Yet another beginner!

[Zebraone]

Yes, I'm back after 40+ years and just like RC Airplanes -- things have really changed. Santa knew I was suffering from rail deprivation and brought me a Bachmann "Empire Builder" train set. My Lionel was stolen when I was 12! After reading one of the beginner's threads, it seems Santa brought me one of China's "best." (Why do we buy everything from China these days? I know -- rhetorical question.) Anyway, let me begin with a few basic questions, and I have found a few layouts that I like and with my CAD program I have combined the best of each, along with a little creativity of my own. 1. I prefer to stay with N gauge, unless you can talk me into HO. 2. For my layout should I go with flex track or pieces? 3. Can my Bachmann locomotive be converted to DCC? Cheaply? 4. I know there are many opinions as to the best brand, but it seems like Atlas and Athearn are mentioned most -- true? 5. Should I start over with locomotive and cars, and hope God gives me and grandson to donate my new train set? Forgive my not learning the lingo at this point. (but talk to me about airplanes)

[cowman]

Welcome to the forums.

Sorry to hear about your original trains.  I still have my original Lionel, lost much of the later additions in a house fire.  They still hold many fond memories.

A little additional information will help you get some more specific answers.  What space do you  have available?  Are you thinking of a table or around the room? What era?  Are you interested in operations or railfanning?  For a few of the questions.

1.  I'm in HO,. but have nothing against N.  In recent years many nice kits and R-T-R and assembled it4ems are available in N.  My vision and age, I prefer HO, If I had space I might even have stayed with O, but $$$ is also a factor.

2.  Flex track offers you more options while building.  Also, there are fewer rail joints where power can be lost. 

3.  Haven't gone DCC, so can't help much there, but there seem to be a lot of N scale DCC locos, so I would think  you could.  Check with the manufacturer.

4.  There are many good loco manufacturers.  Atlas and Athearn have both recieved many good comments as have others.  Friend of mine just got an Intermountain at a train show, very reasonable price, runs beautifully, pulls a good long string of cars.

5.  I'd keep what you  have, unless it does not fit your plans (era/location), and add to it,

Ask questions, this is the place to get good answers from a lot of knowledgeable people. 

Have fun,

[locoi1sa]

  For starters what is the quality of the locomotive that came with the set?  As for building a layout the flex track will give you more freedom to lay rails where you want. Like myself I started with lionel and moved to HO later. N scale would be a chalenge with my big beet up fingers and getting older eyes. If your comfortable with N stay with it. Just dont get frustrated and take another 40 years off. Now that im arournd the half century mark I find some things in HO frustates me and I have to take a break. (Just look at all those Bowser locos that I have been Super -super detailing).

  The best advice to give you is study and read as much as you can about what interests you the most. Maybe you might like HOn3 or some other scale.

       Pete 

[Zebraone]

Thanks for the quick reply. Space, that's a funny concept -- like the goldfish bowl -- you grow into it. "We" bought this house because it has an extra-large garage and it has been filled over the past two years with bicycles, RC airplanes, scooters, and power tools. So, all that to say I can manage to clear a 4X8 or slightly larger space for my new hobby. I live in central Texas where we have two seasons: summer and February 10th. This to say I can spend a lot of time in the garage.

[Zebraone]

Thanks, I'm trying to quickly learn the lingo. Like HOn3. I taught math, chemistry, physics, and logics, and that formula doesn't compute. All seriousness aside, I have an article that describes this; I just need to read it.

[teen steam fan]

Welcome to all of you.

1) you choose. That's the fun of the hobby. And for the most part everything is from China.

2) I prefer Flex-Track for the ease of use and long runs. Sectional for yards and short runs.

3)I still have DC because DCC decoders that I have seen are $50, multiply that by the number of engines I own and  allow for pulled wires and that is alot of money for me.

4) I prefer Bachmann Spectrum.

5) personal choice, but I would keep the track. I heard that Bachmann has a great customer suport department.( hopefully I never will have to deal with them)

[locoi1sa]

 HOn3 is narrow gage railroading. Like the old Maine 2 footers or even a 3 foot gage. I beleive that HO n3 can run on N scale track. Old logging roads and what not. They can run Shays and other narrow gage equipment. It all depends on what you like and what road/ prototype rail road you want to model. This is a very diverse hobby. Some like real roads and model a specific time and place and others model a fictitious road. All I can say is its your rail road, you are the CEO and purchasing agent for your road. Do what you like to do and dont let others dictate the operation or building of said road. But do listen to advice and mull things over in your head and learn from mistakes. Have fun and play nice.

   Pete

[Midnight Railroader]

locoi1sa

I beleive that HO n3 can run on N scale track.

Nope, that would be HOn30 (also called HOn2 1/2, by MR magazine).

The nomenclature means HO scale, narrow guage, with rails 30 scale inches apart. Or rails 3 feet apart, for HOn3.

[locoi1sa]

 Thank you Midnight. I never got the narrow gage down pat.

            Pete

[tstage]

teen steam fan

3)I still have DC because DCC decoders that I have seen are $50, multiply that by the number of engines I own and  allow for pulled wires and that is alot of money for me.

I'm not sure what decoders you were looking at.  A basic 2-function decoder can be had for $12-15; a 6-function for $20-25.

The functions have to do with lighting.  2-function decoders allow you to wire front and rear headlights.  6-function decoders allow you to do that...plus add lighting effects like Mars, Gyralight, ditch lights, etc.

Granted it can add up if you have a lot of locomotives.  However, it won't cost you upwards of $50 a pop to outfit a locomotive.  If you want to add sound, now that's an entirely different animal and price range.  Generally, $60-100 is the cost for adding sound to a locomotive.

Tom

[Texas Zepher]

Zebraone

Santa brought me a Bachmann "Empire Builder" train set.

1. I prefer to stay with N gauge, unless you can talk me into HO.

So, I presume the "Empire Builder" train set is HO.  I see no reason to change.

2. For my layout should I go with flex track or pieces?

A. Can the layout you designed be built with sectional track?  B. Are you skilled laying flex track (not really that hard just different)? 
Generally Flex track looks better because there aren't so many joints.  However, for almost a century real railroads had a joint every 39 feet, so in some ways the sectional is more prototypical for older type trains.   Hence the clickity clack on the railroad track.  The Empire Builder set is models of older type equipment 4-8-4 loco and all.

3. Can my Bachmann locomotive be converted to DCC?

Yes.

Cheaply?

Depends on your definition of cheap?  Compared to the old days yes.  If this is a split frame construction it will be difficult.

4. I know there are many opinions as to the best brand, but it seems like Atlas and Athearn are mentioned most -- true?

Well for HO scale yes.  For N-scale I was a huge Atlas fan but my N-scale experience is now decades old.

5. Should I start over with locomotive and cars

Only you can answer that one.  If you want DCC and N-scale of approximately the same era with much less work then Bachmann makes an N-scale 4-8-2 that is DCC ready. 

[RRTrainman]

I'm a die hard HO'er. N scale is great for the person that doesn't have much space to deal with. Where as if you may have a bedroom verses a basement like I have.  This hobby is supposed to be fun not a drag on your wallet.  Track is your choice.  Flex track is a little harder to work with if you are new to the hobby where as pieces would be easier to use.  Don't count out DC to start with unless you you are dead set on DCC, You can convert it very easy later to DCC.  Atlas and Athearns are the most popular brands out there to most people anyways for cost and to me reliablity.  Choice is everything.  You can start with a set my choice would be Buy what you want with cars locos track and senery and buildings.  And the biggest thing a track plan to start with.  By the way lingo I don't know airplanes, train I know.

[Zebraone]

Where 'bouts in Texas are you? I'm in Lago Vista just west of Austin.

[steemtrayn]

Yes, you can convert a loco to DCC cheaply, about $20-$25 for a decoder, but you'll still need a control system to operate them. Figure about $150 for a starter set.

[dstarr]

1. I prefer to stay with N gauge, unless you can talk me into HO. 

   Depends upon what part of the hobby you like.  Me, I like building rolling stock and structures.  HO, being larger, is easier to scratch build.  If you like running trains, and want more railroad in the same space, N is very attractive.  Both work well.  DCC decoders can be squeezed into N scale locomotives, although it's gotta be harder than HO.

2. For my layout should I go with flex track or pieces?

  Either works.  Flex track allows easements into curves and any curve radius you like.  

3. Can my Bachmann locomotive be converted to DCC? Cheaply?

    Depends upon your soldering skills.  If you can solder fine wires then your conversion cost is the merely the cost of the decoder.  If you have to have someone else install it, it will be more.  Decoders start around $25.  Steamers always have enough room in the tender for the decoder.  

4. I know there are many opinions as to the best brand, but it seems like Atlas and Athearn are mentioned most -- true?

  Those are good ones.  Also Proto 2000, Kadee, Accurail, Model Die Casting, Kato, and Bachmann Spectrum make fine models. Plus many others.  

5. Should I start over with locomotive and cars, and hope God gives me and grandson to donate my new train set?  

   Save the trainset.  When you get a layout together, run the trainset (if it's the right guage).  Save the packaging.  Then you can give it to a nephew or grandson should one appear.