I have a friend who is having a Birthday soon and I want to get him started in N-Scale since he is always asking me to run my trains while he watches over my Webcam , 200k's away from me... So Should I get him a K-1 Unitrack set, a Cheap Backmann or life like train , a Couple of Carriages?? Or what is a Better way ?? He is as broad thumbed as I am so simplicity and ability to expand would be desirable and preferably not going to cost me more then $250 AUS
What was it that hooked you? If you have the same abilities, get the item that made you decide that this hobby is for you! I think if you put together your own "train set" it would be a much better gift. After all, you have had a chance to operate a variety of items. You can help steer him away from some of the "less-than-favorable" offerings that usually turn people away from the hobby because they end up having a bad experience trying to get the train up and running.
Umm I do not want to spend $599AUS on the starter set I bought when I was Naive and stupid... The ICE2 is what addicted me not the actual starter set but it was the only way I could get one..
AU$250 is achievable. If you are looking at a Life Like unit, I'd try to get a GP20 as it's almost as good as an Atlas or Kato at 1/3 the price (in AU) and a few cars to go with it. Life Like's Industrial range of freight cars are cheap and good starter pieces. Mind, anything you do buy, make sure you have the same couplers on all the items. Track, well Kato unitrack would be a great start and is easy to deal with setting up and breaking down. Tom's discounts in Fyshwyck would be my first port of call. Give them a bell.
How much do the Kato trainsets cost in $AU? The ones with a set of Unitrack, an F3 and some cars? Looks like a really good starter set to me.
I gave my son-in-law both the K-1 and K-2 set and a used MRC Railpower 1300 power pack, a Life-Like GP38-2 in CSX livery (he's a CSX conductor) that I'd tweeked and tuned for good running, and a couple of pieces of Industrial Rail rolling stock. Worked for him. I think that to get a neophite started with some enthusiasm in N scale, you need to facilitate a good experience by insuring rock-solid track quality and Unitrack delivers that in spades.
Ask him how interested he really is and is willing to put in the time, money and effort. THEN, do as you can if his response is positive. What is not needed is someone who run trains out of a sense of obligation to a friend.
He is truely interested in Running Trains, but he has no Idea how to get started.. I have thought of the Unitrack path as I have also found it extremely helpful... As for the Kato Unitrack starter sets is is $185 AUS Plus a Power pack which Very from $40 to $140 just for simplisitic ones.. So I think the Seperated package way is the way to go as I now have been able to Budget for $198AUS...
When I started in N scale (oh so many years ago) it was with 2 Bachmann highballer sets; thinking their N scale was as good as their HO stuff at the time. Boy was I mistaken! Since he's a friend spare him the frustration of cheapy entry level stuff. You've learned a lot here about what is good, acceptable, and garbage. Kato track is a great place to start, it may never need to be replaced! With a good engine and a few carriages he'll be good to go. Here's another thought: Buy yourself a GREAT engine and send one of your cheaper engines to him. If it got you started in the hobby it should get him going too!
Well Kato Unitrack has got the Vote.. Now I am thinking either a Bachmann Spectrum Dash 8 or a Life Like GP-38-2.... As for the Suggestion of departing with one of cheaper Trains, nah Sorry I cannot depart with any of my Loco's, I only Have 3 Diesels and I like them all...... Even my $120 Life like GP-38 ( It has cost me a ton to keep running after the initial purchase price, I could not bare to pass it on) So I think I can get him a reasonable Set up if I buy the components seperately...
Here is my suggestion for an all round atractive engine with lots of appeal: My feelling is that one of the major draws to model railroading is the visual. That engine fulfillis it but at $90 it may be more than you wanted to spend.
Magnat, for your money, I wouldn't pay for a LL GP38-2 nor a Bachmann. For less money, get a LL GP20 or GP60 as they can be had for around AU$60 a piece. Even Robbyco (Hobbyco) in Sydney CBD had GP60's for AU$65. Bill Kerr of the N Scaler in Sydney may have something for you in the way of locomotives. Otherwise, Tom's Discounts in Fyshwyck or West Ryde should have LL GP20's or 60's for around AU$60, which are far better value. Also, they have Kato track at discount.
I am looking into it , Fischer Discounts in Fyshwick has Bachmann Trains from $40AUs and Carriages from $10 so I will be checking them Out next time I am down there, What I will probably do is just take the Cash with me, drag him into the place ( he has nerves when going into things he knows nothing about) and that way I can help him get the correct things that he needs and the train that he wants and then Im will just pay for it, as for his Age he is 27..
