As posted elsewhere, I recently bought a Bachmann Super Chief Ready-to-Run N scale train set as a little present for myself. Here are my thoughts and some pictures. The set caught my eye when I stumbled upon it while researching prices for a used O scale Lionel 44-ton switcher (which I also bought). I've always liked the western railroads but they fall outside my two modeling locations (PA and MA). And, an EMD F-series engine has been on my wish list for a while. Next thing I knew, the Sante Fe set was calling my name loudly and clearly. Walmart offered the set at the best price along with free shipping -- and, well, I really earned a new toy and deserved some play time after 12 days of solving elder care challenges across two states! That's my story and I'm sticking with it ...
Meanwhile, I started wondering whether I could use this N set as a cheaper and space saving alternative to giving in and purchasing O scale Northeastern-based trains/cars that aren't part of my modeling era and railroad focus and for which I have absolutely no storage space. So, before the set even arrived, I bought three 50' boxcars on sale from ModelTrainStuff: an Atlas Delaware & Hudson, a Micro-Trains Bangor and Aroostook, and a Bachmann Providence and Worcester -- all for less than the price of an O scale boxcar. Was I going to be tempted to the "small side" or was I just really congratulating myself on surviving a "job well done"?
As is typical of ordering from Walmart online, the set arrived early. What a breeze to set up! This experience validates my whining about the annoying lack of precision for much of the O gauge track and switches that I buy. Yes, they are toys but at the larger size, I expect clean meeting points and joints but often find myself filing, bending, or getting a bit miffed (only the first two strategies work 'though :-). But not with this Bachmann set. At the smaller size, precision is critical; without it, the train won't run. I was able to get the train up and running without once touching a file, a pair of pliers or a Dremel tool -- a first. YEAH!!! Another nice thing was that the instruction manual was actually written for this particular consist, not the generic or incorrect instructions that can come with O scale sets or engines.
The train runs smoothly and I especially like the fine control over speeds at the lower end. The slower speed is quite meditative but the higher speeds (half way on the controls) make me dizzy given the small 24" or so diameter track. The ad copy said it came with straight track, but it doesn't. I can imagine this scale being used for long stretches of desert landscape. The consist is nice. It seems that sets typically mix and match car eras or railroad lines in a way that is visually appealing but not necessarily prototypical (like those darn cabooses with the round windows). While I didn't research the actual car bodies for era and accuracy, the build dates stamped on them and the RR lines included made sense for a Sante Fe train. So I give Bachmann an added bonus for "consistency". Get it? 
The only negative so far is one set of wheels keeps falling off the Atlas D&H. They look to be plastic so it's not surprising.
Bottom line: I'm enjoying this set, but no, I'm not giving up on O. Bigger is better when it comes to my trains. But I may consider using this scale to manage the expense and tame the urge to buy more O scale stuff out of my modeling era or railroads for which I really don't have any room. And then there this: an N scale yellow UP diesel with the flag on the side would look really awesome in my curio cabinet next to my UP etched shot glass and railroad butter pat collection :-}.
Here are some pix. Enjoy! (More later on my inspiration for a below-ceiling shelf layout.)
Tomlinson Run Railroad
