I sold all of my British N Gauge stuff and now I regret it!

scottmitchell74 · February 01, 2017, 03:46:16 AM

I was having quite a few uncoupling issues, and I was scared/nervous about the Dapol/Farish horror stories (compared to US models) so I bailed! (I still have my Union Mills beauty) and now I regret it!!!!!

Grrr! What was I thinking? I got crazy-good prices from Ehattons (especially on the Deltic 55 Prototype) and now I couldn't touch those prices again.

Sigh...just venting...but I need to somehow shake this decision off and move on.

Bealman · February 01, 2017, 04:44:32 AM

So you're going to model US prototype?

You get to play with Kato.......

scottmitchell74 · February 01, 2017, 04:53:23 AM

My current layout is US...and when I finished that one, that's when I was considering British...then I got cold feet and started gathering the stuff for an American Southwest Layout (my first one is American Appalachian)...but now I regret it...and wish I'd stayed British.

So...who knows?

Bealman · February 01, 2017, 05:15:03 AM

When I first started in N, acquired quite a bit of American stuff, and even scratch built some American buildings, with the intention of beginning an American layout.

Then my English background kicked in, and I sold the American stuff (an American style house that I built during the period exists to this day on my layout, however).

My point here is that I am envious of modellers of the Japanese and American scene because the get to buy Kato.

scottmitchell74 · February 01, 2017, 05:24:55 AM

Yes, these thoughts entered my mind when I made the sell-off. For the price of a Graham-Farish or Dapol loco I can get the absolute finest in American N Scale...but it won't be British. It won't have that look.

Bealman · February 01, 2017, 05:37:57 AM

I see what you're saying (especially as I am British), but there are some mighty fine US prototypes worth modelling. I still buy the occasional Model Railroader magazine, and to be perfectly honest, that Mag had a big effect on me.

I strongly believe that during the 1970s, US scenic modelling was light years ahead of UK and even European techniques.

Webbo · February 01, 2017, 05:47:58 AM

Or, you can be like me. 85% of my stuff is Canadian/US, but have also bought myself 5 UK locos, a set of mk1 coaches, and a whole lot of UK goods wagons (freight cars). I too like the look of UK steam, and am happy running them from time to time by taking the application of Rule 1 to the extreme. I have no shame. Not so hot on UK diesels though the class 37 and Deltics look pretty good to my eyes.

Webbo

Delfin · February 01, 2017, 08:03:28 AM

I switched, along with some friends, to US prototype about twenty years ago. The difference in quality between GF (Poole) and Atlas/Kato was amazing. Plus I got to use DCC, another big advantage.

I didn't sell my British stuff immediately as I still had vague plans to do "something" with it. Nevertheless it has sat unused since that time and recently I sold a fair bit of GWR/BR(W) rolling stock to a neighbour who is changing over from OO. I still have some pre-grouping wagons/coaches from a South Wales project which foundered from a lack of suitable locomotives. Most of this has been modified from GF and Peco coaches and wagons plus some kit items. I also have about fifteen CJM locomotives which I half want to sell/half want to keep for sentimental reasons.

To be honest I think all the the remaining items above would go if I received an offer, as I will be sticking with the US prototype and am dabbling in French N gauge as well. I have no regrets at any rate. Never go back is my motto.

Delfin

njee20 · February 01, 2017, 09:07:09 AM

Quote from: Delfin on February 01, 2017, 08:03:28 AM
Plus I got to use DCC, another big advantage.

...

I also have about fifteen CJM locomotives which I half want to sell/half want to keep for sentimental reasons.

The former is ironic, as I understand Kato DCC compatibility these days isn't great, they all seem to need replacement PCBs, rather than having sockets?

What are the CJM locos you may hypothetically sell...!? PM if easier ;-)

I agree with Bealman that the standard of a lot of US layouts is staggering, particularly given their size. Pelle Søeborg's layouts are just breathtaking. I would love to do a US layout, but I wonder if I'd go HO (sorry for swearing), there's something about the physical size of the prototypes when juxtaposed with the small models that feels a bit odd. Then again, 5 Dash-9s and 100 wagons runs to a long train in HO!

Delfin · February 01, 2017, 08:29:36 PM

Quote from: njee20 on February 01, 2017, 09:07:09 AM

The former is ironic, as I understand Kato DCC compatibility these days isn't great, they all seem to need replacement PCBs, rather than having sockets?

What are the CJM locos you may hypothetically sell...!? PM if easier ;-)

I agree with Bealman that the standard of a lot of US layouts is staggering, particularly given their size. Pelle Søeborg's layouts are just breathtaking. I would love to do a US layout, but I wonder if I'd go HO (sorry for swearing), there's something about the physical size of the prototypes when juxtaposed with the small models that feels a bit odd. Then again, 5 Dash-9s and 100 wagons runs to a long train in HO!

I don't think there are any US locomotives available with sockets except those made by Arnold and they are fairly new in the market. Every since I have been fitting DCC to US locos the DCC chip boards have been replacements for the light board. They are mostly not difficult, but not as easy a socket. It is the small switching engines which need a hard-wired fit which are a nuisance.

Long trains are tremendous fun, I have a coal train which is about 3 ½ metres long and takes four or five locos. Another member of out modular group has run coal trains of nearly two hundred hoppers. Of course he's showing off.

I will find my CJM stuff and send you a PM in the next couple of days.

Delfin

njee20 · February 01, 2017, 09:04:54 PM

To be fair I run >2m long trains on a UK outline layout, and they're shorter than scale length.

The drop in decoders are a bit of a pain, and very limiting for choice. Shame.

Delfin · February 02, 2017, 11:01:12 AM

Njee20 I have sent you a PM about the CJM locomotives.

Delfin

ntpntpntp · February 02, 2017, 07:31:58 PM

I can't do it - sell up stuff I own that is - I just love all my models! The only time I did was as a teenager back in the early 80s when I sold off my British N in favour of much better quality European models. I still run European N now, including many old reliable models from the 70s alongside the latest production.

I do also have a small selection of British N models "just in case", but generally they languish in a crate from one year to the next, only coming out if I get the urge to "stir the oil" on a test track. Dapol locos (especially steam) haven't really impressed me to be honest, but I must admit my Farish "Tornado" is excellent.

Oh and a Bachmann N set from the mid 70s as a reminder of my first ever N gauge (bought in Fiji of all places!). Cheap and cheerful at the time but way ahead of contemporary Grafar etc.