Since I’m new to G scale…I’m looking for info on the better products out there and where to buy them. I have an indoor suspended double track and have purchased a few USA loco’s and rolling stock. I have noticed that most of the websites I have visited show product but are usually out of stock on most items. Any thoughts on what and where to purchase? Doug
Doug,
you make reference to USA loco’s and rolling stock. Are you referring to 1/29 scale USA Trains products or generic USA prototype models? I have the utmost respect for Ridge Road Station, in the States. I have had numerous transactions with them and have found them to be extremely courteous and very reasonable on shipping costs.
In so far as goods being nil stock, then this is par for the course for largescale. Goods are produced in 'production runs' of maybe several thousand items. It is unusual for a particular item to be in continuous production. I am able to recommend Aristocraft and LGB 1.29 scale rolling stock and locomotives. The only USA Trains locomotives that I have owned were a couple of 44-tonners of which I was not very keen on. USA Trains rolling stock is very well detailed. Choice of manufacturers is a personal decision based on particular experiences the modellor has had with the product.Thanks Tim: The loco’s and rolling stock are made by the USA trains. I think I will give Aristocraft a try…I wonder if there is any advantage to joining their club? Doug
it’s all a Chevy/Ford Debate…we all have our preferences, as you will the longer you are around.
I do know that USA and Aristo make different models of different Prototypes, so that gives you some variety.
I think one of the only “club” advantages is you pay them for the opportunity to “Buy” certain “Custom” items (rolling stock and engine re-paints, etc…)may be wrong there.
I have had great success with Ridge Road Station for stock purchases…and RCS/NWRCS for my control purchases.
cale
Doug,
membership to the Aristocraft Club gives you access to ‘club’ cars and the ‘Insider’ magazine. Membership depends on how badly you need the club cars. the ‘Insider’ magazine is usually filled with useful info.
In so far as the Aristo/USA Trains 'debate', USA Trains has been 'criticised' for being too detailed, as opposed to Aristocraft which is more 'user friendly' as regards handling. It all depends on what you like. As Cale has stated, each manufacturer produces their own variety of locomotive and rolling stock prototypes.Doug, Tim has hit the nail on the head when he says “it all depends what you like.”
I own USA and Aristo diesel models. On six-axle engines (e.g., USA SD-40, Aristo Dash-9), the two companies use completely different designs. Doesn’t matter, both work. It’s a bit like a washing machine - what’s better, a top loader or a front loader?
The Dash-9 pulls like a truck. It’s geared low, so it’ll start pulling with less power applied to the track than the SD-40. That said, if you’re racing your trains, the SD-40 will pull away from the Dash-9 in no time.
The SD-40 uses traction tyres; the Dash-9 doesn’t. The SD-40 is more detailed than the Dash-9, but there’s not a lot in it. It’s also easier to assemble - but maybe that’s just me.
As far as retailers go, I’ve dealt with Charles Ro, Ridge Road, RLD Hobbies, San-Val, Trainworld and Wholesale Trains this year. Notice I’ve listed them alphabetically. Most of these operations are small, family-owned businesses. Every retailer has good days and bad days; Ridge Road, which a couple of folks have mentioned on this thread, is no exception.
I’ve had good experiences with all of the retailers listed, and screw-ups with four of them. The only experience I’ll mention was Trainworld’s insistence that I eMail my credit card number and CVC before we could do business, a demand that verges on brain-dead. Now that their new site (Trainworld Online) is up, that problem’s gone away.
I’d deal with any of the retailers listed above again. Based on how they handled screw-ups, I have definite preferences, but that’s my business. I understand others have perfectly good reasons for recommending, or flaming, retailers. I tend not to get too carried away if things go well, nor overly upset at screw-ups. It’s the human condition.
Best thing to do if you’re concerned about an item being in stock is to call. I have yet to hit a retailer who won’t check for you. Of course, unless you place your order immediately, the item could be gone . . . .
Thanks for all the comments…I have a much clearer picture of where I want to go with this. I have ordered USAT from Charles Ro and Interrail from Wholesale trains, only one glitch with the later. I just placed an order from Ridge Road Station for some Aristocraft track and tank car, I’ll see how that goes. I wish I could find a site where I could establish a wish list for my beloved wife. She claims that I’m impossible to buy for so, I mentioned that she could buy me anything G scale train related. Since she doesn’t know the front from the back of a modern diesel loco, I was proud when she presented me a USAT Southern bay window caboose for Fathers day. Doug
Doug:
RLD Hobbies has gift certificates - one or two of the others in the list I posted are likely to have them, too.
The US Postal Service has just changed the way it charges for overseas shipments, which makes shipping dearer for us in Oz. CRo uses USPS to Australia unless you tell them otherwise, whereas WhoTrains uses UPS unless you request something different. It will be interesting to compare the two, now that USPS rates have risen.
RRoad lets you pick, but based on a recent purchase (arrived yesterday) they haven’t come to grips with the new USPS rules yet. Postage came to nearly 2/3 the cost of the order, and some of that was due to inefficient packaging. I think they recognise they have a problem, and they have been very good with postage in the past.
RLD has picked up that the new rules are only being enforced in US post offices. USPS hasn’t gotten around to modifying its web site yet. RLD uses the USPS Click 'N Pay system, where postage is paid and pick-up is scheduled electronically. Just at the moment, that results in considerable savings on overseas postage.
Pax,
Dave
Seems to me it goes kindof this way:
Bachmann - Your lower priced items. Quite nice. Some very nice.
Bachmann Spectrum - More expensive and very nice.
Aristo Craft - Moderately priced and nicely detailed. Most of my equipment is Aristo.
USA Trains - More detailed and more expensive.
Heartland - Rugged. Some like them, some don’t.
Scientific Toys - Forget them.
LGB - Rugged and reliable. Detail and scale varies. Pricy.
Tom Ruby said:
Seems to me it goes kindof this way:Bachmann - Your lower priced items. Quite nice. Some very nice.
Bachmann Spectrum - More expensive and very nice.
Aristo Craft - Moderately priced and nicely detailed. Most of my equipment is Aristo.
USA Trains - More detailed and more expensive.
Heartland - Rugged. Some like them, some don’t.
Scientific Toys - Forget them.
LGB - Rugged and reliable. Detail and scale varies. Pricy.
I’ll add, since we are talking, one presumes, about US/Can outline stuff -
Accucraft - electric & live steam - very nice to awesome - prices - moderate for what you get in both gauge 1 [1/32nd scale] and F scale [1/20.3 scale]. Live-steam Cab-forward and Royal Hudson about to hit the dealers…
Kiss - very limited choice of one model in 1/22.5, but it IS a Colorado mike.
ASTER - live steam [gas - rare - or alcohol - usual] - high end models in very limited numbers in Gauge 1 and sometimes in 1/22.5-ish - commensurate high prices, but save about 10% by building the kit. You’ll never lose money buying an ASTER anything, but if you haven’t got it now, there aren’t any - unless you buy used.
Catatonk Locomotive Works - F scale Shay and Climax - rare, and with Mike Chaney’s impending retirement, about to become even rarer - live steam coal-fired models of exquisite craftsmanship and pretty high price.
David Bailey [DJB Engineering] - coal-fired K-27/28 from scratch - NOT a modified Accucraft model [VERY high price, but naturally worth every cent] - coal-fired conversions of lower-end Accucraft models - see the thread on mylargescale.com live steam forum to see the workmanship of an EDRIG boiler for coal-firing - but expect to have to pay at least double PLUS the original price of the loco for the conversion alone.
Argyle Locomotive Works [Gordon Watson in Oz] - live steam coal-fired Forney in 1/19th of astounding detail and craftsmanship - around $4500 and a two-year wait, but worth it.
Another US dealer/maker comes to mind who has just produced an EBT mike, but his name escapes me right now.
Hope this helps…
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS