Newb seeking advice on Bachmann HOn30 and guidance

[Anonymous]

Hello all!

My son has been bitten by the train bug and I have enthusiastically joined him. For Christmas he received the Bachmann Santa Fe Flyer set up. We have added some more track with switches, the wife and I have started a couple of plastic structures, and we have bought some more cars piecemeal fashion. "Oooh, that's cool."

I have a number of questions that hopefully a few of you will have time to answer.

I would like to go DCC but my son is too young to handle expensive locomotives. But I'm not. Can a layout handle both DC and DCC, or is it worth it to equip a $20 loco with a decoder?

I live a stones throw from the grade of the old Denver, South Park & Pacfic. I was thinking this might be a good prototype for me. I am more interested in building and modeling rifgt now than operation. There is a lot of oppurtunity here for trestles, tunnels, mountains etc. 2 questions- any good online rescources for the DSP&P, C&S, DL&G et. al.? Is the Bacmann HOn30 package any good. They have a Colorado & Southern loco with cars that looks nice.

Will HOn30 loco run on the same power pack that runs HO locos? I know some will shudder but I can picture the C&S 2-6-0 running side by side with a AT&SF GP40?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hi Pogie,

Sounds like you have a new family hobby! That is great...! [:D]

As for some answers for you, here goes...

Some DCC systems can run one "non-decoder equipped" loco, but the performance of said loco my not be great. There are relatively inexpensive decoders to be had, but whether they are compatible with the cheapest locos is another question (sorry). Tony's Train Exchange is one highly recommended source of info and supplies for DCC - www.ttx-dcc.com

Don't underestimate the ability of the "younger generation" to master seemingly complicated controls. I have seen pictures of friends' children or grandchildren as young as 2 1/2 running "Thomas" with DCC!

On-line resources for the DSP&P - can't help there other than to direct you to the old standby - www.google.com

I do not know about the Bachmann HOn30 set, but anything with the "Spectrum" designation is much better than the standard Bachmann or Bachmann "Silver Series". As people get into the hobby more, they tend to avoid "sets" and buy what they want. You also tend to get lower end stuff in a set, as opposed to buying individually.

Power pack - yes the same power pack will run both HO and HOn30 locos. It is really only when you change scales that this become a problem - e.g. power pack rated for HO will not run Gscale stuff. However, if you go to DCC, you do not need a conventional power pack. If you stick with conventional (DC), you will need one power pack for each loco you want to operate on the layout at the same time. This will also increase the complexity of your wiring.

But! (There is always a but!). Just in case you were not aware, HO and HOn30, while both the same scale (HO = 1:87), the locos and rolling stock do not use the same track. HO uses standard gauge track - that is 4'8.5" between the rails (in HO scale of course). HOn30 means HO scale, but n = narrow, and 30 means 30" between the rails. Model Railroader sometimes calls this HOn2 1/2 for 2.5 feet (or 30 inches). This is roughly equivalent to running HO scale equipment on N scale (standard gauge) track.

Anyway, I hope that helps. If you have more questions, don't be afraid to post!

Andrew

[Anonymous]

Do you mean Spectrum On30 (that runs on HO track)?

[joseph2]

I think you mean On30..There is a good Bachmann forum called the message board at this link: www.bachmanntrains.com Joe G.

[Anonymous]

Yep, I meant the Bachmann On30. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hi Pogie,

Lots of people run multiple scales, although usually on separate layouts! O scale ids 1:48, so the trains are roughly double the size. What is interesting though is the combination you mention. An O scale 2-6-0 (narrow gauge) is really not much bigger overall than a HO (standard gauge) large steamer or diesel. It might look a little funny, for sure, but it's your (family) layout! If you wanted, you could change out the buildings when you run the On30 stuff...!

On30 stuff will run on HO track (just as the HOn30 stuff uses Nscale track ). If you are concerned about appearances (only if...) there is On30 track available that has properly spaced and sized ties for O scale. The HO ties are really too small, and too close together. Many people though just don't worry about it....

One other thought occured to me re: your son and handling trains. You might look at the LGB line of trains. They are pretty robust, and while not overly prototypical, can take quite a beating. I believe that starter sets that include track and power run $300 - 400 and up (unsure of US$ exchange and pricing, sorry).

Have fun!

Andrew