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I dug out my old (early 1970's) RR kit (Atlas Track, Athearn and Tyco collection of engines/cars) to setup with my son. Guess It wasn't stored very well, the engine is pretty corroded and lo-and behold the engine mounts broke while I was trying to clean it.
Long-story short, guy at the local RR hobby shop told me my old kit may not be compatible with newer engines and then tried to sell me an $80 CDN engine
So its been about 20 years since I touched this system and I have gobs of old track, has it changed enough to keep newer cars from running on it?
Medicine Man Member # 2939
posted
HO is HO,is HO!!
Granted it would not be compatable with a 2004 vintage Athern/P2K etc DCC loco that cost $4,000 Get your self a couple of $20-$40 loco's (E-BAY?)and have some fun as you bring back some old time's.
MM
[This message has been edited by Medicine Man (edited 01-26-2004).]
Roger Hensley Member # 1374
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$4,000??? Don't scare the guy! Your cars and the new cars will run on your track although unless you have Nickle-Silver, you may not want it to. :-)
Prices have changed. The 'blue box' Athearn is still a good buy and the Proto 2000 can be if you catch them at train shows and meets. Your Tyco is not going to run long without parts and there just aren't many available. Your old cars will run on new track (code 100) with little problem, but the wheels probably are not as good as todays.
Take a look at the NMRA Introduction to Model Railroading pages at: http://www.nmra.org/beginner/ to get some tips and ideas.
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Thanks for the info guys. As for $4,000 engines I am right in the middle of spending about that to renovate the basement so I have a place to put this stuff so I will stick to the Ebay engines for now.
Medicine Man Member # 2939
posted
Roger is right in me kidding about the $4000 loco's . You may want to look at up-grading your power pack as well. I highly recomend the MRC TechII 2400 or 2500. I won't part with either of mine. Up-grading your rolling stock to Knuckle coupler's is a good idea as well.You don't need to do them all at once.I started with one coupler on a few box car's and one coupler on the loco's.As more car's were knuckle equiped, the double coupler car's were moved farther back in the train till all were equiped.This way I could use the hook horn or knuckle on the loco's as needed.
MM
[This message has been edited by Medicine Man (edited 01-27-2004).]
espeefoamer Member # 2815
posted $4000 for a loco?Most engines will cost between $100 and $150.Some units can be bought for under $100.Start railroading,and have fun!
------------------ Trust Jesus,Ride Amtrak.
Roger Hensley Member # 1374
posted
quote:Originally posted by Medicine Man: [B]You may want to look at up-grading your power pack as well. I highly recomend the MRC TechII 2400 or 2500. I won't part with either of mine. Up-grading your rolling stock to Knuckle coupler's is a good idea as well.You don't need to do them all at once.I started with one coupler on a few box car's and one coupler on the loco's.As more car's were knuckle equiped, the double coupler car's were moved farther back in the train till all were equiped.This way I could use the hook horn or knuckle on the loco's as needed. B]
Amen to both of these suggestions!! I used transisition cars (and cabooses) until my fleet was converted to Kadees.
I have used an MRC TechII for several years and will swear by them.
But, whatever you do, have fun!
RDG484 Member # 2907
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The most expensive piece of HO equipment that I have is my MTS Imports brass Reading "Crusader" streamlined Pacific @ $1,000.00. The "average" HO scale diesel locomotive usually sells for $50.00 to $150.00.
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$4000 for a loco?Most engines will cost between $100 and $150.Some units can be bought for under $100.Start railroading,and have fun! 