Hello, I have some dumb questions for the forum. I did use the search feature and didn’t find the answers I’m looking for, so I apologize if these questions have been previously dealt with.
I’m not an enthusiast, nor will I ever be, but I can understand the appeal of model railroading. In another life I probably would be an enthusiast. In this life I prefer staying married to becoming an enthusiast, I’m sure a lot of you can relate to that.
Like zillions of other folks I like to have a train around the Xmas tree at the holidays. We have an inexpensive Bachmann HO Union Pacific set with E-Z track. Since we set it up but once a year, I’ve found it to be very frustrating. IMHO the track is badly misnamed, it is hard to put together and have it work. Getting the little sleeves to line up and slide together correctly is maddening. (Good thing I don’t drink rum-laden eggnog, it would be impossible then). The train is set up on a hardwood floor that is reasonably level, with an oval setup. It frequently derails or stops, the electric current can be balky and inconsistent. My wife does not like the size of the layout, it takes up too much room.
Of course you get what you pay for, so I should not gripe much.
For all these reasons I am switching to N scale, with the idea of a permanent setup on a board that can be stored 11 months of the year. The idea is to get the bugs and quirks worked out once and for all, leave it set up, so it (theoretically) works every year. Then the train can be set up on a table with some decorations in the middle. Or the layout can be set up to accomodate our Xmas tree stand in the middle.
Bachmann makes a Yuletide Special train that is very inexpensive, so I am dubious about it. Micro-Trains is 3/4 of the way through releasing a “12 Days of Christmas” set, this appeals to me more. It is more expensive, but I’m not sure w
The regular Bachmann locos are notorious to be of unequal quality.Within a bunch of the same model,you could have very poor to fair running up to quite good,so my suggestion is to have the seller run it on a test track in front of you before buying.However,if the set you desire is from Bachmann’s Spectrum line,then it is a much better item.As far as Micro-Trains,I can’t comment.
If you elect to go with the M-T set with separate track purchase,I recommend Atlas code 80 that can be purchased in 9 3/4,11 and 19 in. radius curved sections or in 29 in. flexible track that you can customize to your needs.These may not be the cheapest track but are good quality at a fair price.
Having your track set up permanently will indeed help reduce conductivity problems but you will likely have to clean your tracks every time you’ll use it.Tracks don’t go too well with humidity and/or dust/or too strong temperature changes so where you store your layout will account a lot on it’s reliability.
N scale is in no way easier than HO as tracks are less tolerant of bumpy landscape or misaligned joints that would cause constant derailing.However,if installed with care on a flat board,it should be fairly easy to set up and give you near flawless operation.Derailments do sometimes happen even on very nice track for different reasons like car too lightweight,misaligned wheels,going too fast,etc.
Micro-Trains are very reliable. Maybe 50% of my freight car fleet is Micro-Trains, and (as Tony the Tiger says) “They’re Grrrrrrrrrreat!” In contrast, I have only one Bachmann item, and that’s a Spectrum 2-8-0 I modified to match a Pennsylvania Railroad engine. An alternative to the Atlas track is Kato Unitrack. It has roadbed built in, so you can glue it directly to your board without separate roadbed. It’s not as realistic as some brands, but you said you wanted reliability. I don’t think you’ll go wrong with a combination of Micro-Trains equipment and Kato track.
BACHMANN has never had a reputation for ‘durability’, so for once a year, what does it matter?. - Seriously.
It’s main thrust is CHEAP. If that fits, stay with it.
If you want something easier to build, run, and has more ruggedness, buy O gauge.
http://www.atlaso.com/
http://www.mth-railking.com/
The Bachmann set uses a Standard Line steamer. That makes it strictly Try Before You Buy. Bachmann’s QC can be spotty. The loco in the set may be OK IF it runs. The cars may have different paint scheme from the other Standard Line sets. Frankly, pass this one by till another year.
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While Bachmann upgraded their locos recently, they did not change part#s. I can’t tell if the loco is a new or old one. New models come in a plastic box, similar to Atlas/Kato models. If it has a plastic styrofoam cradle, drop it fast. Atlas & Athearn make good 19th century style steamers. Model Power makes some early 20th century steamers.
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Bachmann EZ trak is good for a simple loop only. Turnouts need tuning & filing to get them to work properly. Bachmann power pack may be OK for the little loop of track, but you will replace it with a MRC unit very soon.
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Bachmann’s cars are OK, but this may be the last year for old Crapido couplers. New releases should come with new Bachmann automatic couplers. It’s too soon to tell how well B’s goes with MTL’s. Save some hassle in converting. B’s cars have been very difficult due to B’s own screw mount truck system.
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If you want a temporary track, go with Kato’s Unitrak. It is bulletproof. The only good thing I can say about B’s N EZtrak is it’s all nickel-silver, no steel alloy.
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MTL has been on a collector car binge, adding one-of-a kind cars & paint schemes to their lines. MTL does have it’s own collectors market. Both items conspire to add to the price. Some Atlas cars come very close to them in quality. Only MTL has about 100 types of cars.
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For your interest, check out some of Kato’s sets & track expanders. You could have a nice collection of Atlas/Kato locos & freight cars running on Unitrack. You may consider using Athearn steamers & passenger cars as well. I’m not sure if you want to spend $$ for Kato’s passenger car sets.