I am looking for som advice on starting a new HO scale layout. Some time ago i had an entire HO setup and most of which was bought off of ebay or hand me downs and i got so tired and fustrated i sold everything for parts. Now i want to get into it and i want to use the new Bachman EZ track and do a set up of my area with the present railroads and the ones that have merged (e.g. Soo Line, CNW, Milwaukee Road) i dont want to use the cheapo Plasticville buildings but something better. I will be using a entire upstairs bedroom. Also, the ground cover i used was such a mess and a pain that i want something else, i was thinking a grass mat, any ideas?? Should i buy a train set with the track and power pack? Or buy it all indvidually? Any ideas would be of much help. Or any un wanted equipment not wanted i would be interested in. (rolling stock,locomotives,vechiles etc) Thanks.
You aren't very specific, but I gather you sold your previous stuff because it was, basically, old rubbish. If you want trouble-free operation you need to buy decent kit, not neccessarily expensive, so asking for unwanted equipment is a risky restart strategy. The stuff people get rid of is often the stuff that doesn't work well. And regarding the EZ track, I suggest you read the thread nearby in this forum titled Major Switch Derail Problem. You might want to change your mind. If you can afford it buy Atlas, Kato, newer P2k locos. Rolling stock is not so critical, but fitting metal wheels and Kadee couplers to everything is a good move. Given the way things are going restarting with DCC would likely be sensible, but there are pros and cons there. I'm not a scenery expert, but I suspect a grass mat will look like a mat pretending to be grass. Realistic scenery doesn't need to be very hard or messy, but someone else will have to tell you how to deal with that
I'm not so familiar with the US brands. I would go with Peco turnouts and flex track. The new code 83 turnouts are very good. You can easily wire the frog. Look at Wiring for DCC. And building with flex track is not a problem. Just give it a try. Start with a small layout and get some experience. Wolfgang
thanks. When i sent that post i was at work so i was getting tired. Nonetheless the main reason i wanted the Bachmann track was because it all ready had the roadbed on it. But i will have to read that post. thanks for your help. So would it be better to but a train set with the power pack and track or buy it all seperate? thanks
My layout is all Bachmann nickel-silver EZ-Track, including the turnouts. I had a little trouble at a few of the turnouts and the problem(s) were all traced back to the locos that were having the problems. After I fixed them I've had no more turnout trouble, and I have 12 of them, 9 #4's and 3 #5's. To get really good turnout performance the track must be absolutely level in relation to the turnout. That way you won't the loco entering the turnout at the same time that it's making a change of grade. I've had such problems in the past with many brands of turnouts, including Atlas.
HO scale That is kind of a relif. thanks for the advice. I was just wondering what did you use for ground cover? if you used the stuff in a can that you shake out how did you get it to stick?
The Bachmann E-Z Track system is OK but you are limited by what they sell. The same holds true for any of the ready track systems. I suggest you see which system has the most variety which will allow more choices in track plans. Use the widest curves and switches as possible. As for scenery there are some books out there you might read. Woodland Scenics has an excellent line of products. I scenicked my layout with them and had great results.
Yes that is a backdrop. The layout is a shelf sixteen inches deep around the four walls of the room. E-mail me for further photos if you wish. Espee-sp@hotmail.com
I would advise against the train set and opt for individual components. Buy a good power pack or DCC setup. Buy the best locos you can afford, even if it's only one a year. Track is so critical that it will mean the difference between eternal frustration or operating bliss. Using road bed and ballasting isn't very difficult. It might take more time but I think it's worth it. As previously stated, go with the WIDEST radius curves and LARGEST turnout numbers you can. Tight ones increase the possibility of derailments. As Wolfgang suggested, you might want to start with a small layout just to work the kinks out and sharpen your skills. Patients pays off in this hobby.
