Train set to start..........or not ?

ShakyZZR · January 11, 2016, 08:00:21 PM

HI beveryody

After looking at LOADS of topics on here over the last fortnight or so I have got serious info overload so, I thought I'd ask what is possibly an easy Q for all you pro's to answer :-

Is it worth buying a train set v. separates to get started ?

My reasoning is that one of my requirements is operation over scenery (for the time-being I hasten to add

) and I love the idea of having a multi-platform terminus station with all the associated movements. (I used to spend loads of time at Hull Paragon in my mis-spent youth and loved to watch the loco's moving around their trains)

One of the sets I've seen has an 08 shunter in it and (thanks to another thread) it seems that this is the perfect loco to judge platform spacings. Seemed to be quite a reasonable price as well, about £170 IIRC and seeing as there was a similar loco only on eBay for over £100 is this a good move ?

The only problem is that I would like to use code 55 rail for the extra realism whereas the set comes with setrack.

So, what would you peeps recommend ?

OOPS !!! forgot to add, I will be modelling in Rail Blue era, mid 70's to late eighties as that was when I was most "into" Railways so the 08 in the kit will have to be repainted eventually

Derwentbob · January 11, 2016, 08:16:40 PM

If you aren't going to use the track, don't really want that particular locomotive and have plans way beyond the basic controller then it doesn't seem so much of a bargain. Are you planning to go DCC or DC?

austinbob · January 11, 2016, 08:18:37 PM

I think a train set is a good idea - and even if you end up discarding the code 80 track you won't lose much. You could easily use the code 80 stuff in hidden areas once you settle on a layout plan.
A train set will let you get a feel for N gauge without committing too much cash.

NeMo · January 11, 2016, 08:35:21 PM

Agreed; plus, even if the circle of track isn't useful on a more 'serious' end-to-end layout or DCC operation, the circle of track and cheap controller will be very handy for running in new stock (best done on a circle of track on DC). So either way, you won't be wasting your money.

£170 for the Farish "Steel Worker Train Set" is a bit much though, and that's the only one I'm aware of with an 08 shunter in it. New 08s cost around £50-70, so for a train set, I'd only be expecting to pay around £100-120 for a train pack or set depending on what it came with.

Cheers, NeMo

Quote from: austinbob on January 11, 2016, 08:18:37 PM
I think a train set is a good idea - and even if you end up discarding the code 80 track you won't lose much. You could easily use the code 80 stuff in hidden areas once you settle on a layout plan.
A train set will let you get a feel for N gauge without committing too much cash.

MikeDunn · January 11, 2016, 09:06:44 PM

Quote from: ShakyZZR on January 11, 2016, 08:00:21 PM
Seemed to be quite a reasonable price as well, about £170 IIRC and seeing as there was a similar loco only on eBay for over £100 is this a good move ?

Happy to sell you one for about £150

(looking forwards to making £50 off this !!!)

OK, more seriously, a single Google finds the Steel Worker set for a few quid under £100 ... If this is indeed the set you have in mind, you really need to have a wider search on-line ! Whether this 08 is right for you ... only you can say. An 03 in BR Blue is £75ish, so if you consider the 3 wagons, track & DC controller are £25 the lot ... (RoS are selling the track/controller & the 3 wagons for £25 a group ... so £50 for both groups). Code 80 is OK; at worst, as the others say, use it in the fiddle yard, or for a small running-in oval.

It looks a reasonable set; not my cup of tea, but ... If you like it - go for it, just don't pay over £100 (unless that includes a fiver for shipping).

But ... if you really want Code 55 ... and you really want an 08 in BR Blue ... a basic DC controller is cheap to buy on it's own. Add on the loco you prefer & you're about the £100 mark. The track equivalent in Code 55 will push the price up a bit, but still cheaper than that £170 !!!

ShakyZZR · January 11, 2016, 09:19:51 PM

Cheers for the replies guys. As to the £170.....errrr.........well.........god knows where I got that from

.

I have seen them for around the £100 mark, best bit is, I edited my post twice because I forgot to add the bit about the era I am contemplating modelling on and I STILL didn't notice my typo

I think I may well go that route so I've got summat to have a faff around with and see if it would be worth me going any further with it. At least as bob said, I wouldn't be losing much if I ended up having to chuck it all.

Thanks again guys.

Darren
**EDIT** One of these days I will post a reply without forgetting summat - lol. Is this 08 the one to go for to check platform spacing btw ?

austinbob · January 11, 2016, 09:25:02 PM

Quote from: ShakyZZR on January 11, 2016, 09:19:51 PM
Cheers for the replies guys. As to the £170.....errrr.........well.........god knows where I got that from .

I have seen them for around the £100 mark, best bit is, I edited my post twice because I forgot to add the bit about the era I am contemplating modelling on and I STILL didn't notice my typo

I think I may well go that route so I've got summat to have a faff around with and see if it would be worth me going any further with it. At least as bob said, I wouldn't be losing much if I ended up having to chuck it all.

Thanks again guys.

Darren
**EDIT** One of these days I will post a reply without forgetting summat - lol. Is this 08 the one to go for to check platform spacing btw ?

Darren
Once you see your little loco running on a bit of track I'm sure you'll fall in love with it and you won't want to 'chuck it all'.
and yes.. I believe the 08 is good for checking platform spacing - I'm gonna use my 08 for just that purpose.
Happy N gauging.

ShakyZZR · January 11, 2016, 09:44:08 PM

Quote from: MikeDunn on January 11, 2016, 09:06:44 PM

Happy to sell you one for about £150 (looking forwards to making £50 off this !!!)

Hehe, mebbe you should've PM's me Mike, the way I've been just lately I'd have prolly fell for it

Seen it at two places for £99.99, antics with (I think) free shipping or Kernhow + £4 P&P.

Now I know I'm from Yorkshire and ££££ saved makes me smile but I have seen a couple of posts mentioning Kernhows which seem to rate them highly but nothing re: Antics. Knowing as I do now the wealth of knowledge and experience on this board I consider it prudent to ask:-

Would either of these retailers be OK to get it from or do they have any "black marks" I should be aware of ?

Cheers as always

Darren

MikeDunn · January 11, 2016, 09:54:09 PM

The best prices seem to be Hattons (never used them myself), Rails of Sheffield (usually OK, think they have this set for £97 ?), and my personal favourite Hereford Models (they can beat the others a little usually). Sadly, HM seem to be sold out of the Steel Worker.

Can't say I've used either Kernow or Antics; been in the latter's shop, never been particularly impressed.

Mike

dannyboy · January 11, 2016, 10:01:27 PM

Hi Shaky, welcome. As you so rightly state, there is a huge wealth of information, (from a friendly bunch

), on this 'ere forum and whatever the question, no matter how daft it may seem, someone will be able to answer it. I started with n gauge, (and railway modelling), 12 months ago after reading various posts on here. I started with a set - engine, rolling stock, controller and track - which seemed the easiest way to start. I have added some more track and am well on the way to completing my 4' x 2' coffee table layout - and looking forward to getting started on a 12' x 3' (ish), layout.

. Slightly off topic, (sorry mods), wheres thee from in Yorkshire lad? I was ~~dragged up~~ born and bred in Bradford and spent most of my adult life there until I 'emigrated' to the Emerald Isle.

Addit:

- just seen you are from Hull - never mind.

JasonBz · January 11, 2016, 10:56:13 PM

A circle of track from a set, even of not used for a layout, is always handy even if just for running your locomotive stock in initially.
I have one in N and one in OO for that very reason

MalcolmInN · January 12, 2016, 12:37:24 AM

Quote from: ShakyZZR on January 11, 2016, 09:44:08 PMNow I know I'm from Yorkshire and ££££ saved makes me smile

And as I was born and brung up close to a northern border I feel duty bound to mention Cheltenham at £96.99 +£4pp

http://www.cheltenhammodelcentre.com/products/26687-Graham-Farish-370-140-The-Steel-Worker-Train-Set/
No connection, happy customer etc&etc

javlinfaw7 · January 12, 2016, 12:57:34 AM

Remember that a green shunter could survive for a long time into the blue period so you should not need to repaint

NeMo · January 12, 2016, 06:36:31 AM

Quote from: ShakyZZR on January 11, 2016, 09:19:51 PM
**EDIT** One of these days I will post a reply without forgetting summat - lol. Is this 08 the one to go for to check platform spacing btw ?

Yes. The Farish 08 is one of the widest models out there. If it'll fit through a goods shed or past a platform, most everything else will too.

Cheers, NeMo

Bob Tidbury · January 12, 2016, 09:01:42 AM

I wouldn't buy a train set on its own for a child because children today get bored very quickly and watching a train going round a small oval will bore them very quickly . It will be OK if you buy extra track and a few points so that they can build up a small circuit with passing loops and sidings and at least one other loco .
The other reason for buying a train set is they can be a cheaper way of buying a particular loco as some are only released in sets as a limited edition name or number.
As allready said the track will come in handy as a test track ,in fact if you make a figure of eight then you don't even need to take the loco of the track just run it for about an hour in each direction gradually increasing the speed.
Sorry if I've repeated what's been said many times .
Bob