Hello all. Like many on here, I am returning to the hobby after a 30+ year hiatus. While all my experience is with HO scale, I am trying N scale due to space limitations. I am struggling with deciding upon prototype railroads to model and available roadnames from n scale loco makers.
To get started, I am building a layout on a hollow-core door (inspired by the MR project). That gives me a small loop to run trains, and an opportunity to learn some things on a small project. It also allows me the opportunity to collect n scale motive power and rolling stock. This is my current struggle. Doing a little shopping I notice there is an abundance of availablility of locomotive power for large mid-western/western roadnames (you can find anything and everything if you want to model UP, SF, etc), but for the railroads I grew up seeing (Southern, L&N, GM&O, etc) there doesn’t seem to be a lot out there in n scale. Especially since I need to stay with smaller locos due to smaller radius curves. I recently bought a few NS locos. I have a Kato sd70-ace (super smooth and quiet, but super big), an Atlas GP15-1, and a Walthers Proto GP20. I prefer the performance of the Kato by far, but they seem to produce mainly larger locos for the aforementioned big western RRs.
The question: Do some of you n scale guys model any prototypes in Alabama? If so, how do you get a well-rounded roster (mainline, switchers, etc) that perform well on your layout. Of course I know one can custom paint any roadname, but I am not that guy. I need ideas for locos readily available for purchase. I am also concerned with quality. Which brands for n scale locomotives (diesels) do you prefer?
I am new to the forum and this is my first post. Be Gentle:)
Just curious about your timeframe for locos? I model a smaller western road that some would say is obscure, to get my roster to where it is now I’ve settled on a specific timeframe. Walters/LL are good, Kato’s are good but atlas would be the best by far for Eastern road names. I know Walthers has done some southern Alcos, I have 2 c424’s and an RS2 from them all are very nice locomotives. The centuries are so good they are the standard which I measure my other locos by. Intermountain makes fantastic N scale F units. Atlas would be your best bet for locomotives and cars, I have 8 atlas locos(5 gps and 3 Alcos) all of which are smooth runners.
Welcome TechPastor! I too switched from HO to N because of space limitations and it really has been good move for me. Lots of good locos and cars both in freight and passenger. My favorites are Kato, Atlas, Fox Valley and I have a Walthers GP38-2 on order for locos, and Kato, FMV, InterMountain, BLMA, and Micro Trains, Atlas as well as Walthers for freight and passenger cars and have been very happy with most of these.
Finding everything you need or want can sometimes be like a scavenger hunt. Mostly for me it’s been about timing, when it’s announced, better order it, if it’s suddenly available, better grab it because you don’t know when you will see it again. This is how it’s been for my IC/ICG. BNSF is a whole lot easier! But that can also be a rewarding part of the hobby ,i.e. the lucky finds. It just takes time.
Good luck and enjoy, Ralph
Thanks for your responses. Your comments are very helpful.
There is a shortline not far from where I live. It is 31 miles and runs from Sylacauga, AL to Talledega, AL. It is the Eastern Alabama Railway. I like it because it interchanges with Norfolk Southern on the south end, and interchanges with CSX on the north end. The shortline itself is owned by the Genessee and Wyoming, so motive power varies with whatever older repurposed locos have been leased at the time. So there is a variety of roadnames that can show up on the layout.
As far as era, I am interested in the late 70s/early 80s, but I am at a loss as to how to find out what kind of roster they would have had at that time. I know that timeframe was pre-NS and pre-CSX. L&N and Southern would have had a prominent presence then. Just not sure how the EARY would have looked then. Any insights would be appreciated. Admittedly I have not paid much attention to protypes in the past, but I would like to now.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with locos and rolling stock. That really helps.
TechPastor, you won’t go wrong with Atlas or Kato engines. I’ve had Atlas RS-15 engines in Southern and L. and N. livery. I’ve got a lot of 9 and 3/4 curves and I even run SD 45s without a problem, so GP 9’s up to 35’s should be fine on your layout. Atlas is also reissuing classic U 25 B’s, they would also run well. Not sure, but switchers for southern roads may be limited to RS 1’s and 3’s. The SW 1 and SW 2 fit your era, but I’m not certain on the amount of southern roads available. One thought; get truck mounted couplers for your rolling stock. They’ll negotiate your curves much better than body mount. Enjoy.
I too have been “out” for a while and am looking forward to the n scale project.
I have two Illinois Central SD 40-2s from Kato and they seem to run very smooth and quiet.
Good luck. I’m looking forward to getting back into it.
When I came back to the hobby after a long period of inactivity I experienced the same issues. I also was getting ready to head down the N-scale route. What I learned is the same as you’ve discovered - if you’re not modeling a modern road with modern equipment, it will be very frustrating.
I’m doing a mid-70’s N&W. I was lucky to find at least some loco’s, but hopper cars is what killed me. I gave up trying to find enough N&W cars and decided to buy a bunch of PRR hoppers to repaint. Then I found out that there are not even decals available. This was among the factors that convinced me live within my space restrictions and to go back to HO.
Don’t forget about Ebay. You might find some locos you are looking for. Just remember to stick to the brands that have been mentioned before. Also do some research. Most folks will post a loco number or part number, so you should look that up on the manufacturers web site and see how old it is or when it was produced last and if it is DCC ready.
You can also use wickapedia to research railroads and motive power. Some will go back with a little history.
You don’t have to model a modern road to be in N scale. Trust me I’m modeling a rail line that’s obscure but has a cult following. It’s all about timing and where you’re looking for your models, the bigger model retailers sell out quick when it comes to certain road names. I second Gandy Dancers post, the second hand market and ebay are good spots to get equipment.
It’s sad because Atlas has made a big run two years ago of N&W hopper cars in Nscale and you can get decals custom made or make your own like the ones which use a fictitious line like me.