I recently bought my first train kit from Germany. It is an N-Gauge Fleishmann steam loco and three rolling stock kit with an analogue controller. I also bought a diesel loco from Minitrix.
Now I am a regular visitor to MR Form and I am also a subscriber to the MR Magazine.
Here I get to see lot of American models than European one. Now my question to you all is, how good are the American models compare to European ones ? In terms of quality and detailing ? How do you compare Precision Models with let’s say, Fleischmann ? I haven’t decided which prototype layout to go for. Most probably it will be an imaginary one.
What I am looking at is quality product with precision craft.
The answer to that will vary by the manufacturer rather than the country. Most US companies do NOT manufacture their models in the US. The Athearn kits (blue box) and Bowser are two notable exceptions. It is possible that many manufacturer’s products are actually made in the same plant overseas from the manufacturer’s headquarters.
as said before, most german models are made in Germany, thus more expensive than comparable american models which are from Asia. But, the models are good to excellent. Especially the latest models from Fleischmann, Minitrix and Roco are very good and worth the money.
IMO the German made models are really fantastic for their detail and quality. The Precision Craft Models, if they are like their Broadway limited cousins are good quality locomotives, but perhaps lack the overall feeling of quality of the German models. However they cost a lot less as well. The PCM models do use German electronics in the from of the ESU Loksound decoders.
Greetings Ajith
Are you located outside North America? If so, you should be aware that control systems for the North American market operate on electrical input of 110 volts-120 volts AC. The motors of the locomotives run on 12-18 volt DC. They may also have a different style plug.
However, there are relatively inexpensive voltage adapters available for most countries.
Ajith’
The first and most important decision you have to make is: do you want to have an European prototype model railroad or an american type. The two are totally different,
the locomotives and cars aree generally larger on the north american continent
they have automatic couplers ( very well imitated by Kadee and others) and normally
american layouts are less crammed with trackwork, but that can be an individual choice. If you have only a small space available you could opt for european prototype because there is a wide choice of small 4 wheel freight cars and small locomotives
that allows for shorter trains with a larger number of cars than an american train of the same number of cars whould be. Anyway there are many things to consider before you decide.
I am an Indian working in Kuwait. I travel to Europe quite often so have acess to European models. US, I have only seen on the net. PCM does look really cool on the pic. The scale I use is ‘N’ gauge.
I am aware of the main volate differnece, but can I run a European and American loco on teh same track ? Does European models run on more than 12 to 18 Volts ? Sorry I haven;t measured teh volate between the tracks. At the momnet I use DC control and not DCC. My next trip to Germany i might invest on a Marklin Central Station. Have any of you used this ? Saw the review on MRR’s April issue …
The big bonus of American prototype are the couplers. No buffers, so no huge gaps between cars nor the need of complicated close-coupling devices. Plus, as said the KD’s look great whereas European models’ couplers are uggggly. The nose of a train is like a person’s face, it’s what you look at first…
The choice of your digital set will decide whether you model European or American, so better do it the other way round. American manufacturers use their DCC standard, which as far as I know is not compatible with Marklin.
On the other hand, you already have European models so that should make it easy.
have fun,
Yes, you will be ok with N scale. N scale is the same everywhere. Marklin makes locomotives that operate on AC, but they do not make anything in N scale at this time.
They both operate using the same control systems and DC voltage range. Some power packs produce slightly more voltage than others. You should have no trouble operating American trains on Fleischmann track and controller.
I think you should look into this system carefully Ajith. I found this info.
The new Central Station 60212 will be the “heart” of Märklin Systems, and is announced to be relased after the summer 2005. It will have a large touch screen and several operating possibilities, including two knobs for controlling trains. It will have an integrated locomotive database. You will be able to access up to 16 loco decoder functions, and also control your Solenoids. The station will also include an Ethernet computer interface. It has not been communicated that the Central Station will support other protocols in parallel, e.g. the NMRA DCC protocol**.**
I have not seen the article you are refeering to, however I do know Marklin uses Motorola protocol and is not the same as the NMRA DCC protocol. It is also designed for HO and 1Gauge. Since Marklin does not make N scale decoders, I suspect the decoders may not fit.