Advice Needed

[Stanley Ipkiss]

A number of yeras ago I purchaesd the Eurostar and GWR analogue train sets. I got many happy hours from these but for some reason I lost interest altogether.

Now I have a new l have rekidled my love for model railways and am looking for some advice.

I was looking for advice on which train set to buy. I was looking for a DCC ready train set with either sound or, carraiges that light,or both.I am not too sure if this can be acheived.

My thinking behind this is to buy a set that is up to date and that I  can get endless hours of enjoyment from. I then plan to add more trains in conjunction with creating scenic areas. All advice is greatly welcome.

Thanks. 

[RDS]

Hi Stanley and welcome to the forum

DCC would be a great choice but I guess there is only you that decide which set to buy, depending on your own preferences.  If you still have the Eurostar and GWR, they could be modified to DCC by adding a decoder.  There is plenty of advice on this forum or the internet in general regarding how to add the decoders.

[2e0dtoeric]

I don't know of any DCC starter sets, that have sound and lights, other than maybe front and rear on the engines.

Be aware that with a starter set, you get the Select controller, which is very limited. Much better to go for the Elite, which does cost more, but does a lot more, too.

If you have the original set you had, you already have some track, so you might find it cheaper to buy individual items, rather than a set, then you can begin to put together the collection you want, not what the shop wants to sell to you!

Also be warned that DCC ready is NOT DCC! You want DCC FITTED for that. DCC ready is ordinary analogue with a chip socket installed, ready for the decoder to be plugged in.

This should really have been in the DCC threads.

[LCDR]

 Mostly the train sets come with basic equipment which do not incorporate the extras such as coach lights or locos with sound.  Even the digital sets have 'RailRoad' type coaches, one set does have a sound fitted loco, but the coaches are to an elderly lower specification design.  For what you specify you really need to build up your layout from individual components.

 

You should go digital from the outset as this does give you the potential to add features not available with analogue, plus setting up a complex layout will eventually be much simpler from a control point of view. Hornby trains are compatible with those of other manufacturers so cast you net wide.

[poliss]

 There's the Western Express with eLink available for 'pre-order' but it's not cheap.

[Stanley Ipkiss]

Thanks for the swift replies poliss, LC&DR, 2E0Dtocric and RDS......... I have looked at the Western Express with elink and, you are right poliss, it aint cheap. I think that I will definatley go with digital LC&DR because as you said it gives me the potential to add to my layout later on. RDS, I will check out the forums in more detail for more advice/tutorials......I think the way to go is to add pieces individually too. by the way, thanks 2E0Dtocric for the advice on DCC fiited and ready- schoolboy error : )

any help is much appriciated

 

[2e0dtoeric]

Who is - 2E0Dtocric ?

Time for Specsavers!  :-)

[Graskie]

I think it's meant to be you, toaderic.

[Fishmanoz]

New on the forum and already making sure you have your specs on to read him in detail 2e0.  Well done Stanley!

 

And on DCC sets, you might also check out the Majestic set that has 2 locos and the eLink. 

 

Just quickly on DCC controllers, Hornby has three:

 

-  Select - very basic entry level with limited capability beyond simple running of locos and switching of points and not fully compliant with the DCC standard.  Not recommended, particularly if you are thinking of sound locos because it will only play some of them.

 

-  Elite - fully functional and recommended. Will work on its own or as an interface to run the Railmaster (RM) software on your computer to control your layout. 

 

-  ELink - works only as an interface between your layout and RM software on your computer. Also fully functional and the cheapest option, if you already have the computer needed.  Currently some issues with later Windows versions on particular computer hardware affecting a number of users but being worked on as we speak.

[Stanley Ipkiss]

Thanks for the help Fishmanoz

As for the issue with the name............. I aint getting involved :) :)

All the comments are of help to me when deciding what to do. It is not as easy as it looks and needs some thought.

 

[Stanley Ipkiss]

Is it just me and my limited research techniques or, are there little or no DCC sets with the Elite DCC controls. The majority seem to be Select or ELink........Thanks

[walkingthedog]

There were a couple but are out of stock. I think it's best to buy the bits separately then you can get exactly what you want and not what Hornby think you want. 

[poliss]

 That looks like the very old and out of date page magfan. I wouldn't use any of it's advice.

[poliss]

 The eLink isn't mentioned, nor the fact that Roco have moved on by two generations since that page was first online, nor does it mention several other makes of DCC controllers such as Masoth, Uhlenbrock or Viesmann.

Neither does it mention that it's illegal to use the NCE wireless system in the EU.

[ModelerXYZ]

I had the mixed freight set, but am currently running an anolouge set.

Get a set with a select, see if you like digital, and then when you need extra functionality get an elite. The select can then be attached with a lead to the elite and become a slave controller. A USB cable will then allow you to use Railmaster if you really don't want to drive the trains from the controller. I think you get more fun when its not automated, some people may disagree, and they are welcome to. 

Hope this helps, 

XYZ

[poliss]

 I don't see what Railmaster has to do with automation. You can use it to drive your trains with it in the same way as any other system.

[Stanley Ipkiss]

All input no matter what is greatly welcome as it gives me a better idea of what to do, what to look out for and, what to think about when choosing the correct set or individual pieces. Thanks to all for the posts. If ye come up with any ideas, the let me know.

[Howbi]

I started with the Hornby Mixed Freight Digital set. It's a good intro to DCC and can be up and running in 20mins. Then by adding about £45 of track and rolling stock you would have two trains running at the same time on the pre-printed track-mat. After that it's a question of money, how much you can afford to develop the layout and purchase stock.  The next important step will be to buy the Elite controller for much more sophisticated Digital control and management of the Decoders.  In the past 5 years I have spent about £2500 and so far have got 25 locomotives, 9 of which are Sound fitted. So for a budget of only £10 per week a very reasonable hobby can be obtained providing a lot of enjoyment.(and for grandchildren where appropriate). HB.

[Stanley Ipkiss]

Thanks for the input howbiman, it's a good way to look at it when you break it all down like that

[Yelrow]

Howbiman, what a brave post, admitting what you spent. i wonder if many of us married guys, would admit how much we have spent, for our better halves to read. i started  50 years ago, and would  dread to think what it had cost me. mind you, i have 5 sound locos, also, amongst 12 DCC, ones, but my DC collection of locos, must top 70, as well. and with no grandchildren, likely to visit, justification, is waning. john

[Howbi]

@Yelrow,

Yes good point John but my wife is ok with it as I don't smoke or drink, don't pay for TV sport channels, mobile is payg and total home phone/internet is only £30 per month so my modelling cost of about £10 pw seems a tad puny really. Maybe I could upgrade that now due to lack of inflation so more disposable income!!!  Oh, and I did get an extra £3.57 pw on my old age Pension this year, lol. HB.

[choralc]

broken down like that a very reasonable hooby. My lovely lady used to raise an eyebrow at me buying and selling on to fund what I keep but more and more lately she says things like "That's a nice one. We'll keep that!"

 

Gotta lover 'er!

 

[Gordonvale]

Glad she didn't become attached to your Pugh & Co wagons.