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Post by nscaler711 on Sept 23, 2013 3:42:07 GMT -8
Well it has been a long while since I poked around here, which is unfortunate. Because i do miss reading, and posting some of my findings as I grew with the hobby. With my recent, and by recent I mean over the last three years, switch to HO, was nice and still is nice, I learned that Athearn HO like its N scale counterparts, is just not what its cracked up as what it should be, and Kato's new P42 has probably the nicest drive I have ever seen in the industry (for an HO locomotive.) I suppose I moved to HO to get a handle on DCC and some basic operations, that and the sound is 20 times better than most anything put in an N scale locomotive, other than using a Loksound Micro V4 decoder. I do want to go back into N scale, but I just don't know where to start. I do have a newer Kato P42 set with veiwliners and such on hold until I can cough up the cash. But other than that, I am at a loss, I really dont want to tear up my HO just so I can run N scale, but at the same time I am getting kinda bored with the HO scale stuff just because the prices of a Sound and DCC locomotive is nearing $300 for a plastic "toy." I bought a $60 Intermountain Bi level Autorack that is gorgeous but I could have bought a couple of atlas freight cars with that, or a MRC (which in HO they should have just stuck to DCC throttles I say this due in part by a Athearn Genesis AT&SF Bicentennial SD45 I bought recently) sound decoder for a Kato N P42. The wife is fine with me tearing up my HO, but I fear that I have put a lot of time and money into the HO just to redo it all. I think I want the inputs of fellow model railroaders, regardless of the opinion of "hating" HO or not.... BTW those Sergent Engineering couplers work beautifully if any of you read the Model Railroader article on them, and I do wish scale couplers will come to N like those... Also I apologize to Donnell, for pulling this off of another forum, but on the other forum it is in a blog format so I may not receive the input there as I might here on the Atlas Rescue Forum  |
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Post by bnsffan on Sept 23, 2013 6:27:34 GMT -8
First and foremost DON'T BUY ANY MORE HO SCALE stuff until you make a decision as to what scale, era, and prototype/freelance you want. The more stuff you buy the greater your unhappiness and potential loss will be. Second make a list of the pros and cons of each scale, era, and prototype/freelance. Third make a decision.
I could tell you all about how I did the evaluation and what I chose, but that wouldn't be of any help. I will tell you I spent a couple of years doing the evaluation and then another couple of years designing a layout using CadRail.
Respectfully,
BNSF Fan
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Post by nscaler711 on Sept 29, 2013 0:46:51 GMT -8
I haven't but there is an exception to that (or two) A MTH Big Boy and a Kato P42 with Loksound or Soundtraxx I know what I want to do in N scale and it would use my current table's size. A 5' X 9' layout set in Modern era North East Corridor My only problem is the Catenary... I have seen the NEC before and those Masts are TALL... anyways the plan will have a divider in the middle separating the two sides. One side will Have 4 tracks with many crossovers that at two ends split into a double track that curves around to the opposite side, and in the middle of the scene will be a Medium station, and a downtown area. the opposite will still be double track, but it will be kind of rural, with a river that the tracks have to cross. plan was to use 19" minimum radius all together and number 6 minimum switches. If I had the space in my apartment I would be fine building both N and HO. |
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Post by nscaler711 on Oct 20, 2013 1:34:59 GMT -8
Well it seems like I am the only n scaler here for some reason... anyways its going to happen my mind is made up, I am officially going back in to N scale, my HO scale stuff that I don't want will be sold, and others I am keeping will be packed away and or displayed.
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Post by bnsf971 on Oct 20, 2013 4:42:58 GMT -8
Well it seems like I am the only n scaler here for some reason... anyways its going to happen my mind is made up, I am officially going back in to N scale, my HO scale stuff that I don't want will be sold, and others I am keeping will be packed away and or displayed. It's not that no one is on here. We (or at least I) have been following along without posting. I would be in N scale, as I have been for the last 4 decades, and I think N has a lot going for it. I've been spoiled by HO sound, the quality of many HO products, not so much. Here's an idea for your N layout, in order to have sound: Have some N locomotives with sound installed, and some Tsunami decoders not installed in locomotives, wired to a small home stereo under the layout. Give each under the layout decoder an address. When you want to have a sound equipped train, turn on one of the Tsunamis, and MU it with the train you are running. The higher frequencies will transmit through the running locomotive, while the lower frequencies will transmit through the home stereo. You will have good sound, with the sense of the train moving, and in the long run, you will save money by not having sound decoders in every unit. Mount the stereo speakers at a couple of spots under the layout for best results. BTW, Soundtraxx is doing something similar with something called Surroundtraxx. |
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Post by nscaler711 on Oct 20, 2013 21:29:15 GMT -8
Not all will have sound, but the ones that do will be Loksound equipped
Mainly my P42's will have sound but if anything I will be running electrics. With the occasional freight, its mostly going to be Amtrak or commuter stuff.
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Post by tdcsxcrrfan on Oct 21, 2013 9:59:01 GMT -8
I'd like to know, Why are you getting bored with HO? Space limitations? Lack of operation? You seem to be an advocate for sound, so knowing that HO sound is greater than N sound, will you be happy with that if you do switch back to N?
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Post by nscaler711 on Oct 22, 2013 10:30:26 GMT -8
Space is one for now, but so is price. $300 for a plastic locomotive with a speaker is ridiculous, my phones msrp is $750 why are my "toys" half the price of my phone?
With n scale I get longer trains, more scenery, and more "space to do the things I want.
not to mention prices will be nearly cut in half, most locomotives can be picked up from $50 to $130 (and i can get those $130 models in the $90 range) decoder prices are the same and my speakers will be easy enough, I use cell phone speakers. frieght cars are cheaper also. N scale has always fit my budget. That and i suppose i like the challenge of smaller scales.
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Post by railfan4life on Jan 5, 2014 11:00:49 GMT -8
NScaler711,
How goes the switch from HO to N scale? About 2 years ago I switched form N scale to HO, but am now contemplating switching back to N. There are a few things I've decided I like better about HO though. But there are also some things I like better about HO. Especially since my current layout is HO.
Cheers,
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Post by nscaler711 on Jan 5, 2014 23:50:39 GMT -8
So far so good, I'm am easily finding n scale equipment to be a lot cheaper than a lot of HO scale locomotives, picked up a Kato UP heritage unit DC for $75 compared to $150 for MTH or Athearn in HO...
And DCC drop in decoders for $20... Or ones with sound for $75....
I can go Soundtraxx for a few dollars more that need to be hard wired, but that's not hard on most n scale locomotives due to the fact that the split frame and the motors are already mostly electronically isolated from each other...
Also track like flex track is 1-2 cheaper if you go code 80 than say a code 83 piece...
Freight cars are about half the price if you go with Athearn and Atlas... Exact Rail is still a little cheaper than most HO side... So yeah... This will be easy...
Not to mention I like long trains and broad curves, so if you have space for a small ho layout, then you have twice the space in N scale... A fact everybody knows... There are just about as many different locomotives in N as HO too...
Just Google n scale encyclopedia click on the link that says spookshow... And you will see what I mean...
My layout is currently ho too, but I figured its time I went back with the way prices are going, don't get me wrong the prices are raising in N too but not more than $10 than a price that was set like 5 years ago... Athearn is re releasing a SD75M which is nice, considering the last runs were iffy... I think I will be paying $85 for that... So yeah life is good..
Did I mention there are McHenry couplers in N scale now? They look great and operate better (IMHO) than MTL's and basically couple to anything with a knuckle...
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Post by wmcbride on Jan 6, 2014 0:57:58 GMT -8
Here's a sound installation for a Fox Valley GEVO you might like: www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31587.0One of my biggest problems with N (and this is the 34th year in N scale for me, was the slinky effect of MT couplers. I did the spring on the trailing axle etc. However, Athearn has really come along way in their rolling stock. Their ACF 2970 hoppers are beautiful and the couplers are body-mounted, work as you said, and no slinky effect. Bill McBride |
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Post by nscaler711 on Jan 7, 2014 4:49:27 GMT -8
Here's a sound installation for a Fox Valley GEVO you might like: www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31587.0One of my biggest problems with N (and this is the 34th year in N scale for me, was the slinky effect of MT couplers. I did the spring on the trailing axle etc. However, Athearn has really come along way in their rolling stock. Their ACF 2970 hoppers are beautiful and the couplers are body-mounted, work as you said, and no slinky effect. Bill McBride I am glad you mentioned the slinky effect, I was thinking that but forgot to say it, I hate it too which is why I'm waiting for my McHenry couplers to get in so I can start switching them out. Once somebody besides MTL sells their z scale couplers in mass produced forms I'll switch those out to for a more scale look.... For example: The P42 in phase III paint is standard Kato unimate, while the phase V uses a AZL coupler.  |
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Post by wmcbride on Jan 7, 2014 6:19:36 GMT -8
I am also waiting for a smaller, mass-produced coupler. What a difference that will make!
Bill McBride
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Post by nscaler711 on Jan 7, 2014 21:13:50 GMT -8
Well you might enjoy this... Let's hope it works out... protomate.blogspot.comAnd yes I did enjoy that sound install let's hope I can fit a tsu 750 somewhere in a Kato 70ACe or Athearn SD75M even if it sits in the fuel tank. |
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Post by wmcbride on Jan 7, 2014 22:09:59 GMT -8
I've been following this as well. As beautiful as the Athearn ACF 2970 that I am looking at now is, the N couplers are just ginormous. Good to know they become somewhat "invisible" when the train is running...
Bill McBride
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Post by railfan4life on Jan 9, 2014 15:20:16 GMT -8
Hey guys,
Thanks for the N scale information. After thinking about it, I've decided to stay with HO.
Cheers,
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