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Model Railroading
Getting started into the wonderful world of model railroading can be a very enjoyable experience. The purpose of this article is to break down the various HO scale model train products so that you have the information that you need to get off to the right start in model railroading.
The most popular size is HO scale which is 1/87th of the real thing. While HO scale model trains are true to scale, HO slot cars or a Hot Wheel die-cast car are considered to be HO scale but are actually closer to 1/64th scale. So, HO scale model trains being true to scale, are slightly smaller than an HO scale slot car or a Hot Wheel die-cast car. HO scale trains are about half the size of an O scale model train (Lionel) and about twice the size of an N scale model train.
The HO scale model trains offer a huge selection of products that allow you to experience everything model railroading has to offer at a size that is great for around the Christmas tree, a 4’ x 8’ foot layout or even a much larger layout. This allows you the flexibility of enjoying HO scale model railroading now and to expand as your interest grows without having to switch scales.
Getting Started in HO Model Trains
We have spent a lot of time researching and asking many long time HO scale model train enthusiasts questions about model trains and the products available, and the consensus is that you get what you pay for, and those that tend to have the most trouble free layouts buy a high quality track and take the time to set it up properly. The track is the foundation of model train layout, so it is important to get a track that is both versatile and performs flawlessly for years to come. In our opinion, KATO UNITRACK is the most versatile HO track system on the market. Kato UNITRACK works equally well on permanent table top layouts and temporary layouts like ones set up on the floor, then taken apart and stored until the next use. The KATO UNITRACK is code 83 (which means the height of the rail is .083 inches) and made of nickel silver which has excellent electrical connections. This is very important for Digital Command Control (DCC) and/or long layouts to keep the locomotives running properly around the track.
KATO HO track is also easy to connect to other HO scale code 83 train track! Simply remove the UniJoiner from the ends of the UNITRACK sections that will attach to the conventional sectional track piece. For track that does not have an attached road bed, you can use a piece of trimmed cork roadbed to adjust the rails of the conventional track section to the same height as the UNITRACK rails. Connect the track sections together using standard nickel-silver rail joiners.
Here at BRS Hobbies, we make it easy for you to put together a starter set that is customized to your needs which will save you money in the long run since you get the right products the first time.
The best place to start, would be to purchase one or more of the KATO HO UNITRACK track sets depending on your available space and budget. These track sets are more economical than buying the individual track pieces separately. The KATO Oval or the WGH track set is great for those just getting started out in HO Model Railroading and can easily be expanded into a much larger layout in the future.
Powering the Train Track - DC & DCC
In addition, to the KATO UNITRACK track set, you will also need a power pack, locomotive and rolling stock. The power packs can be analog DC and/or Digital Command Control (DCC). The analog DC power packs are the more traditional power packs that have been used for years. The power pack adjusts the speed of the locomotive by varying the voltage to the train track rails. DCC uses a digital signal to communicate with a DCC locomotive to control it. The main advantages of DCC is it allows more than one DCC locomotive to run at the same track at the same time, can control lighting functions & sounds for those DCC locomotives that are sound equipped and has the ability to control DCC electric turnouts. Here are some options of the different power packs which are all plug and play with the KATO track sets -
KATO Power Pack - will operate any analog DC locomotive and any dual mode DCC locomotive which can function on a DC power red track with basic sounds. The KATO power pack also features a DC accessory output for powering KATO UNITRACK electric turnouts. This is the most economical way to get started in model railroading and is ideal for those who want to keep it simple.
MRC Tech 6 Sound Controller 2.0 - offers two modes of operation, analog DC mode and a DCC lite mode which allows full access to lighting functions and all the sounds of a DCC sound equipped locomotive. This is a great option if you want to run a Bachmann Thomas The Train HO locomotive or any other DC locomotive on a track, then remove it from the track and replace it with a full featured DCC locomotive without having to change out the power pack. The main benefit of the Tech 6 is it allows you to try DCC without having to go to a full fledged DCC system while still being able to run analog DC locomotives. You can also purchase the optional #1206 Tech 6 Handheld Controller to be able to operate up to 6 DCC decoder equipped locomotives on the same track using the optional handheld controller with separate controls for two operators. The MRC Tech 6 Sound Controller 2.0 doesn’t have a 12 volt accessory output so a separate 12 volt dc power supply will be needed if any KATO electric turnouts will be added to your layout.
MRC Prodigy Express or Advance Squared DCC Systems - Both of these systems are full fledged DCC systems that are only compatible with DCC locomotives. For an analog DC locomotive to run on the track, you will need to either switch over to an analog DC power pack such as the KATO Power Pack or convert your analog DC locomotives to DCC using the appropriate DCC decoder. The main differences between the Express and Advanced Squared is the Express will access 16 accessory functions instead of 28 for the Advance Squared, the Express has 1.6 amps of power compared to 3.5 amps for the Advance Squared and the Advance Squared has the ability to control DCC compatible electric turnouts. The Express can be upgraded (by purchasing additional items) to all the features of the Advance Squared so the choice mainly comes down to your budget. The MRC Express or Advanced Squared DCC systems don’t have a 12 volt accessory output so a separate 12 volt dc power supply will be needed if any KATO electric turnouts will be added to your layout.
Final considerations on power packs, you can start out with a KATO Power Pack and upgrade to a DCC system in the future. A DCC system can be disconnected from the track and the KATO Power Pack can be connected for running an analog DC locomotive. The KATO Power Pack can also be used to power KATO electric turnouts with a DCC system. The reason I bring this up is if you start out with a KATO Power Pack it can still be used if you end up going to a DCC system.
Also, if you are on a budget, and want the ability to run an analog DC locomotive and also be able to experience all the light and sound functions of a DCC sound equipped locomotive, then the MRC Tech 6 Sound Controller 2.0 is a great option. .
Locomotives and Rolling Stock
Depending on what power pack you decided on above will help determine, which locomotives will best complete your HO model RR starter set -
1) Bachmann Thomas & Friends - locomotives are made to run, out of the box on analog DC HO model railroad layouts only. It is possible to install a DCC decoder in a Thomas & Friends locomotive to run on a DCC HO model railroad layout but it is not plug and play and will require soldering & possibly modifications to the locomotive. The Thomas & Friends locomotives and rolling stock use hook and loop couplers which are not compatible with other HO locomotives and rolling stock that use more traditional knuckle couplers.
2) Atlas Trainman - locomotives are made to run, out of the box on analog DC HO model railroad layouts only. They can also be easily converted to run on a DCC HO model railroad layout using a DCC plug & play decoder which offers lighting functions but no sound. The Atlas Trainman products offer slightly less detail but are more durable than the regular Atlas, KATO & MTH Ho locomotives and rolling stock. Compatible with all other HO locomotives and rolling stock that use traditional knuckle couplers.
3) Atlas & Kato - Locomotives come in two versions, DCC ready and DCC sound equipped. The DCC ready locomotives are made to run, out of the box on analog DC HO model railroad layouts only but can be converted to DCC layouts with a plug and play DCC decoder with lighting functions but no sound. Many of these DCC locomotives can also be converted to DCC with sound using a DCC sound decoder, please see the DCC Decoders category of our online store to see if a DCC sound decoder is available for your DCC ready locomotive. The DCC equipped with sound will run on both analog DC with lights & basic sounds and a DCC layout with full access to all the light & sound functions. Compatible with all other HO locomotives and rolling stock that use traditional knuckle couplers.
Final considerations on locomotives and rolling stock, the Bachmann Thomas & Friends and Atlas Trainman products are the best for those who want durable products for young ones and/or are on a tight budget. The Atlas Trainman HO locomotives are easily converted to DCC using a plug & play decoder that gives lighting functions but no sound, it is possible to add sound to an Atlas Trainman HO locomotive but will generally require soldering and/or modifications to the locomotive. If you want sound, then it is best to either buy a DCC sound equipped locomotive or find an Atlas (not Trainman) or KATO DCC ready locomotive that has a readily available DCC sound decoder.
by Brian BRS Hobbies
© 2011 BRS Hobbies. All Rights Reserved. Model Railroading.
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