N gauge advice please

[GWR_XC]

Hi all

First off, would just like to quickly address my last thread "returning to N gauge" it was rightly locked by admin for going way off topic and I was getting frustrated with trying to source items so if I offended anyone I apologise

So anyway I have decided to return to N gauge and admittedly my knowledge in N is very limited

Ideally would like to do 1980s BR blue era, space is limited to approx 5X3

And at the moment I'm thinking Kato track (I know it's expensive) but I'm thinking of how easy it is to use the points (just plug and play)

Also I have never actually built a layout before , I have done lots of research etc, so I am a complete novice here

Plus I am undecided weather to go DC or DCC ?

At the moment with my OO stuff it's all DCC sound, and while sound is great, I'm not too fussed about not having it, mainly because it gets expensive

So any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated

Many thanks

[crewearpley40]

I brought model rail this months. Good simple article there . You could have a double loop with a crossover and 2 sidings. I'm not using DC or Kate. But advice lessons can be gained. We are all here to help.

[Ted]

I've got some Kato for testing and programming track purposes, and I have to say, it's reliable and easy to handle. I can see why people use it for full layouts!

On that note, I would suggest having some operational reason or interest around your layout. Here's a great video explaining a few ideas using Kato, it's American but ideas can transfer or be jigged for the UK -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_7y04jKPZA

I didn't see your previous thread but I assume it's around stock availability? If so, I feel your pain. I only entered the hobby 18 months ago and I am often frustrated and not being able to purchase what I want because it's sold out. Now, I just hoovered up what I can and it's made me somewhat of a collector more than a railway modeller!

Ps: DCC for me because I love sound, the more realistic running (set acceleration curves and speeds to scale) and added flexibility.

[crewearpley40]

1980s blue right up my street. 3 or 4 mk1s, a small diesel and a class 08 shunting a few wagons be ideal. Please do post track plans

[dannyboy]

As you say @Euston Kato track can be more expensive. However, the ease of use and the lack of soldering necessary for point work etc more than makes up for that, plus of course, there is no need to buy point motors and the like. My layout, (approx 12' x 4'). is all Kato Unitrack, either DC or DCC controlled depending on what locomotives I am running and, whilst I have changed the method of point operation to little momentary switches, I am extremely pleased with how things have worked out. There are plenty of Kato aficionados on the forum and lots of useful advice.

[tutenkhamunsleeping]

On that note, I would suggest having some operational reason or interest around your layout. Here's a great video explaining a few ideas using Kato, it's American but ideas can transfer or be jigged for the UK -

That's a great video, thanks for the link.  I'm Kato all the way, for what it's worth

[d-a-n]

I'd like to share with you my experience with a DC Kato set up... it is brilliant stuff!
My 'layout' is currently just track to run my trains on with hands free uncoupling/shunting and Kato's excellent pre wired, remotely operated points. What I like about Kato is it was easy for me as a beginner to set up and the ability it gave me to add to my track collection, amend track plans and take it apart and put it back together without fear of damaging anything, it's very well made and thought out. It holds it's value well if you choose to sell it too...
My next set up will be an Inglenook or Timesaver shunting puzzle and it'll see if I have as much fun with that as a continuous run layout; this will be good for showing me what I want from a permanent 'proper' layout with scenery. It'll also be good from a financial perspective as I will only be buying the track/point motors/whatever else I need for a permanent layout.
I started out about 7 or 8 years ago with 70s/80s BR blue but my collection crept into the 90s and back to the 60s as I saw bargains which I snapped up. Now I find that there aren't as many bargains but hopefully you'll find some for the stock you want.

[GWR_XC]

Thanks everyone so much for the advice

Taking on board what you all say, plus my initial thoughts, I'm definitely going with Kato track (going to try and buy second hand joblot if at all possible)

Still undecided on DCC or DC (I know DCC offers alot more and I do prefer it overall, that being said as it will be a relatively small layout to begin with - I may just go with DC then DCC in the future when I can expand - I plan on buying DCC ready locos anyway so it's an easy upgrade)

And like what was mentioned in the other thread, this time round I plan to take my time with it and taking as much as advice as possible on board

I have managed to source a class 411 br blue grey already for £220 and I plan to pre order the dapol HST

Thanks for the video as I will watch that later today and that is a nice little track plan you have going round your monitor

I don't have any track plan as of yet, so something to think about

(Bit off topic - if anyone knows who would swap OO for N, please let me know)

Many thanks

[crewearpley40]

Try one of the major retailers eg rails Sheffield. May get something you can then save towards the next

[dannyboy]

I'm definitely going with Kato track (going to try and buy second hand joblot if at all possible)

I don't have any track plan as of yet, so something to think about

There are two ways to go about this. Make a track plan and buy track to fit, or, buy the track and make a plan to fit what you have bought. 
I will send you a separate PM.

[GWR_XC]

More than likely I would prefer to buy a bundle of track first

This way I can mess around laying track with different ideas etc

[Gizzy]

I'm definitely going with Kato track (going to try and buy second hand joblot if at all possible)

I don't have any track plan as of yet, so something to think about

There are two ways to go about this. Make a track plan and buy track to fit, or, buy the track and make a plan to fit what you have bought. 
I will send you a separate PM.

I would suggest Danny's first option of making a track plan and then buying the track to fit.

I did it the second way, and found I had brought Kato large radius curves which wouldn't have fitted on my base-board!

Fortunately, I was able to exchange these for ones of around 8-9 inch radius.

You live and learn....

[Railwaygun]

have a look at the Kato Hints'n tips thread - there are links to Kato track plans there

https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?board=131.0

you could post a  Wanted ad on NGF as well ?

Kato DC, and buying DCC -ready ( ie with chip sockets ) as opposed to DCC-friendly ( DIY wiring needed) is essential, and Next-18 versions are the most reliable DCC locos.  You had DCC /OO before, so you may still have the DCC kit?

Dont buy cheap Bachmann / Hornby DCC kit - Gaugemaster do an own brand kit ( and the z21 (White) + Multimaus is also a good starter. (look at DCC threads for the Controller of choice wars!)

[GWR_XC]

Thanks again everyone for the information

Regarding the DCC with OO, I use to either buy DCC ready, or if it were an older Lima model for instance, then I would pay someone to hard wire it, as I do not have the skills

So where possible, I was hoping to buy N gauge locos DCC ready - the newer models etc

Will definitely take alook at the Kato track plan thread

Many thanks

[njee20]

Yes you need to be a bit careful with that, "DCC Friendly" isn't really a concept in UK outline models. Farish call a lot of their stuff from 10 years ago "DCC ready", but what they mean is that there's space to solder a decoder in. Certainly the case on early 60s and 66s, and possibly HSTs too (the Dapol one is superior as you know).

Everything you've mentioned though - Dapol HST, 33, 37, 47, 411 all have 6-pin sockets.