What brand of Loco etc?

justintime · December 31, 2012, 12:11:42 AM

I have been to a model shop today (kid in a candy store or what?) and was told the best brand for Loco was Dapol and that I should use Gaugemaster Grey Granite Track Underlay as I intend to use Peco Concrete Code 55 Track. As I am a novice and want to spend my money wisely I thought it best to ask for some opinions, before parting with my hard earned! I know opinions will differ but I would value your expert advice.

Q1) who makes the best quality Loco's?
Q2) what is the best underlay to use?
Q3) what would be my best option for buying a DCC controller? (Not too expensive but reasonable quality)
Q4) what power supply?
Q5) who is the best DCC chip manufacturer?
Q6) Best magazine subscription for N Gauge?
Q7) any other useful opinions?

Thanks in advance, Ian.

edwin_m · December 31, 2012, 01:35:24 AM

You'll probably get as many different answers as responses to most of these.

Dapol and Farish are the only mainstream manufacturers of British locos (Union Mills produce small numbers of steam locos). If you look through here you will find good and bad reports of both, basically you can get lucky or not with either. Some of the older Farish locos aren't very realistic, and some aren't too easy to fit a decoder too, but if you stick with the ones marked "6 DCC" on the Farish website you shouldn't go too far wrong. All current Dapol products are pretty good models and I think all are DCC-ready.

Most people don't use underlay but buy ballast loose and glue it down by one of several methods. I personally use the Gaugemaster underlay (or the Noch which is basically the same thing) as I think it gives a reasonable impression of the ballast "shoulder" found on a modern main line but it is less good for sidings. You will also seem mention of Kato Unitrack which comes with a plastic "ballast" base - again some people like this and others don't. Probably best to stay away from the Peco foam underlay as it disintegrates after a few years.

For DCC command stations, power supplies and decoders it is best to consult someone who stocks a wide range and if possible try several to see what suits you. DCC Supplies is reasonably local to you I think. I personally think Zimo are the best decoders as they give excellent motor control and they have four functions so it is possible with some minor mods to wiring to control head and tail lights independently. However they are more expensive than the likes of TCS and Digitrax, and I think the cheapest 6-pin decoder is Bachmann's, and many but not all find these work well enough for them.

Joining the N Gauge Society is a good idea - they do a journal every couple of months, a range of easy-to-build wagon kits and a mail-order service for items that are hard to get elsewhere. The commercial mags have some N gauge content but are mostly 00, and I tend to just browse in Smiths and buy a particular issue if there is something of interest (and layouts of other gauges can be interesting too). For me that's mainly Model Rail or Railway Modeller.

justintime · December 31, 2012, 05:37:55 AM

Thanks edwin_m. I have applied to Join the N Gauge Society I am just waiting for my membership pack etc.

silly moo · December 31, 2012, 07:50:04 AM

I would second everything Edwin has said. I would recommend testing locos at the shop if possible and running them in carefully and following instructions regarding oiling. If you do get one that is a bad runner it is best to return it to the retailer for a replacement.

It pays dividends to ensure your track work is as near perfect as you can get it, although all the rolling stock is quite tolerant of minor track imperfections badly laid track causes endless frustration.

The N Gauge Society membership pack includes a very useful guide to the basics of modelling in N.

Keep an eye out for N'spirations magazine at exhibitions and on eBay, it's a very useful and informative specialist N gauge magazine. The publisher is a member of this forum and there will be an announcement when the next issue is available.

And most of all ask lots of questions on this forum, there is a wealth of knowledge and encouragement here.

Regards

Veronica.

Jack · December 31, 2012, 08:17:23 AM

Not much more to be said that hasn't already been mention really.

With your DCC controller I would look towards a system that can be added too/upgraded as the size of your layout grows and funds allow. Some systems you would have to replace the complete package, others give you the lot including things you may not really want.

The only thing I would add to what's been said is when it comes to buying compare prices with your local modelling shop to the big online shops.

You're are about to spend a lot of money on track and power so don't just listen to the local shop. For example when I first started I went along to my local and was told I needed this and this etc. etc., the Gaugemaster controller that I walked out with I later found about £25 cheaper and some of the points were considerable cheaper from the big online dealers. I'm not saying don't support your local shop because you will need them.

You could ask your local shop before you place a large order about price matching or discounts.

Newportnobby · December 31, 2012, 10:16:12 AM

Hi Ian,

This may help you, as we ran it for a bit of fun but also to help people decide what to spend their hard earned dosh on.

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=10143.0

4x2 · December 31, 2012, 11:02:25 AM

I'm assuming that you want to model British prototypes, but if you're feeling adventurous why not try European, American or Japanese trains ? I model US and UK trains and I find the US locos far superior to the UK locos, also the quality of some of the German makes like Fleischmann and Arnold are amazing. Kato and Tomix are the Japanese equivalents and run beautifully !

Of course you could go with 'RULE 1' (It's my railway and i'll run what i like !)

Not going for the hard sell here, just suggesting other directions - as you've got what i'd call a 'blank canvas'. I wish I could start fresh, but i've invested too much money now to start again...!

justintime · December 31, 2012, 11:44:47 AM

Thanks for the link newportnobby it's nice to see different opinions.

I did think about going USA 4x2 as I like the look of some of their loco's but I don't really know anything about their railroads.
It could still go either way though at this stage. As someone said earlier, "decisions decisions".

scotsoft · December 31, 2012, 11:50:18 AM

Quote from: justintime on December 31, 2012, 11:44:47 AM
Thanks for the link newportnobby it's nice to see different opinions.

I did think about going USA 4x2 as I like the look of some of their loco's but I don't really know anything about their railroads.
It could still go either way though at this stage. As someone said earlier, "decisions decisions".

If you are still considering US locos then it has to be Kato all the way

Atlas as a second choice, Bachmann as a last gasp although some of the Bachmann locos are OK it is a bit hit and miss with them.

cheers John.

Pengi · December 31, 2012, 12:26:30 PM

Just a reminder that UK N gauge is 1:148, Japanese is 1:150 (bullet trains are 1:160), US and continental is 1:160.

I echo Scotsoft's comment about Kato locos. I've not got any US Kato but do have continental and bullet trains some of which have been bought second hand. I think they are terrific runners.

One of the many things that I have learned from this forum is that bargains can be had from overseas if you are considering continental or Japanese. If you are looking for wire, lights, tools, then search this forum first as our members can point you to where the best places to buy are.

I no longer buy modelling magazines (except N'Inspriations) as I found a lot of stuff gets repeated and there is very little post-privatization stuff (which is where my interest lies) I can also get the help I need from this forum

and one or two blogs. I find the 'big' railway magazines such as Modern Railways to be more useful.

4x2 · December 31, 2012, 12:37:13 PM

Quote from: justintime on December 31, 2012, 11:44:47 AM
Thanks for the link newportnobby it's nice to see different opinions.

I did think about going USA 4x2 as I like the look of some of their loco's but I don't really know anything about their railroads.
It could still go either way though at this stage. As someone said earlier, "decisions decisions".

Best thing to do is pick up a copy of 'Model railroader' and 'Trains' (WHSmith sell them) and have a read...

My layout, although slightly British looking it's fairly generic so i can run what i like - if you're unsure that could be a way to go...

justintime · January 01, 2013, 10:04:06 AM

Well I have taken the plunge now and ordered my first loco. It's a Dapol N Class 73/0 73005 DCC Ready. Not the most spectacular but perfect for testing my new track when it's laid.
At £44.99 I couldn't really turn it down! I have decided to stick with BR and choose what I like rather than stick tight to one era for now.
Anything from 1960 to present day as long as it looks nice. I know it's not to everyone's cup of tea but it'll do me for the time being.

I need to get a 6 pin decoder for the Class 73/0, can anyone suggest my best option?

4x2 · January 01, 2013, 10:36:43 AM

TCS or Digitrax would be my choice - both are 6 pin decoders. In my opinion it's best to avoid the cheapest decoders as their reliability can be a bit iffy...

Make sure you run in the 73 for a long time on DC before you fit the decoders, the Dapol 73's take a long time to quieten down and smooth out.

justintime · January 01, 2013, 10:51:30 AM

Thanks 4x2, I thought there may be a reason why it was so cheap.

What is the best way to run it in; is there a set way of doing these things?

Jack · January 01, 2013, 11:11:02 AM

Quote from: justintime on January 01, 2013, 10:51:30 AM
Thanks 4x2, I thought there may be a reason why it was so cheap.

What is the best way to run it in; is there a set way of doing these things?

Ideally all locos need to be well run in using DC before you put decoders in. Different makers have different ways. When the loco arrives the Dapol instructions will guide you.

There's a forum member who used to be a Farish worker (name escapes me) who said that its best if the loco running in "learns" both left and right curves.

The ideal running in track is a small figure of eight on which you run the loco both ways, forward & reverse, starting with slow running and over about an hour building up to near full. I use a small oval for my test track (Kato - easy to put up/pack away) for my locos on which I'll turn the loco around and run it in "twice".

Others will have different, but just as effective ways.