After years of HO scale only...I recently took the plunge with N scale. I'd been curious for years, and when one of the local shops (Esther's) had it's "flood salvage" sale, I couldn't resist. N scale has changed a lot since the J-class (junk) days of the '70s. Kato E units and RDCs are great runners, and so is my Atlas U25B. LL also makes good engines, but they can be a bit noisy. For now, I'm using Kato Unitrack with some Atlas stuff mixed in. Everything is powered by an old Tyco (blue) train-set transformer.
One thing I did notice, is just how small things are in N. (Thank you, Captain Obvious!) I mean, I had to more-or-less "relearn" how to work on something so small. But, I will admit that the small bits have helped me to hone my skills in the larger scales too. After several weeks of messing about with N scale buildings, even a small HO scale house looks like a mansion!
You might run into trouble if you're trying to model a train exactly--some rolling stock is "fudged" for different prototypes. For me though, I don't worry about getting all the rivets in the right place, as long as the actual "feel" is there, I'm happy.
With that said, you'll love Kato's E units. They're smooth runners!
NevinW wrote:So, N gaugers, tell me about current state of N scale. Who makes the best engines and track? Does the track look right or is it still clunky.
So, N gaugers, tell me about current state of N scale. Who makes the best engines and track? Does the track look right or is it still clunky.
Go to Atlas and check out their N Scale track and Atlas Diesels in particular...
http://www.atlasrr.com/
There are (42) Code 80 track items with this description...
"Our popular N scale Code 80 track has been used on thousands of model railroads over the last 30 years. Easy to use and affordable, you will find that Atlas N scale Code 80 track with black ties and nickel silver rail is built to last for ultimate performance."
There are (48) Code 55 track items with this description...
"Designed with precision and sophisticated technology, Atlas' N scale Code 55 track has the same reliability and durability as our popular Code 80 track, but with some slight differences that make it more prototypical. Code 55 track is characterized by having finer brown ties and smaller rail than Atlas' traditional Code 80 track."
Another well-known N Scale manufacturer is Bachmann where their Spectrum locomotive line is of a better quality. You might go to Walthers to check out what they are good at which is selection.
Here is how my layout will incorporate Code 55 to smaller operations, and Code 80 track to Class I operations...
The free-lanced N Scale traction/interurban, Conemaugh Road & Traction, is inspired by a combination of three prototypes: passenger PCC, industrial short line, and local Class I branch line. This "CR&T layout division" will use Code 55 track.
The CR&T is surrounded by a Pennsy 2-track mainline, and sometimes dogboned to appear as a 4-track mainline which will interchange with the CR&T for passenger and freight. This "PRR layout division" will use Code 80 track.
P.S.: You can't go wrong with "pcarrell" when it comes to N Scale steam insight.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
You should stop by The "N" Crowd and read some of what's said there. N scale isn't what it used to be!
And just to whet your whistle........here's the newest Athearn loco, due out in early September (just about the time you'd need it) that comes factory equipped with DCC and sound!
Yes, that horrible looking Atlas code 80 track under it, but N scale has some great looking track too. The Atlas code 55 line even has a comercially available #10 turnout that came out last year.
And we have E units with DCC and sound if you want too!
Alot has changed over the years in N scale. Alot has changed just within the last ten years! Big flangs are out. Working couplers are in. Slow speed loco's are much more the norm. Hands off OP's can easily happen in N scale.
The question isn't "Can I get what I want from N scale?", because you certainly can. The real question is, "Can I do the smallness of N scale?" If manual dextarity or eyesight are a problem you may have an issue. You can get an Optivisor, but shaky hands are not well suited to fine detail work with little parts.