it is, just a bit compared to the engineer's side. the camera really exaggerated it but i did check. the plastic isn't loose - so i'm guessing it was installed and while still drying, was bumped.
7:40 on the NS unit you can see the F telling you that is the front. If you have any questions on what end of the engine is the front, look for the letter F on the side. So scale trains had it set up correctly and if you flipped the direction the poor little N scale people. They will be riding backwards inside the cab as the engine seat and control stand face the letter F
although i missed the F at first, i new NS ran certain locos long-hood forward so a quick google showed this was one of them. another minor detail ScaleTrains had correct.
they're living in the tunnels. it's a real concern for the train crews traveling through them as the spiders, while small in our view, are quite large to the 1:160 crew.
Awesome locos! I just pre-ordered the Fox Valley Models N Scale EMD SD70ACe, Kansas City Southern/Belle from Scale Trains. What do you think of this brand since being bought by Scale Trains?
I have some of the original FVM locos that i converted to DCC and they're nice locos - well detailed. I also have several of the gondolas and i think a random car or two outside of that set which are also nice. i believe everything is pre-merger however so i can't speak to what they have on offer now.
Hi C Mastracci .that was a nice review and a comparison of other companies. I do agree with you on scale trains very well detailed. I have been thinking about getting one of those units but have got to keep an eye on my budget. Got some per others starting to come in the next couple of months. I do have a question about something else. I know you use Kato unitrack so do I . When you are glueing it down there’s not much to glue to. Why glue it down when you’re going to put down ballast and glue it down. The glue should run under the track. Should that be effective to keep the track in place and glued down. Thanks for sharing. Have a good weekend. 😎😎 👍
GreaT video and definitEly answered some questions! Being new to the hobby, I am most concerned with sound. I am actually legally blind and while I appreciate details in the different models, I feel I would have great enjoyment from great sound quality. I am still debating HO vs N Scale. What should I look for regarding sound in either scale? Thank you so much for your time!
The bigger the locomotive, the larger the speaker, and the better sound quality you can get. given the size of the details on N scale equipment, you're probably better off going with a larger scale - so HO or O. You'll get louder, deeper sounds because there's more room for speakers. For N scale, the technology has come a long way so smaller speakers can put out some decent sounds like these units do -but i think you're going to have a rough time with the small nature of the scale.
@@AlleghenyNorthern Some excellent advice. Thank you very much for your time and for your information! I will definitely keep watching your videos and really enjoy what you have been filming lately!
got a quick question I noticed you used Scale trains rolling stock, the Scale trains couplers on the loco how do they work with KD's or Atlas couplers. I heard they do not play well with KD's at least on HO units( my friend has one). Yes the level of detail is awesome, one issue I have had was getting parts for Scale Trains locos if you buy them used at a show, have you had issues on any of yours?? Thanks for the comparisons between most brands.
The main coupler style on the layout is MTL and it's plays fine with the ScaleTrains couplers. Haven't had any issues with the Atlas Accumate either, and the Kato couplers don't couple to anything so that's not fair to blame ST. I don't have KDs but do see a few people bitching about them so there's probably a coupling issue there. As for parts, i haven't needed any and when i did have an issue, it was a decoder that ScaleTrains fixed under warranty in a couple weeks so i've had good luck with the brand.
in N scale the spring on Scaletrain couplers is too strong and it will push a single car a some times several cars. The coupler will not swing open and properly mate, if you have light our rolling stock the rolls very well you can push a car around the layout and it will neve couple. I just replace them with MTL couplers. If you are into operations this will drive you crazy when doing switching.
The problem I have with scale trains is the price, considering everything is made in China. But not only manufactured, all of the 3D design is done in China. Aside from research and specifications. And ultimately warehousing it’s hard to see what Scale Trains actually does. I just cannot justify spending that kind of money on a locomotive that is engineered, designed, tooled and manufactured in China. On top of that, the price is the highest, and the recent quality has dropped. This is typical of Chinese manufacturing and products over time. On the other hand Kato is entirely designed and made in Japan. Also in N scale most of those features you can’t really see anyhow.
If your argument is 'it's made in China', buying something made in Japan isn't much better - it's still not American made so between the two brands I consider that trivial. Kato DCC and sound locos i've seen range from 250- 320 dollars depending on the lighting kits and which site you're on, so i'm not seeing much of a price difference. If you've got a better deal somewhere - where, i'd like to check them out -saving a buck is always helpful. I like Kato locos very much but when in a consist with ScaleTrains or even an Atlas Gold Series - the missing and molded on details look very apparent to me. But, thankfully, there are aftermarket parts that can bring them to the same level of finish. the only issue with all the details that i have, and it's just the name of the game, is how fragile they are. These locos need minimal handling once they're on the layout and i wouldn't recommend them for traveling layouts and shows.
@@AlleghenyNorthern no, that wasn’t my argument. I didn’t say that. What I said was it is engineered, 3D designed, tooled and finally manufactured, in China. Sometimes Made in China sounds like only the manufacturing, and this is far from the case. The question is why, cost maybe, but I think it is also partially a lack of talent domestically. Yes KATO can be a similar price, but KATO labor is much higher than China.
@@Bliz0516 it very well could be a lack of talent domestically. believe me when i say finding good, skilled labor is difficult since the plague. but that's a whole different topic, i suppose. if i was to start a company selling locos, it would be very enticing to outsource it to china. let's just say i could build the loco for $200 and sell it for $250. nice profit margins. But what if i could build the exact same thing for $150 and still charge $250. Hard to argue with the numbers. make less units, and more profit - it's good business. plus, what does the market bare? will it support a $250 loco? right now scaletrains can get $250 for them. next year, maybe they can't. i'd much prefer to have it all made state side - but we really need to get our act together.
Nice stuff! Thanks for making this vid! These locos are finely detailed indeed!
they're beautiful. scaletrains does an excellent job.
I just bought one today (CSX 7482) and so far it's flawless. Smooth and silent, even on speed step 1. The first thing I did was touch up the trucks.
Just ordered three of these from scale trains site with the father's day sale. Thanks.
Enjoy! they're very nice.
Looks like NS loco 8596 has a defect on the conductor side window.Looks like the glass is leaning to the inside.
it is, just a bit compared to the engineer's side. the camera really exaggerated it but i did check. the plastic isn't loose - so i'm guessing it was installed and while still drying, was bumped.
Thanks for the review on the locomotives, the layout looks awesome lots of rail-fanning and scenic views !
7:40 on the NS unit you can see the F telling you that is the front. If you have any questions on what end of the engine is the front, look for the letter F on the side. So scale trains had it set up correctly and if you flipped the direction the poor little N scale people. They will be riding backwards inside the cab as the engine seat and control stand face the letter F
although i missed the F at first, i new NS ran certain locos long-hood forward so a quick google showed this was one of them. another minor detail ScaleTrains had correct.
Very detailed loco, I like it 👍🏻
I see your Southern engine has been dealing with some Giant (tiny) spiders 12:25
they're living in the tunnels. it's a real concern for the train crews traveling through them as the spiders, while small in our view, are quite large to the 1:160 crew.
Awesome locos! I just pre-ordered the Fox Valley Models N Scale EMD SD70ACe, Kansas City Southern/Belle from Scale Trains. What do you think of this brand since being bought by Scale Trains?
I have some of the original FVM locos that i converted to DCC and they're nice locos - well detailed. I also have several of the gondolas and i think a random car or two outside of that set which are also nice. i believe everything is pre-merger however so i can't speak to what they have on offer now.
Wow. Good info and thanks
Hi C Mastracci .that was a nice review and a comparison of other companies. I do agree with you on scale trains very well detailed. I have been thinking about getting one of those units but have got to keep an eye on my budget. Got some per others starting to come in the next couple of months. I do have a question about something else. I know you use Kato unitrack so do I . When you are glueing it down there’s not much to glue to. Why glue it down when you’re going to put down ballast and glue it down. The glue should run under the track. Should that be effective to keep the track in place and glued down. Thanks for sharing. Have a good weekend. 😎😎 👍
I don't separately glue my unitrack down. I use the ballast to hold it in place and so far i haven't had any issues with that approach.
I new i asked the right person. Thanks @@AlleghenyNorthern
Ay Tommy, they are onsale on the scaletrains website right now for 158.99
GreaT video and definitEly answered some questions! Being new to the hobby, I am most concerned with sound. I am actually legally blind and while I appreciate details in the different models, I feel I would have great enjoyment from great sound quality. I am still debating HO vs N Scale. What should I look for regarding sound in either scale? Thank you so much for your time!
The bigger the locomotive, the larger the speaker, and the better sound quality you can get. given the size of the details on N scale equipment, you're probably better off going with a larger scale - so HO or O. You'll get louder, deeper sounds because there's more room for speakers. For N scale, the technology has come a long way so smaller speakers can put out some decent sounds like these units do -but i think you're going to have a rough time with the small nature of the scale.
@@AlleghenyNorthern Some excellent advice. Thank you very much for your time and for your information! I will definitely keep watching your videos and really enjoy what you have been filming lately!
Very nice locos.
got a quick question I noticed you used Scale trains rolling stock, the Scale trains couplers on the loco how do they work with KD's or Atlas couplers. I heard they do not play well with KD's at least on HO units( my friend has one). Yes the level of detail is awesome, one issue I have had was getting parts for Scale Trains locos if you buy them used at a show, have you had issues on any of yours?? Thanks for the comparisons between most brands.
The main coupler style on the layout is MTL and it's plays fine with the ScaleTrains couplers. Haven't had any issues with the Atlas Accumate either, and the Kato couplers don't couple to anything so that's not fair to blame ST. I don't have KDs but do see a few people bitching about them so there's probably a coupling issue there. As for parts, i haven't needed any and when i did have an issue, it was a decoder that ScaleTrains fixed under warranty in a couple weeks so i've had good luck with the brand.
in N scale the spring on Scaletrain couplers is too strong and it will push a single car a some times several cars. The coupler will not swing open and properly mate, if you have light our rolling stock the rolls very well you can push a car around the layout and it will neve couple. I just replace them with MTL couplers. If you are into operations this will drive you crazy when doing switching.
The problem I have with scale trains is the price, considering everything is made in China. But not only manufactured, all of the 3D design is done in China. Aside from research and specifications. And ultimately warehousing it’s hard to see what Scale Trains actually does. I just cannot justify spending that kind of money on a locomotive that is engineered, designed, tooled and manufactured in China. On top of that, the price is the highest, and the recent quality has dropped. This is typical of Chinese manufacturing and products over time. On the other hand Kato is entirely designed and made in Japan. Also in N scale most of those features you can’t really see anyhow.
If your argument is 'it's made in China', buying something made in Japan isn't much better - it's still not American made so between the two brands I consider that trivial. Kato DCC and sound locos i've seen range from 250- 320 dollars depending on the lighting kits and which site you're on, so i'm not seeing much of a price difference. If you've got a better deal somewhere - where, i'd like to check them out -saving a buck is always helpful. I like Kato locos very much but when in a consist with ScaleTrains or even an Atlas Gold Series - the missing and molded on details look very apparent to me. But, thankfully, there are aftermarket parts that can bring them to the same level of finish. the only issue with all the details that i have, and it's just the name of the game, is how fragile they are. These locos need minimal handling once they're on the layout and i wouldn't recommend them for traveling layouts and shows.
@@AlleghenyNorthern no, that wasn’t my argument. I didn’t say that. What I said was it is engineered, 3D designed, tooled and finally manufactured, in China. Sometimes Made in China sounds like only the manufacturing, and this is far from the case. The question is why, cost maybe, but I think it is also partially a lack of talent domestically. Yes KATO can be a similar price, but KATO labor is much higher than China.
@@Bliz0516 it very well could be a lack of talent domestically. believe me when i say finding good, skilled labor is difficult since the plague. but that's a whole different topic, i suppose. if i was to start a company selling locos, it would be very enticing to outsource it to china. let's just say i could build the loco for $200 and sell it for $250. nice profit margins. But what if i could build the exact same thing for $150 and still charge $250. Hard to argue with the numbers. make less units, and more profit - it's good business. plus, what does the market bare? will it support a $250 loco? right now scaletrains can get $250 for them. next year, maybe they can't. i'd much prefer to have it all made state side - but we really need to get our act together.