HO: The More Things Change...

[Anonymous]

...the more they stay the same.

Been a few years since I was in HO.

Have been debating whether to return, and inso doing, have been getting reaquainted with HO via the web, this forum, and some experimental purchases. Ultra impressed with the new sound equipped RTR engines. Ultra impressed with the state of DCC.

Return to HO? Looking good.

Thought it time to take a look at key products I would need (i.e. track product and some released engines, mainly)... and what do I find?

OOS (Out of Stock)
BO (Back Ordered)
SOL (Guess)

[:(]

Ah, the joys of model railroading! [:o)]

Andre

[Anonymous]

QUOTE:
OOS (Out of Stock)
BO (Back Ordered)
SOL (Guess)

Yes, but these days there are way more products available than there were a long time ago and WAY MORE things OOS and BO! Same old same old.

Bob Boudreau

[espeefoamer]

The engines now have better detail,are quieter,and run better.Also virtually all locos and cars have knuckle couplers[:)].

[davekelly]

Coonskin,

Don't forget "limited editions" that must be ordered before they are even manufactured!

[Anonymous]

Bob:

"Same old same old"... LOL! That part is indeed like "old times" in HO!

espeefoamer:

The new generation engines are amazing. They're one of the biggest reasons I may return to HO.

davekelly: Limited editions.

Ugh. Don't remind me.

Was thinking I'd pick up a BLI CB&Q SW7. Wrong. Released/sold. So, it's wait for the next batch, paint my own using an undec (rather not), or modify a P2k CB&Q for DCC and sound.

Track is the main concern though. Can't run trains too good without it for some reason.

Andre

[trolleyboy]

Andre what size of track were you looking for. I found that since most(or allot) of modelers are using code 83 anymore that it seels out quickly.As an off shoot there seems to be less code 100 available now as production is shifted to the 83. Ther by both seem to sell out.I know I'll stock up and grab the components I need rather then wait till I'm halfway through a project and find I have to stall it for 3 weekswhile the switch or crossing I need comes back into stock. Unfortunatly it's more expensive to prepurchase. Rob

[Anonymous]

trolleyboy:

If I do this, I would consider using cd 83 for the double track main and cd 70 on the small yard and industrial track, with perhaps some cd 55 on the industrial tracks.

On all of my previous HO themes/layouts, I've used cd 70. (Since about 1974.)

Should this be a go, looks like there may be a huge spending spree for track, DCC and key locos followed by many months of layout and workbench work.

We shall see!

Andre