Thebrickfig
Member
I am just starting out and was wondering if a KOTA N scale starter set is a good start.
I actually started out with the Bachmann starter set, as a Christmas under - the - tree layout. I expanded it for a couple years, made the 4 x 8, eventually sold off all that stuff and started building a bigger layout. I had the layout well attached to the 3/4" plywood base and sold that layout with a few buildings attached after advertising it in the local paper. Not sure why, but the buyer could not believe I made it, probably because I was renting a trailer house at the time. Lots of stereotypes out there.Kato starter sets are very very good value for money, very reliable and easily expandible. It'll allow you to get something up and running to keep your enthusiasm up whilst working out what you want to do long term.
You can build a full layout from Unitrack, have a look on Youtube for examples and inspiration, and careful detailing and weathering can make it look almost as good as the best handbuilt track out there. You are only limited by your imagination.
If you move away from Unitrack for your actual layout, you can keep the track and controller for testing (its essential to have a separate test track in my opinion), or you can sell it, there is a huge second hand market for it.
I would guess that the vast majority of us on this forum (and others) started our journeys with a starter set.
And has a nice thread on his layout on forum.I actually started out with the Bachmann starter set, as a Christmas under - the - tree layout. I expanded it for a couple years, made the 4 x 8, eventually sold off all that stuff and started building a bigger layout. I had the layout well attached to the 3/4" plywood base and sold that layout with a few buildings attached after advertising it in the local paper. Not sure why, but the buyer could not believe I made it, probably because I was renting a trailer house at the time. Lots of stereotypes out there.
Once I got more familiarity with what is available in terms of kits and track, I gradually migrated to my preferred road names and locomotives. Although all my original Bachmann stuff has been sold, I still have a number of my early (2012, 2013) build kits (completed mind you) on the layout.
I do like that idea very much thank you!The way i did it was to buy the M2 and a cheap litte "kato pocket line train" to play and test with. Then buy a full train separately, because most of the starter sets including locos (not sure about the american ones that McLeod showed, they may be better).
I am collecting the high speet trains and the starter sets include only the M1 set + a 4 car "basic" set (for the shinkansen or ICE trains) which you then have to add to later to make it more of a realistic length.
However with the M2 you get 2 sets of points and a bit more track for less money. Separately buying one of the 11-009 chassis trains are great to play with while you think about your layout and can then buy a full loco and carriage kit. I mean the 2 sets of points alone are worth 60 odd Euros, and you get a bigger oval than with the loco starter sets. Plus when you buy a full Kato train you get a lovely vinyl "book" with your train in it.
Guy, I have never seen N scale track that was anything except nickel silver. I can tell you, Kato does not make steel track in any scale. The set you have pictured is a great starter set, though I think one that has freight cars instead of passenger would be a better starting point. The freight cars seem to be more forgiving of track issues, and they will tend to stay coupled more reliably.For the most part, I'm just a beginner in 'Railroad Modelling' myself.
If you are talking about something like this:
View attachment 170079
Then, I would say 'No, it's not a good idea', for a number of reason's.
1. The money can be better spent on individual components that better suit your needs.
2. You'd likely only get minimal steel track in the kit and would want to change to nickel silver flex track if you really got into it.
3. Purchasing individual engines and rolling stock ensures you get the railroad you want.
That's the mistake I made when I started. I bought a starter set, and all I'm using out of that set, is the locomotive. Never even set it up to try it. Rather, I just went ahead a purchased individual components, that gave me a lot more. I could have used the 300.00 I spent on the set to get other railroad stuff that I really wanted.
That's just another beginners point of view, though. I suppose it really depends on where you want to go with the hobby.
My 2 cents.
Pick one as it will start you down the road.I am just starting out and was wondering if a KOTA N scale starter set is a good start.
When i told my friend i was interested in getting back into it and suggested Nscale i said i was looking at Bachman and he saidI started out with a Bachmann starter set. The only thing I have kept from it is the track. Learned how to tweak the turnouts to make them work properly. Power pack replaced by a MRC. The locomotive crapped out. The cheap rolling stock became painting fodder. Run Atlas and Kato locomotives. Rolling stock is anything but Bachmann. The only thing they’ve made that’s given me no problems is their railing ramp!