Good day!
38 years ago I left the hobby. I had a 4' long 3 foot wide N scale layout self-designed. But back then ran into a few issues. Locomotives and stock cars not passing through the switches easily. Life also kicked into high gear and left little time for the hobby. And now I have the bug again. And I have some general questions and any input would be greatly appreciated.
After reviewing hours of N Scale Model Railroad layouts I have become impressed with how smoothly things run. Now I do attribute part of this to good track laying. But I can not help but wonder that after 38 years the manufacturing of the equipment has gotten better. I became especially intrigued with a new thing called DCC...I am like stunned at this development, the somewhat ease of even having reversing loops and having the system switch the switch to the proper position and not having to worry about flipping polarity is just amazing to me. Yes, I do realize that having all that happen does take some additional wiring and equipment but STILL...I am like a KID in a CANDY SHOP.
So I am looking for some opinions.
I am torn between what code, I have heard good reviews of Code 55 Peco Track - has anyone used it, how durable and tolerant is it to being flexed, cut, etc., I also noticed its profile is a bit different, does it need special rail joiners or do they use the old standard ones that I remember?
How are Peco Turnouts, from what I have seen they don't come with electric motors to switch the points, but you can add that on.
Watching some videos where people use exclusively KATO unitrack - my only concern with this product is to be able to make the plastic roadbed disappear into the scenery even with ballasting and painting. On the other hand, in every single layout I have watched, the trains have just been very reliable with no hesitations, no studdering.
For those that use Atlas Flex and Turnouts has the reliability, and quality improved?
My second question is a bit more complicated though so in general I was thinking of getting a Bachman N Scale set from Amazon that includes DCC locomotives, rail some cars, and track. The purpose would be that the DCC seems to be about 50% of the cost of that set.
I would use the track say around the Christmas tree for the holidays, so the whole set would not be a total waste it's usable in the sense that different parts of that set have a usage. - OR should I just go with a separate DCC system? Yes, I hear your question about what is your layout going to do.
Well, my plan is for a 5 or 6-foot long, 4-foot wide base, with some main lines a few spurs, and some switching. What attracts me more is the actual model building, running trains would be the goal, but not on the scale of running operations It's the Planning, Building, Laying Track, and Landscaping, all of that is what I find relaxing...running trains is the bonus. For now, I can not envision an expansion of the model railroad beyond my present available space, Unless my spouse dies and I can take over an entire two rooms and knock down a wall...
So since DCC is REALLY new to me anyway any pointers to books or articles or videos would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks !
38 years ago I left the hobby. I had a 4' long 3 foot wide N scale layout self-designed. But back then ran into a few issues. Locomotives and stock cars not passing through the switches easily. Life also kicked into high gear and left little time for the hobby. And now I have the bug again. And I have some general questions and any input would be greatly appreciated.
After reviewing hours of N Scale Model Railroad layouts I have become impressed with how smoothly things run. Now I do attribute part of this to good track laying. But I can not help but wonder that after 38 years the manufacturing of the equipment has gotten better. I became especially intrigued with a new thing called DCC...I am like stunned at this development, the somewhat ease of even having reversing loops and having the system switch the switch to the proper position and not having to worry about flipping polarity is just amazing to me. Yes, I do realize that having all that happen does take some additional wiring and equipment but STILL...I am like a KID in a CANDY SHOP.
So I am looking for some opinions.
I am torn between what code, I have heard good reviews of Code 55 Peco Track - has anyone used it, how durable and tolerant is it to being flexed, cut, etc., I also noticed its profile is a bit different, does it need special rail joiners or do they use the old standard ones that I remember?
How are Peco Turnouts, from what I have seen they don't come with electric motors to switch the points, but you can add that on.
Watching some videos where people use exclusively KATO unitrack - my only concern with this product is to be able to make the plastic roadbed disappear into the scenery even with ballasting and painting. On the other hand, in every single layout I have watched, the trains have just been very reliable with no hesitations, no studdering.
For those that use Atlas Flex and Turnouts has the reliability, and quality improved?
My second question is a bit more complicated though so in general I was thinking of getting a Bachman N Scale set from Amazon that includes DCC locomotives, rail some cars, and track. The purpose would be that the DCC seems to be about 50% of the cost of that set.
I would use the track say around the Christmas tree for the holidays, so the whole set would not be a total waste it's usable in the sense that different parts of that set have a usage. - OR should I just go with a separate DCC system? Yes, I hear your question about what is your layout going to do.
Well, my plan is for a 5 or 6-foot long, 4-foot wide base, with some main lines a few spurs, and some switching. What attracts me more is the actual model building, running trains would be the goal, but not on the scale of running operations It's the Planning, Building, Laying Track, and Landscaping, all of that is what I find relaxing...running trains is the bonus. For now, I can not envision an expansion of the model railroad beyond my present available space, Unless my spouse dies and I can take over an entire two rooms and knock down a wall...
So since DCC is REALLY new to me anyway any pointers to books or articles or videos would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks !