Hey everybody,
I have been lurking on the forums for a few months now and thought it time to register and post. I am finally ready to upgrade from my dad's vintage engine on the dining table to a real live modern layout. I have decided that I am going with MTH's DCS system, I am agnostic about engines and rolling stock, whatever looks good, is quality, and won't kill my budget (likely MTH?). I inherited my father's handyman "skills" which means I can't draw or cut a straight line so I will be having someone build bench work for me (MIANNE?). I am going to start with a 4x8 table and then hopefully add another 4x8 table next year, and a third the year after that. My wife has graciously given me a large section of the basement and a $200/month budget (allowance?) for my hobby. For the layout, I am envisioning some switching and industry for the phase one, maybe lumber and/or coal so I can finally have that sawmill that I have wanted for 30 years! Phase two will be a yard and maybe some intermodal modelling, and phase 3 is TBD on the opposite side of the layout, who knows by then I may be ambitious enough to add a grade!
So now the guidance...tracks! I know reams of virtual paper have been devoted to this hot topic and people are v-e-r-y passionate about there preferred product. My electrical skills are limited to "do exactly what the diagram says and panic if it doesn't match". I have looked at Lionel Fastrack but want something that looks a little more realistic. I have read that Realtrax has some serious issues with switches. I think I'd like Scaletrax but my local hobby shop said they have difficulty with production and I may not be able to find it, he strongly recommended against it. He recommended Gargraves/ross but I read that you need some knowledge to work with them, is this true? Atlas O looks like would work well but it looks like it would add about $300-400 onto the track/switch cost of my layout. Is there another option that I'm not thinking of?
Bottom line: Is Gargraves appropriate for someone who needs a little extra guidance with wiring? Should I suck it up and pay the extra for Atlas? Should I take my chances with Scaletrax availability? Did I forget anything else above? I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts on my plans!
Thanks so much!
-Ken