Newbie looking for some help in HO

Posted by Anonymous

on Thu, Oct 13 2005 9:48 PM

Hi,

I am creating a layout in HO for me and my 5 & 7 yr. kids. I have been reading through the forums and see that there are many very different opinions on all topics. Here is want I am looking to do:

HO Layout size: 16x13
I have the MRC Prodigy (not the advanced) DCC system
I am not going to run trains with onboard sound. (basic DCC)
I am not looking for Proto trains. This is more toy like right now, remeber 5&7 year old children.

So here is what I need help with.

DCC LOCOS. What brand? Notice I did not ask which is best... For instance, Bachman makes "standard" locos and the "better "Spectrum" series. From what I understand (which isn't much) the standard locos are certainly a lower quality product, louder, not as strong, etc. Louder is ok, but not as strong? How does that equate in to number of cars that can be pulled vs Spectrum?

How about Athearn? Many seem to say they are the staple of HO. Good for the money.

Atlas, better motors & more detail. Detail for my kids? They will like it becuase it's a train. Better motor? How better for basic running? Better as in stronger? Better as in more life?

So you can see I have been reading the forums, I am just having trouble putting it all together for MY NEEDS. My kids want to run trains. We have O gage on temp layouts and they like them just fine. We want a large HO layout becuase it's cheaper, takes up less space, and would be a ton of fun.

ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Mark

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Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, Oct 14 2005 6:22 AM

Well when I was younger, my family would usually get those toy train sets. For example, the ones that Walmart would have.

Posted by wctransfer

on Fri, Oct 14 2005 7:02 AM

Ya, dont get anything good yet. Athearn is a very good company. Maybe you can snag one of the older runs, because most athearns are very fragile and everything is on them. Probably not the thing for kids. But , Athearn is the best choice i think. Have fun!

Alec

Check out my pics! [url="http://wctransfer.rrpicturearchives.net/"] http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=8714

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, Oct 14 2005 8:00 AM

Ya go with the atherns. They make a god product for doing what you want to do. Although i hope you are skilled in the art of wiring chips into locos....

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, Oct 14 2005 8:41 AM

Will,

What if I use Athearn DCC ready locos? Are they plug and play or soldered? How many cars can the low end Athearns pull?

Thx!

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, Oct 14 2005 10:40 AM

Welcome to the forums. You might have better luck posting this over in the MR forums: http://www.trains.com/community/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=88

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, Oct 14 2005 11:30 AM

Well i have never put DCC in my low end atherns.. and i would not be knowledgable enough to tell you exactly what to do... but i do know it involves alot of soldering...

Mine seem to always pull all right.. i have a layout of simular size and i could almost have a good 15 car train behind one powered dash 9 .. always seemed to work fine.

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, Oct 14 2005 12:08 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by willard1346

Well i have never put DCC in my low end atherns.. and i would not be knowledgable enough to tell you exactly what to do... but i do know it involves alot of soldering...

Mine seem to always pull all right.. i have a layout of simular size and i could almost have a good 15 car train behind one powered dash 9 .. always seemed to work fine.

Digitrax makes a decoder with a harness that doesn't require soldering (unless you manage to break one of the wires off one of little clips [:(] ). The harness has replacement clips for the motor and clips that slip onto the light and trucks. It is pretty easy.

[C):-)]

Posted by Anonymous

on Sat, Oct 15 2005 1:31 AM

Thx guys.