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After nearly decades of "talking about it", I have finally started to put together a modest HO scale platform in the finished basement. It has taken this long because of the gazillion other household projects that were priority and the traditional family demands. Now the timing is favorable for me to begin.
I have been "lurking" here for a few months and to be honest, some of you guys are just friggin scary in the detailing. I don't think I will ever achieve that high of a quality that you all have mastered. Still, I look forward to getting a simple layout going for the enjoyment of having something to be able to share with my Dad after all of these years.
The layout will be an "L". 16' on the long side, 8' on the short side by 4' wide...for now. I have to balance of having something adequate working in the next few months against having something that is perfect that is never realized. It will, however, be better than the traditional 4x8 sheets my Dad and I use to have up around Christmas back in the 70's.
From that era, I am starting with the "vintage" atlas brass tracks with a basic DC transformer. A couple of locomotives that run on DC and few dozen stock cars is what I am starting out with. Decided to theme in post war PRR time frame allowing the coexistence of a steam locomotive along with some nice dirty diesels.
But I treated myself to a nice Bachmann's Spectrum 84014 K4 4-6-2 Pacific, numbered #1361... like the one in Altoona that's all apart. I just received the precious engine and wanted to test it out, but I haven't overcome my fear of frying something in the "DCC ready" engine on the DC track. I am blown away by the detail on the engine. Things are certainly different than what I have from thirty years ago. I have to figure out what the break-in period and or technique is from you all, but I think this engine, at least for now, will be a "shelf queen" for awhile.
I share your sense of wonder when it comes to the modelers on this sight and others. There are some truly talented people here. I started in a similar fashion as you. I had my trains from twenty years ago that I resurrected from boxes in the basement. Brass track, Athearn locos and a MRC 501 power pack. It served me quite well until I could confirm whether I wanted to continue with the hobby or not. I too had bought a Spectrum steamer and used it on my dc powered track. There was no problem at all. If you have an older loco, you may want to take that around your track first if using the new one makes you nervous.
Once again, welcome to the forum and back to the hobby!
If your power supply is going to provide voltage in the range specified for the engine by Bachmann, I don't know why you would want to curb your enthusiasm by worrying. The engine is warranted to do what you want it to do, as the presumed purchaser, and what Bachmann certifies it is to do. So, when you power up, the lights should start to glow and the engine move (in either direction) as you raise the voltage on your power supply.
Only the most senior, skilled, and experienced modellers will put together a layout and have it run perfectly the first time...but even then, only in a very few cases. Something always turns up, but we problem solve and move on.
Go simple at first to gain confidence. Run the engine back and forth along a short section of track to test its responsiveness to increases in voltage. Reverse directions, break it in, marvel at it. Once you tire of that, you can go further.
Welcome aboard, Ron. Don't worry about some of the pictures you see. A lot of us take pictures of our best parts of the layouts and leave out the parts with warts. You'll be able to do fine just getting track down and running some trains as a start. Your Bachmann Pacific will run fine on DC. The decoder can sense what type of voltage is being delivered and give it the right amount and type of voltage. I've run several Bachmann DCC equipped locomotives on DC with no problems. The only caution is to not lest it stand around on the tracks longer than you have to since that will eventually damage the decoder. Running, it will be just fine.
Thanks all. You make me smile. Knowing that there is a the ability to sense which power is in the rails makes me feel better. I'll get a couple of feet of 9" straights put together this weekend and check out the K4.
But I do have an Plymouth MDT B & O Switcher that is an old friend to test run on the tracks to figure out the first slew of problems...
Since you're using brass track, before running the trains run a track eraser or even better a 600 or better grit sand paper to clean the surface. Then wipe it down with a dry cloth. A dab of CRC will coat the track and slow any corrosion.
Well I figured out that it is necessary to hook up the tender for the locomotive to work. Bahahahahaha. SO once I did that, it was sweet to see the K4 move back and forth on the two feet of straight I put down for its quick test. Then I packed the K4 back into its box and put away for now until the layout is up and running...and "verified" by the Plymouth MDT.
Ron, welcome to the show. A K4? Absolutely gorgeous engines, aren't they? They are among my favorites, along with any other engines with rods, the Berkshires, the Mountains, Pacifics, Consolidates, Mallets, T1's.... the list goes on and on.
I have been in and out of the hobby so many times I've lost count, but the hobby, for me, has spanned 50 years. I am always amazed at the progress made during my absence. I still have 4x8 brass layout that I keep just to remember my roots. Stuck in the overhead in the garage now. Since reading this post, I may have to get it out, along with a few 50-year old engines. Place the layout on saw horses and imagine a simpler time.
Big steam are ones that always catch my breathe. The Strasburg Railroad was a place that was visited a few times in my life and I would stand gawking at the likes of a Great Western 2-10-0. Then feeling the locomotive through the ground into my feet as it slowly pulled in and out of the station is something one never forgets. I also like the Big Boys from out of the southwest, but unfortunately, they won't "fit" on my layout and they would be wrong anyway for the theme.
So, yeah, a K4 is appropriate for the layout and is a much prized piece. Can't wait to have it photographed in a few months running for good...
Big steam are ones that always catch my breathe. The Strasburg Railroad was a place that was visited a few times in my life and I would stand gawking at the likes of a Great Western 2-10-0. Then feeling the locomotive through the ground into my feet as it slowly pulled in and out of the station is something one never forgets. I also like the Big Boys from out of the southwest, but unfortunately, they won't "fit" on my layout and they would be wrong anyway for the theme.
So, yeah, a K4 is appropriate for the layout and is a much prized piece. Can't wait to have it photographed in a few months running for good...
The strasburg railroad. Been there done that many times and looking forward to many more. About an hour drive for me. They have really built up the museum to a top notch oraganization.
Hello Ron. Welcome to the forum. As an old steam head myself I want to congratulate you on the purchase of your Spectrum K4. You have a fine locomotive there. Treat it right and it will run for years. I have very few steamers left in my fleet these days as I run almost all diesels now. I have a Mehano 2-10-2 I bring out once in a while to pull a string of Athearn heavyweight passenger cars that make up a tourist train. My other operational steamers are a 4-6-0 Hall Class British locomotive and a Bachmann 0-6-0 (70's era) left to me by an uncle. My other two steamers are non-op. One is a Spectrum K4, probably very similar to yours and a Bachmann 0-6-0 (90's era). The K4 is a park exhibit and the 0-6-0 is a rusting hulk. Here are photos of both. I expect to see a photo of your K4 soon. I bet it's a thing of beauty.
Go about your track work slowly and carefully, especially at the turnouts, crossings and grades and keep your eyes peeled for those annoying track kinks. They jump up and bite you when you're least expecting it. If you have questions or you want to know if there's another way to do something don't hesitate to jump in here and bounce it off the gurus. No matter how odd the question seems to you there's someone out there with the answer to it. One other thing. Upgrade to nickel-silver track as soon as possible. It's more expensive but it stays clean a lot longer than brass or steel and will save you from a bunch of headaches in the long run. Keep 'em rolling.
Ron, that MDT, while good for its time, has been passed by more modern technology. Perhaps an old (or not-so-old) Atlas or Life Like ALCo S1 (or S2, or S3, or S4) switcher would be good to give you a better idea of your trackwork. It would be appropriate with your K4, and better at "finding" track problems, than the MDT. The MDT, IIRC, is a 4 wheel "critter" that will go through just about any track, as long as it can get power from its' 4 wheels.
Just some food for thought, the S switchers can be found relatively inexpensively, too.
Wow, you all are awesome with the information and suggestions. Thanks much!
I'm still getting the plywood and foam board down. It will still be a week or two before track is seriously laid down.
Nice point on that MDT. That thing is a little possessed devil if it finds a volt or two on its wheels. I use it to generally make sure the track is powered all the way and nothing is horrendously messed up. Then I use the Alco Super 630 to find the snags. But I will look for a newer S switcher. Although a "0-8-0 switcher" would be cool, I have to watch the dollar flow for the next couple of months as the start up on the project "hobby" was steeper than the wife liked. lmao...
You'll be able to do fine just getting track down and running some trains as a start. Your Bachmann Pacific will run fine on DC. The decoder can sense what type of voltage is being delivered and give it the right amount and type of voltage. I've run several Bachmann DCC equipped locomotives on DC with no problems. The only caution is to not lest it stand around on the tracks longer than you have to since that will eventually damage the decoder. Running, it will be just fine.
