ryanstrains
Moderator
The sound is pretty bad, plus the lighting functions are not very good.
What's the best and most affordable model train company?
- Thread starter 9000DOLLAR
- Start date
9000DOLLAR
INACTIVE
Thanks for telling me, I was seriously thinking about buying one.
The problem I have with Soundtraxx is, not that I have anything against them, but the fact that I don't have the time or tools to hard wire a decoder into an engine.
Also, my hands get really shakey when it comes to fine motor skills, so I might break something.
9000DOLLAR
INACTIVE
Probably my most important question on this topic is...
Which model train company makes the best sound equipped HO scale SP and/or UP F7's?
Which model train company makes the best sound equipped HO scale SP and/or UP F7's?
simulatortrain
jointed freaking rails
You were already told you don't have to hard-wire every Soundtraxx decoder.
9000DOLLAR
INACTIVE
I have seen the kind that doesn't hard wire, only problem is, I don't have any engines of those brands.
Although, I might look at Athearn as a possibility.
One more thing, do the decoders that don't need to be hard-wired have limited functions?
I've never installed a decoder before, and I'm a little confused on how to do it.
Red_Rattler
Since 09 May 2003
Here in the UK we have a premium brand model railway manufacturer - Hornby Railways - who cater for the British OO gauge market. The price range for Hornby products varies from reasonably cheap to quite expensive. For example, a new BR Class 50 locomotive available in the 2014 catalogue is priced at £150 whilst in the budget RAILROAD range, which is aimed at a younger / beginner market, a Hornby BR Class 06 is around the £20 - £25 range. Hornby locomotives are only now constructed as either DCC ready or DCC fitted, and all have working directional lights. A small selection of Hornby steam and diesel locomotives even have sound chips fitted along with directional lights but the downside is that these unique models can cost between £200 and £250 each.
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9000DOLLAR
INACTIVE
9000DOLLAR
INACTIVE
I don't have OO gauge, I have HO scale, and I buy models of locomotives from the western US, such as Union Pacific, Rio Grande, and BNSF.
Thanks for trying though. Also, if you ever visit the US, be sure to check this out...
Once again, this picture isn't mine, I found it on the internet.
jacksonbarno
Alco Spoken Here
DCS isn't required for MTH locomotives. They run on SCC just as well as any other high-quality locomotive. They also make some really good passenger sets (20th Century, Powhattan Arrow, Daylight). I prefer their sounds over BLI's generic whistles, bells, and chuff sounds.
I suppose it's all a matter of preference, really.
I suppose it's all a matter of preference, really.
9000DOLLAR
INACTIVE
That's one of the reasons I don't buy steamers anymore, just diesels. BLI does make a good diesel though, and apparently some of their steamers can haul real bricks, a whole lot of bricks. (check BLI's youtube promo videos if you don't beleive me.)
9000DOLLAR
INACTIVE
Alright, now I have an idea of what brand to buy: Athearn Genesis
and what kind of train: EMD F7 (DCC soundtraxx sound)
I have an idea of what railroads to look for: something from the western US, such as UP, SP, Rio Grande, BNSF...
The only thing left to do is find one, and I don't know where to start looking for one. Everywhere I look, they're going for at least $250.00, sometimes even more.
My spending limit (meaning how much it's worth to me to get one) is about $180.00 shipping included.
I may just have to settle for another Bachmann ATSF EMD FT. (as those are some of the few things they got right)
Once Again, these pictures aren't mine, I found them on the internet.
and what kind of train: EMD F7 (DCC soundtraxx sound)
I have an idea of what railroads to look for: something from the western US, such as UP, SP, Rio Grande, BNSF...
The only thing left to do is find one, and I don't know where to start looking for one. Everywhere I look, they're going for at least $250.00, sometimes even more.
My spending limit (meaning how much it's worth to me to get one) is about $180.00 shipping included.
I may just have to settle for another Bachmann ATSF EMD FT. (as those are some of the few things they got right)
jacksonbarno
Alco Spoken Here
Ebay usually works, but you have to be careful and thoroghly read everything through to make sure it isn't damaged or otherwise.
9000DOLLAR
INACTIVE
Or coming from a costume shop. THAT WAS WEIRD!
ryanstrains
Moderator
Uh what does that even have to do with the reply?
9000DOLLAR
INACTIVE
EVERYTHING. I once saw a costume shop on Ebay claiming to be selling a Bachmann F7, but I think it was a scam.
ryanstrains
Moderator
Ebay is normally safe because ebay has so many buyer protection rules to save people from getting scammed.
simulatortrain
jointed freaking rails
To be a little too nitpicky- Hornby makes OO scale products for HO gauge. OO is 1:76, which would give it a gauge of 18.9mm vs HO's 16.5mm.
@9000dollar
The Bachmann FT isn't something they got right, the trucks are the wrong distance apart, among other things.
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jacksonbarno
Alco Spoken Here
The paint colors are wrong on almost all of the units, they are poorly detailed (molded on detail), and they run poorly.
9000DOLLAR
INACTIVE
I actually have a new post about that, I'm trying to fix all of those errors because the before mentioned FT fell out of its box and broke a wire and I think that now it's a perfect oppertunity to make a cheap train more prototypical. (It was my first DCC engine, so it has a lot of sentimental value [also, with a little tweaking{loosening a screw} it ran perfectly])
And, once again, I am not buying models of trains from the UK as they wouldn't look right on an American layout. I am searching for models of trains from the western US, such as Rio Grande, Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Santa Fe, and others from that region.