?
Somebody (Think it was Bill) mentioned about the sound systems and different loco manufacturers - thanks for the info on that. I saw something on the web the other day, think it was Broadway and their Blue Line system, the locos are DCC ready and have a sound module on board - they look impressive (well to me anyway!) in the images - but has anyone had any experience of what the models are like? detail, powerwise, traction, value for money?
I'm presuming that wagons from all manufacturers are ok and there's no rough ones to watch out for? Amazingly while US DCC/Sound locos seem to be cheaper (or eqvivilent) in price to UK models, the wagons seem more expensive! But that could just be me!
I'm determined to document the new layout on a website, so i'll post the address here when its reasonably enough for people to view it!!!
Final question - American Railroad Signalling. A subject I know absolutlely nothing about, except that some routes have signalling, some have verbal radio commands and some are computer controlled transmitted to the cabs. Can anyone tell me what the system is thats used around Fremont and if its fixed lineside signals - what do they display and how do they work?
Thanks to all of you for your help!
Cheers
Rich
FrodinghamMPD wrote: Somebody (Think it was Bill) mentioned about the sound systems and different loco manufacturers - thanks for the info on that. I saw something on the web the other day, think it was Broadway and their Blue Line system, the locos are DCC ready and have a sound module on board - they look impressive (well to me anyway!) in the images - but has anyone had any experience of what the models are like? detail, powerwise, traction, value for money?I'm presuming that wagons from all manufacturers are ok and there's no rough ones to watch out for? Amazingly while US DCC/Sound locos seem to be cheaper (or eqvivilent) in price to UK models, the wagons seem more expensive! But that could just be me!
Bear in mind that "DCC ready" generally means that a locomotive comes equipped with a plug for a DCC decoder but operates on conventional DC until a decoder is installed. Blue Line locomotives do have a sound system that works on DC but can have a DCC decoder installed. Some of the Athearn Genesis locomotives work the same way, particularly the steam locomotives. Most manufacturers now make their locomotives DCC ready. Now I go off into Opinionland.....I personally don't care for the appearance of Broadway & Blue Line locomotives. Their electronics systems are terrific, but I think their body shells don't have as crisp molded features, the added-on plastic details look cheap and they don't always get the painting quite right. Others will disagree, so you need to assess this for yourself. I just think you can do better elsewhere.
"Wagons" (another British term I enjoy), or freight cars on this side of the pond, come in a staggering variety, as you have probably seen. Most any manufacturer does a good job. They can get quite expensive, but the level of detailing and the quality of the decoration usually justifies the cost. The only things to avoid are the cheapies from Life-Like, Model Power & Bachmann. Anything from Athearn, Atlas, Proto 2000, Walthers, Intermountain, Stewart, Kadee, etc. will serve you well.
Hi Bill,
Yes really must get my head around the correct terminology! You have just drawn my attention to something i already knew (the 'DCC ready' term) but hadn't realised. There's not one DC powered locomotive from any UK manufacturer that has sound onboard. Any factory fitted sound system only appears when the loco has a DCC decoder already built in. The UK 'DCC Ready' models just mean there is a DCC socket there but no decoder and no sound.
So in that case, how does the sound system interact with the DCC when a decoder is added? Does it still work the same? Does it gain or lose features? Does it need a DCC sound decoder chip fitting to retain the sound capability? or does the on-board sound system work under DC and DCC and the newly fitted DCC decoder just handles the power?
Interesting to hear you comments about Broadway & Blueline locos. I suppose they would be a good candiate for undergoing a repaint into an imaginary private company colour scheme? I've sent for the Walthers 2008 HO railroad guide, which is eagerly awaited!, so i presume all the locos and wagons that are available through them will be listed in there. I've learnt something else tonight ... didn't realise that Kadee did wagons and I'd not heard of Intermountain and Stewart, so two new names to research there!
From what i've seen so far, unless i need some new glasses!, the stacker wagons come empty (i.e. devoid of containers) .... are these called bearbacks when there's no containers on board? ... so presumably there is a company which sells the various container types ... are these kits or ready built?
Also one other thought, this is probably me being stupid, but will HO locos operate quite happily on PECO track or is there a better US HO option?
All the best to everyone ... and thanks Bill!
FrodinghamMPD wrote:I've sent for the Walthers 2008 HO railroad guide, which is eagerly awaited!, so i presume all the locos and wagons that are available through them will be listed in there. I've learnt something else tonight ... didn't realise that Kadee did wagons and I'd not heard of Intermountain and Stewart, so two new names to research there! From what i've seen so far, unless i need some new glasses!, the stacker wagons come empty (i.e. devoid of containers) .... are these called bearbacks when there's no containers on board? ... so presumably there is a company which sells the various container types ... are these kits or ready built?Also one other thought, this is probably me being stupid, but will HO locos operate quite happily on PECO track or is there a better US HO option?All the best to everyone ... and thanks Bill!Rich
The Walthers catalogue will indeed tell you more than you ever want to know about who makes what. Bear in mind that Athearn products are not distributed by Walthers and will not be listed in their catalogue. Best to go to www.athearn.com for their items.
Kadee does an extensive range of 40 ft. and 50 ft. boxcars plus some covered and open hopper cars. Prototypically correct details and gorgeous painting & lettering. Expensive and worth every penny. Intermountain is best known for covered hoppers and refrigerator cars.....they also market assembled and painted A-Line double-stack container cars. Stewart does some nicely finished and relatively simple hopper car kits. Another less known name, Bowser, makes nice hoppers, Pennsylvania RR cabooses and RoadRailer intermodal trailers.
"Stacker wagons" (I love it!), or "double-stack container cars", come without containers. Same is true of flatcars and articulated spine cars for carrying trailers. There are exceptions....Athearn has sold it's Husky Stack cars with containers and Walthers has sold it's spine car with trailers and containers. Trains made up of empties are called "bare table" trains. Athearn, Walthers and A-Line sell containers and trailers. Athearn & Walthers sell 'em in lengths from 20' to 53', assembled and painted. A-Line's are generally unpainted kits. Some smaller companies and Walthers also market the 20' tank containers for liquids....these are kits.
Peco track is highly regarded for HO, especially their turnouts ("points" to you......). Their code 83 is regularly advertised in Model Railroader.
FrodinghamMPD wrote: Yes really must get my head around the correct terminology! You have just drawn my attention to something i already knew (the 'DCC ready' term) but hadn't realised. There's not one DC powered locomotive from any UK manufacturer that has sound onboard. Any factory fitted sound system only appears when the loco has a DCC decoder already built in. The UK 'DCC Ready' models just mean there is a DCC socket there but no decoder and no sound. So in that case, how does the sound system interact with the DCC when a decoder is added? Does it still work the same? Does it gain or lose features? Does it need a DCC sound decoder chip fitting to retain the sound capability? or does the on-board sound system work under DC and DCC and the newly fitted DCC decoder just handles the power?
OK, back to Opinionland. Sound without DCC sounds like a cool thing to have, but consider this: Sound with DC usually has a separate controller to run the sound system, so you have to fumble with a power pack or walkaround controller AND a controller for the sound. Sound with DCC combines the two functions into one controller.....sure seems more convenient to me.
I'm not sure what happens when you add a decoder. It might just recite the Queen's Christmas Day message when you crack the throttle......
Hi froddingham mpd
nice to see a fellow brit on here
I model amercan 'n' down here in the west. ( not dcc ) but any help i can give you just ask.
you have been modelling longer than me but who knows??
Gav