Beginner's Equipment

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Captain Flack

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I saw lots of different types of trains at the weekend which sparked my interest. Is there a simple, battery powered, loco and stock that I could purchase as a starter. i obviously want RC and am able to convert the ESC/TX if required if needed. The vast array of gear available is just that and very confusing. I need someone to point me in the right direction. mail order if needed. I saw an old style American loco with matching carriages at the weekend, but don't know if that's at the cheaper or dearer end of the market. Help!
 
Captain Flack said:
I saw lots of different types of trains at the weekend which sparked my interest. Is there a simple, battery powered, loco and stock that I could purchase as a starter. i obviously want RC and am able to convert the ESC/TX if required if needed. The vast array of gear available is just that and very confusing. I need someone to point me in the right direction. mail order if needed. I saw an old style American loco with matching carriages at the weekend, but don't know if that's at the cheaper or dearer end of the market. Help!
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Hi - I'm no expert on the subject of battery/RC operated trains. Most come with plastic track and most (but not all) will run on our 'normal' 45mm track.

Bachmann used to make a R/C set based on a US 4-6-0 Baldwin loco (I have two). This came with plastic track and they still turn up on ebay quite often.

For European type locos, Playmobil do a set with diesel loco (R/C), good value but with plastic track.

Most people convert their track powered locos to battery operation themselves or build from scratch - I have built a couple.

'Train' or Newquida also offer a European R/C controlled loco/set - again with plastic track.

Other, more knowledgable members will be able to offer advice I am sure.

Meanwhile, why don't you trawl the net ebay is a starting place?
 
Well, it's like this, Captain.

There's not that much battery control in ready to run form. Playmobil and the 'Train' stuff sold by ECR is about it.

The cheaper, reliable end of the market in US outline was the Bachamnn Anniversary 4-6-0 with the associated rolling stock, but now the prices are going north a bit on that. Also, the anniversary versions of the 4-6-0, while being pretty good, are a nightmare to take apart for fitting R/C - or get back together again o_Oo_O

Part of the difficulty is that the market for Garden Railways is pretty small, and a lot of the electronic gizmos for R/C are made by small outfits, sometimes individuals.

Try a bit of Google and ebay scanning, then when something catches your eye, ask on here for an opinion - usually works a treat ;);) we've got lots of opinions :rofl::rofl::rofl:
 
If you haven't considered used equipment, you might think about that. I love the quality and "heft" of LGB but can't really afford to buy it new. So most of my railroad motive power and rolling stock is used. I'm track power and DCC, but from following posts here a battery/RC conversion shouldn't be too hard.
 
Ask yourself what sort of a railway you would *really* like..
British outline, American outline, European?
Standard gauge, or narrow gauge?
Whimsy, or are you wanting to 'model' something??

The approximately £80 Playmobil set, with the yellow diesel in it will give you something that 'just works'. - The kids and grand-kids can be let loose with it, and if you go to second-hand LGB (or other make) track, you will have no problem selling the plastic track on..

Lets face it, a family meal out will probably cost as much, so not the greatest outlay.
You then have 'something' you can stick in the boot of the car and go and visit some local garden railways. - Perhaps even a model engineering society, but they can be a bit 'sniffy' about G scale, and 45mm!

There are a number of people on here from Devon, just depends which bit!
 
I suppose one has to ask why you want R/C and battery power? Where and what were you looking at to spark your interest ? Once you reveal this then we hopefully can give some coherent and useful advise. There is a lot of that around here. Max.
 
PhilP said:
There are a number of people on here from Devon, just depends which bit!
Click to expand...

This particular " bit ", shameless plug to adverise.

Amongst the Group Members we have amassed quite a collection of RC equipment, much of which is now redundant, so we may be able to sort out some relevant and useful items. I'll see if I can "borrow" the Playmobil Diesel for the afternoon so if you are able to attend you will be able see it in action.

You can find us here on:

Sunday 26 June 2016.

Location: Newton St Cyres Village Hall EX5 5BW

Time: 1400 hrs to 1700 hrs

Our group now has storage facilities there and the "Club" layout is assembled to run your trains.
So please come and support the effort that has been made to arrange this excellent facility.

It is possible that Gerry Pedder, the President of The G Scale society will pop in to see us so let's have a good attendance.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Also we are taking part in the Newton St Cyres Village fete on Sunday 3 July.
Please contact Eric if you can help show off our layout and rolling stock to the local community.
 
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