I’m relatively new to Garden Railroading, but have loved LGB trains since I was a kid. A few years back I inherited a few from my grandparents that I grew up running around the Christmas tree every year. Now that I’m looking to move my track outdoors, I have a couple of questions…
I live in Colorado, and my little ones see BNSF trains ALL THE TIME… [:D] So, I think it’s a natural fit to get them into the hobby by acquiring some BNSF diesels. I like the look of both the USA and Aristocraft units, but wonder about being able to mix-match them with rolling stock from each vendor. So, for example, I might put a double-headed USA on Aristocraft coal car rolling stock. Does anyone out there run such a consist? Are there any scale (look and feel) issues mixing and matching the two vendors like that? I would hope that 1:29 is the same thing to both of them, but know from military modeling for 20+ years that scale doesn’t always mean accuracy.
The couplers are different but they look fine together . I have a train that has Aristocraft , LGB , Bachman , Hartland , Echo and Scientific American in one consist . The couplers are all from USA Trains and Aristocraft .
Mix and matching is no problem. The modern era, 1:29 scale Aristo and USA (and even the LGB modern rolling stock at about 1:27) work well together. Both also have a 1:24 line, the Aristo Classics and USA American series which work well with the Bachmann and LGB 1:22.5 scale cars. Like Mike said, couplers can be an issue but not impossible to get around. There are several options - 1) you can gently force them together though uncoupling can happen, 2) you can standardize to a single coupler, many use Aristos (like me) or Kadees, or 3) use transition cars that have one of each coupler at each end.
Another thing to consider is equipping your rolling stock with metal wheels. Some cars come with it, most do not. Your rolling stock will ride much better with it and it has been reported that plastic wheels can leave a residue on the track especially in the heat of summer. I like the wheels from SanVal train shop which are sold regularly on eBay (ana.kramer) for about $45 (though the price will increase soon as they are made of brass like the track) for 10 pairs.
We on the CFR use a combination of Kadee and LGB knuckle couplers on all our locomotives and rolling stock. We don’t have any problems with compatibility.For visiting locomotives and rolling stock we use “match” cars.
Since you are just getting started, I would switch to Kadees. They are a lot closer to a realistic size & they have different types of boxes that will fit anything. I am changing over to make them my " standard " wish I did it to begin with. You can get them from trainworld for about $5.95 a pair. Jerry
Welcome to the forum! Mixing and matching has it’s issues. One thing I would not recommend is mixing diesels from different manufacturers. When a certain amount of voltage is applied to the track, locos will not always run at the same speed. More accurately…they won’t run at the same speed. Some are close, but in most cases the two will end up fighting each other. This will result in premature wear or failure of a unit. “Lashups” of two or more diesels are best done with two of the same type. The larger units will require a larger transformer in order to run properly. Mixing rolling stock is best done with a consistent coupler as already mentioned. Enjoy the forum. Let us know how you make out. Later eh…Brian.
You can always choose to go with the standard Loop & Hook couplers until you make a decision of which knuckle coupler to standardize on. I went that route and just decided to stay with Loop & Hook because of their reliability and ease of coupling and uncoupling.
I forgot how to post photos again, I mix and match any USAt with Aristo, my two Macs , 3 dash9s, 3 sd45s etc haul anything from 48 car 100 ton hoppers to doublestacks with 89’ pigs, etc. Most of the time tho, My AC D9s are U.P. where the Macs USAT are BNSF so I don’t mix roads much.