I was told (more years ago than I care to remember) to
get some track down and run some trains so what if the track isn’t perfect or the rolling stock less than real once some thing moves then the drug gets you and in no time you will find the means to the ends. There are a lot of railroad addicts out there only too willing to help, to sit on your butt and dream well that’s about all you will get, dreams. So what if your track is plastic or your loco only cost a few dimes it gives you pleasure at the end of the day that’s what counts. I must confess that I do envy you folks you are surrounded by like minded people here I am in a desert. The locals think I am a nutter their only interests seems to be in killing things thankfully their accuracy with their shotguns is about as good as their sense of creativity. So to sum up you press on
with your newbright and enjoy it just keep the trains a running.
All you Cheepo’s out there…
Check out the latest issue of GR, the featured Scenic Express RR is all El Cheepo battery stuff, plastic track, and looks surprisingly looks terrific!
Since it’s been 8 months, what did you end up doing Bjohns? and what did you do with the new bright?
I would like to see that article, I’ll have to find some used GR which month was it? I know I spoke to Vsmith and probably others about this very subject on MLS board. I got in real cheap, a Scientific Toys set for $4 at a flea market. I am missing 4 curves, and hate to pay even E-bay prices which are much more than I paid for the whole set. I’m watching Ebay for a HLW loco, I want to build a mining layout since I’m from Coal country in Eastern PA.
What do you put in the New Bright/ Scientific stck for smoke? I see there is a plastic buld type item under the stack. Thanks, Dave
Hi there,
I’m new to this forum as I model Ho scale, but a couple of years ago a friend gave me a Scientific set and I was hooked. I looked high and low for the stuff (did not want to deal with ebay). Joe0315 said he could not find a retailer that sold the stuff so I wanted to share the info. I found out that Kaybeetoys.com sells the sets as well as track sets really cheap. I even found a few of the stores carried the sets (in NJ). I just picked one up today. I know these are considered toys but hey, I’ve heard the same about my Ho stuff. I say as long as you have fun…that’s what matters.
[#welcome] to the forum.
Please read what I said at the top of this page about adding weight to the engine, it does help alot. I found I had to remove the leading pilot wheel in order to keep the engine from derailing on my switches, I’m using brass track. Another forum member (who hasnt been around in a while) Captain Carreles, also used a few of these engines, repainted to look more realisticly, on his layout.
I just picked up another set as well , its a good source of inexpensive rolling stock, I’ve been rebuilding the cars with 2 axle trucks and link and pin couplers. I came to the conclusion that the Scientific cars are just as detailed as LGBs Toytrain line but are so far less expensive as to be worth grabbing a set each Xmas. I keep the straight track for display and train storage but dump the curved track. Its worthless to me but it does hold up well outdoors.
Anyway, whatever floats your boat is my motto, so enjoy, dont be afraid to ask any Q’s. Later Vic
Hey there,
Thanks for the advice Vsmith. I will try it. I also have a problem with the engine derailing and I was wondering how to fix that, so that helps a lot. One question though. Will adding weight hurt the engine? As I said before I model Ho so I don’t know much about battery powered locos or G-scale. So your advice is a big help.
Thanks again! Danielle
Hi Danielle
Heres what I did, from another forum:
Yes, I added weight to my Scientific loco by unscrewing the boiler and adding self-adhesive tire rim weights that should be avalible at PEP BOYS or similar auto parts shops. I’m lucky in the my LHS sells them. They come in 1oz. and 1/2oz sizes and have a peal off adhesive backing. They come in strips about 4 inches long and break down into 1/2" squares, I added as many 1 oz weights as I could by sticking them to the inside of the boiler in whatever space I could find onto the inside face of the boiler, being very carefull to make sure that they didnt interfer with reassembly. I figure I added 12 to 16 oz of weight, 1 oz at a time, which these badly need.
Make sure you study the inside before you start sticking, theres a certain amount of strategy involved because once to stick these weights, there permanent!
I’ll add that I did this with the engine on its back so I could lift the drive off, place an individual weight down with backing still in place, close it up and make sure it fits and still closes up, reopen it and then peal off the backing and adhere it in place and move on to the next weight and work my way around the the innards from front to back. Sounds tedious, but theres really not a lot of extra space inside so
While the weights really do make a huge difference in keeping the Scientific Toys Mogul on track, I’ve found (in my experience) that it’s more important to take the flange off the center driver. The ST mechanism doesn’t have the side to side play that better three axle drives have and on the tight radius plastic track, there’s a lot of stress on the chassis, which pushes the front driver to walk over the outside rail. It’s easy to take down the flange; turn the loco upside down and turn it on. Simply apply a file to the flange and wait till it’s even with the rest of the wheel (i.e. track level) or use a Dremel sanding disc if you’re in a hurry. As long as the wheels are turning, it’s relatively easy to get an even result. I’ve done this on four or five of these locos and it works better than adding weight (IMHO). Hope this helps. Chris
Silver, Chris…S…I…L…V…E…R…[;)][:-,][X-)]
(He knows whatzdisabout)
I picked up three sets at flea markets over the summer. I paid $5 for one box of Scientific toys, $10 for a complete New Bright with Sounds, and $15 for a complete Scientific with Remote. I ended up with 3 engines, 3 caboose, Cabeese ?, 3 Gondolas, and 3 boxcars plus lots of plastic track. First I found out that New Bright and Scientic Toys Track are not compatible, the joiner is on the oposite side. I felt the New Bright was inferior though it did have chuff, Whistle, Bell, and All abord sounds. Corny but the kids and cat love it. I sold the New Bright and track and caboose on E-bay for enough that the Scientific Toys were essentially free. I will weight, repaint, weather, and probably add a 9 volt rechargable cell to the tender. This will keep my “G” gauge Jones under control until I see if it’s for me. If it is, then I’ll probably go Hartland. With the sale of the new bright I essentially have nothing in this but time. The Scientific runs better and seems more substantial than the new bright. Right now it’s all for fun. Being disabled, we had to move in with my Mother-in-law. At first she said no way to a garden railroad, but when she saw the “G” in action she was hooked. I’ll check our K-bee for track. We have a K-bee outlet here in Reading, just a few blocks away. I like the idea of Battery power, no need to worry about clean track, or multiple trains on one layout. Like someone else said for now I’m having fun, and have very little invested into it. Thanks for the forum and this thread. Dave in Reading, PA
After reading this thread with great interest, I decided to replace my New-Bright Oval with Aristo-Craft track. I had great plans to use the New-Bright Engine and cars for now and upgrade in the future.
I purchased track from ridgeroadstation.com as recommended in this thread, but have had a horrible experience. The photos on the site do not match the item numbers or contents. I ended up spending $90 and can’t even make a closed oval, but I do have a pair of switches which go nowhere!
If you are a newbie to G-scale like me, please be wary of what you order online. Ridge Road Station told me that only the “fuzzy” part of the photo is included in the set I ordered. I also ended up with 1/2 track curve pieces while the photos show full pieces. They offered to accept the return, but I’ll end up eating over $25 in shipping charges.
I’m thinking of giving up on G-scale and sticking with good ol’ Lionel O-scale.
Hey Big Daddy don’t give up on G-Scale just yet. You’ll be glad you stuck with it later on as nothing in any of the other scales offers so much.
There are plenty of bargins out there you just have to do your home work before buying. That’s what I’m in the process of doing right now. For example, I started out looking at Bachmanns web site and thought to my self, “self, you can’t affore this stuff!” Then I started checking e-bay and discovered the same items for almost half of what Bachmann had them listed for. Then, from an ad that caught my eye in December issue of Garden Railways, I found the very same item I was looking at for even less than e-bay! Haven’t order yet but probably will do so shortly.
Do you mind telling me if your located in Tennessee somewhere? I’m in M’boro. and was thinking maybe we could get together some time and compare notes. Comments?
Best Regards,
Hi Big Daddy,
I would also say don’t give up. I am also fairly new into G scale. I did buy brand new Aristo brass track from a very helpful supplier here in the UK. I gave him a plan he gave me good advice and I purchased. (Garden Rail Centres of Cheltenham).
But I am sure in the US there are many good retailers who offer a full (not just discounted) service and will advise you well. Think about second hand, yeah I doesn’t shine but it is OK and the new stuff will tarnish anyway.
And read the many Forums, there is so much good advice and help.
Thanks for the encouragement guys.
I’ve decided to go ahead and purchase enough Aristo-Craft track to close an oval. We’ll see about engines in the future.
With a young son who is seriously into trains, I’ve had the opportunity to dabble in all scales and several toy lines this year. We’ve had a great time cleaning and repairing old Lionel equiment. As we are running out of room inside, G-scale appeals because of the option to move outside.
I reside in Knoxville and would certainly be interested in learning about bargains to be found in G-scale railroading equipment. My local hobby store is helpful, but their prices are almost double what’s available online.
Hello again Big Daddy - Since your in Knoxville I don’t guess we will meet any time soon but here is a tip for you. Take you son to the Children’s Musuem at Oak Ridge TN. I’m told they have a “killer” G-scale layout on display there. You may find some ideas also…
Happy Railroading…
Dose new bright make any switch track? I just ran upon this topic and it got the ol’ wheels a turnin’. Do they only make one radious of curve track also?
Kevin G
Much as I hate it, I have to admit that Bachmann is a good brand for newbies, just be sure to get brass track.
Kevin-New Bright makes a “switch Track” and “points, or a turnout”-you can usually get them on ebay-but carefully check the photos and description-often a piece (straight) of track that New Bright uses to turn on/off the loco is referred to as a “switch track” and I am assuming you are looking for “turn-outs”. I have only seen their track in 4 ft dia.
Just to throw my 2 cents in…I have been buying used LGB track. Brass is Brass…[:)]
All right you guys, what are you trying to do, scare the new guy off?
If you go the way Mark has suggested, then spend the time reading the many, many pages here dealing with track and the volatile question “which is best”. Determine your requirements and wants, and what the wife will like. Then make your choice of Brass vs Stainless vs Aluminum & Sectional vs Flex.
You are already on your way to doing the most important thing,
Get Outside And Have Fun!