My Favorite Model Railroad Brands and More
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2024
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TRAIN SETS
N Scale Train Set - amzn.to/33TzsbS
HO Scale Train Set - amzn.to/311N17g
O Scale Train Set - amzn.to/3lAZCGu
G Scale Train Set - amzn.to/312Cn09
3D PRINTERS
Elegoo Mars 2 - amzn.to/3yopRaS
Creality Ender 3 V2 - amzn.to/3DOuKei
CAMERA
Sony ZV-E10 - amzn.to/3IK9pX1
MICROPHONE
Rode Wireless Go - amzn.to/33ipqDf
Rode Smart Lav - amzn.to/3dN6ChI
LIGHTS
Aputure Amaran 100D - amzn.to/3ELlysm
Aputure Amaran MC - amzn.to/3ER8Vfw
GVM 480LS 2 Light Kit - amzn.to/3EOTTGY
MOTION CONTROL
MOZA Aircross 2 Gimbal - amzn.to/3oNb4TG
MOZA Slypod E - amzn.to/3dMWtkQ
Channel Merch - teespring.com/shop/diy-digita...
“The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;
don’t be happy when they stumble.
For the Lord will be displeased with you
and will turn his anger away from them.
Don’t fret because of evildoers;
don’t envy the wicked.”
Proverbs 24: 16-19 NLT - Jak na to + styl
Guys! I had a total brain fart and completely forgot to mention Micro Trains! I absolutely love Micro Trains rolling stock. Whoops!
I use Microscale wheelsets to switch out old rapido couplers off cool old rolling stock.
🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲
Question, do you buy from Atlas?
Questions for a future video: What couplers do you use and do you swap out all your rolling stock so that they all have the same brand couplers?
Yup, pretty much agree with you on Manufacturers. I have few Scale Trains although Kato is my "go to". I like Atlas for cars but not for Engines. I'm not a fan of Bachman though although I haven't bought any of their products recently.
BLI is a love/hate relationship. What I've found is that, out of the box, you will have problems. This is due to how BLI manufactures their truck power pick up plates. Normally these plates have cups in them for the axles to fit into. But, BLI has put holes in the ends of the cups!. The "secret" that I've found is to take the trucks apart, and start by making sure that the wheels are set to NMRA standards (they are generally too narrow). Then, make sure the plates are bent so that they apply constant pressure on the axels and finally, use conductive oil (I've tried grease but it doesn't work) on the end of each axle. In my case this has removed ALL of the herky-jerky movement.
Kato well cars. Those 5 unit (and 3 unit) sets. You need to follow the instructions and make sure the trucks are aligned properly. There is only ONE way to do this. I can run a consist with 2 X 3 units and 6 X 5 units pulled by 2 to 3 Kato engines. Over double crossovers, up inclines and down, through multiple turnouts and zero derailments. Of course with a train that long you do have to be very gentle in accelerating and braking.
Another useful and interesting video Jimmy. Thank you for all your hard work to make it happen. Mel in Portugal. 🇧🇫
Great news about controlling tortiose switch machines with the motor driver. Hopefully implement them in my new layout. I stick with Kato and Atlas Locomotives in N scale and produce great products in HO scale as well imho.
interesting, as someone into Japanese trains, I'd say Tomytec is a good entry point price wise (since you buy ready display models and they sell upgrade kits to motorize them at a later date and I find it to be a good entry line for commuter railway)
I model H.O. scale; and my go-to manufacturing companies are:
1- Rapido trains Inc
2- Scaletrains
3- Atlas
4- Athearn Genesis 2.0
5- Bachmann (modern models)
6- Intermountain
7- Bowser
8- Walthers Proto
9- Walthers Mainline
10- MTH
Good questions and great answers! Watching today with BRCC's Freedom Fuel dark roast, black.
Great video. I am a big fan of Kato, ScaleTrains, Dapol and Bachmann/Graham Farish. I have mostly UK N scale model trains with some European TGV's as well. However I do have a trio of American locomotives and I just bought 4 of the Tier 4 GEVO's from ScaleTrains. I have some Atlas and MicroTrains wagons in the form of boxcars.
Very nice upload you done. Thanks for sharing.
Kato for N scale locomotives. For my high-end power in HO Athearn. That the bar for me. Great info Jimmy🚂🚃🚃🇨🇦🇺🇲
I agree with your comments on Bachmann. Somehow it was imprinted on me that their loco's are cheap until I bought my first one, a GP40 with sound, and now my favorite loco in my possession is a Bachmann 4-6-4 Hudson.
What does leave a sour taste for me though are Atlas locos. The first loco I bought was an Atlas MP15DC, the motor never ran well, and it quit out just as I was finishing my first layout.
I got 2 atlas locos, both the 405. One works great and one got sent back for repairs
EDIT: I am currently getting into N scale!
I have a single engine right now and it is a Bachmann Thomas the tank engine. Great little engine that has seen hours of play between me and my 2 year-old. My next purchase maybe the Kato NYC 20th Century Limited engines.
I don’t have much experience with rolling stock as all I have at the moment are a few Bachmann pieces that go with Thomas. Those look super cool!
I have a Bachmann HO scale 'Percy' loco from their 'Thomas the Tank Engine' series that I bought for my kids about 18 years ago and it still runs great.
Yeah...more medial to look for...thanks Jimmy! :). My wife has PCOS and I didn't know of the heart desease connection. Good video as always. I drink what ever coffee is available to me at any time!
Great stuff jimmy. I have a old Bachmann spectrum GP30. And I have to say that it runs better than the Athearn loco I run.Especially in slow speeds.
I have always used Kato and Atlas in N scale locomotives, over the last few years I go back and forth, Kato and Atlas never a problem. I started getting some Broadway limited because of the sound quality which I have Paragon 2s and 3s, like you said some issues, 3s were better, it took time to get them to run without stalling by adjusting wheel sets, applying electrical contact grease to electrical contact points, they do really good now, every once in a while one might on a turnout might pause for a second but tolerable.
Over the last couple of months I purchase couple of Broadway Limited Paragon 4s which are SD70ACe locomotives and damn I was impressed due to the fact that not one hiccup yet, I did have one of them I had to set a couple of wheels on one but they weren’t too bad. I believe it’s due to the fact they implemented a capacitance to the Decoder so a slight loss in power it continues. Definitely happy with the Paragon 4s on running and smoothness, with sound turned off they are quite running as well.
But like you say Kato and Atlas have always been so good. I do want to try a Scale Trains Rivet Counter Locomotive in the future 😊 I had thought a few times about Bachmann but have always stayed away because in the 80s they were awful! I imagine the higher end Bachmann’s are better, just afraid to buy one.
Nice vidoe jimmy. I own kato Locomotives and atlas and micro train rolling stock. All of them have been very reliable so far. Thanks for sharing
Hey Jimmy. great video, I totally agree, I have a Broadway Limited Light Mikado (N Scale) that cannot handle plastic frogs, 2 F7's that run good but when I put them into a consist one always craps out. I have to delete and redo the consist. I have an AC6000, the wheels seem to oxidize overnight. I just got an EMD NW2 with Paragon 4. that is not bad. I have an Atlas Shea that I put a decoder into, runs great. My best running locomotive is a Kato FEF 3, it's sound is better also, the only problem is it will find all your bad spots, I call it "the troublemaker " it has become my test locomotive. I will not buy anymore BLI stuff either. I will most likely stick to Kato and Atlas from now on. As for rolling stock, of course Micro Trains. As for Kato Couplers, well that's another story. Going to a train show in The Villages this weekend, I can't wait to look at what I buy. Keep up the good work.
Sal (in Florida)
good vid on you channel thanks lee
Thanks for the answer and mention on the show. Looking forward to the video on helix building. Setting the grade (plan is about 2%+) but getting the lifting blocks as it climbs is in the planning brain now. Do I square them, or angle cut as it climbs to get the grade? Hmm, going to think on that some more.
Want to fix my entry level track down to a specific point before building upward and test, test, test as I go.
BTW, not a fan of SCARM or those types of programmes. Too old to figure them out ....😉
Great video Jimmy!! Today I’m trying a favourite of my wife’s! Starbucks Pike Place freshly ground with one sweetener and 2 cream. 🇨🇦
DC to DCC ... We are talking about running multiple trains on one layout here. For DC, the complications are in the layout wiring, in order to keep each train running on its own circuit. This entails more feeders, more (electric) switches, more blocks, and more complexity for the operators to manage. In DCC a computer (micro-controller) is put into each locomotive, so the complexity moves from the layout to the locomotives. The throttles send signals to the layout, the layout merely forwards the signals to all of the locomotives, and the locomotives sort it out. Hence, as Jimmy says, converting the layout is easy. You probably can even strip out wires to simplify the layout wiring. But your locomotives need to have microprocessors (aka "decoders") installed. Newer locomotives are usually easier to convert to DCC than others. Converting a locomotive requires research to find the right decoder that works with your locomotive and then installing it. There are shops that will perform the conversion service for you.
If your layout only runs one train it doesn't matter. Stay with DC.
Kato for locomotives because I just run DC for now and they are simple to upgrade when the time comes. Rolling stock is whatever looks good to me so I have a little bit of everything. Just got a gunderson set, it was fairly easy to set up.
Good list of your top brands. Even though they don't make a ton of locomotives, I think Micro-trains is worth a mention. They make nice N-scale trucks/couplers, and also I think they are definitely the leader when it comes to factory weathered cars.
oops haha just saw your follow up comment!!
My go to brands is Walthers, Proto 2000, Atlas, and Athearn / Athearn Genesis. These brands are super reliable, and parts are easy to find. Bachmann in some cases is ok but avoid the 80's and 90's stuff like the plague. BLI has some nice locos but their Paragon series, the decoders are fragile as a thin pane of glass. I have a NYC Niagara with paragon 3 that already burned through two decoders due to short circuits on the club layout which leave my loco making sounds but no movement. Though I do own a BLI Blueline series PRR T1 that has been running like a champ. With the BLI Blueline series, you could put in your own decoder which improves reliability. So yes to blueline, no to Paragon. There are other brands that are decent too like Kato, MTH, Scaletrains, Rapido, etc. (I own one Kato but yet to own the other brands). With the brands I listed that I go after, its due to the parts availability. The rarer the model, the harder it is to find important parts.
Hi Jimmy,
I too really like Scale Trains and Atlas. Kato would be great if only they offered factory installed sound. Mostly I find 3rd party installs which ends up being too expensive. If I can get a drop in ESU with sugger cube speaker for under $100 I will do it myself. I like Bachman too but they have gotten too expensive lately for some reason. I share your not so good experience with BLI but I am rooting for them. If they can fix the reliability they would be a great buy. I'm going to try a Paragon 4 in the next few months.
Still drinking the cheap coffee, Tony
Jimmy I love mth rolling stock they look so nice on the track
Because I model Japanese railways in N scale, my go to brand by default is Kato, for trains, track, and some scenery/structure items. I have a couple of Tomix, but I try to shy away from them as they’re harder to convert to DCC. (I currently have a RailStar 700 Shinkansen that I’ve fried a couple of components on. Not giving up though!) I do agree on Bachmann’s quality. I own a handful of the older HO stuff from the 90s or earlier, and the more recent equipment is almost a night and day difference. Not only is the detail level higher, but the paint schemes are also more realistic (including the finish), and most, if not all, come with metal wheels and body-mounted couplers.
Some good questions ask!! Looking to see a video on SCARM. Seen some people use Anyrail but first I heard of SCARM. Since I'm just starting out was thinking about going DCC now on the locomotives would you suggest getting DCC Ready then down the road with DCC? While watching your videos enjoy drinking a cup of Maxwell House Medium Roast just black no sugars!!😎 Stay Safe & God Bless!!!!
I have had to many issues with Atlas engines but their rolling stock is nice . My Intermountains are my best runners
I plan on running train in my new place. Think you could do a video in the different scales please!
Great stuff....Bacmann as you say have fantastic detail, Kato is limited in as you say steam( my favourite )
Bachman has improved
N scale steam is quite limited in variety but KATO still does some nice steamers!!
I’ve had good luck with my Broadway Limited stuff but they can be hit or miss. The key is to get their stuff from off their website under the refurbished section. A little cheaper and it’s stuff that you know has good quality control.
I am surprised you didn't mention Micro-Trains for rolling stock. I find the quality very good and they are made in the U.S.A. Drinking Gevalia Columbian this morning.
My Micro-Trains locomotives are some of my smoothest running locos. And the MTL rolling stock is fantastic.
doh! I had a total brain fart. I love MTL
Can you attach more than one turnout to each pair of pins of the motor driver if you want the turnouts to switch together?
By the way, drinking HAG classic decaf (it's a bit late here)
I have 3 Bachman f-9 locomotives in n-scale that were made back in the late 80's, is it feasable to convert to dcc
Kicking the fence,early noise canceling system, lol,Kato wells are a pain to couple
This may not be your specialty, but I inherited quite a few unfinished and finished models from my father. Primarily O scale and On-3 some brass and some finished. Weaver, KTM, and Sunset models. Not looking to sell, but looking for recommendations to share these with my 5 year old nephew that already loves trains.
is dcc powering just as simpel as making sure the whole layout has power?
The Kato Gunderson stacks in HO scale are also a pain in the neck to couple. I have five, 3 cars sets and they drive me nuts sometimes.
Hey you prisoners!!! Stop kicking the fence!!! Almost all of my rolling stock is 2nd hand with an exception for a shell oil tanker, a logging flat car and a center beam flat for a load of lumber. I bought two bulk packs of micro trains trucks and couplers. They roll very smoothly.
hahaha!
Hi Jimmy! I'm drinking Starbucks white chocolate mocha! Very delicious.
Hey Jimmy, Wondering which DCC system and decoders you would use if just starting to change from DC to DCC and don't understand all about DCC. Was looking at the NCE Power cab. Thanks.
NCE PowerCab is a good solid choice. I don't want to confuse you with other good choices as well. NCE makes a well rounded system and you can switch should you ever want to. They have good resale value should you decide to try a new system. Out of all the systems I have tried, I always kept my PowerCab. I still use it occasionaly for programming Locomotives. Decoders I use vary. NCE, Digitrax and TCS all make great decoders and buy what fits my specific locomtive and usually choose based on price and availability. Sound decoders are another issue and I would not worry about that until you feel more comfortable with DCC.
Great video Jimmy I think it's bad that bli has a outlet page on the website to resell locos that got sent back that they had to fix and there decoders are not that great
Agree with the locomotive selections of atlas, Kato. The Rivetrunner is too $$$$ for what I want to spend. Also agree that the newer Baughman selections as well. I would disagree with the micro trains though, even after a good cleaning, lube and oil, they appear to be a little noisy and don’t run as smooth. To keep cost down, learn how to maintain atlas, Kato, and buy some used units and fix them up. Also using rapedo rolling stock seems to save on cost as well.
Mine as far European HO is Hornby, Roco,Lima.
I've always been an HO fan had a nice collection steam but mostly diesel had to sell it want to get back into it and I will no quistions asked I'm going to get into N SCALE THERE CUTER....
I'm with you about BLI. One diesel and thrrr Trackmobil. That's it. It's going to yske slot for me to buy anything from Broadway Limited.
I will say my opinion has totally changed with Paragon 4. Nothing but smooth runners for me.
Drinking Discipline Go Sour Apple Sniper. It's the only Energy Drink line I'll touch. :)
What is your favorite industry on your layout
What is involved changing to dcc
Can you tell me what you think of Kato N Scale Track and switches?
I think the best endorsement I can give is that I have built 4 layouts with it.
And it's Black history month!! We enjoy model trains
also!!!! 🤨
some older locomotives have issues with performance due to the old style/type of motor.
Love my Rivet Counter NS Dash 9 and my Altlas Alco! You mentioned troubles with Broadway Limited locos.. I purchased a BLI Airco Cryogenic Tank Car to compliment a gas depot on my layout. I had heard about their QC issues, but as no other outlet offers cryogenic cars ( to my knowledge), I decided to roll the dice. The cars LOOK great but I wondered if it would be worth the $30 plus price point. So it arrived, missing one wheelset. The trucks are absolute garbage. You know the quality of plastic in those battery operated trains you get from temporary Christmas stores at the mall? Bingo. I sent it back and was sent a replacement. All 4 wheelsets in the box at least. The trucks required squeezing together by hand to hold the wheelsets in place. The car requires babying when placing on track or stowing in box. The couplers actually do work with Micro Trains couplers but I would NOT say that they are completely compatible, since they are not magnetic. Also, the truck pins are not even close to the same diameter as Micro Trains, so replacement will require some altering of the car (drilling). Bottom line is, if you absolutely MUST have cryo tanker on your layout, they are worth the expense but if you don't NEED it.. maybe not so much. As for my coffee of choice... Kaldi's Coffee out of ST. Louis, Cafe Kaldi is awesome. You can find it online at kaldiscoffee.com or through Schnuck's grocery stores (a St. Loiuis chain with locations in Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana). Amazon shows a Kaldi but it is not them.
Was disappointed with the cryogenic tankcars, was able to modify them to workable standard,not easy though
@@davebnsfnscale4433 I agree.. not an easy process. I'm saving that one for a rainy day. My opinion is that true Micro-Trains compatibility would mean that you could easily swap trucks out with no modifications to the car. Also, other brands offer Micro-Trains equipment on their rolling stock for similar price or less. If you consider the cost of a set of trucks/couplers this car's total expense now approaches $50, which is ridiculous.
My rolling stock and loco come from Atlas. Cool detail
Also, committing vandalism on a fence as a preschooler? That’s hardcore
Something else, Teutonic is not a play on words for titanic, it was a ship about 20 or 30 years before titanic.
You got the crazy 8888s? To bad it’s not a csx train. That would have been sweet
Kool 👍
5:45 my only complaint with those sets is they come with all the same container. I find that highly unrealistic for modeling.
I just bought the recent release of the CSX Gunderson Well cars, and brand NEW Kato ES44DC's at the same time almost. For one the locomotives have a longer coupler on them which works really good for the well cars. Almost sure they sell these separately for Kato locomotives. And second the instructions on the back are a little hard to read and understand for some so Kato made a video of how the Gunderson Well Cars connect properly. You still might have to check your track in some spots though. This really helped me understand the proper way to connect them. I am guessing the older ones connect the same way? Since the video is from 2012 it should work on all of them. It was holding the well car at an angle that got me at first. Good luck!
czcams.com/video/7ZjkhO1ndpI/video.html
Hope this helps someone having issues.
Dude. Don't put a helix in unless there is no other way to elevate a level. I spent years eliminating the two I originally had in my layout.
Atlas has great stuff, but try to avoid ordering from them directly. Yes I had a negative experience & no they haven’t been easy to deal with, just me.
I have one set of the Kato Gunderson Well Cars, purchased them when they first came out. They have not seen the light of day for many years. As already was said, they are a PAIN!😡🤬
Have a set too. They haven’t been run in awhile.
When Bachmann bought a Chinese factory that's when their quality went up
Hey if you want to sell those bli let me know I would by them thair good enough for me
666 likes by me 😈
Broadway Limited older models look like their all from the same mold. That's why I won't buy any models.