From: ed@stauff.UUCP (Edward L. Stauff)
Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
Subject: Re: HO Train and Accessories Quality
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 92 07:10:20 EST
Organization: Minstrelsy & Lutherie

abrown@vax.clarku.edu writes:

> Hi out there! I'm new to the net and also just getting back into model rail-
> roading. Need some advice. For the quality and the money, what are some brand
> names to begin with as for as trains and acccessories are concerned? Also, an
> good suggestions on a beginning layout. And last but not least, what are some
> of the better magazines, mail order companies, and where can I get videos.

You'll hear all this from others, but here's my 2 cents:

DON'T use brass track.  Use nickel silver only.  Peco has a very good
reputation (I use their switches in N scale).

Bachmann locos are generally junk, though some recent additions to their
line may be changing this trend.  Kato locos are generally excellent (at least
in N scale).  Athearn locos used to have a really good rep until Kato came
along.  I think Athearn has only suffered by comparison to newer better
technologies; they still seem to give very good bang for the buck.

As for a layout: plan, plan, plan.  Start out with something MUCH smaller than
you think you can complete.  You can always expand.  Buy lots of books - the
$8-$12 large-format paperback kind that you see in the racks at hobby shops,
not the kind you see in book stores.  Books like "The Complete This" and "A
Treasury of That" look good but don't contain the kind of detailed how-to
information that you'll need, whereas books like "Practical Electronic
Projects for Model Railroads" and "Realistic Model Railroad Scenery" are much
more focused, complete, and reliable.  Both of those books should be on your
short list, as should "Track Planning for Realistic Operation".  As a veteran
model railroader, I was surprised at how useful the "N Scale Primer" was; I
expect there's something similar for HO.

There are basically two general purpose MR magazines: Model Railroader and
Railroad Model Craftsman.  Buy a few issues of each and decide for yourself;
there isn't a general consensus on which is better.

Find a local hobby shop and develop a relationship with them.  If they're
any good at all, they can provide you with a wealth of information.  In return,
DON'T go off and buy everything mail-order.  I don't want to start a flame
war here.  I'm not saying don't buy ANYTHING mail-order.  Many hobby shops
have some sort of membership/discount card program.  Compare the mail-order
price (including shipping and handling and tax!) with the discounted hobby
shop price, and ask yourself if the difference is worth being able to go
down to the hobby shop and look at the merchandise, see it test run, talk to
people, etc.  (I'm done preaching now.)

You can get videos through ads in the two magazines mentioned.

Don't buy a set to start out.  In a set, some of what you get (sometimes all
of it) is always junk.  You generally get stuck with brass track and a
non-transistor power pack.  You can do much better by buying stuff separately.

Don't buy a non-transistor (rheostat) power pack.  The electrical physics are
such that you'll never get any decent slow-speed control.  You can get a simple
transistor power pack for as little as $25.  You can build one for even less.


=============================================================================
Edward L. Stauff, Nashua NH; ed@stauff.UUCP *or* uunet!mv.com!gozer!stauff!ed
        "Specialization is for insects." -- Lazarus Long