N Scale Kits

[Anonymous]

I have been reading about RTR being crap. And, although the price sucks, I have not had many problems with them (but I do change the couplers to Z scale, and wheelsets must be changed to metal, low profile). I also noticed a lot of you like to build from kits. Does anyone know where to get some N scale rolling stock kits aside from Alan Curtis Models (which, I will definately become one of his customers after seeing what my friend got from him.....thats some good work there). Thanks for the help!

Matt

[DSchmitt]

Most N scale cars are RTR and most of the RTR is good quality.

Micto Trains, Atlas, Intermountain, and Red Caboose and a few other brands are excellant quality, come with Micro Trains or compatible couplers, now come with low profile wheels, and usually operate without problems right out of the box.

The "cheaper" brands Bachman, Roundhouse ("shake the box kits") and most others are good quality but come with Rapido couplers. Even without conversion they usually run reliability. Unless you really must have body mounted couplers the easiest way to convert them is change the trucks.

Truck mounted couplers are the standard in N scale.

The only reason to use Z couplers is appearance, since the N couplers are oversize. Being smaller Z couplers are sometimes not as reliable as N couplers (track contruction standards are very inportant). Body mounting couplers improves appearance and may improve operation when cars are pushed, but most of us do not consider the work and expense of Z/body mounts worthwhile.

Intermountin originally came as kits, but unless you really enjoy building them and have lots of time their RTR is worth the extra cost. This is also true of other companies injection molded kits

Other manufactures have offered kits, usually resin casting with etched brass steps and running boards. The can be fun to build and provide prototypes not otherwise available, but can be difficuilt to make operate well.

In general in N scale you are better of sticking with RTR.