General Discussion (Model Railroader)

Hi, group, Old timer here. Started in HO about 1964 and N about 1966. Haven't been active for 15 or 20 years. Now a friend wants to start in N scale and asked for advice. He has his eye on a couple of Bachmann sets at Hobby Lobby, especially "The Explorer", with F9A powered and dummy and a fair number of freight cars. $119, but of course I'll counsel him to wait for a week with a 40%-off HL web coupon. So about $72. When I was active, Bachmann was very poor quality. I'd never recommend it to a beginner (or anyone else). However, Bachmann has changed since the bad old days, Their Spectrum line is well respected, at least in HO. I've looked at the box for the sets at Hobby Lobby. They do NOT say "Spectrum" on the box front. So: Question 1 - is the standard N-scale Bachmann line (especially the F9s) still "stay away from it" quality, or have they upgraded their everyday stuff to where you can recommend it to a beginner? Question 2 - Are the Old-Time sets now any good? The ones with the 19th Cen. balloon-stack engine. Mine from 30 years ago was balky and fairly useless (but pretty). Question 3 - Is Bachmann's big-boilered steamer ( 4-8-4, I think) still a nightmare for a beginner to keep running and keep on the track? They (at least the HO ones) had a very bad rep, back in the day. The one I saw in the set was as ugly as ever, but does it run well now? Question 4 - How is the "roadbed" track? It's gotta be better than the old wiggly stuff. Not Kato's league, I'm sure, but is it reliable enough for a starter? Thanks for any help. -- David

David,Suffice it to say buy a better train set from Atlas or Kato.

 

As for question #4..

I find the best N Scale "roadbed" track  by far is Kato's Unitrack..This has to be the smoothest "roadbed" track made.I really love their #6 switch.

I'm sorry, but I can't help much with the "D" word loco's, but the steamers are vastly improved for the most part.  The old timer is still the same though.  It simply suffers from too little weight, so Bmann hasn't done much to it over the years.  there've been some minor improvements, but not a ton.  As for the rest of the standard line steamers, they're worlds better.  Just stay clear of the old white cardboard box loco's.  The newly redesigned ones mechanically speaking.....they still have the same shells on them, so they lack in detail there) are found in jewel boxes and have blacked drivers and running gear.

You might find this helpful: http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/locos.html 

Thanks, Larry. I know there are better sets, but my friend just wants to try a small apartment layout, or even mini-layout, so he can find out if the hobby is for him. I doubt he'll want to pay for best-quality equipment at the start. I'm just trying to help him avoid the real junk that has been offered in N in the past.

 I'll be happy if he gets equipment that runs smoothly and keeps running without constant fiddling, stays on the track, stays coupled, and gets through turnouts without derailing or stalling. Perfect prototype fidelity (in appearance) is not important, nor are superthin handrails, small flanges, automatic couplers, etc. Superslow crawl-speed, realistic top speed, reversing headlights, DCC readiness and other performance niceties are secondary to basic reliability and reasonable cost. If he likes the hobby, he'll upgrade when he feels the need, but he'll never try it if the entry-cost is too high, and he'll never like the hobby if all he gets from his first set is frustration.

-- David

Philip,

Wowzers! What a great resource the "spookshow" site is. I wish he'd give separate grades for appearance and running instead of one combined grade, but you can get that info by reading the full reviews. He gives the current Bachmann F9s a C+. He gives my beloved old Rapido growlers only a C (downgrading for big flanges, toylike appearance, noise). If the current Bachmanns can even approximately match those old bulletproof, unstoppable Geeps, then they'll probably do to give a new guy the feel for the hobby. Thanks for the info on the steamers, too. Since Steve is a Civil War buff, he finds the old woodburners appealing; sorry to hear they aren't any better performers than they were.

-- David

For a mid 19th century loco thats decent take a look at the Atlas 2-6-0.  It maybe a mite late for theCivil War, but it's a decent runner.  It could maybe be backdated some.

It's just too bad the MDC/Athearn twins are too new (1890's designs).  They're awesome runners!

1) New Bachmann trainsets may be decent. You have to be careful to get newer product with knuckle couplers & train cars packed in a plastic case like Atlas or Kato. Some Standard line product has improved pickup. a new set with a 44ton could be very sweet. The 0-6-0 switcher can be very good.
(Bachmann quality remains try before you buy). The good news is Bachmann still has a good warranty service. The bad news is you may need it. Some hobby shops don't like to handle locos you may have bought from Hobby Lobby.

2) The Old time sets with 4-4-0 americans may be too fussy for an average modeler. You have to be careful to break them in. They can be made to run better. AFAIK they have not been improved yet.They are the only source for 1860's vintage equipment. 

3) Bachman's J class 4-8-4 & Mountain are among the best made. The standard Northern has been improved. Coupled with Bachmann's new tenders can be very sweet. (add the tender for better pickup + space to do DCC decoders)

4) EZtrack is good for an oval only. It's best use may be till you can get some Kato Unitrak or get Atlas track. Turnouts need filing to be useful. Selection of track pieces isn't as good. It is Code 80 track.

You are smart to watch for Hobby Lobby 40% coupon or sales. There may be a few old Model Power prebuilt structures in the clearance section. In sum, I'd avoid "the Explorer" with the powered & dummy F9's. There may be another "Iron Horse" set that has a better loco. Please don't buy anything with Crapidos. They may have been sitting on the shelf for some time. They may take too much time to clean & relube before putting on the track.

 

 I'll add my vote to opt for an Atlas Trainman starter set.  While it's not the era your friend seems to be looking for, it's a much better example of the quality that's available now in N scale.  They use the new Atlas c65 Tru Track, which looks better than any other roadbed/track system, and the set includes a power pack, and a Trainman GP-15-1 locomotive, which is a very respectable engine indeed.  It might run a few more dollars, but it will definitely give your friend a much better taste of what N scale is capable of.

Once the track and power pack are in place, he can take his time and experiment with the different steamers that are available and pick up vintage rolling stock piecemeal.

Lee