Beginner to g scale

[heliboy]

I was asked to move this thread to this topic area


I want to start a G scale collection but I really would like some info on the hobby.

What brands to collect? I knoiw its buyer choice but I want to hear about quality and parts avalibility?


what to look for when buying?

Live steam? do they really run on steam?

Are all the brands interchangeable meaning can they all run on the same system? track, power

Thanks

[Paul W.]

Your absolute best bet is to get a copy of Garden Railways magazine, and visit some open houses or sit in on a local large scale club. Bachmann trains are a great way to get into the hobby. This board is also a good way to get info, but sounds to me like you need to visit some operating railroads to get some ideas of what you like, standard guage, narrow guage, steam, diesel, etc.

As for your question, do live steam models actually run on steam, yes. They are actual minatures of full size steam engines.

I'm sure whatever area you are in, there are currently some Christmas layouts running close to you.

[Hunt]

Hmm... I answered the overly broad questions, most repeated here, you posted in the General Board at a general level. Providing details for a Collector or Hobbyist would fill a very large book.

Realize most, if not all, of the knowledgeable people who frequent this and other large scale train websites are interested in large scale trains as a hobby not as a collector. The perspective of the hobbyist is different than that of a collector.

The website http://girr.org/girr/tips/tips.html contains a few large scale  technical tips from a hobbyist perspective. George Schreyer's tips are likely of no interest to a collector.

So what is your objective, Collector as stated or Hobbyist? Of course you, as some are, can be both. If both is the case, specific hobbyist questions are likely to receive usable information at this board.  Broad questions are going to get you broad answers.

[tac]

I recommend that you also join in on www.mylargescale.com, like many of us here.

tac
www.ovgrs.org
www.mylargescale.com 1st Class Member
www.largescalecentral.com
G1MRA #3641

[bnsonger47]

From a sort-of beginner to an "I don't know your level of knowledge" beginner.

Hey, jumping on a form is a quick way to learn things if you know the lingo. It's a hard way to learn if you don't.

The above suggestions are great ones.

Collector vs. hobbyist -- the terms need to be defined. Someone wanting to start building a G gauge setup could be a "collector" and not a hobbyist. I mean, you could get a bunch of rolling stock and have an descent setup and not be a hobbyist. By that I mean someone that really applies aging techniques, etc. to the cars or someone that makes his/her own cars with his/her own line name. A collector isn't always someone that puts engines in a display to place on a shelf. We're using English which is, at times, an imprecise language.

The thing I quickly learned about G is that is isn't at all like HO. In HO-land scale and gauge can usually be used interchangeably. In G-land it ain't necessarily so. As you've probably learned, scale refers to the general proportions of the finished product. You can still have 1:32 running on track the width of G as well as 1:22.5 but the proportions don't exactly look appropriate running in the same area. A good website for proportions vs. gauges is http://www.csgnetwork.com/modrrscalecalc.html.

Now, having said that, it is possible to get away with 1:20.3 and 1:22.5 because they're close enough for the non-purist's fudge factor.

Mixing equipment for different manufacturers -- that's another "it depends" type of answer. If the quality is similar then watch for the two types of couplers; hook/loop or knuckle. With some good products you can change out the couplers. To me, the main thing is to watch for quality. There are some products out there that are strictly for toy application -- New Bright and Buddy L, for instance.

You can run some engines, like some of the early Bachmann and others converted, made for battery with remote (radio) control on the same track as track powered systems. You can't, however, run track powered motive power on plastic track. But, you probably know that.

You have the answer on live steam. And, you probably know that it takes money and expertise for this.

[Loco Bill Canelos]

Welcome to G Scale!!

The best thing you can do is follow the good advice give above.

I woud especially recommend you find a club in your area.  The member are a wealth of knowledge and will be a huge help to you. 

I also recommend getting started.   Bachmann Starter sets are a great6 value.  You can set them up inside a have some fun, & later if you want to run outside you can buy outside track later as your budget allows. 

Get a Garden Railway Magazine and check out the Bachmann set prices in the Trainworld Ad  They have great prices on Starter sets.

Merry Railroading!!

[heliboy]

Thanks to all of you for the great info and advise.

collector or hobiest, the answer would be, I want to build a nice large scale display for myself and my grandson.  Since this will all be his someday I would like to incorperate quality and brands that have and will be around for a while.

Steam, I love it, my job is steam related just industrial not tains.  I would love to have a true steam operating train on my layout.

I have looked at Aristacraft , Backmann, Marklin and USA train (I think thats a brand)  just don't know enough about the diffrent companies and products

I picked up Garden Railways and they have so much, I just thought I would learn more by posting on here.

I'm in nothern Ohio and have no idea if a train club exsist but I will check into it.

I need to understand more about locomotives and rolling stock. The comment about couplers was a concern of mind but I didn't know how many styles exist. I will look into both mentioned, which do most of you perfer?

This is long so I'll stop for now
Once again thanks for all the replies and hope to recieve more

[Jon D. Miller]

heliboy

The best investment you could make since you are just getting started is to pick up a copy of Getting Started in Garden Railroading.

Getting Started in Garden Railroading by Allen W. Miller (no relation) is published by Krause Publications.  Library of Congress Catalog Number 00-111291.  ISBN:0-87349-232-3

This publication covers just about every aspect of large scale railroading. It is a wealth of information.  Well worth its price.  Many of your questions will be answered and it should help you make educated decisions on any aspect of the hobby.

JD

[heliboy]

THANKS I ORDERED A COPY

[grumpy]

My advice is to buy what you like to look at and keep the scale to  that which will not look out of place running together eg. 1:20 ; 1;22.5; 1;24 . I have 10 locos all are Bachman and Aristocraft. I have a small layout and so I have to make sure the locos will go around narrow turns. The gauge is big enough that you can build most structures yourself  usin standard woodworking tools
Don

[bnsonger47]

Here's a listing of garden train clubs for Ohio.

Columbus Garden Railway Society
Columbus, OH 43229 USA
www.cgrs.org
   
Northern Ohio Garden Railway Society
Uniontown, OH 44685 USA
www.nogrs.org
   
Riverside Railroad Club
Warren, OH 44484 USA
Contact Person - Juanita James
Phone - 330-399-8846

I wasn't sure how close or far away you are from Columbus so I listed it just in case. (To those of us in Kentucky Columbus is "north". We also hate driving across the desert to Cleveland.)

If you can get to Dayton/Cinci area then check out the EnterTrainment Center.

[heliboy]

THANKS, but I am on the lake Lorain Ohio which is 30 miles west of Cleveland

I will check with the ones you listed to see if they know of any closer

[OGReditor]

Brother Jon!

Thanks for recommending my book!  I'm hoping to do a completely new book one of these days because the Large Scale segment of the hobby sees continual growth and development--especially in terms of products--even though the basic techniques of garden railroading are much the same as they were back when this book was originally published.

I was a member of the Tidewater Big Train Operators Club in the Norfolk, VA, area back when this book was written and published (I now live in Ohio), and Jon is a long-time member of that club and a very knowledgeable contributor to the Large Scale Online discussion forum.  I can tell all here that even though I'm currently having a great time producing "O Gauge Railroading" magazine, I definitely miss the BTO Club and the wonderful fellowship it offered.  I'm still active in Large Scale, but pursuing it indoors at the present time.  It is a great and family oriented segment of the hobby!

My best to all in the club, Jon, and I hope the annual Christmas Show in Virginia Beach is the great draw now that it always was in the past.

[zubi]

Heliboy, Yes, they run on steam! Some of them that is. If you have the budget for that and interest in real steam locomotives not just electric driven boxes, you should explore this direction. You will also be able to learn some physics and engineering and teach your grandson some valuable skills. I advice you to stick to narrow gauge as the locomotives and rolling stock are larger and easier to maintain, plus you will need fewer rolling stock to make a credible train. Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

[heliboy]

thanks Zubi,


who makes live steam units?

what brand do you perfer and why?