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Random Newbie Questions; N Scale and layout questions

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  • Member since
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Random Newbie Questions; N Scale and layout questions
Posted by PhaseOne on Saturday, July 11, 2015 10:58 PM

Hey everyone,

I've been a Model Railroader fan since 2013 after having found the Virginian build on youtube. I'm entirely new to model railroading.

I'm finally in a new home and have room to dedicate to a layout, albeit limited room.  I was totally set on running HO Norfolk Southern equipment on the Virginian build which I'd like to have included the Thin Branch and Turtle Creek.  Then I saw the Red Oak layout and now am considering N-scale but can't make up my mind.  I figure this would be cool as I love all those CB&Q units, can run freight and passanger, and run Burlington Northern and BNSF equipment on it to simulate later time periods.

So I went to the local hobby shop to see N scale examples up close and I must say that some of this stuff is almost as detailed as HO which makes it even harder for me.

I've done a search on google, and can't find the search function on this forum in case these questions have been asked.

 

1.)  As of July 2015, who produces the most detailed and well running locomotives for N Scale? 

 

2.) What "older" stuff would you recomend staying away from as I've read some brands "old" stuff really doesn't run well.

 

3.) How much should you take into account the "minimum radius" recommendations on units and expect them to work right?  I'm guessing locomotives with three axles would really not enjoy the Virginian layout?

 

4.) I was also thinking at some point with the Red Oak, to add another layout to it to the west or east of Iowa so that I may simulate another railroad, region, and industries.  This would allow me run coal or oil through the Red Oak onto destinations elsewhere.  Anyone have any cool suggestions or layouts for this?

Hope I haven't rambled too much.  Thanks!

  • Member since
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  • From: Mesa, AZ
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Posted by RideOnRoad on Sunday, July 12, 2015 7:43 PM

PhaseOne
1.)  As of July 2015, who produces the most detailed and well running locomotives for N Scale?

I, too, am relatively new to the hobby and can at least give my two cents about locomotives. I decided to model N-Scale and based on multiple recommendations, have bought only Kato locomotives. I have not been disappointed.

Richard

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
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Posted by BRAKIE on Sunday, July 12, 2015 8:00 PM

1.)  As of July 2015, who produces the most detailed and well running locomotives for N Scale? 

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IMHO Atlas hands down since they make a wider selection of locomotives, then Kato would be the better second choice..

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2.) What "older" stuff would you recomend staying away from as I've read some brands "old" stuff really doesn't run well.

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Bachmann,AHM and Model Power.

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3.) How much should you take into account the "minimum radius" recommendations on units and expect them to work right?  I'm guessing locomotives with three axles would really not enjoy the Virginian layout?

----------------------------------

That's the beauty of  N Scale. You see 15-18" radius curves will work quite nicely for most six axle locomotives.

---------------------------------

Although I now model in HO my heart is still in the Normal Scale.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    December 2012
  • From: Mesa, AZ
  • 1,530 posts
Posted by RideOnRoad on Sunday, July 12, 2015 9:19 PM

BRAKIE
IMHO Atlas hands down since they make a wider selection of locomotives, then Kato would be the better second choice.

As a noobie, I hestitate to challenge the answer of a veteran modeler, but MB Klein carries 239 Kato locomotives, compared to the Atlas inventory of 197 locomotives. But then again, I am just trying to justify my affinity to Kato.

Richard

  • Member since
    September 2013
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Posted by caldreamer on Sunday, July 12, 2015 9:50 PM

1. Atlas, Fox Valley, and  Kato

2. Old Stuff would be AHM, Mehano, Model Power, Lima, Old Bachmann toy train locomotives

3.  At least 121/2 inch radius.  The Red Oak Layout looks like it has very wide curves do three axle locomotives will have no problem.

4. Check the layouts on the Model Railroader site.  There are many for this size layout.

 

  • Member since
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  • From: OH
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Posted by BRAKIE on Monday, July 13, 2015 6:48 AM

RideOnRoad
As a noobie, I hestitate to challenge the answer of a veteran modeler, but MB Klein carries 239 Kato locomotives, compared to the Atlas inventory of 197 locomotives. But then again, I am just trying to justify my affinity to Kato.

I understand that since I lean toward Atlas locomotives more then any other brand in fact my last  N Scale locomotive fleet was 100% Atlas locomotives.

Atlas uses a limited run production based on pre orders and there is little left for store stock so,the larger on line stores order a certain number for stock..

BTW. There are three excellent on line  N Scale shops that I used while I was in  N Scale before changing scales in 2012 and some times I regret doing so.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Santa Fe, NM
  • 1,169 posts
Posted by Adelie on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 10:06 AM

My best runners are from Kato.  After that are Atlas and Intermountain.  I don't have anything from Fox Valley or BLI.  My experience with Bachmann is limited to a 44-ton switcher.  All are DCC, if that matters.

I generally avoid "older stuff" as defined as before circa 2000.  It is an oversimplification, but if I have to change the Rapido coupler (not the same Rapido company that exists today) to a Micro-Trains or equivalent, I walk away.

When considering minimum radius, "work right" and "look good" may be different.  The recommendation of 12-1/2" is probably a good absolute minimum (a lot will work to 9-3/4" but not look good doing it).  14-15" as a nominal minimum is probably best for peace of mind, if space permits.

One thing I played around with was taking HO layout plans for a given space, modifying track centers for N, but leaving walkways and the curvature alone.  The beauty of that is if you start there, it gives you room to lessen the radius, if needed, incorporate easements into the curves, move the spurs relative to each other if needed, and avoid the tendency to cram as much track into a given space as possible.  I never got to the building point with that brainstorm, but I did usually like the results, at least on paper.

- Mark

  • Member since
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  • From: OH
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Posted by BRAKIE on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 11:17 AM

Adelie
I generally avoid "older stuff" as defined as before circa 2000. It is an oversimplification, but if I have to change the Rapido coupler (not the same Rapido company that exists today) to a Micro-Trains or equivalent, I walk away.

To be fair many of the Atlas  locomotives that was produce between 1995-2000 had Accumate couplers.

I agree though messing with those tiny coupler box screws wasn't on the top of my joy list.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    March 2013
  • 450 posts
Posted by EMD.Don on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 12:48 PM

Welcome to N Scale!

Honestly, in my opinion you can't go wrong with Kato or Atlas. Decide on whichever locomotives suit your needs and if it/they happen to be all Atlas or Kato or a combination of the two then no worries, they will serve you well based on my experience.  I run both and love both and really couldn't say with certainty which is best. It just depends on what locomotives you require as Atlas and Kato have different products and produce different locomotives. I find both to be reliable, durable, solid runners. Kato tends to be a tad quieter and a tad more smooth in my opinion but not by a whole lot. I find Atlas to be a little stronger when it comes to large consists but again, not by an overwhelming degree. Both have exceptional slow speed creep, with Atlas being a little more noisy...but just a little. Both have great detail that is durable and with the number of aftermarket items available any missing details can be added relatively easily. Personally (and this is just me...) I cannot stand Kato couplers. I find Kato couplers do not work and play well with non-Kato couplers. I prefer Atlas couplers myself but each to their own.

One other company to consider is Life-Like. I have a few and they are rock soild dependable (my PA/PB 1's are among my absolute favorites!). I understand that some of their inner mechanisms have been produced by the likes of Kato but price wise they are really quite afordable. So, if Life-Like makes a locomotive that suits your needs then I would consider them.

HTH

Happy modeling!

Don.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."

N Scale Railroader.
  • Member since
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Posted by MARTIN STATION on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 1:01 PM

Hi, 

 I moved to n scale after being downsized from the basement to an extra upstairs bedroom. It was kind of tough at first, but now I really enjoy n scale. Things have really progressed over the years such as to whats available in equipment and accessories, especially  in quality and detail. The Fox Valley gp60m and Atlas Master 40' box cars, BLMA Trinity 64' reefers, Intermountain coverd hoppers just to name a few. There are just too many to even list here. As far as locomotives, Kato, Atlas, and Fox Valley are my favorites but I also have one Bachmann 44 tonner which I like and two Walthers Protos (gp 38-2 and sw1200) that I really like also. It's a great time to be in n scale!

Ralph

  • Member since
    August 2013
  • 17 posts
Posted by PhaseOne on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 12:37 AM

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the replies.  Looks like I'm going to give the Red Oak a shot. 

  • Member since
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  • From: high desert so cal
  • 997 posts
Posted by BIG JERR on Thursday, July 16, 2015 10:48 AM

me too  the " red oak " is catching and office size , though I may make my own door or equivalent ...Jerr

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