HO Newbie Questions

[Anonymous]

I'm new to the hobby. Before I start spending money, I would appreciate some information.

1. Track - Do you recommend the Kato HO Unitrack?
2. Are all HO couplers compatible?
3. Who makes the best and most reliable locomotives? My era will be postwar up to 1970. I'm not interested in command control right now.
4. Where can I find some 4x8 track plans?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

for the track plans check out atlas

www.atlasrr.com

you'll see some of their track plans
otherwise just make up something that works for you

[Anonymous]

#2, http://www.nmra.org/beginner/couplers.html

[stokesda]

Hi, Jay. [#welcome] to the hobby!

I'm fairly new myself, but I'll take a stab at answering your specific questions:

1. If you just want to get the trains running and need something to assemble and break down easily, then Unitrack is the way to go. When you get ready to build a "real," permanent layout, you'll want to switch to regular track sections and use cork (or another material) for your roadbed. Although Unitrack is easy to put together, its main disadvantages are that it doesn't look very realistic and it isn't good at deadening noise.

That being said, I don't know much about Kato's Unitrack as far as quality and reliability goes, but Kato generally makes good quality stuff. I personally use Atlas True-Track, because you can take the track sections off the plastic roadbed later and use them on a permanent layout. Bachmann also makes a product similar to Unitrack and may be less expensive, if that's a concern.

2. I think most are. The only kind I would stay away from are the Accumate couplers like Atlas puts on their RTR rolling stock. They are built a little differently from most couplers and you may have problems getting them to work with other brands. I do recommend that you get a Kadee coupler height gage, which will make sure all your couplers are at the same height and will ensure the best performance.

3. You can look around the forum to get good advice on the best and most reliable. Atlas and Kato will probably give you the best performance, but they are a little pricey. IF you're working on a budget, Bachmann and Athearn will give you good bang for your buck, and you can usually find some pretty good deals on them.

4. Big Boy 1213 mentioned the Atlas website for 4x8 track plans, which is what I recommend as well. If you need it in book form, you might find the Atlas track plan books at your local hobby shop, or if you're lucky, in your local library.

Good luck!

Cheers,

[Anonymous]

About the Kato Unitrack, it is high quality and well built, but as mentioned above, not as realistic looking as standard track on a cork (or similar) roadbed. The Unitrack goes together easily and comes apart easily allowing you to change configuration easily and quickly. If you're looking for something to set up on a 4x8 layout and want to get things together quickly, they offer the WGH track set, part #3-103. Basically it's a loop with four switches allowing you to build the layout shown in the "World's Greatest Hobby" video. Bachmann and Atlas also sell track kits for this same basic layout, at least as far as I can recall. The Kato track is expensive by comparison to the others, but is of very high quality. It lists for $200, but I got this set at a train show a few weeks ago for about $150. I don't know what the Atlas set costs, but you should be able to find the Bachmann set for under $100, if price is a serious concern for you. If you have a local hobby shop that carries all these products, ask to see if you can look at all of them and compare how they go together and come apart. If you plan to start with this type of setup and intend to keep it as your layout grows, also look at the other pieces available to be sure that you can build up to what you want as your layout grows. Kato makes a pretty good selection of Unitrack, and I believe you can just connect standard code 83 track on a cork roadbed directly to the end of the Unitrack if you want to transition to standard track. I have not tried this, but from looking at the Unitrack's construction, it should be easy to do.

As for couplers, there are two basic types. One is the "old" horn hook style which does not look at all authentic and there is the knuckle type, which looks more or less like the real thing. There are many manufacturers making both types. Knuckle couplers are found mostly on cheap, toy type train equipment these days, but were standard on almost everything many years ago. Knuckle couplers are found on the better models and come in a variety of designs, although they generally work well together. Knuckle couplers do not work with horn hook couplers. An earlier post recommended staying away from the Accumate couplers. I have a few cars with these couplers and have not had any problems with them, but that's not to say others have not. Other than some Atlas and most Accurail products, I have not seen them on anything else. Most of the other knuckle couplers that are standard equipment are either McHenry or Bachmann made, and are made of plastic. From what I've read on this forum, these eventually break and need to be replaced. Most often, people recommend using Kadee metal couplers as a replacement due to their durability.

There are a lot of quality locomotive models available these days with the Athearn, Lifelike Proto 1000 and Bachmann Spectrum being on the lower end of the price scale. As detail increases, so does cost. Lifelike Proto 2000 models are pretty well detailed and still fairly reasonably priced. Atlas, Kato, Stewart Hobbies and Broadway Limited Imports are all highly recommended, but sometimes get pricey. As a rule of thumb, stay away from Bachmann standard and Lifelike (non Proto) models. These are basically toy trains.

If you go with the WGH track sets I mentioned earlier, they come with a layout design and will likely include some ideas for upgrading your layout. There are also a lot of books with good track plans shown in them.

Have fun with your new found hobby!
-Joe

[TurboOne]

[#welcome][#welcome] Jay, have a great time here, lots of information always available.

Another good place for track plans is

http://www.thortrains.net/index.html

they also have some great information. Kato's website has plans as well. Be sure to check out N and O gauge layouts, they can be converted to HO as well.

And lastly, Atlas' website has a free downloadable software called RTS that lets you design your own layout. Very easy until you get to flex track.

Enjoy, and have a great time. Post some pictures when you get started, and visit us over in the coffee shop thread and say hello. [:D] [:D] [:D]

Take care [:)]

Tim

[IRONROOSTER]

On the subject of couplers. Most of the posts on this forum as well as some past research - MR had a comparison article - indicate that Kadee's are the best if somewhat more expensive. Kadee's not only last longer but generally couple on curves better. The different makes vary in their ability to couple with each other.

In addition to the horn hook coupler (sometimes called NMRA couplers or X2F couplers) which only couples to itself there are dummy knuckle couplers. Dummys knuckle couplers are usually smaller and the knuckle doesn't operate (you have to lift one car and lower it into a coupled postion). Dummys may but usually don't mate with Kadee's or other brands. Two advantages of dummy's are that you don't get false uncouplings when crossing the uncoupling magnets and they are cheaper, so you might want to use them for cars you don't plan on uncoupling such as a passenger train or a unit train.

Enjoy
Paul

[steveblackledge]

hello, i dont use DCC but don't just pass it by, firms like Atlas do a starter set thats dead easy to set up and its very well priced, they also do a good line in track and everything else you could ask for

[BRVRR]

[#welcome]Jay,
Kato makes excellent products. The few people I know who use Unitrack are very satisfied. Both Bachmann and Atlas make a similar product. You will pay a premium for anything with the Kato name.[:I]
Most of the HO knuckle couplers are compatible. I have used or use, McHenry, Accumate and Kadee. I prefer the Kadee. The variety of couplers they offer cannot be beaten and they last![;)]
I believe Kato and Atlas make the best locomotives. They are expensive though. I have mostly Athearn Blue Box Kit locomotives, a few Life-Like PK2s, several Bachmann steamers and an a BLI. All of them are reliable. Stay away from the 'train set' locos from Life-Like and Bachmann.[:(]
Since you are just starting out, don't dismiss DCC. By the time you purchase a couple of 'good' MRC or other manufacturers power supplies, you are in the range of a 'starter' or 'beginner's' DCC system. Since you are just building a layout, wiring for DCC is light years simpler than DC. Than alone is worth consideration in my book.[tup]
Others have already given you a couple of links for 4x8 track plans. Just remember, layouts tend to grow like goldfish or 'Topsy'. They will occupy all of the space they are allowed.[:D][:D]
Enjoy the hobby![:D]