I’ve always had HO layouts since a youngster, but during the last few years having bought a place and put in a deck, a pond, and a nice garden so I’ve been looking for a new hobby…I’ve been checking out some of the sites the last few days and am hooked…
but questions abound…
what’s the best company to go with in G scale LGB or Bachmann…and are any of their items interchangable ie…track, cars, power sources…etc…what’s the support like for each? Or is there another company(es) to go with…
What are the power sources for an outdoor layout…I’m assuming I’ll need to put in a GFI breaker with a 20amp circuit at least for power for structures and switches but how is the transformer run…is it similar to an indoor HO layout where it’s plugged in or as I’ve noticed some folks talking about battery controlled power…? But I’m assuming each engine has its on control system/pack…? Or do the rails carry power? Ie your lionel or HO layout indoors…
Is the G one universal scale…or with LGB being a German based company are the track sizings slightly different than say Bachmann…or is it universal…
for the most part all track works together with other brands with a little modification… [:-^]
I would suggest using LGB or Aristocraft track, bachmann track is hollow and will rust through over time, its like they take a flat piece of metal bent over into the shape of a rail, very cheep stuff
Im also a noob [:P] sofar I have 2 Bachmann 4-6-0 Steam Engines and some freight & passenger rollingstock, all track is LGB. (2 sets worth of bachmann track in a shoe box in a closet)
Going with your criteria above you’ll have to go with Bachmann being better since LGB has been out of business for about a year. Seriously though, you have lots of homework to do. There are many more manufacturers of locos and rolling stock than those two. Look up above and there is a sticky labelled " Beginners: start here".
All “G” track is 45 mm in width. Unlike the smaller scales there are many scales that run on 45mm track ranging from 7/8’s (1:13), representing 2 foot narrow gauge to 1:32 representing 4’ 8 1/2" standar
The best comapany to go with is up to you really. Is like me tryn to sell you a Ford when you want a Chevy.
There are lots of parts that you can put on like cuplers all the way to kitbashing a train or the full train and cars kitbashed.
Support I have found good for both.
You will need a GFI plug/s, make sure you place more than one there never know when you need a extra for like parties.
Battery controlled power is just that, no live rails, some use the new 18v battery from a drill driver. Note: Not as much rail cleaning with battery power, but you will have to clear leaves, stones from frogs and turn outs, branchs, etc.
On the other hand you can have rail power which most like even thou we have to clean the tracks with a LGB Track Cleaning Car or Aristo-craft makes a Coobase to clean them or last but not leased a sheet rock sander with fine grit paper. Now I was just speaking of Brass track only there. They make all kinds of track, brass, SS, Alu, etc.
My code on my rails are 250 but they make a code 332 which others say looks better. Really up to you.
As for turn outs I use LGB and track is Aristo-Craft and all brass with Split Jaw clamps on them. Bachman track does not hold up well with weather at all. Use it for Christmas tree or sell on Epay.
As for scale trains and cars:
Fn3 scale 1:20.3
G scale 1:22.5
½" scale 1:24
1:29
1 gauge
3/8" scale 1:32
Good link for you to look into: http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/353205/ShowPost.aspx
There’s lots to think about. If you like standard gauge trains, you’ll probably want to take a look at Aristocraft and USA trains. Most of their stuff is 1:29. If you’re into narrow gauge, Bachmann has a nice assortment of locomotives in their Spectrum series that are 1:20. Accucraft makes some in both scales, but they are a bit more expensive. They also have live steam locomotives available.
Hi rollingstock[#welcome] You dont say where you live, but no matter I would recomend LGB track and points (turnouts if you are in USA) I use thew train engineer to control my trains and thier accesories for points. My layout as been down for about 4 years and I have not had a problem with any thing and i`ve moved track about several times as I exspaned the layout. My trains and rolling stock are Bachmann as i like thier products and I get very good service from them. hope this helps do ask for more help if you need it[:)]
I don’t mean to mean overly critical but this is only useful information if LGB track is readily available and its not. Anything you find on eBay is most likely to be used track and that’s always risky especially with switches. My experience with LGB track is that it is no better than AristoCraft track and it costs more to boot. I’m not a fan of brass track anywy, unless you’re battery powered.
Hi guys happy holidays…thanks for all of your responses…
I haven’t checked out the aristocrat stuff yet…but have downloaded a bunch of info regarding the track and trains…two tone I’m in north Evanston IL - just north of Chicago…plenty of snow in the winter up here…I see Mr. Ash who posted is in my area…Mr. Ash any specific hobby shops you’d recommend up here? You also made a really good point about the Bachmann track…and seeing as we both live in the elements I’m inclined to go this way and away from Bachmann on the track issue.
and thanks to everyone else so far in their help…Brian have they really stopped making all of the LGB stuff…? By the way love your layout…and downloaded a bunch of the stuff from the link you posted for me…
Toad mentioned the bachmann track doesn’t hold up and with the weather either…SO I guess I I’ll look at Aristo Craft. I’m also thinking battery remotes for all the engine power to I don’t have to deal with electrifying the track except the switches…brass track seems to be the best route to go…
by the way Bruce thanks for your input as well…love your bridges on your layout through the link to you railway…
thanks for your help guys hope to hear from you all soon
Thanks much. You’re near one of the biggest and best large scale stores in the country, St. Aubins in Woodstock (http://www.staubintrains.com/trainshop/maps.asp). I have purchased most of my track from them (some of the best prices). Yes, LGB is no more. Marklin bought the molds and name and will be producing more “LGB” in the future.
LGB track IS currently in production. LGB track IS available through retailers.LGB IS still in business. LGB of Germany has changed owners but is still in business. The new owners are basically going through a reorganization.
If you are considering going battery power, you can save a bundle by going with aluminium track. You will have fully independent control - each engine having a separate address - and you get away from cleaning track (for conductivity) as well as the cumbersome wiring for reverse loops and wyes.
Being new, there is a lot to learn. Very best advice you will hear is to subscribe to Garden Railways magazine. No, I don’t work for them. Advertisers all post their email address, large advertisers post a small catalogue with prices. LGB is NOT gone, LGB is STILL in business, and I don’t work for them either. A garden railroad is not something you have, but rather something that you do. It is a journey and not a destination. When purchasing accessories keep in mind that you may be into this for the long haul. Buying Cheap, will come back to haunt you. Being well informed is key to enjoying this hobby. Happy railroading, Dennis.
I’m in Florida for the Thanksgiving weekend…and just visited a couple of hobby shops today…and the people I chatted with tell me LGB is the standard…the shops I went to had LGB stuff in stock but they did talk about the buyout by Marklin and the change over…thanks for the additional input…and yes I did pick up two more months of Garden Railways Mag…thanks to dennis, lis, and jack for your input as well…and dennis yes I hear you - it’s not something overnight to be sure - one gentleman I spoke with said to go with LGB track all the way but I’m going to check out St. Aubins’ when I get home next week - and Brian interestingly enough when I mentioned St. Aubins’ to one of the independent shop owners he immediately knew them…
LGB will slowly come back on the market with new product, they went belly up and were bought out by Marklin, They are the oldest toy train maker in the world and thier trains are top quality. I also have LGB trains, under our christmas tree this year and eventualy in the garden. Thier locomotives are the best on the market for just being able to pull it from the box and run it trouble free. What you buy really depends on what look you want, LGB is predominantly European narrow gauge. Only recently did they start to bring on more USA main line locos like the F7 and GE Genesis diesel. Thier narrow gauge mogul, styled from the C&S railroad in colorado was one of the first USA narrow gauge locos on the market other than the Kalamazoo 4-4-0. Right now the needed parts like bulbs and some electronics are avaible from the very sub contractors that supplied them to LGB. Once Marklin ramps production back up it will be business as normal. Just takes time when the plant has been shut down for some time and they plan to move production to other locations. If you like what you see in LGB, do not hesitate to buy it. The support will be there for parts ect. I personaly prefer to go thru Watts Train Shop in Indiana or Ridge Road Station in NY state for my G scale needs, both have websites. Cheers Mike
I was new to this hobby just 4 years ago. I found that all hobby shop owners are naturally a bit biased towards what they sell (well…duh!) although that is not always bad. As you can probably tell by the variety of opinions among the relatively few answers you have received thus far, there are no black-and-white answers to your questions.
I started with an LGB starter set and the quality was so fine it got me hooked into the hobby. But sooner or later you will read the same answer from someone who started with a Bachmann Big Hauler set or an Aristo set or several other brands as well.
My humble suggestion is that you read voraciously through the large scale forums such as this forum, those forums as listed in a prior reply, plus these:
http://www.gscalemad.uk.com (a free British-based forum, but very informative and great for modelers with small yards,
Large Scale Online http://www.lsol.com (a fee-based U.S. forum but it is inexpensive - ~$32.50 year for 2 yr membership - and very informative with many features)
There are also forums run by Bachmann Trains and Aristocraft Trains. Naturally they are fairly limited to discussing only their brand of equipment, but they are informative and useful.
Reading through these for several months or longer before investing will help you avoid making some early mistakes. Example - How could buying an LGB set be a mistake? Well, eventually, you may decide that you want to model late 20th century American prototypes…so in that case USA Trains or Aristocraft would
finally got up to st aubins…unreal store - took my fiancee with me…mr ash don’t know if you made it to the Wonderland Express at the Chicago Botanical Gardens but I highly recommend it…that was what finally put my wife to be in the game as it were - she totally loved the detailed smaller garden plants and how wonderful they looked around the tracks…
I ended up going with an Aristo Craft Southern Pacific Steamer - my fiancee got it for me as an xmas present - I love the SP Daylight series…which Arist has a special on…6 cars for 4 they’re all the streamline stretch…so I put a downpayment on those…
I’m going with stainless steel track…so much to do so many choices to make…
Sounds like you made some good choices all around [tup] (especially getting the misses on board). Be sure to take lots of pics as you get started in the spring!
Hope you had a good holiday and congrats on the SP engine! I didnt know about the Wonderland Express at the Botanical Gardens [:O] They have it running through Jan 6th so I still have a couple days to check it out, maybe this weekend! [:D]
That’s because GR decided to make the holiday display listing only available as a download instead of publishing it the magazine as they had done in years past. I think that was a really bad move on their part.
Thanks again for responding - Mr. Ash I hope you got up there to check it out…it was quite an incredible display…and I have to tell you guys St. Aubins is a haven for train freaks like us…
I couldn’t believe how much stuff they have in the warehouse there…just insane…but that daylight SP series does it too me every time - I have it in HO all Athearn - probably the best HO scale company out there…track prices at this scale though are something I wasn’t ready for so I’m going to really have to plan it out…an advice on controll guys? I see that Bridgewerks seems to be the high end control system?