My first post here...feelin' the urge!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jim Duda

Hi folks -
For several years now, as I sit at the kitchen table and look out into the backyard, I think about running a train from island to island across that footbridge. That's as far as I've gotten, but I'm real close to taking my second step to get the train moving (pardon the pun!). My first step was starting this thread here.

Anyway, I have a ton of reading to do before I spend the first dollar on anything and hope to learn most of what I need to do from this forum. At this point I THINK I'd like the Aristocraft train:
http://gallery.bcentral.com/Gallery/ProductDetails.aspx?GID=3725153&PID=1770884&page=1&sortOrder=0
running on nickel-silver track. The weather here in central Texas will pretty much allow me all year operation which helps me justify this adventure.

My plan is to build a dogbone layout with the large ovals in the two islands, and narrow down to cross the footbridge, embedding the track in it to simulate the prototypical grade crossing. It will be an elevated system, matching the height of the footbridge (about 12 inches), which will eliminate any grading problems.

So here are my initial questions:
1. Is the above Aristocraft train a piece o' crap or is it up there with the LGB stuff?
2. Where do you buy your trains, track, and controls? I prefer to order on-line but refuse to pay MSRP.

In 3 rail O Gauge, MTH is the clear winner in smoke output and right up there in sounds and control. I presume there are clear winners in these and other categories in this scale and I'll wait until I learn about them and I'm better educated overall before I make my first purchase.

Thanks everyone...remember when you were taking your "first step"?

Jim Duda

[GP-9_Man11786]

Greetings Jim! Welcome to the hoby. Here's my 2 cents worth of advice:

1. Photograph yor railroads contruction. t will be neat to look back years later and say "wow, I've come a long way."

2. Couplers: Use the hook and loop couplers, yes they're big, ugly and unrealistic but they work, they come with rollingstock, and they're universal.

3. Don't take it too seriously.

[Anonymous]

Hi Jim welcome to the forum . I have been using track power here in Chicago now for 2 years and have had really good luck with the railroad running consistantly well day after day . We use Aristocraft brass track and a Bridgewerks 15 amp transformer . I clean my railroad with a LGB track cleaning locomotive before each session . Its a little pricey but definately worth the money (around $500.00). However I will be converting one of my loco's to run on battery power so I can run in the winter when there is snow on the tracks . I run Aristocraft , USA Trains , LGB and MTH locomotives . The MTH has the Proto 2.0 system and is a lot of fun . I have only a large circle going around my yard and only 2 switches that provide a 50 foot passing siding that I can park another train on for variety . My advice to you would be to use the largest diameter curves and biggest switches you can fit in your space cuz things will look a lot nicer going around gracefull curves . We are using 20 foot curves and Aristocraft #6 switches . I have had no problems with any of my fleet getting around the railroad . If you like modern day American trains then Aristocraft and USA Trains have the largest variety . They also make some nice steam era too . Good luck with your project . Its definetly worth it when you kick back and watch it go.

[Rastun]

Guys, Look at the Date Jim posted this over a year ago.

[Anonymous]

An old post (well over a year old), with some good advice given, some poor advice given, and some simply erroneous advice given--as is most often the case with any discussion forum. I trust, and hope, that the original poster sorted things out eventually and got a layout up and running. If so, it would have been nice if he had checked back in at some point and related his experiences.

[Jim Duda]

Allan - Of course I'll check back in and share my experiences...but this project has been on hold since last April (2004). Your comment above certainly begs the questions: What was the erroneous advice, what was the poor advice, and what was the good advice...???

[CandCRR]

Good advice - agrees with your way of thinking,
erroneous or poor adivce - does not.

There are exceptions to every rule. What is true today may not be next year.

Jaime

[vsmith]

Jim

Saw your profile NICE CAR DUDE! '67 ?

[Jim Duda]

'65...but I put the '67 hood on it.