[vtecnturbo]

i am completely new to trains and had a question. i have been looking around on the net and came across dummy locomotive/ powered locomotive. I searched in the ho forum but did not get a clear answer.

what exactly is a dummy locomotive? are they any good? should i pick up athearn iron horse bnsf set as a starter or should i just piece together something?

 

[T-Man]

The dummy is empty. The powered has the motor. Some models get fancy and carry a horn. That's the main difference.

 

[vtecnturbo]

ah , i see so the dummy is just a shell of a locomotive and follows the powered.

athearn iron horse or Atlas train man? anyone better than the other? im looking for quality that i can build on with out having to revamp everything.

i have been splitting hairs over it for the last two hours this would be my first set.

 

[tkruger]

ah , i see so the dummy is just a shell of a locomotive and follows the powered.

athearn iron horse or Atlas train man? anyone better than the other? im looking for quality that i can build on with out having to revamp everything.

i have been splitting hairs over it for the last two hours this would be my first set.

IMHO if you are looking at Athern and Atlas it comes down to personal preference. The only qualification is that you are comparing the equivalent lines of each (I believe the Iron Horse and Trainman are on the same level, someone correct me if I am wrong here). I prefer Athern because it is carried at all of the local hobby shops near me. Atlas track is carried by all but their trains are only carried in limited numbers by one of them.

As for the Dummy issue if you are running DC and want to have the look of two locos with out the complications of getting a matched pair they are the way to go. I have a pair of F3 that I run, one dummy one powered. Looks great, less load on the transformer, do not have any issues with matching the locos. If you are going DCC then this may not be the best method.

 

[mburns5us]

I had a cheap life like locomotive just bought a atlas trainman p-38-2 and it is nite and day diffrence in them. but I'm new to trains so im not much help.

 

[tankist]

I seen trainman locos. I like Athearn better. personal preference perhaps

 

[vtecnturbo]

so i guess i cant go wrong with either one.
tkruger how far upstate are you? Im in lower NY in westchester county

 

[Reckers]

Mburns5us...don't be shy about offering your input. We're all equals here. When someone with no knowledge asks for opinions,
sometimes the quantity of similar answers is more valuable than a single answer. You just jump right on in there!

 

[vtecnturbo]

reckers speaks the truth, at least in my opinion.

I searched the forums and web for a few hours and wondered if i wanted atlas set above the entry level trainman what would i look for? do they have kits with better locomotives & car than the trainman or would i be at the point of piecing it all together? As of now i do not have anything yet.
I like the freight trains, diesel locomotives. i am looking for a ho scale and i would have it set up on an area approx. 44x8 in size.

 

[subwayaz]

In my opinion you can't go wrong with Atlas, Kato, Stewart, Athearn Diesel Locos. All are quality locomotives that will give you lots of enjoyment.
Bachmann would have to be a Spectrum for me to purchase

 

[vtecnturbo]

Thank you guys for all of the replies. I picked up an Atlas trainman cp rail starter set for myself today & have a athearn john deere set on the way, I cant wait!

i saw a lay out that i liked so ill be working overtime tomorrow.

I have saw on line that a few people made reference to Atlas #12 The Complete Atlas Wiring Book but it was published some years ago. Is it still worth reading or has a newer book been released?



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