CB CSX posted:I'm new to the forum and i am starting a new layout after over a ten year break from model railroading. I have had large N scale and HO layouts and now going to go with o gauge. My question is what wireless system to go with and why ? I am looking to run 2 mainlines and a yard at the same time.
Me being out of it for so long theres alot of new technology that has made its way into the hobby.
Another thing i am noticing is the different sizes of cars supposed to be O gauge. Confusing the heck out of me😦
Thanks for your help !!
First, on the size issue. The O-Gauge (3-rail for the most part) hobby is now segmented into O-Scale (1:48) and Traditional/Non-Scale/Semi-Scale. Some grammar Nazis on this forum get upset with the phrase semi-scale since things are either scale or not, but I digress. The additional challenge with this distinction is that true "Scale" means scale dimensions as well as details. Some Traditional items are close to scale size (1:48) but not in detail. Let confusion reign.
Generally speaking, it's a good idea to make the scale vs. non-scale decision as part of your technology decision. Going scale IMO means spending more money and requiring more space. My feeling has always been that scale requires the space to have 72" or greater diameter curves although some will run on smaller.
For that and other reasons, I've stuck with Traditional which will generally run on 31" curves, some as tight as 27" (once widely known as O27 gauge or scale). In truth, though, I don't like using anything less than 42" curves even though more than half of my equipment is rated for 27" and the balance for 31". The overhang of my 10" - 13" O27 rolling stock and passenger cars is noticeable on 27"-34" curves. I imagine others running 18" scale passenger cars must see similar overhang on 54" or 60" curves.
Also, I've found that MTH's Railking line for Traditional is a bit larger, car for car, than Lionel, WBB, and other defunct manufacturers like K-Line and Industrial Rail. If you go traditional, you have to be careful mixing RailKing with others. For example, RailKing cabooses look ridiculous with other traditional rolling stock.
From a technology perspective, if you go Traditional, there is still some Lionel TMCC equipment out there on the new-old-stock and used markets at deep discount prices. You can buy a used TMCC engine for 1/3 - 1/2 what they sold for originally. For new, you'll need to go with LionChief Plus which appears to be moving to BlueTooth. Many other manufacturers use/used Lionel's TMCC system for scale and semi-scale.
If you go Scale with Lionel, the system will be Legacy, the newest version of TMCC. As others have pointed out, scale and semi-scale from MTH use the DCS system. The nice thing about scale is that adherence to 1:48 dimensions makes it easier to use multiple brands interchangeably.
