The "N" Crowd

[RR Redneck]

Even I liked that, and I am a die hard western railfan.

[pcarrell]

Hey Dave,

I have something for you!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

[pcarrell]

I too am hoping to build a small N scale layout, in addition to my HO setup.

We won't hold that HO thing against you!

I hope I'm not being too repetitive as I haven't yet read this entire thread.  But I have some questions:

Shoot!

1.  Are Micro-Trains the best couplers?  Are there any other similar ones?

Micro Trains are the best is what most would say.  I agree.  There are some others, like the Atlas Accumate, but the MT's are the top dog!

2.  Do the magnetic uncouplers work well?  Are the delayed action ones available?  Do cars tend to sometimes uncouple accidently when passing over the magnets?

I'd say they are comparable to their HO counterparts.  As with HO, sometimes you have to fiddle with thigs to get them just right, and HO has a slight advantage there just because it's bigger so it's easier to deal with.  On the whole though, there really isn't a lot of difference.

3.  What is the preferred method of uncoupling when cars are within reach?

Some take the manual approach and use an uncoupling tool or one of those long wooden meat skewers.  You know, the ones that look like giant toothpicks that you get at the grocery store.  You can also go fully automated, but that costs a bit more.

4.  What are the equivalent curve radiuses to HO 30" and 24"?

N scale is roughly half of HO, so thats a good place to start.  HO is 1:87, and N is 1:160.  For ease of numbers, a 24 inch HO curve would be roughly equivilant to a 12.5 inch curve.

Thanks

Not a problem, and welcome to the dark side!

[pcarrell]

Chip,

With Micro Trains stuff my last layout had lots of switching and it was all just as automatic as the Horribly Oversized guys stuff.  Spot a car over a magnet and switch away.  Totally hands off!

So, the HO guys think we just like to go round and round, huh? 

Personally, I don't care for caboose chasing.  My trains WORK for a living!

[jwils1]

I too am hoping to build a small N scale layout, in addition to my HO setup.

I hope I'm not being too repetitive as I haven't yet read this entire thread.  But I have some questions:

1.  Are Micro-Trains the best couplers?  Are there any other similar ones?

2.  Do the magnetic uncouplers work well?  Are the delayed action ones available?  Do cars tend to sometimes uncouple accidently when passing over the magnets?

3.  What is the preferred method of uncoupling when cars are within reach?

4.  What are the equivalent curve radiuses to HO 30" and 24"?

Thanks

[Dave Vollmer]

I use a Rix uncoupling pick for switching.  But yes, switching is just as possible in N as it is in HO.

[SpaceMouse]

Pardon me if this is stupid question, but do you Normal folks actually do operations stuff like industrial switching and yard work? I've never seen in person, on video or even pictures in a magazine. I've been around HO operational layouts and even that is clumsy at best-- a bunch of heavy-handed fat-fingered yard goats loaded-down with switch lists under their chin while they throttle and skewer cars apart, derailing one side or the other often as not.

It seems to me uncoupling cars on midget scale has got to be a nightmare.

Now I've seen N scale layouts that have been set up switch or do yard work, but I've never actually seen it done. I figure that N scale has got to be mostly for lookie-loos to watch triple-headed freighters pull 50 cars through lush scenery.  

So the question is, if you do do switching, how do you get 'er done.

[Dave Vollmer]

Again, please, I'm calling for restraint.  We all lose if this thread gets locked out.  So let's knock off the threats, the spelling corrections, and all the other petty things that have nothing to do with N scale trains.

We're better than this.  If not, you should be in HO!

Dang, I just decide to check in here to see how things are going in the land of the little people, and what do I find? Chairs cracked over heads, fists flying, and all during the holiday season? Where is your Christmas spirit and sense of modeling decorum?  Personally I'm shocked.

Perhaps all of this rowdiness is directly proportionate to the amount of time spent squinting at parts that are far too tiny?

Try soldering parts that tiny.  OUCH!

Seriously, a lot of threads have gotten "cranky" lately.  Must be holiday stress.  Never understood that stress until I had kids!

[nscaler711]

your funny steam freak lol your right about tiny parts cant go one day without losing a bachmann coupler box spring

still need help with my LL sw8 dilema any ideas i posted it on page 22 post #8

it starts up good then stops suddenly. my kato p42 works fine on all parts of the track. it must be the loco itself

[SteamFreak]

Again, please, I'm calling for restraint.  We all lose if this thread gets locked out.  So let's knock off the threats, the spelling corrections, and all the other petty things that have nothing to do with N scale trains.

We're better than this.  If not, you should be in HO!

Dang, I just decide to check in here to see how things are going in the land of the little people, and what do I find? Chairs cracked over heads, fists flying, and all during the holiday season? Where is your Christmas spirit and sense of modeling decorum?  Personally I'm shocked.

Perhaps all of this rowdiness is directly proportionate to the amount of time spent squinting at parts that are far too tiny?

[pcarrell]

SpaceMouse,

 Your HO transformer will work fine for N scale, trust me. I've been using an "HO" power pack for years on my very small, 3 X 2 display oval at train shows.

 Your engines will not suddenly leap to warp speed.

Mike Tennent

As I build and test my N scale layout and prepare it for DCC, I'm test-running the trains with an MRC Tech 3 9500 I used for my previous HO layout. I used it witnout even giving it a thought. In fact, the N scale locos run *slower* than my HO ones (that's more due to the motors in the N scale locos...) 

Dang. Warp speed has a certain appeal to it. I guess I should be thankful I don't have to bank the turns.

Planning on switching to bullet trains?

Your stuff will work fine Chip.  I run an HO pack (a Magnum) when I run DC and it works fine.  Just steer clear of pulse packs as they are hard on motors.

[apartment railer]

I run a all atlas and kato, and they run great for me. But the big problem in N is that model you want. LifeLike has a few units I would like to pick up, but I had a life like about 6 years ago and wasnt too impressed. Is lifelike up to speed with the big 2 yet? I know detail is there but running is still a question to me.

[SpaceMouse]

  Keep us posted on your progress and feel free to ask questions.

Rob Newman

I posted a very preliminary plan on the layout forum. If any of you'un want to take a looksee...

[bnsfncoal]

Chip,

Good to see you back....I've missed your posts.

Guy

[SpaceMouse]

When I switched from HO to N I kept the same MRC Tech II power pack. Now, my Digitrax system has a little toggle switch to go from O to Ho to N.

I'll have to looksee for that toggle.

[SpaceMouse]

SpaceMouse,

 Your HO transformer will work fine for N scale, trust me. I've been using an "HO" power pack for years on my very small, 3 X 2 display oval at train shows.

 Your engines will not suddenly leap to warp speed.

Mike Tennent

 

 

As I build and test my N scale layout and prepare it for DCC, I'm test-running the trains with an MRC Tech 3 9500 I used for my previous HO layout. I used it witnout even giving it a thought. In fact, the N scale locos run *slower* than my HO ones (that's more due to the motors in the N scale locos...) 

Dang. Warp speed has a certain appeal to it. I guess I should be thankful I don't have to bank the turns.

[Dave Vollmer]

When I switched from HO to N I kept the same MRC Tech II power pack. Now, my Digitrax system has a little toggle switch to go from O to Ho to N.

[Metro Red Line]

SpaceMouse,

 Your HO transformer will work fine for N scale, trust me. I've been using an "HO" power pack for years on my very small, 3 X 2 display oval at train shows.

 Your engines will not suddenly leap to warp speed.

Mike Tennent

 

As I build and test my N scale layout and prepare it for DCC, I'm test-running the trains with an MRC Tech 3 9500 I used for my previous HO layout. I used it witnout even giving it a thought. In fact, the N scale locos run *slower* than my HO ones (that's more due to the motors in the N scale locos...) 

[Anonymous]

SpaceMouse,

 Your HO transformer will work fine for N scale, trust me. I've been using an "HO" power pack for years on my very small, 3 X 2 display oval at train shows.

 Your engines will not suddenly leap to warp speed.

Mike Tennent

[Anonymous]

Whoa! 22 pages and I feel like I know less about N scale than I did before I started.

So mostly I've ignored the itty bitty stuff, but all of a sudden I've aquired a masoquistic streak and I'm going to pretend I don't have any sense at all.

But I'm going to tear down my Rock Ridge and Train City and build an N-scale pike about 3 x 7 while I plan and comtemplate and remodel my basement. Now I read this stuff you guys are writing and you act like it all somehow makes sense.

So this is what I've got--stuff I got by mistake, lapse of judgement, and as throw-ins in eBay lots.

I have 10 pieces of flex and 4 turnouts.

I have a coal mine, 2 factories, a house, a freight station, a junk yard and a bridge.

I have a LL Conrail GP-20 and Bachman Spectrum CSX Dash-8

Atlas and Microtrains--6 coal cars and two NS box cars. I also have a bunch of Bachman junk cars that will hit the eBay. 

So just a little work converting the Rapidos on the engines and I have the makings of a small scenic coal drag layout. Eventually, I'll find an Atlas B&P GP-38 and go DCC.

Then I'll watch trains run while I design and build the basement.  

Anyway, I figure that by stealing the trees and rocks off the RR&TC, I can put up something prertiful in short order.

So seeing what I got--I was planning to use a Mach II for now, and you guys scared me a little. Eventually when I get decoderized I'll pull my Zephyr over. Uahem, Seeing what I have, do any of you seemingly intelligent guys have any advice?  

I'll give you my 2c worth.  Your Mach II should work fine with N scale.  I have one and use it with no problems.  Also, on the Bachmann rolling stock, if you like the bodies you can just swap out the trucks/couplers with the appropriate Micro-Trains trucks/couplers and they will work great.  I have a few Bachmann cars that I have converted and they work great.  If your turnouts are Atlas you may want to consider using something else.  Some people use them with no problems but I feel that more people have problems with them than don't.  Also if your flex track is code 55 then you'll need low profile wheels.  Most flex track is larger but I just wanted to mention it just in case.

 I think a 3x7 is a great size.  You can get a nice continuous run with 5 or 6 (more or less) spurs for operation.  Keep us posted on your progress and feel free to ask questions.

Rob Newman

[SpaceMouse]

Whoa! 22 pages and I feel like I know less about N scale than I did before I started.

So mostly I've ignored the itty bitty stuff, but all of a sudden I've aquired a masoquistic streak and I'm going to pretend I don't have any sense at all.

But I'm going to tear down my Rock Ridge and Train City and build an N-scale pike about 3 x 7 while I plan and comtemplate and remodel my basement. Now I read this stuff you guys are writing and you act like it all somehow makes sense.

So this is what I've got--stuff I got by mistake, lapse of judgement, and as throw-ins in eBay lots.

I have 10 pieces of flex and 4 turnouts.

I have a coal mine, 2 factories, a house, a freight station, a junk yard and a bridge.

I have a LL Conrail GP-20 and Bachman Spectrum CSX Dash-8

Atlas and Microtrains--6 coal cars and two NS box cars. I also have a bunch of Bachman junk cars that will hit the eBay. 

So just a little work converting the Rapidos on the engines and I have the makings of a small scenic coal drag layout. Eventually, I'll find an Atlas B&P GP-38 and go DCC.

Then I'll watch trains run while I design and build the basement.  

Anyway, I figure that by stealing the trees and rocks off the RR&TC, I can put up something prertiful in short order.

So seeing what I got--I was planning to use a Mach II for now, and you guys scared me a little. Eventually when I get decoderized I'll pull my Zephyr over. Uahem, Seeing what I have, do any of you seemingly intelligent guys have any advice?  

 

 

[pcarrell]

Looking for N Scale Assistance

I'm building a Kato N track layout 12*6 that will utilize Kato 6 turnouts and  am thinking about installing decoders in the turnouts and double crossovers.

I just purchased a NCE DCC system and am in the process of building the layout and installing the wiring and switch decoders and wanted to hear other N scalers experiences and or tips.

Hi!  Welcome to N scale!

To answer your question, I thought about automation on my last layout but decided that I'd only automate those turnouts that were easily reached.  I feel that somehow manually throwing a turnout helps me to connect with the train in my mind, like I'm on board sort of.  The automation was a bit too "hands off" for me personally.  I did use it in my hidden staging yard though.

Besides, manual operation is a whole lot cheaper!

[Anonymous]

Curt,

Is there any way to rework those grades?

I personally don't like steep grades- They severely limit the lenght of your trains.  Then add in the hidden trackage- your asking for lost trains. It's not much fun crawling under the layout to get to hidden trackage to help a train up a hill.

Craig 

Craig, My layout is a 30"x48" modual so to speek. And it is a mining camp. I dont plan to run more then 8 cars at a time up any of the grades. By Hidden they are in a mountian side and the 4% grade may stay open depending on how sceanery lays out. Fortunitly the grades are better then my original plan of 6-7% grades!! Most of the grades on the lager future portion of the layout will be 2% or under if I can help it. I will get it up so you can see how it lays out. The only reason for the grades being that great is I want a full 2" seperation of track where it pass's under each other. Curt

[Anonymous]

Looking for N Scale Assistance

I'm building a Kato N track layout 12*6 that will utilize Kato 6 turnouts and  am thinking about installing decoders in the turnouts and double crossovers.

I just purchased a NCE DCC system and am in the process of building the layout and installing the wiring and switch decoders and wanted to hear other N scalers experiences and or tips.

[CraigN]

Curt,

Is there any way to rework those grades?

I personally don't like steep grades- They severely limit the lenght of your trains.  Then add in the hidden trackage- your asking for lost trains. It's not much fun crawling under the layout to get to hidden trackage to help a train up a hill.

Craig 

[Anonymous]

There is alot of good info in this thread and I wouldnt want to see it locked either. I hope all is well with everyone! We got snowed in on wensday and thursday! Got into work this morning roads are at the very least passable. I have a couple designs for my RR and will get them burned and on line sunday while at my moms house for x-mas. I will appericate any comments on what you see. The one I am leaning toward has a hidden 2.6% grade and a hidden 4.2% grade. from the looks of it all my empties will come up the 4% grade and fulls leave the 2% grade. I also have a engine house and small yard and have it branching into a double track main to the left side. any way I know it will help you all see it and I will get it up as soon as I can. Unfortunitly I have to burn a cd as the computer we now have dosent have an A drive and I dont have a protiable USB drive just yet. And before some ask no we dont have an internet conection at the appartment, so I cant just upload from our machiene. We cant afford it just yet. But we will be moving in 6 months we Hope into a house so we might get one then. Any way, Back to our regularly scedualed conversastion. Curt

[pcarrell]

Again, please, I'm calling for restraint.  We all lose if this thread gets locked out.  So let's knock off the threats, the spelling corrections, and all the other petty things that have nothing to do with N scale trains.

Hey, I'm with you! 

I harbor no ill feelings and meant no harm. 

Now let's talk N scale!

We're better than this.  If not, you should be in HO!

WOW!  You are one cold customer!

[Dave Vollmer]

My N scale Pennsy H10s 2-8-0 project is coming along, but not without lots of choice language, scrap styrene, and Squadron Red Putty!  I also had to replace both the decoder and the LED board (waiting for both in the mail).

I told my wife that I'm going Penn Central and Conrail so I don't have to kitbash any more Pennsy steam.  She suggested "Why don't you keep modeling 1956, but just when there were no steam engines around?"  She hasn't looked in my books.  The PRR of 1956, though dieselizing fast, was very much still a steam road.

The H10s will join the L1s as my PRR two steam bashes.  I'm thinking maybe forgoing the PRR M1b 4-8-2 that PCM has been working on.  For that money I could get 3 PC/CR diesels with DCC.

I'm liking this dual-era idea!

[Metro Red Line]

Let's all be civil here before someone models a murder scene and starts killing people... :)

[nscaler711]

lets get back to n scale PLEASE loss of words