I am starting a new N scale layout and will be in the market for just about everything…track, locomotives, rolling stock, scenery items.
Which vendor(s) do recommend for a wide variety of general items? either mail order or on-line?
also…is there an archive section on this forum?
Thanks in advance.
Take a look at www.buynscale.com I have done business with this company and never had a problem except for 2 money orders getting lost which was replaced by the USPS.
Review the Standard & Trainworld ads in MR. Generally discounted at 25% +.
Disadvanatage, can’t pre-test.
If defective out of the box(rare) extra return shipping charges.
To whom? do you return the item for fixing or exchange?Manufacturer or mail order firm?
Most manufacturers carry a warranty should a return be necessary.
On the replacement shipping, you may also eat the postage.
Bottom line, familarize yourself with mail order terms and then and only then you can start to save off MSP
Do not send vendor recommendations to me anymore.
This did not do right sorry .Just dont woant e mails on this topic.
What about an actual local hobby shop ? Are there any near you ?
regards \ Mike
walthers seems to be higher priced then many hobby trains stores as I have come to see. Here is a question to add to the confusion. What do you guys think is the greatest maker of trains? I am in N scale and love Atlas
As far as where is the best place to buy N-scale for less: ebay! But you must be patient and have a great deal of self control. People often get out of control when bidding, and pay too much for something. KNOW YOUR PRODUCTS AND PRICES!
As far as who makes the best N-scale equipment:
Loco’s: Kato, Atlas, & recent Lifelike. Kato tend to be pricey with limited quantaties. Atlas is much better with availability and price. Lifelike has some great recent releases at bargin prices (like the GP20, FA’s, and SW units).
Intermountain and MT have entered the Loco market with FT’s, and reports say they are nice units.
Rolling Stock: Much debate here, so I will offer more of my opinion than anything else.
MT (Micro Trains) is the “Cadillac”, and has been around a long time. They tend to command a high price, but some other manufacturers have caught up (and even surpassed) them in quality. MT also does not run multiple car numbers for any given release, and have the interest of collectors (which can affect price and availability)
Intermountain is on par with MT, including price. But they offer more unit numbers per release.
Red Caboose is supposed to be of higher quality, but I have no experience with them.
Atlas has been around as long as MT, and has some really solid offerings for a good price. But their recent releases are starting to get more costly as they improve their quality.
MDC/Roundhouse is good. Their older kits are a bargain if you can find them (usually on clearance).
Bowser is okay – but a bit pricy for what you get (still put Rapido couplers on their recent releases).
Deluxe is okay (from my limited experince).
Lifelike, Bachmann, Model Power, and Concor are lower end. If you don’t pay too much for these, and make truck/coupler upgrades, they can make decent running cars.
Industrial is ultra cheap all around.
Try CALLING TRAINWORLD. They are in Model Railroarder Mag. Ask for CAROL she is great with keeping things straight. Went and saw them on our last trip north and very impressed with there stock and how FAST they get things done. OH! they have VERY LOW PRICES on GOOD STUFF NOT SECONDS. Since I am in SC I have to order on line or by phone.
I am starting a new N scale layout and will be in the market for just about everything…track, locomotives, rolling stock, scenery items.
Which vendor(s) do recommend for a wide variety of general items? either mail order or on-line?
also…is there an archive section on this forum?
Thanks in advance.
Take a look at www.buynscale.com I have done business with this company and never had a problem except for 2 money orders getting lost which was replaced by the USPS.
Review the Standard & Trainworld ads in MR. Generally discounted at 25% +.
Disadvanatage, can’t pre-test.
If defective out of the box(rare) extra return shipping charges.
To whom? do you return the item for fixing or exchange?Manufacturer or mail order firm?
Most manufacturers carry a warranty should a return be necessary.
On the replacement shipping, you may also eat the postage.
Bottom line, familarize yourself with mail order terms and then and only then you can start to save off MSP
Do not send vendor recommendations to me anymore.
This did not do right sorry .Just dont woant e mails on this topic.
What about an actual local hobby shop ? Are there any near you ?
regards \ Mike
walthers seems to be higher priced then many hobby trains stores as I have come to see. Here is a question to add to the confusion. What do you guys think is the greatest maker of trains? I am in N scale and love Atlas
As far as where is the best place to buy N-scale for less: ebay! But you must be patient and have a great deal of self control. People often get out of control when bidding, and pay too much for something. KNOW YOUR PRODUCTS AND PRICES!
As far as who makes the best N-scale equipment:
Loco’s: Kato, Atlas, & recent Lifelike. Kato tend to be pricey with limited quantaties. Atlas is much better with availability and price. Lifelike has some great recent releases at bargin prices (like the GP20, FA’s, and SW units).
Intermountain and MT have entered the Loco market with FT’s, and reports say they are nice units.
Rolling Stock: Much debate here, so I will offer more of my opinion than anything else.
MT (Micro Trains) is the “Cadillac”, and has been around a long time. They tend to command a high price, but some other manufacturers have caught up (and even surpassed) them in quality. MT also does not run multiple car numbers for any given release, and have the interest of collectors (which can affect price and availability)
Intermountain is on par with MT, including price. But they offer more unit numbers per release.
Red Caboose is supposed to be of higher quality, but I have no experience with them.
Atlas has been around as long as MT, and has some really solid offerings for a good price. But their recent releases are starting to get more costly as they improve their quality.
MDC/Roundhouse is good. Their older kits are a bargain if you can find them (usually on clearance).
Bowser is okay – but a bit pricy for what you get (still put Rapido couplers on their recent releases).
Deluxe is okay (from my limited experince).
Lifelike, Bachmann, Model Power, and Concor are lower end. If you don’t pay too much for these, and make truck/coupler upgrades, they can make decent running cars.
Industrial is ultra cheap all around.
Try CALLING TRAINWORLD. They are in Model Railroarder Mag. Ask for CAROL she is great with keeping things straight. Went and saw them on our last trip north and very impressed with there stock and how FAST they get things done. OH! they have VERY LOW PRICES on GOOD STUFF NOT SECONDS. Since I am in SC I have to order on line or by phone.