New, N train around Xmas tree

[Mondo]

Hi guys, hoping you could help me out? Wanting to do an N scale train under the tree (always wanted a train as a kid but never got the opportunity.) I saw this kit https://www.ironhorsehobbies.co.nz/.../bachmann-usa-24017-n-spirit-of-christmas-set but after doing lots of reading I've seen it's best to avoid kits? Saw this loco: https://www.ironhorsehobbies.co.nz/...american-4-4-0-tender-central-pacific-jupiter which I prefer the look of, can get the track and plug in terminal together but can not get my head around the power supply/speed controller options! Is there options out there for less than ~$120 or is the kit my best option? Regards, Ben.


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[santafewillie]

If you're just going to use it at Christmas, it's a good set and your best option. Avoiding kits is advice for more serious modelers who would be looking for more advanced control systems. Not too sure where you are located, that's a New Zealand website and I don't know exactly what the exchange rate is ($1.66 NZ : $1.00 US I think), but Model Train stuff (MB Klein) here in the states has it for a lot less, $52.00 US if my calculation is correct. That may be offset by shipping to NZ though.
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-N-24017-Spirit-Of-Christmas-p/bac-24017.htm

Willie

 

[Mondo]

Awesome thanks Willie. Will go for the kit set and if I feel like the other locomotive I can always grab it later. I won't be diving in to a full set up so looks like it will fit well, can just make as good of a layout as I can with the small circle. I will try get pictures as things progress, really need to have the track to go any further! Thanks again, Ben.


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[Bruette]

Hey Ben,

I have that set, it's a great little set! Handle it gently, those linkages on the locomotive are fragile. My oldest grandson broke my first one by repeatedly switching directions at full speed. I had just bought the set the week before. I told MB Klein what happened and they replaced the set free of charge anyway. I was hoping to buy only a locomotive, but they said they would replace it, I said thank you!

If you put the set in your cart you can calculate shipping before deciding to buy.

By the way how big is your Christmas tree? N scale is small, I use my set with a 24" tree.

 

[tootnkumin]

Hi Ben, I'm a renegade Kiwi, now a neutralised Aussie. I would also suggest the train set as the best buy for your purposes. As it is $100 off, I would doubt it would be any cheaper considering the item + shipping + exchange rate + transfer fee that would all apply, if you imported it yourself. When buying from overseas, you can save on the shipping if you buy more than 1 item, so if you do decide to buy from modeltrainstuff.com in the future, try to buy a couple or 3 other items with it. That spreads the shipping charge out over them all .e.g. if you bought 2 engines, the increase over a single is usually less than $10. I'm surprised actually that that 4-4-0 is not offered in a Christmas set.

I just did a search and no, it isn't offered by Bachmann in a set unfortunately. One thing to be very aware of if ordering sets from the US that have power pack/controllers included, they will be for 110Vac, unless it states dual 110/240Vac mains supply capability.

 

[tootnkumin]

You'll find this useful too, it's a worldwide easy money converter that gets the exchange rates updated frequently. I use it all the time. Just enter the US price in the left box and the NZ dollar equivalent will appear. Bookmark or shortcut the site for easy reference if you think you may need it in the future. Always add 3-4% onto whatever you're going to convert to cover your financial institutions money transfer fee, before converting the price.

Just click where it says "Swap Currencies" to set the $US into the left box.

http://coinmill.com/NZD_USD.html

 

[Iron Horseman]

Hi guys, hoping you could help me out? Wanting to do an N scale train under the tree (always wanted a train as a kid but never got the opportunity.) I saw this kit https://www.ironhorsehobbies.co.nz/.../bachmann-usa-24017-n-spirit-of-christmas-set but after doing lots of reading I've seen it's best to avoid kits? Saw this loco: https://www.ironhorsehobbies.co.nz/...american-4-4-0-tender-central-pacific-jupiter which I prefer the look of, can get the track and plug in terminal together but can not get my head around the power supply/speed controller options! Is there options out there for less than ~$120 or is the kit my best option?

How big is the tree this is supposed to go around? Any particular reason you are looking at N-scale? I had a 6' tree one year (1981) where the N-scale train I put under it could not even be seen.

The next year I move up to O-scale. Found it to be much more appropriate. Then I migrated on up to G-gauge. Couldn't find any in New Zealand, and the price isn't in the range given, but this is the sort I use under trees-->
https://www.trainworld.com/manufact...arter-sets/white-christmas-express-set-90076/

 

[modelbob]

G scale is nice, especially if you have kids, as it's far more forgiving. But just about any scale will work, depending on your needs.

 

[Mondo]

Thanks everyone for the advice, I will grab the kit. Seems more set and forget for my entry level needs. As things progress I will get pictures, ask for advice etc. I used to keep a coral reef aquarium and have a few LEDs leftover I want to use to light up the houses at night. I'm sure this will keep me busy for a while!


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[Mondo]

Ok, kit and Jupiter loco are in the post. In the meantime I've been pottering away at the layout. I had bought budget dollar store pva and it wasn't setting/drying quite white. I decided to rip the old pva where I could, repaint and go again on a little stream I've created. By accident I discovered something quite neat, I hadn't let the paint dry nearly enough and poured a layer of pva in. It looks like it's created patches of algae/fronds.

 

[tootnkumin]

Maybe it has