I’ve decided to go with DC just for the simplicity and cost. My layout may run two trains at most at any given time. What recommendations do you have for a power source?
There are lots of different types of locomotives. Does anyone have a good resource that explains the different types and what years they were on the scene?
I’m looking into pricing track. Is there a good source on line that sells stuff at/near cost? I’d like to go on line and price track and other stuff. I don’t want to deal with ebay. Hobbytown has a great website but NO prices!
If you are determined to go with DC wiring and just two trains at once, simple cab control using two power packs will suit you just fine, unless you want refinements like walkaround control and memory throttles. I would explore the Atlas wiring book and Atlas components even though more sophisticated ones are around. The system is time proven and readily purchased.
Assuming you are talking about diesel locomotives, the various Diesel Spotters Guides provides good basic info on when various prototypes were introduced. Other sources are the out of print, but often seen at swap meets, Locomotive Cyclopedia #2 from Kalmbach which is all diesel. Actually Google searches can also uncover a wealth of material.
I can’t help on cheap track but I will say this: most places that sell track by mail also impose stiff mailing costs because it is tricky to package up and ship, and damage in shipment is common. Frankly while I have ordered cars and locomotives by mail and internet, track is one thing I prefer to inspect before I buy, so I go to brick and mortar hobby shops for that. The slightest bend can render an entire package of flex track essentially useless.
Model Rectifier Corporation (MRC) makes good DC power supplies. You will need one for each train to be runt at a time. That is you will need two. Do you have a track plan chosen. To make two trains run at once you will need to break it into blocks and wire each block.
Well, for starters there are Steam, Diesel, and Electric. Steam are generally older. I can’t think of a single reference that explains it all. I would think a better plan would be to either choose a locomotive you like and build your “years on the scene” (usually called an era) around that. OR Choose a time period and then research what locomotives would be proper for that.
You are worried about cost, but don’t want to deal with ebay???
Wikipedia isn’t bad. Just type in a locomotive maker (ex: EMD) and at the bottom of the page there are links to the page for each general type of locomotive. Often has info such as the years produced, numbers produced, and how many various railroads owned.
Keep in mind Wikipedia is relatively broad in scope, it doesn’t have much about locomotive rebuilds and such, but it may not be a bad place to start.
I have three hardcover books that contain significant amounts of information on North American locomotives: The Heritage of North American Trains (Steam, Diesel and Electric Locomotives from Pioneer Days to Modern Times) by David Ross & Brian Solomon; U-Boats (an excellent resource chronicling General Electrics Universal series) by Greg McDonnell; and, the recently published locomotive reference, Locomotives (The Modern Diesel & Electric Reference) by Greg McDonnell…which is superb.
For power packs MRC has a good line of reasonably priced units. You can even get ones with attachable walk arounds, though you may have to go to ebay (even though you don’t care for it), as I think they no longer make the 350, which is what I have (they may have another one that will operate from a walk around). Different ones have different features available, momentum, etc. One has control for 2 trains, but I think it lacks some of the other available features. Personally, I’d get 2 seperate power packs, alike or 2 different types, 1 to have a continually running train, while the other is used where you may want more realistic looking operations for switching, slow speeds, momentum starts and stops.
For track, take a MR magazine and look at (may have to go to web site) at all the different advertisers, MB Kline, Trainworld, MRPO, Toy Train Heaven and many others. Atlas flex track is available in boxes of 5, 25 and 100 pieces. Find the best price on the amount you think you will need. I’d suggest getting the larger size if your needs are close, it will give you extra in case of accidents, experimenting and expansion. (Sell or give a few to a friend.)
4 years ago I posed the same statement about starting off with DC. Some very wise posters here convinced me to go with DCC - I’m glad I heeded their advice. Being new to the hobby, I was concerned about wiring blocks and toggle switches to control those blocks. That’s not required with DCC, at least on my layout. When I purchased my first loco with DCC/sound, I was hooked. You can still go with motive-only decoders and forego sound for a minimal additional cost over DC. I wouldn’t try to talk you out of DC, but it will never be cheaper to go with DCC than with a startup layout.
I’ve purchased track and other stuff from 1st Place Hobbies, www.wholesaletrains.com and MB Klein with good results. Never had any problems so I don’t know how they react to issues. Also, I watch for Walthers sales and buy direct when it’s cost effective (you have to consider the shipping cost).
For the price of 2 transformers, you are into the price range of a starter DCC system. …not to mention the cost of your toggle switches and wire. Decoders cost about 20 dollars per at your LHS or as little as 12 dollars online. Some DCC systems will also let you run an analogue locomotive as well. So if the ‘cost’ of a DCC system is the issue, then what am I missing here?
In terms of simplicity, DCC is actually simpler to wire than DC…by leaps and bounds. With DCC all you need it to connect 2 wires to your track and you have independent locomotive control on your layout. How can it be more simple with DC?
With DC you can only use one train forever. Even though DCC is more expensive, the benefits are HUGE. Try Digitrax or MRC. They are the best DCC providers. Steam locomotives lasted until the 1960s, and then no more, for most, they are to die for. Smaller steam locomotives, no larger than 4-8-2, were seen before about 1935. After that, it was all “bring out the big guns.” For track, I would recommend only one person, Atlas track. From there, choose what you want.