Jamie,I hear ya and understand..Having switch primary scale from HO to N 2 years ago was exciting now,I ain't so sure if I like playing second fiddle or not as far as newly tooled releases and to date some empty words from a well known manufacturer that keeps cranking out new HO cars... N does have a lot going for it and its better now then ever before but,that doesn't make orange lights ok no more then it did the blue lights on Atlas RS1s in the 2003 release-my C&O RS1 still has blue headlights-there is no excuse for poor QC in any scale. Every time I look at my layout space I see what can be done in N vs. HO but,here's the rip.In HO I can get what I need not so in N. As far as HO there's boo-boos there to so,IMHO escaping to HO may not be the right answer if you think all is rosey in the land of HO.
One of the reasons I found myself downsizing the N scale project to a tabletop, and reinvesting in HO where some things seem to be well sorted by comparison. All other issues aside, we spend a lot of money for these little critters. As time goes by I bet we will see a standard lighting. How long that takes is ??
For me it’s N-scale for ever because of the space required. I’m envious of all the stuff available in HO. I also get sale brochures all the time and it’s always HO stuff. I just don’t have the room to have what I want in a layout and I just can’t be satisfied with a simple oval, but I believe that if I suddenly did get the space, I probably still would only think about how much MORE can have in n-scale. I have been thinking about this for the past couple of days and it does infuriate me that they would screw up on the lights like that. My eyes aren’t that good anymore and I can’t see a lot of the fine detail, but I sure can see the light. It would be one thing if it wasn’t possible in N-scale, but inexcusable to simply not use what’s already available to have a better product.
Johnny,I think very few have the room for want they want in HO since it would take deep pockets with a Godzilla size basement. However,in HO there's a move taking place toward modern design* industrial switching layouts that utilizes 4-6 switches with attention to detail,DCC and sound..Of course I am seeing N Scale switching layouts as well. A very interesting development.. *These modern design ISL is not your common "time saver" or "Inglenook" designs but,based on prototype track work so fewer switches is needed. Track Plan
You are making a layout and running trains for fun (I hope). If this is correct and a change in scale will make you happy, go right ahead and do it. To be miserable every time you look at your N scale layout and engines is not the way to go.
At the time I switched from HO to N, HO didn't have anywere near the detail it has today. If you wanted details like grab irons a/c units etc. you did it yourself. Now days HO comes practically superdetailed right out of the box, cars come with metal wheels and everything has body mounted couplers. The amount of HO products is mind boggling. Meanwhile N scale has gotten much better and prices have gone up, the detail is getting much better too but still not on par with HO. Most manufactures still use truck mounted couplers and plastic wheels too. I've been equiping my rolling stock fleet with body mounted couplers and metal wheels as well as detailing locomotives. It gets me frustrated at times by the amount of work and money needed to bring all my trains up to these high standards. But in the end I have so much N scale that I just cant see switching back and also I currently only have only 110sq. ft. of space for a layout. At least I'm also in a club that has a huge layout.
I know the feeling and have thought about throwing my hands up in disgust selling my N Scale and quit the N Scale club but,when I see my 1'x8' layout area and having experiance with 1x8' HO layouts-need I say more? Of course I am a member of a HO club as well but,want a home layout and N seems to be the better choice..
The club I'm in has both a large N and HO layout and I've given much thought about getting some HO to use at the club but I've resisted because I'm afraid it might snow ball as theres so much HO I'd want. Also other then the club I wouldn't have anywere else to run them. I don't see myself ever having the room for HO and if I did imagine how much more N scale layout I could have.
Jamie - As you know been following your progress from afar. It's unfortunate that such a seemingly easy thing went so wrong. Perhaps your best bet is to contact the manufacturers and ask them to come up with an easy fix. If this is a widespread problem, would think that they would want to get something done quick. A lot of people follow your progress and numbers do get their attention. As you know, I'm in HO and very satisfied with the overall quality and availability of products for my scale and era - however, things ain't perfect in HO yet! And, while LED color ain't among 'em, we do have a few problems - mostly with mechanisms? I'm amazed at the overall quality of N scale mechanisms that some of our HO manufacturers continue to stumble over and not get quite right. So while we HO'ers would love to have your talents in our camp, put it in neutral, kick back, compose cogent, rational messages to the offending manufacturers and see what happens.
Good point, Dave. I heard all sorts of middling to not so good reviews of the HO IM Cab-Forward, but the N scale version, released much later, is one of the better steamer mechanisms around. Another thing I do, for perspective, is that I spend a lot of time lurking in the Z scale forum. Often, while lamenting the lack of availability of something in N scale I see someone in Z scale kitbashing and scratchbuilding their own, and at 1:220.
I wanted to post a quick follow-up after exchanging emails from Matt at FVM. He indicated that they are aware of this issue and are looking at options for different LEDs in future production runs. He also indicated they may stock some extra PC boards with the new production. Jamie
Thanks for the update Jamie. I for one love my Gevo from FVM. I too wish that the lights were not so orange and dim. JSL
That’s good news. It’s funny that this came up again because I was just thinking about this thread and the LEDs. Last weekend I went into a electronics store to buy a white LED for one of my Locos and was shocked that a package of 6 white LEDs were $18.95 and the red, green, and yellow LEDs where $6.95 for a package of 10. What’s up with that, am I missing something here? baffled:
Thanks, that's great to know. After all, if the prototype had lights that dim, the FRA would surely cite the railroad!
Making mods like changing the LED might VOID THE FACTORY WARRANTY. I'd call the vendor first before you go soldering on it.
Been there, done that, got the gray hairs Perhaps all it takes is to step back away from the layout for a while and do something else, until the frustration levels go down. Even in HO, for what I've wanted (Frisco) I've had to do some modelwork- removing details, adding details, paint, decals, weathering, proper (read: Kadee) couplers, etc. As far as N goes, I've been pretty lucky with my Atlas diesels- all seem to have the proper color of headlight, and none of 'em have ditch lights (no ditchlights in the 1970s unless you were in Canada). Tackle this problem from two different angles: Do the necessary changes on the locomotive (Swapping out LEDs, ditching the orange tubes, etc) Write, email, call, or otherwise contact the manufacturer to get them to make the necessary changes. If done in a civil manner, your chances are far better than if you get nasty with them or say nothing. But hey, you could always backdate the layout a couple of decades...........
White LEDs are harder to make, and thus more expensive... they're either a triplet of Red, Green and Blue sharing a package, or it's a blue or UV LED shining through (err, into) a phosphorescent coating - just like a white fluorescent bulb works...
At one online retailer I found: PN 593-VAOL-3MY4. 3mm VCC Standard LED - Through hole White Water Clear for .34 each. I bought 50 for 17.00 on Dec 22. They work great in my Kato GP 38, GP35, and RSD4-5.. (IM me for the retailer per Trainboard policy) They have no minimums. Also, you guys don't know how to buy electronics. You need to know where to go. Or at least ask around.$17 for 5 or 6 is a rip off. Sorta like the audiophile people who buy regular capacitors and cooper wire for huge amounts of cash just because there is a fancy product description. Audiofools.
You can buy 3mm White LEDs from the same place l mentioned above for .34 each. I bought 50 for $17. You just have to know where to get them.
