What do I buy?

[rbjordan]

I recently came across my old "O" gauge train set that my father bought for me more than 50 years ago. It has rekindled a desire to create a layout that I can enjoy with my grandsons. Due to the limited amount of space my wife will allow me to take in the basement, I decided on HO scale for my layout. I have already constructed a good stable table, (benchwork) and now have a "clean" 4x8' area in which to construct my "dream" layout. I would like to stay in the 1950's if possible as an era for my setup. I like the idea of the "sounds" that are available on some model trains and also like what I have read regarding "Digital Command Control" . My problem is that I haven't a clue what I should be looking to purchase. Can anyone suggest an HO ready made set and DCC controls for it that would fit with the above? Do I have to purchase the train engine separately?...or can I purchase a ready to run set? What set/model to I look for?

Help
Bob

[Anonymous]

[#welcome] to the Forum

as for sets for DCC I don't really think there are any out there.... Bachmann has one that comes with a locomotive but that's it and it's not a very good system.... if you want good quality you should look into a DigiTraxx or a NCE system.... and for Locos there are several out there that have decoders installed or DCC ready for HO.

My suggestion on a layout is to maybe find an exsisting layout out of a book or something like that and go from there.

This is just information that I have been able to pull off of this site in the past month or so.... I personally don't model in HO (Even though I would like to) I can't afford it and don't have the space so I model N.

Once again welcome to the forums and I hope you stick around for a while.

[rbjordan]

Hi Brian,

Thanks for the quick reply. I already have a layout plan in mind and would like to have a 1950's time frame for it. I will look into DigiTraxx and NCE systems. I still have to find a locomotive and/or set that will fit the "look" I am after.

Bob

[Anonymous]

best thing to do with Locomotives is to just buy them seperately and not in from sets.... most manufacturers put thier lowest grade loco's in those sets.... alot of them are not even DCC ready.

I would suggest just buying your Locomotives and Rolling Stock sepperately and all of your track sepperately as well.... this way you have good quality and the stuff you truly want.

When looking for a Loco for a DCC layout the best thing to do is to go and find ones that are DCC ready (already have the plugs for the decoders to be installed easily) or DCC epuiped (already have the Decoder installed).

[nfmisso]

Bob;

Do you want steam or diesel?

The Bachmann EZ DCC system is made by Lenz the inventor of DCC. It is a fine high quality system, that is lacking in features. It is easy to use, and a great system to get started, without spending much $$. (I have one and a Digitrax Radio Super Empire Builder).

With HO in 4x8, you are going to need rather small locomotives. With sound, I would suggest BLI's USRA 2-8-2 (light or heavy) if you want steam,
http://www.broadway-limited.com/
or if you want a diesel with sound; BLI's NW2/SW7 switcher or LL P2K GP9 with QSI® sound.

For freight cars, consider some of the Accurail kits to start.

If you want passenger cars, consider the 60 foot ones from Walthers.

Have fun.

[howmus]

rbjordan, [#welcome] [#welcome] [#welcome]

Not knowing what your budget is for the new layout...... For what you are planning, the Digitrax Zepher would be an excellent choice. They go for around $150 and have a lot for the money. There are cheaper, but you usually get what you pay for. I have also heard good things about NCE systems. I suggest you make sure that anything you get can be upgraded without having to start from scratch again. Check out the threads about Locomotives being DCC ready as that can mean different things to different manufacturers (like "sure you can use it with DCC, all you need is a PHD in Electrical Engineering" to "Plug in the decoder and be running in a couple of minutes"). Find a good local hobby store that will help you make informed choices! There are a lot of fine locomotives out there now to choose from. Modeling the 50s allows you to have both steam and diesels. I would start with the latter as they are generally easier to install decoders in.

Above all have fun! And don't forget to post some photos for us to see.

[Anonymous]

One thing about the Bachmann system.... if you want to run the sound options (Whistles and the like) you don't have the option to do so with this particular system.

That why I suggested either Digitraxx or NCE.

[Anonymous]

Factor into you track plan curve radius.
There are over 15 different loco manufacturers and many more in rolling stock.
You can go from a Hyundal to a Jaguar. In a nut shell, it's what's under the hood that counts.

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brclem

One thing about the Bachmann system.... if you want to run the sound options (Whistles and the like) you don't have the option to do so with this particular system.

That why I suggested either Digitraxx or NCE.

Brian;

Please stop spreading FALSE information. The Bachmann EZ DCC system will control most of the sounds of the QSI® decoders used by BLI, Atlas and P2K.

[Anonymous]

The sound information I placed was direct from the Bachmann website... they do not have the capability with thier system to do all the functions.... yes you can get some sounds but not all of them.

[Anonymous]

The Bachmann unit is an entry level unit - and a very inexpensive unit too. Try it out, before you upgrade to a more expensive setup: you may well find that it is sufficient for your needs.

The high end digital controllers are quite daunting in their complexity...

Cheers

Allan

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brclem

The sound information I placed was direct from the Bachmann website... they do not have the capability with thier system to do all the functions.... yes you can get some sounds but not all of them.

Brian;

I have a Bachmann DCC system, and a Digitrax Radio Super Empire Builder with DT-400 throttle. I also have BLI and Atlas locomotives with QSI® systems. From first hand operating experience, the Bachmann DCC system does fine with the QSI® equipped locomotives: bell, whistle/horn, coupler clank, etc.

[Anonymous]

brclem and nfmisso, is it possible that you are talking "apples and oranges?" Nigel, Brian is talking 'N' gauge...Brian, Nigel is "talking" HO gauge. Could there be a misunderstanding here?

[Don Gibson]

You need a good HOBBY SHOP. They can narrow down choices, and give you advice , hold your hand, etc. - things a beginner needs...

You found the FORUM. Now Find a Hobby Shop in the listings In MODEL RAILROADER.

[rbjordan]

I'd like to thank everyone for responding to my initial post. I am considering the purchase of an HO engine, and noticed that it says "comes equipped with a DCC plug, for easy conversion to DCC". Since I am very much interested in including DCC with my "set-up", the question becomes:
1. How do you convert it?
2. What do you need to purchase?
3. What does such a conversion cost?
4. Is it something a novice like myself could accomplish?

Thanks
Bob

[Anonymous]

Well, if a you buy a locomotive that's "DCC Ready", all you need to do is plug in a decoder and your ready to go.

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rbjordan

I'd like to thank everyone for responding to my initial post. I am considering the purchase of an HO engine, and noticed that it says "comes equipped with a DCC plug, for easy conversion to DCC". Since I am very much interested in including DCC with my "set-up", the question becomes:
1. How do you convert it?
2. What do you need to purchase?
3. What does such a conversion cost?
4. Is it something a novice like myself could accomplish?

Hi Bob;

1. "comes equipped with a DCC plug, for easy conversion to DCC" means that you unplug a dummy plug and plug in a decoder. There are some DCC ready models that have solder pads for you to solder wires from the decoder to. Some need resistors in series with thier lights of decoders with current controlled accessories outputs for the lights.
2. a suitable decoder for the particular locomotive, one that fits, has a matching connector. May have to modify the lights in some way too - depends.
3. Decoder costs vary from less than $15 to over $50 for non-sound.
4. It depends on the locomotive. Some are incredibly simple, some are not.

Take a look at: http://www.dcctrains.com/locomotive/stewart.htm for example. Tony will sell you a locomotive by itself, install a decoder in it, or a sound system in it for a price. Sound installation is usually considered an advanced task.

Have fun.

[Anonymous]

Bob,
To achieve what you desire on your layout (HO 4' x 8', DCC w/sound, 1950s era) what you are going to need is the following:

1. A DCC & Sound equipped locomotive - this can be obtained by purchasing one already so equipped, or by equipping a locomotive that does not come already equipped. For a beginner, I would recommend getting one with sound and DCC already built in. Broadway Limited Imports (BLI) and LifeLike Proto 2000 (P2K)models are generally highly recommended and are available in units appropriate for the 1950s (BLI SW or NW series and smaller late steam, P2K E6 or GP7). You'll want to keep away from big steam power, since this will not work well on the tight radius turns normally found on a 4 x 8 layout.

2. A DCC system - Basic systems start well under $100 and go up from there. Bachmann EZ DCC can be found for under $60 online. There are also good beginner sets from Atlas (made by Lenz), MRC (both Prodigy and Prodigy Advance), Lenz, Digitrax and NCE. Basically, you want to compare the features that matter to you. I chose the MRC Prodigy Advance over the Digitrax Zephyr mainly because it comes with a handheld throttle as opposed to a console mounted throttle. It also offered all the features I thought I would ever need and was reasonably priced.

3. Track - There are several options when it comes to track. Several manufacturers are making "roadbed" type sectional track, which allows you to lay your track quickly to get your trains up and running. They are generally not compatible with other brands of roadbed track, but can be made to work if you get the adapters that work with regular track. The other options are either flex track or sectional track on cork or some similar type of roadbed that you install yourself. This allows more flexibility (especially with flex track, no pun intended), since you are not limited to only the shapes and sizes of pieces available from the manufacturers.

4. Rolling stock - There is a lot of rolling stock available from a variety of manufacturers. For the 1950s era, you want to keep your freight cars to the 40 or 50 foot lengths, for the most part. Don't forget that railroads still had cabooses back then! For passenger trains, you can run almost anything from the 1920s on until (but not including) the Amtrak era, since they didn't change that much since then. Basically, you can run either heavyweight or lightweight passenger cars in the roadname of your choice.

You may want to do as others have suggested in visiting your local hobby shop (if you have one). They may even be willing to put together a package deal on all the components you will require to build your layout. The internet is a great place to buy the things you've settled on, but you can't look and touch things the way you can in the hobby shop.

Last, but not least, have fun with your railroading!

[Anonymous]

rbjordan, it might be advisable to have a technician install your first decoder (local hobby shop). At an average of $35.00 a "taste," I'm sure you don't wi***o "fry" too many. That, by the way, is very easy to accomplish unless you take all the precautions recommended, e.g. "hand wand," static free environment, rubber work mat, grounding yourself, etc. I would hate to see your earliest experience in MRing "go up in smoke." Experience may be the best teacher but at what price? Best of luck to you, TDK