I think I'm in a jam!

Garden Railroading
1

I am new to G scale. Last year I decided to take on this hobby. Taking the advise of my local hobby shop, I have aquired track, rolling stock, and locos slowly since this stuff is expensive. My problem now is I have;

USA Trains Alco Switcher

LGB F3 a&b units

Bachman 4-6-0 steam engine

I want to control my engines seperatley on the same tracks I heard MTH-DCS is the way to go. I don’t have any MTH engines. All three of mine are from different manufacturers. What is the easiest ting to do now? I bought a Bridgeworks power-only pack and a Aristo-craft - crest radio controller. Is it easier to switch all my locos to the same manufacturer?

2

I would avoid DCS if you don’t have stuff from MTH as it will be very limiting in choice. MTH’s dcs is a bit like the LGB MTS in that it is specific to one manufacturer.
You would be better off looking at a 5 or even better 10 amp DCC system from someone like Digitrax, NCE or Lenz.
DCC if conforming to the NMRA standard guarantees compatibility on the basic functions but not neccessarily on all extras like sound so you have to check carefully for this.
The advantage of DCC is that you can use decoders from loads of manufacturers, a few examples are NCE, Zimo, ESU, Digitrax, Massoth (who make LGB’s MTS) and even the LGB decoders will work with DCC( but without some functions ).
Check what the stall current is though, your USA trains locos will need something that can handle a 10 amp stall - NCE has a decoder with a 30 amp stall rating.
I run my stuff from LGB, USA, Aristocraft, Accucraft and Bachmann using LGB’s MTS using MTS and Zimo decoders (which have a setting for MTS).
If I was starting again I would go DCC , probably NCE, to get a better power output as MTS is limited to 5 Amps which means you can’t run any more locos if you run a couple USA trains ones as they use about 2 1/2 amps each.
Paul

3

I personally think you have no idea of what you are doing and anything you think of doing will probably be a mistake. I do not mean this in an insulting way, more one of freindship because i have been where you are and i did make many mistakes.

Do not buy anything, do not send me any money. do not get into anything which isn’t to NMRA standards and most of all do not send me any money.

Get a text book on the subject, sit down on your backside for a week or three and learn something more about this interesting hobby.

Did i mention do not send me any money.

Ian

4

I looked at this some time ago but decided to stay with analogue. Aristo do on board electronic packs that pick up commands from the TE, if memory serves me right you can control 100 different items from one hand set, 10 channels with 10 settings per channel, all commands via radio signal with track power on all of the time. Have a look at their website and ask their help desk, very helpful people.

Cheers,

Kim

5

Battery, R/C is the best for your needs. Check out RCS or similar in the GR mag ads.

6

How can you say that Phil, just because you think it is pretty good; i think differently and we are all entitled to our opinion.

I have seen many R/C units and they don’t do anything for me at all, too limiting.

Rgds Ian

7

Ian, I am entitled to pass on my knowledge & info.

The only limit with RC is your wallet if you want alll the bells & whistles.

The man asked what to do? You basically told him he’s an idiot for not doing his homework. That’s why he’s here & asking his questions! And he’s welcome, unlike some who jump in with their predudices & scant info.

For what he wants to do with his assortment of equipment, RC IS the best option, no fancy track wiring, no computer interfaces, no chips in locos.

You do know that there isn’t a prize for having the highest number of postings, don’t you?

8

Now that is the biggest laugh of this century so far! NMRA standards from the LGB king! HAHAHAHA! The only scale on an LGB layout is what collects on the wheels!

9

Henry,

First, If you have the Aristo TE trackside just enjoy running your trains. Make sure the setting is on linear for LGB. If you want to control all engines separately on the same track then you have some decisions and research to do. With your line up I would consider DCC for LGB/USA and battery control for Bachmann. Do your LGB F7’s have onboard decoders? If so you are half way there with DCC. I run Lenz DCC 10 amp set and am very happy. Also with Lenz you can run 1 engine without a DCC decoder on address “0”. There are many battery options available for all three engines. Good Luck!

10

Thank You to all who responded. Being new to this; one of the responders is right, I don’t know what i’m doing and freely admit it. I do not have alot of money but love the size of these trains. It will be a year in May when I started collecting engines, cars and track. My proposed backyard area is abot 50ft. long and 14ft. wide. I didn’t do my homework but I haven’t layed any track yet eather. Again, Thanks to you all.

11

I like to use one train on battery rc and the other with remote track power when more than one person is playing trains with me . It seems to work for me . Battery is good cuz you dont have to worry about the track being clean but I haven’t had real good luck with the range from the Aristocraft 75 mhz transmiter , so I have to stay near my train when i’m using it . The Bridgewerks remote running on track power is awsome however . I suppose there are other good systems out there , so you should do you homework before you spend your money . You can also do as I did and use multiple systems at the same time .

12

I have not called or inferred anyone is an idiot, this is not in my phsyce. I strongly suggest that everyone knows more than they already do, when first getting into this busoiness as, you will certainly change your mind as you get better aquainted with things and it is better not to waste the money.

I have yet to see an RC unit that can hold a candle to DCC, if their is one where i can see it here in Queensland i would love to.

Rgds Ian

13

Good Lord.

Ian, carefully walking up to the line, but not crossing it, you need help.

Serious help.

“I personally think you have no idea of what you are doing and anything you think of doing will probably be a mistake.”

“Do not buy anything, do not send me any money. do not get into anything which isn’t to NMRA standards and most of all do not send me any money.”

Where did money come from?

“How can you say that Phil, just because you think it is pretty good; i think differently and we are all entitled to our opinion.”

"I have not called or inferred anyone is an idiot, this is not in my phsyce. I strongly suggest that everyone knows more than they already do, when first getting into this busoiness as, you will certainly change your mind as you get better aquainted with things and it is better not to waste the money.

I have yet to see an RC unit that can hold a candle to DCC, if their is one where i can see it here in Queensland i would love to."

This is hilarious.

Have yet to worry about packet transfer, power districts, mains to the power pack, clean track.

You really need to get a clue.

I could start quoting you other posts, about how you know everything there is to know from textbooks, and the next post is how do you do something in particular.

I must add, your posts are extremely high in entertainment value.