Since I am finally on my way to getting something started, I threw together a web page to keep track of my progress. I will post pictures as I get them and keep a running tab of my progress. http://home.cprk.net/guppyman/nscale/seabrookmnt.html
I went to your site and I share your enthusiasm. The next advise you might need a part time job for a month (what's a month -gone in the blink of an eye). But this is the time to seriously consider DCC. Through the internet, or your local area you can probably pick up an MRC on the cheap. But the new Atlas System will fit your bill perfectly and I recommend it over the MRC system (more expandible). It is early enough in the game for you to start into DCC without having to learn complicated wiring. Also, invite an unsuspecting friend over to give you a hand. You will be surprised at how they respond to helping on the layout, and you have grown yourself and "operating" partner for the future. I'm growing myself one now....lol. Enjoy!!!!
Guppyman, good luck on the new layout I am sure it will give you much pleasure, and probably some problems, but there are plenty of folk here to give you words of wisdom I sense your enthusiasm on your website, so keep us informed of your progress. I always forget to take pictures of the early stages, so look forward to seeing yours!
rsn48 - I thought about DCC and did quite a bit of research on it. It looks great and all that but I don't think that I'm ready for the investment. Besides, DC has worked great for all these years, and I enjoy wiring things (sometimes with mixed results ). At this point, I don't see myself aquiring a huge loco collection like I see so many here do. ****Note- this is all subject to change on a moments notice with me And Benny- they are awesome, aren't they.
I had blocks and I have DCC. Take my word, once you experience DCC you won't want to go back. Who uses a typewriter anymore, word processing is clearly superior. When I pulled my typewriter out, my son asked me what it was (did that for a rotary phone at grandma's house - didn't know how to use it...lol). We are in a transition era, just like the early 80's with computer's. But most will end up in DCC land. Its not something you have to go out and buy all at once. Buy the Atlas command station...six months latter...buy the power pack...5 months latter...two engines decoded. When buying a new engine, get it decoder equiped. To date myself in time, no one flies model air planes using two strings like they used to, radio control is the norm, even though it is way more expensive than two strings. Well block layout running is like running your engines with two strings, instead of remote control. For over a year after we bought the Digitrax Chief, we never had a second throttle. But I knew in time we would get one, which we did about 5 months ago. We just slowly chip away at DCC, buying to many engines without decoders, then when I have some money installing decoders. If you would have told me two years ago that we would have 9 engines decoded and running, I wouldn't have believed you. [ 15 February 2001: Message edited by: rsn48 ]
"At this point, I don't see myself aquiring a huge loco collection like I see so many here do." You should be thrilled you dont. Change to DCC while you will only have to spend a couple bucks for decoders on the ones you already got. A friend of mine recently made the change (he was the old crow type.."DCC wont become popular, I already have enough engines; I'll go bankrupt on decoders, blagh blagh, blagh...", that was 3 years ago) and he spent more then 800 dollars on his 75 engines. He could have made the change right then and there and would have only 30 engines to bother with. Well, he didnt go bankrupt but spending the some-odd hours changing each loco (oh yea, did I mention more then 40 had to have their frames milled?!?) drove him mad. Like the others suggested, start small and work your way up. It'll be more economical in the long run. Mike
Hey Guppyman, I'm going DCC right off the bat and recently bought the Atlas system. You'd be smart to go DCC now. It's really not that much more money and will save you headaches down the road. Someone here, I believe it's Revnjeff, had the MRC DCC system for sale. You might want to look into it. Andy
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by atirns: It'll be more economical in the long run. Mike<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> No it wont. It will cost the same, just one big bill or small outlays one at a time.. Its your layout, do what you want! Although DCC is favored by 90% of people here. Me.. Im also at the laying track stage, so now I need to make up my mind.. My bank account has made it for em at the moment.. $2.52
I didnt mean economical money wise, but more time and simplicity. I guess "efficent" was the word I wanted. Having just a couple locos to do will be more easier then having 25 and wiring your railroad will be alot simpler if you do it during the inital tracklaying phase. But of course if you are one of those collecters that has to have everything like 75+ locomoitves (why?) buying the decoders would be cheaper in bulk. Mike
Hotdang, Guppyman, that's SWEET! I wish my wife and family did that for me this Christmas.. But my dad did start me on N scale about 10 years ago, with a bunch of atlas 40/50' foot boxcars, and a EL caboose. Then we went to the hobby shop, and got an atlas RS11 in BN livery. We made a simple circle. I did the same, watchign it go in circles... I tried to expand it, but ended up making a 3x5 foot tabletop layout. Sucked, but not bad for a first try by myself. I now have 10 locos, and about 4 times that many cars. I am aspiring to build an around-the-walls layout soon.
It looks like you've got a good plan. The only reason my wife supports my layout is it keeps me off the computer. I am working on building a modular layout so I can relocate to which ever location in the house is not in the way. So until warm weather it is the inclosed porch. After that, who knows...
