Steve Featherkile said:
Given the various sizes of boxcars in this photo from Shorpy, it seems foolish to limit ones self to only one manufacturer (importer) to chase after the illusive “scale fidelity.”
Now Steve you know our rule, “It didn’t happen without pics” (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
I can see sticking with one brand for uniformity, but unless you are running unit trains, trains aren’t uniform. Using a common coupler is what many folks do. I have traded my unwanted couplers for stuff, or I have just given them away to folks who use that brand.
Maybe sticking with one brand would limit the variety of spare parts you would want to have on hand. But, I can’t see that being all that much of a motivating factor.
Metal wheels on the other hand, many threads have been written to extol the virtues of metal wheels, or debunk those notions. Me, I noticed a marked improvement in how my trains ran after I converted to metal wheels. They tracked better, with fewer derailments. The track stayed cleaner during all day runs, and they just sound better to me.
Pete Lassen said:
are there any reasons to stick with one brand as far as rolling stock? I think couplers might be the only reason I can think of off hand. While I am in question mode are there a lot of reasons to go with metal wheels on cars? I should add I am going with 1:29 as my preferred size/scale
Pete
From my experience and knowledge I can only tell you to purchase or build whatever you wish to run as it is your railroad. As for couplers most play semi nice to very nice together with the exception of USA trains couplers which play nicely with only USA trains (I’m a big fan of the product as well). There was a very good write up in Garden Railway Magazine a few years back on couplers and I totally agree with the research they printed.
As for going with metal wheels there are a few reasons to do such but the main one would be for better enjoyment and reliability especially outdoors if that is the type of RR you have .
I am no expert and only sharing my experience but I hope this helps with your decision.
Edit : because I pretty much said what Maynard just did but he types faster I guess
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no, definitely not just one brand. regardless of brand, buy or build, whatever you like for your layout.
just keep an eye on scales. some difference is ok. but not everything looks good together. in the pic you see a 1:32 no-name brand framed by 1:22.5 LGBs.
couplers - either buy kadees for your cars, or use paperclips, where necessary.
wheels - since 1969 my rolling stock runs on plastic wheels. if you “need” metallic wheels or not to me seems more of a relifion, than a logical question
No need to stick to one brand at all. One scale, perhaps, but not one brand.
Later,
K
Living in the UK I bought what was, at the time reasonable priced and readily available over here. Consequently I initially bought the 1:22.5 Bachmann Big Hauler stock and two Annie locos. I soon discovered Aristo-Craft and then only bought their product - some UK sourced, some from the USA (when the $-£ exchange rate was good). I do have one USAT wooden reefer which was sent to me as a gift. Period (hopefully) modeled is 1950 - 1970.
I suppose I was lucky to get into the hobby some eleven or so years ago and had purchased all I needed by the time the slow down occurred. There is still a lot of second hand items about it seems.
Steve mentioned the older photos showing a mixture of car heights and sizes: I have seen such pictures so I find I can mix the two scales (1:29 and 1:22.5) reasonably easily. The Bachmann stock which did not look good in a mixed scale consist was sold or kitbashed. Bachmann Big Hauler, in my view, is good for kitbashing and/or repainting. When all is said and done you buy what you like - and can afford, it is your fun you are hoping to create.
Ah - another excuse to re-post this, my favorite Shorpy image of boxcar sizes…
Which is my justification for running a 1:24 car with my 1:20 cars…
My apologies to those who have seen that several times before (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)
Pete,
I would also like to mention if you mix brands of passenger equipment (dubbed 1:29th) most will play nice together. However if you want to run USA’s beautiful streamliners then I would suggest sticking with them only. They are truly built to scale (as far as I’m concerned) and do not mix well with other passenger car (out of the box) manufacturers that I’m aware of.
Daktah John, I really like the picture of your cars, that helps me a lot
Yea, my newest favorite train is an LGB mogul, supposedly something like 1:22.5, with a Bachmann tender, in a similar scale, pulling Heartland coaches that are supposedly 1:24th scale.
All have been converted to the standard coupler for my railroad, G scale KaDees.
Pete Lassen said:
Daktah John, I really like the picture of your cars, that helps me a lot
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Check out Star Hobby for metal wheels. I am in the same place you are and they were suggested to me. Don’t email them call them. http://starhobby1.com/ If you buy the Bachmann wheels they sell them by the case for a pretty deep discount. I think a case is six sets of four axles.
Here’s a combination of Bachmann, Aristo, LGB, kit bashed, kit built, scratchbuilt and maybe one or 2 others.
Ken,
Is that the new shed storage trackage? Doesn’t look like the old garage tracks. Nice picture! Looks really good!
I use Kadee knuckles on some rolling stock, but most have the double hook and loop couplers.
For an open house, hook and loops stay coupled the whole day and solid brass metal wheels prevent wind gusts from derailing cars due to the added weight.
Note that LGB metal wheels are rims and not very heavy.
I’m like the rest Pete and run a combination of cars from several manufacturers and my own creations.
Rule #1 When it comes to model RR there is a prototype for everything.
Rule #2 There are no rules and if you like to see it running on your RR then by all means do it.
Above all Have FUN and run what you like. your eyes will tell you if the cars look good together.
Ric Golding said:
Ken,
Is that the new shed storage trackage? Doesn’t look like the old garage tracks. Nice picture! Looks really good!
Yup, nothing left in the garage except the engines and some logging cars.
I do what Dan Pierce has done. I’ve changed everything to hook and loop couplers. They of course don’t look as prototypical, but they hold together for all day running, on my present uneven ground level track. They are also cheaper than Kadees, although the Kadees look great and are prototypical of course. I run my AMS cars only with each other with their couplers, but everything else, USA, Aristo, Bachmann, LGB connects well with the hook and loops. I am presently constructing an elevated railroad (if the snow ever melts), which will provide a more level and even track, (and I won’t have to crawl around on the ground any more!). When completed, I might consider converting to Kadees then because they look so great…if I have any money left after the benchwork construction.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
I’ve never paid much attention to pairing different brands together (other than AMS because of their size and scale). All the others look fine together to me. I use metal wheels as I have found that there added weight seems to help keep the cars bit more stable, and the track cleaner. But it comes down to what you want to do. It’s your railroad to have fun with!
I have a mix of LGB, Hartland/Kalamazoo and Delton freight cars, along with Kalamazoo engines. I change everything to LGB knuckle couplers other than the Euro 2 axle cars. I keep one USA Reefer with a knuckle on one end and a hook/loop on the other as a conversion/transition car. I tend to stick with the smaller scales like LGB’s loose 1:22.5 and Hartland/Delton/Kalamazoo 1:24th. My little railways, both indoors and out have R1 curves, larger rolling stock and engines look out of place. Scale and rivet counting is not allowed outdoor, just fun with trains and plants. My HO scale layout is where scale is held in higher places. Only cars not in my normal garden scale are my wife’s USA wood side beer reefers. But still look OK behind the Kalamzoo Americans, just have to watch the weight, to much and its hard on the gears and they tend to slip out in the “S” curve on the outdoor layout. Train lengths are kept short, just like they were in the days of the 4-4-0 American type. I prefer the LGB knuckle, even though its way out of scale as it not only pivots with the trucks, but the knuckle head pivots as well. This helps when I back trains thru the tight curves and 1200 series turnouts. Mike
