New to N Gauge, help required

[mildon49]

Hi,
I am very new to model railways, previously only having as a kid a hornby basic set.
I have been wanting to get into it for a long time, as have good modelling skills overall just never to use in railways.
Well i have been given a N Gauge starter set (https://picclick.co.uk/Graham-Farish-by-Bachmann-N-gauge-Junior-starter-223226909236.html)
I want to use this as a basis to build a layout.

Few questions to start, there will be much more so i hope you are all patient (happy to help others out whenever i can in other ways, i am bit of a bike (bicycle) expert so fire back at me at will.

1) there seems to be lots of different tracks in N gauge, what track type is with this set so i can buy additional of the same?
2) the couplings i believe are called rapido..? they do the job but seem a bit...meh (sorry for the brilliant prose i use) is there a better system i can upgrade them too? if these are the best, then can you replace them (1 has missing spring so doesnt work)
3) i want to have a shunting yard (eventually), can you get an electronic decoupler?
4) i would like electronic points is that possible?

I hope to get some good advice, and become active member on here and eventually show you my creations!
Thanks
Lee

[ntpntpntp]

Hi and welcome!

1) Graham Farish sets seem to come with Peco Setrack these days, so that's the obvious system to buy to expend your set to begin with. Later on you can move to Peco Streamline flexible track and larger radius points etc.

2) Yes the defacto standard coupling for N is the Rapido design (originated by Arnold Rapido in the 60s).  It works and it's great to have a standard coupling fitted by all manufacturers, but yes there are alternatives and the advent of the NEM coupling pocket at least makes changing out for something else an easier job.   You mention one has a missing spring which implies that's NOT an NEM coupling but the older sprung T-shank design of Rapido?

3) You can get electrically operated uncoupling ramps which work with Rapido couplings, or magnetic systems which require a modification to the coupling or use of an alternative coupling design.

4) Electrically operated points is certainly possible. Peco sell motors for their points which mount underneath.  You may like to consider alternative track systems such as Kato Unitrack which have neat motors built into the point itself.  If you're going to change track systems, probably best  to do that before you invest in more Peco track?

[crewearpley40]

hi worth a read, newport nobby's guide :

https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=35556.0


what era / years / location or is it rule 1 ? do you intend to model ?

good luck

there are lots of friendly modellers here to help

chris

[mildon49]

Hi,

thanks for replies so far!
I do believe that this is quite an old system yes, i have attached a photo of the coupling type from what i can find on the net... I will take photo of actual one when i am at home later.
till then, thanks
Lee

[RailGooner]

Hi Lee and welcome aboard! I hope you'll find this forum as friendly and helpful as I have.

[Ian Bowden]

Hi,

thanks for replies so far!
I do believe that this is quite an old system yes, i have attached a photo of the coupling type from what i can find on the net... I will take photo of actual one when i am at home later.
till then, thanks
Lee

it is the standard Graham Farish coupling. A little fiddly to reinstall the spring, a small dab of superglue on one end of the spring might help. the Peco version does not have a spring and do operate slightly differently. Uncoupling is done by lifting the hook up and to the side. a lot of information on uncoupling can be found on this forum from using the simple Peco ramp to Dapol  easyshunts and other exotic couplings. A book could be written about couplings and fine tuning the uncouplers - read the latest posts in the train shed project where innovationgame has been experimenting with couplings.

[Ditape]

 
I am biased but I would favour skipping what came with the set and go down the Kato unitrack route it might be slightly more expensive but it is plug and play and works reliably straight out of the pack with no fiddling or tweaking.

[ODRAILS]

Hi and welcome!

1) Graham Farish sets seem to come with Peco Setrack these days, so that's the obvious system to buy to expend your set to begin with. Later on you can move to Peco Streamline flexible track and larger radius points etc.
..................................................

Beware - Two recent Farish 4F 0-6-0 sets I've had in the last three years have not included Peco Setrack but Farish/Bachmann own brand sectional track.
The rail section of this track looks slightly wider than Peco's and the rail joiners are bigger. The Farish/Bachmann track does not easily join up with Peco. There's nothing wrong with the Farish/Bachmann track - it's cheaper than Peco and easily available from Hattons, but joining with Peco setrack is not straightforward.

[dannyboy]

I am with Di on this one.  .  My first layout sprang from a GF set with the Peco track but for my second layout, I have gone with Unitrack and not regretted it for one second. There are plenty of Youtube videos about the track and the following site gives a wealth of information about Kato and Unitrack -
www.fiferhobbies.com

[scotsoft]

I also use Kato Unitrack and I will swear by it for ease of use and reliability. The built in ballasting can be easily weathered to make it more realistic.

You will find good prices at Train Trax.

Cheers John.

[Railwaygun]

I'm biased as well , so I can recommend. UNitrack for the track/ points for your layout.

It will help you set up quickly, adapt and improve, as inevitably you will want to go large(r).

You can rip,it apart and rebuild it as you develop. The points have motors built in 

It might Be best to leave DCC, uncoupling and shunting till you have more experience / playtime!

There is a Unitrack Hint'n tips thread here:

https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=7079.0

[bluedepot]

hello and welcome

other people have beaten me to the answers!

good luck with your layout

Tim

[Newportnobby]

Hi Lee, and welcome aboard
Most of all - have fun! If you hit problems there are 1000's of us, many with possible solutions.

[mildon49]

Hi Guys,

sorry for late reply, issues at work etc didnt get to do any photos last night!
Lots of food for thought though from you guys which is hugely appreciated.

Cheers
Lee

[port perran]

Welcome aboard.