Diesel or Steam?

[traindave]

Hi..first time posting in a long time. Rookie, when it comes to railroading so you'll pardon me asking what is probably a very basic question. Here goes:
So last Christmas I bought Bachman's "Jingle Bell Express" set, to use around the holidays.   (https://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Industries-Jingle-Express-Electric/dp/B00BFCXGGC)   I bought several other track pieces, and I liked the EZ track, and like that it is compatible with newer Bachman track. I found though that the engine  was a little weak at times. Thinking of upgrading. So where shall I begin? Shall I go with Diesel or Steam and the main question is, what is the difference? Can they still both operate on the power system and track that came with that basic set? Can I look at other makers of HO scale engines and use anything on that same Bachmann EZ track? I read somewhere that the best kind of track to use is Nickel? And yet it seems like Bachmann uses a steel alloy...is this cause for concern for me? Any cool recommendations as to what engines I ought to to be considering? Discuss!
Again I'll bet these are easy questions for most hobbyists, but I'd appreciate any feedback that you could help me along with, as I am new to all of this.
Thanks very much.
'Dave in SD'.

[Flare]

Steel track (Black roadbed) is prone to rusting, which greatly reduces the power to the locomotive.  Nickle-Silver track (Gray roadbed) also oxidizes but it is still somewhat conductive and easier to clean.

Each locomotive is a bit different, the pulling power depends on the motor windings and the gearing to the wheels.

The set you linked to is HO scale, and any HO locomotive will work on that track, though I would advise replacing it with nickle-silver because it's so much easier to maintain.

Finally, don't worry about being new to the hobby, we all were at one time. 

[traindave]

Great thanks for that..so if I don't want to get rid of the steel alloy and while upgrading buy the nickel stuff, if both are EZ track, will they be compatible to run trains on them together?

[Flare]

The two types of E-Z Track will couple to each other without issue.

[traindave]

Great thanks. And the Diesel vs. Steam Engine issue? Any thoughts on the differences? Will one have more power than the other?

[Flare]

That depends on which model you select.

A 0-4-0 steamer obviously won't have the pulling power of a diesel with two powered bogies, but a 4-8-8-4 Big Boy will probably out-power any diesel.

I imagine that there are reviews for locomotives that mention pulling power, but personally I just buy ones I think will look good on my layout.

[Terry Toenges]

The choice between diesel and steam really depends on your taste.
Some folks like diesels because they are more modern, or they like the hum of a diesel, or the boxy look, or that they don't have as many moving parts, or that they are easier to handle when you pick them up.
With steam,  it can be that they like the older times in our history, or the chugging sound, or the more individualized looks among the variety of types, or watching the moving parts of the valve gear driving the wheels. They usually have to be handled with more care because of the moving parts and small parts.
Like Flare said, you can go big or little in both diesels and steamers. With the basic power system, you don't want to go for anything too big.

[traindave]

Great thanks Terry. So the difference between the 2 is merely aesthetic? As far as power is concerned...what would you consider too big? I have a very basic power pack and speed controller, fr/ Bachmann.

[Flare]

I've never heard of a locomotive being too big for a controller.  The controller simply sends power through the rails, and HO locomotives are designed to work with up to 12 volts.

With Digital Command Control it's possible to have too many trains running and overload the power supply, but with analog control I believe the power is divided among the different locomotives and they just run slower together.

On a side note, it's possible to have a locomotive that's too big for your track:  Large steam locomotives with long rigid wheelbases can't go through tight curves, so if you decide to get a big one read its manual to make sure your curves are big enough.

[traindave]

Thank you Flare. Yeah see right there is what I'm concerned about. The easy part is knowing that my existing setup is HO scale. I'm under the impression that I can get just about any engine at that same scale...but there are some that will be too big for Bachmann's HO EZ track? Hmmm...
Lots to learn on hear, but I'm beginning to get the artistry in designing a cool setup!

[Flare]

The "standard" curves that come with Bachmann's HO sets tend to be 18" radius, and the largest E-Z Track curves Bachmann makes are 35.5" radius.

(Nickle-Silver has a lot more options than steel)

A lot of larger models with rigid wheelbases work best on 22" radius curves or greater.  So don't plan on your layout being any thinner than 4 feet if you want to run large steamers.

Edit:  It looks like Bachmann even makes a diesel that needs 22" curves:  http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_288_291&products_id=4628

[Terry Toenges]

Thanks for clarifying for me Flare. I have my head into DCC now and always thinking about how many amps I will need for more and bigger stuff.

[Trainman203]

Steam engines were still in revenue service back home when I was a kid.  I saw them every day.  I've never had to think about this choice.  No diesels are allowed on my railroad.  Ever.

[traindave]

Too funny. Yeah I'm conflicted about that as well. Looking for a non 0-6-0 puller that has decent power that fits my old town kind of feel to it. Decisions, decisions. What do you have that is good in the steam family?

[Flare]

Thanks for clarifying for me Flare. I have my head into DCC now and always thinking about how many amps I will need for more and bigger stuff.

The general consensus is that you can run 2 locomotives per amp on your power supply/boosters.

My layout is a 2 amp system with 6 locomotives; but since I never run more than two at a time, and the idle ones draw minimal power, 2 amps is plenty.