Posted: 12/26/2008 6:35:25 AM EDT
| Anybody into it?What's the "ARFCOM" of MRR forums?Thanks |
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C&NW. No layout though. Someday. Going to the hobby shop today if they're open. C&NW is an awesome proto to model. I'd like to see some pics when you get started. I'm 43 and am thinking about how my retirement layout will be funded...  Model railroading is a fine hobby.
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VERY NICE  .I've wanted to build a small HO layout for YEARS!I have the interest,i just need some knowledge and money!Well, you're off to a good start on the forum. I saw your post there. Let's give it a little while, you'll get some good advice. I'd suggest you come up with a theme and prototype and avoid the "buy on of everything" syndrome like my son and I did when we started. I'd forget the train set and buy track, trains and controllers seperately. Go DCC right from the start. The Digitrax Zephyr is a good starter system that can grow with your layout and will be backwards compatible with future Digitrax products. The Kalmbach books are good to get started with and the adds in Model Railroader have some great deals on track, trains and electronics. |
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C&NW. No layout though. Someday. Going to the hobby shop today if they're open. C&NW is an awesome proto to model. I'd like to see some pics when you get started. I'm 43 and am thinking about how my retirement layout will be funded... Model railroading is a fine hobby.
Yeah, might be a while for me too. |
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WOW.
Those D&RGW pics are stunning. I'm a 3-rail O gauger but am seriously considering switching to HO because of -Reduced cost -Improving sound technology in HO scale -Standardized digital control system -More realistic -More train in a smaller space while still not being "too small" Still, O gauge is appealing to me because -Superior sound and control technology -Better lighting effects -Easier wiring -Already well established roster The constant technological changes and the lawsuits that result in them make O guage a less and less appealing for me. The main supplier of TMCC upgrades isn't even going to be selling them any more. |
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WOW. Those D&RGW pics are stunning. I'm a 3-rail O gauger but am seriously considering switching to HO because of -Reduced cost -Improving sound technology in HO scale -Standardized digital control system -More realistic -More train in a smaller space while still not being "too small" Still, O gauge is appealing to me because -Superior sound and control technology -Better lighting effects -Easier wiring -Already well established roster O scale is way cool. I don't have the space for it though. I'd suggest using whatever scale and DCC system your friends use. Its great to be able to take a locomotive and a throttle to a friend's layout and plug and play. Thanks for the comments on my pics. |
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Keep in mind I'm a three-railer. Our trains run on AC power and use proprietary control systems. One manufacturer (Lionel) licenses their technology to other manufacturers, but it seems every couple of years there's a big lawsuit and everything gets shaken up.
It's a totally different world than the DC operated two-rail trains with NMRA-standard control systems, unfortunately. Of course, I could rip out all the AC electronics and install DCC stuff, but then I wouldn't have Lionel's excellent sound systems, which unfortunately are critical to my enjoyment of the hobby. 
Three rail is a great way to enjoy the hobby, but it's got it's drawbacks. 
Here's one of the best looking three-rail layouts I've seen. http://norm.beesky.com/ |
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Keep in mind I'm a three-railer. Our trains run on AC power and use proprietary control systems. One manufacturer (Lionel) licenses their technology to other manufacturers, but it seems every couple of years there's a big lawsuit and everything gets shaken up. It's a totally different world than the DC operated two-rail trains with NMRA-standard control systems, unfortunately. Of course, I could rip out all the AC electronics and install DCC stuff, but then I wouldn't have Lionel's excellent sound systems, which unfortunately are critical to my enjoyment of the hobby.
Three rail is a great way to enjoy the hobby, but it's got it's drawbacks.
Here's one of the best looking three-rail layouts I've seen. http://norm.beesky.com/ Ahh, I see. Thanks for the info. I'm so used to NMRA standards that I hadn't even considered those issues O scalers may face. I haven't heard the Lionel sound (and would like to). I do know some of the late DCC sound decoders are very good. I doubt there is a way to make a small model sound as good as a larger one though... |
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Any of you guys run N scale trains? Thinking of getting started in N scale due to available space restrictions. Got to have something else to obsess about other than shooting. Cheers, EMSflyer N is very good these days, thoough you have to watch for junk like any other scale. I'm not an N scaler, but do collect some of it. I'm looking to buy the Kato Broadway Limited passenger set soon, as well as their GG1 loco (now out in two paint schemes). I have a Pennsy E8. |
| <–––– <3s model railroading. I have some older Kato N-gauge locomotives (SP, BN, MoPac) and some MRC stuff too. All diesel. No rolling stock to speak of. Also have the Kato TGV bullet train! Would love to get a layout together one of these days. Have a brother-in-law who's big in the KC N-Trak club. |
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C&NW. No layout though. Someday. Going to the hobby shop today if they're open. Northwestern, eh? Here are a few items of interest... - you should be able to order these through your local hobby shop - always try to support them. |
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C&NW. No layout though. Someday. Going to the hobby shop today if they're open. Northwestern, eh? Here are a few items of interest... - you should be able to order these through your local hobby shop - always try to support them. Thanks! I was actually going to order some stuff from them. If I blink, its usually gone from my hobby shop as there are a lot of CNW modelers around here- |
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Any of you guys run N scale trains? Thinking of getting started in N scale due to available space restrictions. Got to have something else to obsess about other than shooting. Cheers, EMSflyer N scale here. Lust after some of the newer two rail "O" stuff and have been danger close to buying some of the newer "G" locos as well. Never should have let those high nose southern "G" SD45 locos sell out before I bought one. 
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Trainorders.com, couple of Yahoo groups. I hate to say it but too many of the generic all comers model RR forums are either overactive kids or foamers. I'm in the process of getting a few modules together with the view of incorporating into a garage layout.
Model the SP in the 1945 to 1955 period, but I have drifted in to the 70's a bit with some SP specific second generation power. So questions about modern RRs or "I like Atlas diesels. Tell me about yours?" just aren't what I need to spend time on. |