??? From Newbee

[SpaceMouse]

My son got a Bachman Hogwarts HO EZ track train for Christmas. I want to build a layout for him and have the design. It is about 70 feet of track on a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood with 6 switches to start.

I am faced with a bunch of choices of track from what I have seen on eBay and I don't know the significance of the differences. I know that the grey EZ track looks better than the black EZ track. But what is the significance of silver-nickle vs steel? Since I will be attaching the track to the layout, is there any advantage to the EZ track? It seems the "regular track" will be easier to fit into the scenery.

I have a small transformer that came with the set. Do I need a more powerful one?

[cwclark]

hello and welcome! most hobbiest stay away from the ez track and use nickel silver flex track on cork, foam, or homasote roadbed...i'd stay away from the steel..it's hard to cut and oxidizes rapidly..in other words, you'll be cleaning the steel track a lot more often than the nickel silver track...now on to the power pack...the train set came with a "Toy" power pack..the best recommendation is to go to digitrax DCC but if you want to run plain DC (which most people do when they first start in the hobby) then you might want to purchase a power pack from MRC (Model Rectifier Corp.)...I own four MRC tech IV 260 models..they are really advanced and run the trains great..they cost about $60-$75 depending on where you purchase them from...the power pack you got with the train set are not very good..they will overload easily and case real jerky stops and starts...another thing you want to do is get the same size rail (code 100, 83, 70, or 55 in HO) I don't know what they use in N scale..and also, solder the rail joiners together..there is nothing worse than trains not running or derailing all the time because the rail joiners are misaligned or not making good electrical contact....another thing since this is your first layout, ..you might want to invest in the Atlas publications relating to wiring and building layouts...they have explanations obout basic projects to get your layout going...you can advance with the hobby as time goes on after you get the basics down...Chuck

[tstage]

SpaceMouse,

Welcome to the forum!

EZ track is good but has it's tradeoffs. It fits together well, but you also lose some flexibility in your designing because you are limited to only the track sections/radii that they make. Regular track (both sectional or flex) has a much wider range of choices. As far as which to choose, it depends entirely on how far you want to go with this with your son.

The short on track: Nickel-silver oxidies, steel rusts. Steel is more conductive than nickel-silver but becomes less conductive when it rusts. The nickel-silver stays conductive, even when it oxidizes. The bottom line: Nickel-silver is less maintenance.

Your transformer will probably work OK but it won't give you as smooth operation as a better quality power pack. Go to your local hobby shop (LHS) and look for power packs from MRC. The make nice stuff.

Their Model 1370 is a good, basic, no-frills power pack with 18 VAC. I have two of them at home. They will be more than enough for your size layout. (I picked up one of them off of e-Bay for around $20!) MRC also makes a Tech 4 series that has some nicities added like momemtum and braking.

Hope that is a help to you. MRR is great way to spend time with your son.

Tom

[SpaceMouse]

Thanks. Guys.

That brings up two more questions. I took a quick jump over to eBay and looked around at transformers. What do I look for in terms of features? For instance, there is a Autopulse TwinMomentum 5 that looks like it has two power supplies.

There's a MRC Tech II that seems to have 16.5 V outpput Max.

Another question I have is how do I chose switches for flex track?

[cwclark]

an auto pulse is used to run the trains at half wave...in other words, it's used to run slow speeds like for switching in yards and spurs without the train bolting forwards or backwards like they would if on a mainline...twin momentum is exactly that..it's two power packs in one...they are good for "Cab Control" ...a system where two different power packs are used to operate two different trains on one layout...cab control is wired in "Blocks" or sections of track that are electrically isolated from one another...it is typical to wire in blocks and gives you greater control of your layout ....most power packs are rated between 12 and18 sometimes 24 Volts...what you want to look at is the voltamp...voltage x amperage...the more amps a power pack puts out, the more locomotives you can run on your layout with that power pack...most new locomotives run on 1/2 an amp so if you see one rated at 3.5 amps it will operate up to 7 locomotives....most MRC packs will do what you want them to do..I use the ones (tech 4's) with momentum and braking because it makes the trains more fun to operate and is more prototypical when it comes to a train's starting, braking, and stopping characteristics....if you use flex track then more than likely you will want to use the code 100 or code 83..(you can use both code 100 for the mainline and code 83 for sidings ect..) there are a lot of manufacterers that make switches (we call them turnouts..a switch in the hobby world is an electrical device..that way we don't get confused between a turnout and a switch when we refer to them even though real railroads call them switches)... Atlas, shinohara, micro engineering, and pecos to name a few...Atlas is a good turnout for the money..the others are good quality turnouts that look a bit more prototype than Atlas turnouts but you'll pay more for them....they have a number on then which represents the distance of angle they divert from the straight part of the turnout...the lower the # the sharper the radius...for your layout the #4 's and #6's will probably work best...just be sure the code of the track matches the code of the turnout rail...(#6's take up more room to install also ) or you can purchase special rail joint connectors that convert from one rail height to another...if this is your first layout then i'd suggest you use either Atlas or Model power code 100 or code 83 - 3' flex track with code 100 or code 83 - #4 or #6 Altas snap switches...you can always replace them later if you want to go to the better stuff.....Chuck

[tstage]

Again, it depends how far you want to go. The momentum is basically a setting for mimicking inertia. (Prototype trains don't start and stop on a dime like the model ones can.) Trains start out and slow down slowly to look like the real thing.

The switches (refered to as "turnouts", to differentiate them from electrical switches) for non-EZ or flex-track come in both manual and electrical versions. The manual turnouts you have to switch be hand. (It's attached right to the turnout. Simple, no wiring involved.) The electrical turnouts, you either have to buy manual swithces to switch them or wire them up yourself. (Additional work and expense.) On your 4 x 8' layout, a #4 or #6 turnout is probably as large as you want to go. Walthers/Shinohara (http://www.walthers.com), Altas, and Peco make a good turnout. The Atlas will be a bit more ubiquitous at your LHS.

SpaceMouse, this is just a suggestion: For simplicity sake, I would go with the manual turnouts so that you don't overwhelm yourself with a plethora of things to accomplish right off the bat. Take time to get your new layout up and going and enjoy it for a while - at the same time learning what you can and jotting your ideas down what you (and your son) would like to accomplish (together).

I would also encourage you to develope a relationship with your LHS and help them out financially as much as you can. At any of the good ones, there is a wealth of infomation and expertise that you can glean from and you don't have to sit at your computer waiting around for someone to respond to your post. Don't get me wrong. This is a GREAT place to receive information from those who have years and years of experience and have been around the block a few times. There is also something to say about being able to drive down to your LHS and ask someone a question face-to-face. (Not to mention that you can actually look, check out and hold the merchandise BEFORE you buy it.)

Anywhay, those are a few of my thoughts...

Tom

[SpaceMouse]

Thanks again guys.

Just to set the record straight, I did build a 4x8 layout back in the 70s, but I have forgot everything I have learned. There are no hobby stores locally or I would have been bugging them instead of you guys. (But I am glad you are here.)

My son is 7 and autistic. I have been looking for something we can do together and the small train set was a hit. I have no problem with electrical switches and wiring and I like building things. I don't see landscape as a particular problem, but a model of Hogwarts is a little daunting.

[tstage]

SpaceMouse,

Hey, thanks for sharing about your son! You're a good dad and loving father! [:)] I trust and pray that this layout project will be an encouragementI to both of you. I know a couple who have 2 autistic kids. Please keep us posted from time to time on how both your layout and your son are coming along.

Tom

[SpaceMouse]

Tom,

I think I've kept you posted.

[CSXect]

If you and your son both like the train set consider moving up to a starter set from S-Helper It is only a slightly bigger scale but the detail and quality is worth the move and more stuff is being offered in S by them and other makers[8D]

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CSXect

If you and your son both like the train set consider moving up to a starter set from S-Helper It is only a slightly bigger scale but the detail and quality is worth the move and more stuff is being offered in S by them and other makers[8D]

Thanks for the input. This was my very first post and I have somewhere over a couple thousand now. Someone dragged this thing out and I couldn't help but comment. That particular layout is long built.

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

Tom,

I think I've kept you posted.

You have, Chip. Thanks.

Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

Tom,

I think I've kept you posted.

You did that on purpose [:)][}:)][;)]

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dthurman

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

Tom,

I think I've kept you posted.

You did that on purpose [:)][}:)][;)]

[?]Moi?[angel][:-^]






Actually, someone else dug it up and I just commented.

[tstage]

Seems like eons ago that you posted that first topic, Chip. Wow! Lots happened in 8+ months, hasn't it? [:)]

Tom

[NZRMac]

I thought I was reading something weird for a moment like some newbee stole Chips Identity!! Then I saw when it was posted.

Must be a record 2726 posts in 8ish months.

Ken.

[dgwinup]

See how easy it is to be fooled!!!

While I have been contributing to this forum for only a short while, SpaceMouse is an old hand at this. I have gotten a lot of advice from him, all of it good.

Besides myself, how many other readers failed to notice the date of original posting? Somebody bumped this to the top of the list. Why? Because they could? Because they thought it would be funny? No, it was SpaceMouse!!!!! Courteously updating us all on his original post. It was interesting to find out that SpaceMouse was once a newbie who has grown tremendously on this forum in a short period of time. I didn't know that. Maybe there is hope for me, yet. LOL

Thanks, SpaceMouse. Now we can wait for somebody to complain about these 'deadwood' topics from ages ago!

Darrell, learning quietly...for now

[CSXect]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dgwinup

See how easy it is to be fooled!!!

While I have been contributing to this forum for only a short while, SpaceMouse is an old hand at this. I have gotten a lot of advice from him, all of it good.

Besides myself, how many other readers failed to notice the date of original posting? Somebody bumped this to the top of the list. Why? Because they could? Because they thought it would be funny? No, it was SpaceMouse!!!!! Courteously updating us all on his original post. It was interesting to find out that SpaceMouse was once a newbie who has grown tremendously on this forum in a short period of time. I didn't know that. Maybe there is hope for me, yet. LOL

Thanks, SpaceMouse. Now we can wait for somebody to complain about these 'deadwood' topics from ages ago!

Darrell, learning quietly...for now

I missed the date on it obviously[:I] I still think you should give S scale a try though[:D]

[Anonymous]

SpaceMouse, I believe you've been hanging around long enough to have earned the right to no longer be called a newbee.

Anyway, The Nickel Silver track is a lot easier to care for and has better conductivity than steel, and it doesn't rust. I find the best bet for easy track care is to use NS track with NS plated wheels on all ( that means ALL) of your rolling stock.

Greg

Oops, I guess if I'd read before I wrote I'd have understood.

[Anonymous]

Well Chip, you're at 2726 as I'm reading this today! And to think, we started on this forum around the same time and I'm only just over 200! You sure must have a lot of free time at that store of yours (or I'm just waaaaaaay too busy). As I read the beginning of this message I was wondering why it sounded familiar. Actually I was wondering why you started a post asking questions as a Newbee (at first I thought you were posting a question for another Newbee). That's when I noticed the date on your post. Thanks for ALL the updates (including this one)!

[TrainFreak409]

D

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

QUOTE: Originally posted by CSXect

If you and your son both like the train set consider moving up to a starter set from S-Helper It is only a slightly bigger scale but the detail and quality is worth the move and more stuff is being offered in S by them and other makers[8D]

Thanks for the input. This was my very first post and I have somewhere over a couple thousand now. Someone dragged this thing out and I couldn't help but comment. That particular layout is long built.

I DRAGGED IT OUT! I POSTED THE LINK IT THE TIME WARP THREAD! IT WAS ME! MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE![}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)] MUHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Anonymous]

Scott, have you been digging up all these old posts? I've seen quite a few of them these past couple of days! This one, "What do you model" and "Midwest" come to mind. So, fess up, are you the culprit?

[ukguy]

Granted, Chip is way up there at 2734 posts in 8months, although Crandell isnt far behind at 2166 in only 7 months, either way, to me it looks like a 2 horse race for the title by 2 of our finest members. [:D]

Have fun y'all.
Karl.

PS, back on topic, thanks for ALL the updates Chip, it's been great.

[JohnT14808]

I think Chip likes to see his old posts......"??? from a Newbee"....with 2700 posts.....[:I] Sure....some newbie.......