New member -- Startup selection for HO

[k.ravi]

The Peco track you bought has a code-100 rail profile, so as long as you use the Atlas code 100 track (black ties) you'll be fine. I would advise against the Backhamnn track since you have a dedicated table for your layout, and the Bakchmann track has a very inflexible geometry.

If you are on a budget, I'd suggest a shelf-style switching layout if a shelf can be built/spared. It will use less track and materials overall, allowing you to buy more rolling stock.

http://home.online.no/~steinjr/trains/modelling/

Steinjr has designed some wonderful shelf layouts. If you still want to stick with the 6x6 table, I suggest you start planning. There is a software called SCARM (simple computer aided railroad modeling) that would be a great help.

Thanks for the info on the SCARM , I have downloaded the SW . Need to work on this and plan. I am going to use the table 6x6, the least space being 6x3.

[k.ravi]

Yes, I have used Peco turnouts with Atlas track for many years.[/I][/COLOR]


[/COLOR] The basic models are:
NCE - Power Cab
Digitrax - Zephyr
MRC - Prodigy
Lenz - LH100 or LH90 (push button or knob throttle)
Bachmann - E-Z Command (not recommended by me).
I don't know if CVP or Zimo have a basic system.

Personally I did not purchase basic DCC systems. I got the NCE PowerCab-R (for $300), and a CVP EasyDCC system w/radio (for $100). Both these are considered top of the line units. I am guessing there will be less "good" deals on the lower end offerings.

checked eBay and the DCC controllers are expensive to get it shipped to India. especially the NCE ones. So I will stick to a simple analogue controller for a single train for now and expand later.

one question: analogue OR DC controller are same right? Or is there a difference between Analogue, DC controller? what are the various controller options for a beginner with a DCC loco?

Any idea on the Mehano brand of locos' / wagons? Are they good in quality with details? I was suggested the Bachmann which I know is good. Not many choices here... Have to stick to the dealers choice -- Bachmann and branchline... one more dealer is offering Mehano.

Do suggest

Thanks

[Iron Horseman]

checked eBay and the DCC controllers are expensive to get it shipped to India.

Yeah shipping is a killer.

one question: analogue OR DC controller are same right? Or is there a difference between Analogue, DC controller?

I believe so.

what are the various controller options for a beginner with a DCC loco?

If you can find an MRC of some type you will be doing well.

Any idea on the Mehano brand of locos' / wagons? Are they good in quality with details?

I would say they are a good value for the money. I would not consider them to be highly detailed.

I was suggested the Bachmann which I know is good.

Be a little careful there Bachmann makes different "grades" of products. Their top-of-the-line is called Spectrum which I can highly recommend. They also make a lot of low end toy-train type stuff.

Then you can get Branchline locally? Branchline are quite highly detailed, and mostly kits. My issue with them is the paint. Instead of painting a box car brown, they will color the plastic brown and then just paint on the lettering. To me that always just looks goofy. On lighter colored cars it will let light from the sun or a bright lamp shine through the car. That can often be fixed by painting the inside of the car flat black.

Really hard to recommend anything without knowing exactly what products are available. For all I know Bachmann and Branchline in India are different than they are here in the States.

[k.ravi]

Yeah shipping is a killer.

I believe so. If you can find an MRC of some type you will be doing well.

What is MRC? I have not heard of this term?

I would say they are a good value for the money. I would not consider them to be highly detailed. .

I am being offered Mehano SD-35 loco (analogue) for a little less than $100. ok details - all metal wheels..

Be a little careful there Bachmann makes different "grades" of products. Their top-of-the-line is called Spectrum which I can highly recommend. They also make a lot of low end toy-train type stuff.

Then you can get Branchline locally? Branchline are quite highly detailed, and mostly kits. My issue with them is the paint. Instead of painting a box car brown, they will color the plastic brown and then just paint on the lettering. To me that always just looks goofy. On lighter colored cars it will let light from the sun or a bright lamp shine through the car. That can often be fixed by painting the inside of the car flat black..

Yes, got to know that Branchline locos & cars are also available separately. Little expensive though. That is fine with me since I will be purchasing only 1 good DCC loco with lots of details and a few standard wagons... I think I can use Mehano wagons to save on cost, but use a branchline loco for details and quality... Can you please suggest a good loco from branchline -- Diesel loco for the freight train? -- Class-46 or class-47 is that from branchline ?

Really hard to recommend anything without knowing exactly what products are available. For all I know Bachmann and Branchline in India are different than they are here in the States.

[TheGloriousTachikoma]

I am being offered Mehano SD-35 loco (analogue) for a little less than $100. ok details - all metal wheels..



Yes, got to know that Branchline locos & cars are also available separately. Little expensive though. That is fine with me since I will be purchasing only 1 good DCC loco with lots of details and a few standard wagons... I think I can use Mehano wagons to save on cost, but use a branchline loco for details and quality... Can you please suggest a good loco from branchline -- Diesel loco for the freight train? -- Class-46 or class-47 is that from branchline ?

I was under the impression you had already bought a GP9.

I did some research on Mehano and am inclined to say that given your location in the world it my be a good price. Looking at the stock photos on Mehano's website suggests that the couplers will need to be changed. Also though, if this SD35 is the same one IHC used to sell then the couplers will be attached to the trucks with large holes in the pilots of the shell to allow for their movement. If you are good working with styrene and can convert the locomotive from truck-mounted couplers to body-mounted couplers it could be a good locomotive. All indications are that Mehano locomotives are smooth runners.

[k.ravi]

Finally ordered the following:

a. Atlas oval track with two sidings (6x4)
b. Two controls for turnouts
c. Analogue controller with Power Adapter (230v AC - India voltage)
d. Three wagons -- Hoppers - Open, closed, flat wagon
e. Loco - Athrean GP38/2 - Good details with lights. Analogue - Can be converted to DCC with add-on chip for $ 30 USD

Will update once I receive the set and assemble. Thanks for all the help and info.

Ravi

[TheGloriousTachikoma]

We will want pictures of course. Good luck. By the way, it sounds as if you purchased the Atlas track starter set, was it the code 100 track (blue box) or code 83 track (red box)?

[Iron Horseman]

Finally ordered the following:

e. Loco - Athrean GP38/2 - Good details with lights. Analogue

Good. That will do better on the sharp curves than an SD35 would have done. Do you know if you got the RTR or Genesis version? Just curious.

[k.ravi]

We will want pictures of course. Good luck. By the way, it sounds as if you purchased the Atlas track starter set, was it the code 100 track (blue box) or code 83 track (red box)?

Definitely, pictures are in the queue. I am also in DSLR photography over the past two years... Newbie--

This is an Atlas Code 100 conventional track with black ties. This is not a box pack, but the dealer is providing the layout to my dimensions and request of two sidings and switches. The dealer is also a railroad modeller at his home.

[k.ravi]

Good. That will do better on the sharp curves than an SD35 would have done. Do you know if you got the RTR or Genesis version? Just curious.

The loco is labelled as "HO RTR GP38-2, IHB #3801". The loco has the number 3801 and comes with black and an orange band Harbor line. This is a brand new piece with full company box pack. All metal wheels with all wheel drive and good amount of details, may not be very detailed, but I am ok. I am more interested in tracks and switching over the next few months. The controller is a basic analogue with 1 speed dial and dirction control switch.