The only Train Set I've purchased was an N scale set to run around the Christmas Tree. The toy like look is fine for my purpose here as it runs around and under brightlly wrapped packages. The set is simple and ready to run with everything you need. Completely seperate from the layout downstairs.
Hi! welcome!
Bachmann has sold many trainsets over the years. Over time they upgrade the controllers. It sounds like your first defective trainset had one of those cheapo crappy no good controllers/engines, possibly from over 10 years ago. (many stores tend to hold on to old trainsets for decades)
Bachmann's had a whole bunch of controller types. Excluding their EZ command...
One of their earlier controllers, these are (in short) worthless. They came in red and white knob varieties (edit: and blue and yellow).
2. for a period of time, they had the Spectrum controller. Ive never had one of these myself, but I would assume theyre decent. afaik they come in only one color scheme.
3. Current day controller. These are great (imo). They are comfortable to operate, with a smooth knob and slight resistance to feel like quality. They also have decent slow speed control. Theyve come in a variety of colors, including blue&yellow, gray&red, gray&black, etc.
All of these controllers show how Bachmann have progressed over time to make better quality stuff. Bachmann is not actively selling both garbage controllers in certain sets and good ones in others. That would be a cruel move. No, the bad ones have long since been discontinued, and they only sell the very best these days.
Hope this helps,
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
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Actually, I will speak directly about Bachmann and Athearn train sets.
While I suspect that my facts are true for N scale as well, my experiance is with HO.
First Bachmann.
Bachmann is a company that makes model train products for all skill and experiance levels in the hobby. They have been in this business a long time. If we go back 4 decades ago, they only sold inexpensive "toy grade" trains and train sets and toy like plastic structures. Their trains were not very good back then - that was then.
While they still sell those toy like plastic structures, they also now sell more advanced higher quality products and have greatly improved even their basic entry level products.
Bachmann's primary line of HO rolling stock is basic in its detail level, but functionally they are pretty good. Also their basic line of locomotives are much improved from years past.
While they will not be the higher detail models, the operational quality of Bachmann HO train sets today is pretty good. I suspect the same is true in N scale.
Athearn - Athearn has not offered any sets in the last few years, HO or N scale, but when they did, they contained the exact same products they sold individually. Yes the HO locos were the "Roundhouse" line, their less expensive, less detailed line. But they did not make separate "cheaper" products just for sets.
Not sure who else is still making sets these days, train sets are no longer a product little children expect to find under the tree.
I have a Bachmann On30 set purchased 25 years ago. The products in the set are no different than the On30 items sold separately at the time, many of which are still popular with On30 modelers today.
In the history of model trains have there been a lot of cheap train sets? Yes.
Are they all cheap junk today? No.
Are they "entry level" in terms of detail or model accuracy? Much of the time yes.
That does not mean they are of poor mechanical quality.
I wish I could offer you more info that is N scale specific, but I am not an N scale guy.
Sheldon
trainscale So you are saying that a train "set" bought anywhere is of the lower, toy-store quality? Whether it's bought from a hobby store that deals with model trains or from Amazon? Thanks for replies from all so far! gary
So you are saying that a train "set" bought anywhere is of the lower, toy-store quality? Whether it's bought from a hobby store that deals with model trains or from Amazon?
Thanks for replies from all so far!
gary
If you are looking to expand as in more track, then just buy the track and do that. Only you know how far into the hobby you want to get and that usually determines the amount you will want to spend. The sky is the limit as to quality and cost. Better equipment will run well and be a joy to operate whereas low-end toy store train sets will lead to endless frustration and you will likely give up on the hobby. Once you have a quality engine in one hand and a lower quality engine in the other you will see what we mean.
Here is an online store that has in my opinion, a very good user-friendly search engine that you can use to see what is out there. Maybe see about just buying some more track and/or switches and go from there. There are plenty of online shops and the prices can vary greatly so once you decide what to get shop around.
https://www.pwrs.ca/product_search.php
One good quality locomotive and a few good quality cars is better than a lot of poor running equipment. Quality over quantity. The quantity with quality comes fast enough if the bug really bites you.
Do some window shopping and ask us lots of questions.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
The gold standard for magnetic couplers in N scale is Micro Trains. The easiest way to convert to Micro Trains couplers is to buy trucks with couplers already mounted; one just changes out the trucks on cars to convert. Micro Trains has tons of information online on converting locomotives and cars to Micro Trains couplers. They also make a conversion kit for just about everything made in the N scale market. They may be a bit pricey, but you are paying for quality and reliability.
From time to time Micro Trains does create a real N scale train set; you might check their website for availability.
I had to check their website; it looks like their only current offering for a train set is a Christmas themed one; which if that's what you want, they have it. You can find their product called a "Tabletop Railroad" online at a certain auction site that is more of a traditional train set with track; power pack; a high quality locomotive and MT cars. They also sold sets of just N scale weathered trains; usually a Kato engine, MT cars including a caboose; all of the same railroad.
Yes, the train set market is geared for the first time buyer to give to their kids.
You would do better shopping at one of the big online stores, Trainworld, Modeltrainstuff than Amazon.
I used to recommend train shows as a good place to pick up inexpensive rolling stock, that often has been fitted with Kadee couplers.
I don't know what's the norm in N scale, but in HO most of the manufactures have an unsatisfactory plastic knock off of a Kadeee, In N-Scale Micro Trains is the name in couplers.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Thanks! question about couplers--how do you get magnetic couplers for n scale. I assume from all that has been said here that you can't ever hope to find them in a train "set". Do you have to add them later, or can you buy locomotives&cars that have magnetic couplers? Coupling in N scale is trouble sometimes.
Train sets are generally low quality with a limited life span. You can buy all the items you find in a train set individually and get better quality everything that will last and more importantly perform better and make the experience so much better.
There are model railroad mail-order shops all over the world with extensive inventories in all price ranges that would enable you to buy decent quality stuff. I would start there. What country do you live in? There are lots of people on here that can point you in the right direction.
I agree with Henry, I wouldn’t buy a “Train Set”, those are the manufacturers low end (toy quality) sets. Look for a specific locomotive and shop around for the best price. A car set its self isn’t always the low end product. Walthers sells their car sets of which I have several and their quality is high end.Even the power packs in “Train Sets” are lower quality.If in doubt ask your questions on the Forum, you’ll get plenty of help here. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
trainscalewhy would anyone buy one from Bachmann company directly when you can always find it cheaper elsewhere
to the forum, your inital posts are delayed in moderation.
Bachmann's suggested retail prices vs actual prices might be the biggest spread in the industry.
As far as buying "sets" I don't get it, unless you want to buy one of Walthers or Rapido's passenger car sets. The quality and detail is just not there in train sets.
Welcome to the forums.
I don't have any facts for these answers, they are just my thoughts on the matter. Also, by answering, it will take this back to the top for others to see.
I would think that the sets remain "similar", but as different power packs come on the market they may upgrade. Would doubt that they make different quality sets for different markets under the same name. There are certainly different quality sets.
Purchasing prices can be a nightmare and sometimes you just haave to go with the best you can find, only to find out later one at a better price, but this is not only a model rr problem. I once had a large order, researched prices and ended up paying three shipping charges, but spent less overall by purchasing from three online dealers.
Good luck,
Richard
I have Bachmann HO and N scale trains, and am considering adding another basic N scale train set to my current Chessie system. In looking around online, I came across a comment from someone who said they bought a Thunder Valley N scale set online, but had to return it due to defectiveness, then found the same set at a Hobby Store for 10$ more, and that set had a much better power pack. Got me to thinking--does Bachmann sell different "versions" of the same set, based on where you buy it from--them, online such as Amazon, or a Hobby store, or a big retail store? Don't see how that could be, but if not, why would anyone buy one from Bachmann company directly when you can always find it cheaper elsewhere, especially on Amazon? Is a lower end set such as Thunder Valley the same everywhere--or not?!