new to hobby

[newfiegod]

Hi, i'm looking at getting into the hobby and i am looking at getting a RTR DCC Train Set but i am not sure what to get. Definately want a H.O. system , i am looking at the Bachman Digital Commander Deluxe Set with DCC. Any input on this set? Looked at Atlas Trainman sets as well as some waltham sets........any imput on a good set to start out with would be greatly appreciated!!

[ta152h0]

if i could foretell the future ....................... enjoy the hobby, buy what you want .I personally have an MRC Advance 2 system after buying two other lass capable MRC systems.

[Yampa Bob]

Newfie, you are asking a tough question. Do you have any plans for a future layout, or just want something to run and see if you like the hobby?

It you want to jump right into DCC, then the Digital Commander set is a good way to go for the money.  For steam you have a choice of Great Northern, Union Pacific, or painted unlettered.  If you don't know railroad line you want to model, then the unlettered might be best for you, it can be lettered later to suit your chosen line.

The locos are not Spectrum quality, and you will still need some cars.  It you want a complete set, then consider the "Chatanooga" that has loco, cars and track.  But the track is steel, not nickel and it is DC, not DCC.  I think you need to do a little more planning on where you want to go with the hobby.

You will probably get 20 different options with your question.  Good luck.

Yampa Bob

[newfiegod]

Right now i am just looking to set something up on 4x8 sheet and in all honestly that is probably as big as i will get. I want to take the time to build a nice scenic project . I dont know railroad line or what type of track is best which is why i would like to buy a expandable complete set and see and learn as i go.

[TonyD]

I have only one question- why dcc? I had a terrible time getting it to do anything more that what basic DC could do 100 years ago, my 2 cents- a waste of money and nerves, bloodpressure. When you decide to expand well beyond your sheet of plywood, dcc is aways an option in future. A nice DC set with tracks and all can show up for peanuts. my friends near Edmunton bought their kids 2 Bachmann CPR sets- at Canadian tire, day after Christmas sale. Ain't gonna tell you how cheap that deal was....Going in too deep might get frustrating, just put an oval together, practice the scenery and buildings, then buy some switches and more track after you get to know the 1st lot, have a good time with the basics.... my nieghbor's kids didn't expand at all, got bored....but the hogwart still looks great going around their Christmas tree!       

[newfiegod]

Well i figured i would go with the newest technology out there on the market , but i have really been debating between dc and dcc. Yampa bob had mentioned a system..."Chatanooga" which seems to be along the lines of what i may be looking for looking. Are there any ready to run systems you would recommend? I am leaning towards Bachmann just for the fact of the track they use.

[ta152h0]

if i may humbly opine here, the reason for DCC is greater than a 4X8 track. I probably would not have gone to DCC except the RR club I belong to, has  It is more fun when you have locomotives/trains to participate with and go to train shows with.  you see, trains grow on you !

[newfiegod]

Thats what i am hoping......tried alot of other hobbies in the past but nothing has really held my interest for longer than a month...lol

[Yampa Bob]

Well, one thing about model railroading, there is really no limit to what you can achieve. It just depends on the size of your wallet. 

I see nothing wrong with going to DCC locomotives right from the start. So let's turn the question around to  "Why not DCC"?  It is growing in popularity and with the EZ Command, it's no more complicated than DC.  If you later expand, which you probably will, you don't need to upgrade the system.

The EZ Command sells for about $80, a good DC controller for about $45.  A DCC equipped Bachmann 2-8-0 from $90 to $110. You can't go wrong with one of these, and you have more choices in road names.  The "Connie" will run out of the box on a DC powered track.  So you have a choice of a DC or DCC  controller. 

This is my suggestion for what it's worth.  Get the DCC combo as mentioned earlier, or the 2-8-0 and separate EZ Command or Bachmann DC controller, then buy enough EZ track with gray roadbed and nickel rails,  for a basic oval.

You will need 12 pieces 18" radius curve, 11 pieces of 9" straight, 1 piece 9" straight terminal section.  That will give you about a 38" X 92" layout.  Snap it together and plug the controller in, you're set to go.  No soldering, in fact no tools whatsoever.  Figure about $300 minimum to start. 

Bachmann locomotives have a lifetime warranty, you can't beat that.

Bob 

[SteamGene]

On a 4x8, I'd stay with DC unless you really want sound, then DCC is worth it. 
You say you are going with EZ-Track - with a 4x8 that does make sense.  A couple of points worth considering:
The 18" radius recommended by Bob is going to give you room on your layout,  but will limit your choice of both locomotives and cars.  Either because of reality or aesthetics, big locos and big cars will not work on that tight a radius. 
When you lay the track, make sure the track is inside the rail joiners.  Rub your finger over the top of the rail, both ways for each piece of track.  It MUST be smooth.  If not, your roadbed is fastened together, but one rail rests ON a joiner, not IN it.  This is VERY common.  All rails must rest in joiners, not on them. 
You may also want to consider a second feeder track or rail joiners half way around the layout.  In addition, if you go with DC, consider separate electrical blocks for each siding. 
Gene

[Yampa Bob]

I was thinking you could expand later with a 22" outside track, it will still fit on a 4 X 8.  Or you could do the 22" now and add the 18" later, or just use the inside space for sidings and storage.   

By starting with the smaller inside track, you could scenic that area, then  you wouldn't be reaching across stuff to add the outer track.  Either way, you can have a pretty nice layout on a 4 X 8.

If you only plan to have one track, then I would probably go with the 22" and a DC controller as Gene suggested.

My philosophy is start small and expand outward, but it's your choice.

Bob

[newfiegod]

Thank you guys for all your wisdom and insight.....its greatly appreciated. I am going to start looking at the Dc sets to see what there is to choose from and compare the price of $149.00 CAN which is what i can get the Digital Commander set for. At that price its almost worth going with the digital.......am i right?

[WoundedBear]

I think you're right. For the minor increase in cost of a "starter" set, I would indeed go with the DCC setup and Bmann's EZC is a perfect way to get your feet wet.

If by chance you decide you don't want DCC, then your investment loss is minimal. If you wish to expand, and run more than one loco at a time, then you're already set to go.

It's hard to take a niggardly approach to model railroading. I have seen so many people fail at their early attempts because they under estimate the amount of money that can be involved, even for a simple layout. I have read articles that state a layout, even modestly done, but done well.....can run 30 dollars per square foot.

A simple 4 X 8 is 32 square feet......$30 X 32sqft works out to a figure of $960...let's call it a grand for arguments sake. Even at 20 bucks a sqft it runs $640.

And remember....this is for everything....rails and roster to scenery and structures. The layouts you see in the magazines are running in the 50-75 dollar/sqft range. (You do the math on that one )

You see a lot of talk on here about pricing and smart shopping. Combining a DCC into your starter set is a fine example of smart shopping. By shopping wisely and waiting for the right deal, you can do this on a tight budget, I just want you to keep the overall cost in mind as you make your purchases.

Always keep your "vision" in mind when shopping. If the item you are looking at "fits" your layout (theme/cost/quality etc), buy it. If you have to think of how to justify a piece of equipment on your layout, it's usually best to pass. Don't waste dollars. Count every penny and PLAN your layout.

Happy railroading....I wish you success.

Sid

[Redtail67]

newfiegod:

I am new to model railroads just as your are as a matter of fact my first order of track and supplies should arrive today. I have studied and have read every thing I could in an attempt to make a rational decision as to what I needed.

The people on this board have given you some solid advice.  Listen to them and learn. They also have some excellent post on this board covering such things as coupler updates and other things you will surely need to know. Bookmark this page as it will be a great source of information for you as it has been for me.

You will be well served in my opinion to go with the Bachmann DCC controller right off the bat. If you decide to enlarge and really get into this you already have a controller that is capable. If not it will still do the DC.

I know what you are going through with the decisions I nearly drove myself crazy. However, the best advice was jump in to it with a basic setup 4x8 with a DCC capable controller and see what happens to your enthuisiasm.

I had absolutely no idea of the unlimited potiential available, then I got a Walthers reference catalog and a Bachmann catalog. I looked all over the internet at various layouts and as you were told earlier the sky is the limit (aka "size of wallet"...lol

I will never build on the scale as others on this board but I plan to have fun with my grandson. Thats is what is important, having fun on your budget, and dreaming of one heck of a fantastic layout.

One can always dream.

So best wishes to you and I hope you have fun.

Redtail67

[newfiegod]

lol.....i guess i am going with n scale now.....the wife informed me that i dont have the room now for a 4x8 layout...which i hate to admit .....after i measured i really dont have that much space to spare.....how big a table would make a good n scale layout?