I apologize for the length of the following post, but I could really use some constructive advice. I have been an O scale model railroader for many years, but I am now thinking of building an HO layout, but I know nothing of this scale. I have a few questions that hopefully can make things a little more clear. Just for a point of reference, I have been running an O scale layout with Lionel and Atlas engines and rolling stock and the track and switches are all Atlas 21st Century. The power is Lionel KW with Legacy One.
Which companies would you suggest for diesel locomotives and rolling stock
Which companies would you suggest for HO track
Which companies would you suggest for power, and what is the power required for a layout that would run 4 to 6 trains and accessories and the benchwork would be an 8’x16’ layout
Any other advice you could provide me would be much appreciated.
I’ll try to reply the best I can given what I use and how it works. Mind you I’m running a 4X8 HO.
I don’t do diesels that much but I do have a Bachmann (newer kind) F7 and it works great. Nice on the low end speed, smooth, etc. I also have a BLI loco and I enjoy the way that works as well (but that’s steam).
As for rolling stock I prefer anything that has metal wheels and body mounted couplers. I’ve got a few bachmann spectrum passenger cars (roll awesome, no problems with turnouts, etc) Athearn cars (those work amazing and they look great) trainline by Bachmann and walthers. Those I would say are my premium models and I haven’t found anything that works or looks better. I tend to lean toward Athearn but I have been given some Trainline (Bachmann) cars recently I am impressed with the performance. I’ve just started getting into Walthers but I like the stuff they offer as well.
Track I use Atlas flextrack. I’ve used it in sections of my layout as well as snap track and I’ll never use snap track again. Flextrack is so much easier to use and works better/looks nicer.
As far as power; I have two mainline runs so I use two powerpacks (just generic train set ones) to power my trains. I have a third that runs my AC accessories so I’m not drawing too much power off of the ones that are running DC. Mind you you can always go DCC; I’m planning on doing that on my next layout; from what I understand it makes wiring a whole lot easier, you can operate trains more protoypically (easier) and my favorite is adding sound.
Hopefully this gives you an idea. Remember; patience is the best virtue and you’ll be impressed with your results.
My self, I like Proto engines, I have around 15 and finally had one motor go bad. Kato and Atlas are all so good engines. I do not like Athearn RTR engines if you are going to run DCC. I all so like BLI Blue Line, they have sound on DC, if you want DCC you add a decoder.
Rolling stock, most of mine are Blue Box kits, but Athearn has stop making them. Now it would be there RTR cars, will need new couplers and some will need weight added. There are many other to choose from, but I will not spend over $19.00 for a car. But wait, you are O gauge, $30.00 would be cheap to you! [:D]
When I was DC, I used a MRC 9500 transformer, best MRC item I have owned. I am now DCC and use Digitrax Super Empire Builder. 5 amps and I have ran 8 engines with sound. If you want to play with CV’s, I uses Decoder Pro (free soft ware) and a Digitrax PR 3.
I use code 100 Atlas flex track. They have other codes.
One thing that is different about HO is you need bigger turns than O scale? My LHS has a small O scale layout and for the engine sizes, turns are sharper than my HO set. You can run 18 inch turns, but 22 inch or bigger is the way to go.
I would suggest Atlas, Bachmann Spectrum (newer), Proto 2000, Kato, Athearn Genesis and RTR, and Stewart for diesel. Athearn RTR is the most likely to need rework right out of the box, but the rest should be fine most of the time. Some less expensive lines, like Bachmann’s Standard line, Walthers Trainline, Atlas Trainman, and Proto 1000 are also good choices, but Bachmann Standard can be a little more hit and miss. I would also recommend the rolling stock from the same brands.
I only use Atlas track on my 4x7 layout. I use their basic sectional track on cork roadbed, and everything runs very smoothly on it. Flex track is better for larger layouts (like what you’re planning), since there are fewer connection points, and it allows more freedom. Track on plastic roadbed works too, but it’s very noisy and expensive, and I would only recommend it for setups on the floor.
It depends on what kind of power you’ll be using. Will you use straight DC, or DCC (digital command control)? MRC is a good brand for DC, but you’ll have to hear from other members on what’s best for DCC.
Pretty much all HO rolling stock varies between very good and excellent. Nothing carried in your local hobby shop is less than very good. Prices on rolling stock vary a good deal, with the expensive stuff having nicer detailing and paint than some of the more economical stuff. Certainly you cannot go to far wrong with Athearn, Atlas, Proto2000, IHC, Model Power, and Mantua.
Same goes for track.
For DC power supplies, Model Rectifier Corp (MRC) is very good, and in fact, about the only game in town. An MRC power pack has enough variable DC output to run a long train with multiple locomotives. Most MRC packs are single train units, you need one power pack for each train you plan to operate AT THE SAME time. The auxilary fixed DC output will run a fair number of accessoryies and switch machines. Larger layouts eventually built special purpose power supplies for structure lights and switch machines.
When I ran my O scale trains I am used to having my trains have all the rail sounds, horn, bells, train talk, automatic couplers, etc. I assume that I will need to run DCC to get this level of performance? Should I look for any specific buzz word when looking at diesel locomotives to know I am getting a similiar performing train in the HO scale?
In HO (and other scales for that matter) you will need to look for these words.
DCC ready-This means that the loco is ready for a decoder to be installed.
DCC on board means that the loco is ready to go on the track straight from the box. I always check to make the loco doesn’t have any broken wires or anything else before it goes into service.
DCC and Sound means that there is a sound decoder installed and is ready for service straight from the box.
thanks for the reply. So that means an Atlas HO Master Gold Series w/Electronic Dual-Mode is ready to run out of the box with all of the bells and whistles, correct? Is the Digitrax the best DCC unit for the HO market, or is there someone else I should look at?
Correct. Atlas Gold series in my opinion is one of THE BEST. Both NCE and Digitrax seem to be the two most commonly used DCC units. There are others. I have an NCE Powercab and am very pleased with it.
I use Walthers code 83 track and switches. I also use some Atlas flex track and switches as well, along with a smattering of ME code 83 switches.
If you’re into steam, then I prefer BLI paragon II series engines. BLI also makes diesels and I have a few, but again IMHO Atlas wins hands down.
As far as Digitrax and DCC, are you talking about the DCC system or decoders? I have NCE. There are other brands including MRC, Lenz, CVT, and others. When purchasing a DCC system, you need to do some research. There are many brands and many different products those brands produce. Such as the NCE PowerCab is a basic starter DCC system. It has everything you need to get started on a small to medium sized layout. You can add components as you see fit.
You will see where all brands say NRMA compliant. It means that they all meet standards set by the NMRA. However, it does not mean that one brand’s throttle will work with another brand’s system. Once you choose which brand, then you need to add accessories made by the same brand. It’s like purchasing a Chevy truck and trying to put Ford accessories on it. It won’t work.
As far as decoders, any brand will work with any DCC system. For instance. I have TCS and Loksound decoders on my locos and they all work with my NCE system.
Some good non-sound decoders are NCE, TCS, Digitrax, and Lenz. For sound decoders, Soundtraxx, QSI Solutions are your best bet. I have two Loksound sound decoders installed in two units and they are a little difficult to program.
You might want to stay away from MRC decoders completely. They seem to lose their settings and the odds of getting them back to work right is about as much of a chance of the sun rising in the West.
For more information on DCC systems {for which you will get as many answers as there are systems to use} hop on over to the “Electronics and DCC” forum here on MRR and post this question there.
You’ve gotten some excellant advice here on locomotives and rolling stock. As far as DCC, the best advice I can give you is to try and get some hands on experience before buying. Asking for advice on DCC systems will get you as many answers as there are systems with alot of bias for one versus another. Your going to shell out a fair amount of money for the initial system so this is where I would do my greastest research.
I personally use Digitrax, mainly because I participate in Free-Mo set-ups and Digitrax is the standard control system and I can’t shell out more money for another system for home. However, I’ve used Easy DCC, NCE and at least one other that slips my mind. Each one has pros and cons.
See if your local hobby shop (hopefully one close by) has an in store test track or layout and will let you run the different systems. Otherwise, see if some other local modelers will let you run their systems to see what you like.
Digitrax products are very good and that’s all I ever use. What I like about Digitrax is all their products are expandable and work together. I’ve used a friends NCE system and thought it was alright, just different then what I was used to.
I want to run two trains on the same main line with as little of difficulties possible. Here is a link to there train controller. http://www.digitrax.com/menu_throttles.php See the two knobs on top, each knob controls a train.
Second reason is my LHS club layout uses Digitrax, if there is a problem they would more likely have the answer.
I’ve wanted to run two trains at the same time as well. I have MRC Prodigy advanced, unfortunately, I’ve never been able to do it well with the MRC system. Maybe I should eventually go for Digitrax. My hobby shop is pro-MRC and opposed to anything Digitrax, they say MRC is more user friendly but I’m beginning to question that now.
That’s a shame as most hobby shops I know handle multiple DCC systems. If your heart is set on Digitrax, there are many dealers online and I’m sure that someone on this forum or the DCC forum could recommend one. I got mine from my LHS, I don’t know hjow his prices compare as my wife got it for me as a Christmas gift. He’s also online at www.traintimehobby.com
As I said in my earlier post, I use Digitrax and I find it easy, but it’s the system I’m most used to now after 3 years of use.