BEGINNER REPLYING

[Anonymous]

First of all my big THANKS to Gregg, Bob & Ed who have until now made some very valuable information available regarding my "Beginner's Questions"!! I will try to comment succinctly on the more relevant remarks & questions you have made:-

Now I have a clear picture of what DCC is and am also convinced it is a "must" if you want to move 2 or more trains independently at one time; but also, what a pity Mantua does not have it yet.
As to ACC:I remember now that I got it from the Marklin system....it should be AC, not ACC. Noted, thanks.
Thanks for the info re Marklin and I will clarify that although I do have the remains (after several nephews, etc, whent through it) of a fair amount of locos & rolling stock. My idea is NOT to run it together with another (modern) Ho setup, but to use it SEPARATE, although intermixed in the other layout, so there will be no worry of incompatibility.
Yes, I will certainly get hold of some books on the basics of Model Railroading....I actually only decided to return to the hobby around a week ago or so....
I believe, I should go for HO on account of availability, to the fact that I used to have HO and because space is not too much of an issue.
If I wasn't clear before, I'll say it now: I am in fact starting from scratch as the remains I have from the train of my boyhood are still all in one big box!
Ed mentioned that you select a coupler and that all will be fine. Ok, but when purchasing on a mix & match basis will I have the option to choose the type of coupler I want?

All your comments were extremy helpful, many thanks!! Lars

[Anonymous]

Lars,

Freight car models are made with a coupler pocket where the couplers are mounted to the cars (and Locos). The kits will be furnished with a coupler, but most of us usually install our favorite brand and leave the original couplers in a box (anyone need about 300 horn hook couplers?). Most of the HO modelers use a variety of coupler produced by Kaydee. I use Kaydee #5 couplers in my stuff. Kaydee has since produced a #58 coupler which is closer to scale than the #5 but not everyone likes it. For myself, since I would have to change out over 100 freight cars, it's not on the top of my 'To-Do' list. You should consider it since you are beginning all over again.

Good Luck. - Ed

[Anonymous]

Lars,
When purchasing freight cars (or locos) look out for brands fitted with knuckle type couplers like Accurail, Branchline, Bachmann, Intermountain or Life-like Proto 2000 or you can change the couplers that are on it to using Kadee, McHenry or the brands mentioned above. The conversion is not that difficult, just follow the directions on the packet. Also check out the July 2000 issue of Model Railroader as it has an acticle on knucle couplers and April 2001 has a review on the no.58 Kadee. I can recommend Kadee brand for variety of fitments and reliability.