RailfanX

A new venture into Canadian railroading in HO

2011-12-28T13:09:00.001-05:00

Probably the main reason that I decided to expand and include HO scale in our model railroading is the vast availability of Canadian Model Railroad products in HO. I have always had a real soft spot for the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railroads. The beautiful scenery which they call home and the colorful trains rolling through snowy mountain, prairie, or costal terrain has always been something that I wanted to model. I wanted to try to do Canadian modeling in S scale, however that was just not to be. There is such a lack of product in general in S scale that Canadian modeling is basically out of the question. HO however has a wealth of products from fine companies such as Rapido, Bowser, Intermountain, and Trueline Trains just to name a few. Here are a few quick pics on our old diorama of some recent acquisitions:

Multiple scales?

2011-12-28T12:50:00.001-05:00

So it has been a while since I've posted to the blog. I was mainly going to model in S scale. I have since decided that I am not going to restrict myself to just one scale. My good friend Troy said something to me the other day that really hit home and made a lot of sense… He said why not model them all? There's a lot of wisdom in that thought. I think he's right. So going forward I will be posting blogs about all three scales that we will be modeling here at railfanx. New 3rail O, S, and HO layouts will all begin construction in the spring of 2012. Hopefully :)

Frog Juicers

2011-08-26T14:02:00.004-04:00

I received and installed my new Hex Frog Juicer from Fast Tracks the other day on the small S scale switching layout. The Frog Juicers are made by Tam Valley Depot. What an awesome product! It just flat works. It is so simple to hook up and use it is silly! Simply connect the power input to you DCC bus lines, then run one wire to each turnout frog (6 total in the case of the Hex Juicer)and you are done. Operationally, there is nothing to do... The board handles evrything for you. Even running my short wheelbase SW-1s through at super slow speed I experienced no loss of power what so ever. The Frog juicer simply detects the dead short and changes the polarity of the frog to match the route faster than the DCC system can "see" that there is a problem. What an absoulutely perfect product! Thanks Fast Tracks for quick shipping, and thanks to Tam Valley for a GREAT product! I will post a video review soon, but check out the webpage for now: Frog Juicers

2011-08-11T15:57:00.002-04:00

2011-08-11T15:56:00.002-04:00

Christmas in July! Video reviews coming soon...

2011-07-20T15:34:00.001-04:00

Trying S Scale!

2011-07-15T17:01:00.000-04:00

S scale is in a funny spot. Wedged between HO and O Scale it is likely never going to be as popular as either. That is a shame because it really is the "perfect" size. O scale is fantastic for its level of detail and sheer mass (some 8 times the volume of HO). However, that same size is also the biggest problem with the scale. Curves of 50"+ radius are the norm unless you only run very small equipment (even then 36"r is required). HO on the otherhand just seems too small for my taste. It lends itself well to scenery and is the most popular scale, but if you grow up with bigger scales it is often very difficult to go back down in size. Most HO layouts run 30"r+ though. Now don't get me wrong... we love O Scale and we appreciate HO and N. Come to think of it, we've never met a train we didn't like no matter what the size :) Enter S scale. It is large enough to "feel" big and see details, but you can run just about anything out there on 21"-27" radius. We have about 500sq ft available as potential layout space. I've been drawing O scale plans by the dozens trying to get a good fit. The only way I have been able to fit a resonable around the walls style layout was to drop down and use 36"r. It looks like we can build a much nicer layout that fits into the space by using S scale.

I have heard from many people that there isn't enough product available in S scale. Oddly, I have found that there is little available in O scale for the Great Northern or Chessie System that we want to model. A quick look at what American Models, S Helper, Smokey Mountain, Tomalco, Custom Trax, and others and I found at LEAST as much available in S scale.

I don't think I will give up on O Scale. I still love the size and detail. We plan to purchase some land in the future where I hope to have a dedicated building for my dream O scale layout. So I will still pickup pieces for that layout as well as my current O scale switching layout, but I think that the basement empire in our current house may wind up being S scale... I'm going place a couple orders from S Helper, American Models, Tomalco, and Custom Trax to test the waters and see how we like it. I'll do reviews as the products come in and post them here.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T21:20:00.000-05:00

What will the new year bring? Not sure. I received 3 very nice N scale engines (2 Kato,1 Atlas) for Christmas that I am looking forward to running soon. I'm working on a design for a 10' N scale layout that will pretty much be an operating diorama with lots of scenery and little track. We have decided that I need to build a new home office and separate trains and office space sometime in the next year. Now that I know I will have the existing space fully for trains, I am not sure what scale to do... N, HO, and O all have their positive and negative points. Well, that decision can wait for now. I'm going to get back to planning my N scale diorama layout. Send me an email or comment if you have a plan like that.

Lionel to Open 5 Pop-Ups for 2010

2010-10-18T15:57:00.002-04:00

Lionel Media Room

MTH O Gauge 2011 Volume 1 catalog released with new format

2010-10-18T15:33:00.008-04:00

2011 Volume 1

MTH went with an online book format this time. It seems to work fairly well and so far hasn't suffered the bandwidth issues that plagued MTH online catalogs of the past. It is good to see Railking Imperial steam making a comeback. Don't miss the Pennsy S2 and 4-8-4 Northerns. We own a Santa Fe Imperial Northern and it is currently the favorite steamer on the layout.

Bachmann releases free on-line versions of the 2010 catalogs

2010-07-06T19:08:00.003-04:00

Download them Here

NS to run steam again!

2010-06-30T21:10:00.000-04:00

NORFOLK, VA., and CHATTANOOGA, TENN. -- Norfolk Southern Corporation is in negotiations with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum with regard to the operation of a limited schedule of steam locomotive event appearances and passenger excursions beginning later this year.

“21st Century Steam” would highlight milestones in rail history and provide an opportunity for audiences to learn about today’s safe and service-oriented freight railroads. The program would feature three venerable coal-powered steam locomotives:

- Southern Railway 4501: Built in 1911 by Baldwin Locomotive Works, 4501 served Southern Railway in freight service in Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana, before being sold to a short line railroad. No. 4501 was retired from revenue service in 1963 and enjoyed a second career in the excursion program operated by Southern Railway and Norfolk Southern from 1966 until 1994. This Ms (Mikado superheated) Class locomotive has 63-inch driving wheels.

- Southern Railway 630: Built in 1904 at the Richmond, Va., works of American Locomotive Company, this Consolidation-type locomotive has traveled throughout the Southeast, often in the company of 4501 and sister locomotive 722. An extensive six-year rehabilitation to Federal Railroad Administration standards is being completed at TVRM’s Soule Shops complex in Chattanooga.

- Tennessee Valley Railroad 610: Built in 1952 by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton for the U.S. Army, 610 has been the mainstay of TVRM steam operations since 1990. It also appeared on several Norfolk Southern steam excursions from 1990 to 1993. No. 610, also a Consolidation type, was one of the last steam locomotives built in the U.S.

“This is the right time for steam to ride the Norfolk Southern rails,” said CEO Wick Moorman. “We have a fascinating history, and we have a compelling message about how today’s railroads support jobs, competition, and the economy. It is a forward-looking message that resonates with people everywhere.”

“21st Century Steam can help introduce historic and modern railroading to a broad new audience of supporters,” said TVRM President Tim Andrews. “We are pleased to be developing this relationship with Norfolk Southern for the purpose of preserving and interpreting the steam age, and of bringing today’s railroad closer to people young and old, in communities large and small.”

The launch of 21st Century Steam would coincide with key dates. 2011 will be 4501’s 100th birthday and TVRM’s 50th. The year 2012 will mark Norfolk Southern’s 30th anniversary.

21st Century Steam’s initial appearances and runs tentatively could take place in the Chattanooga area this fall, with locomotives 610 and 630. No. 4501 could join the program sometime in 2011, after rehabilitation. Exhibit dates, ticketing, and other details will be announced later.

“The sights and sounds of a steam train are powerful enough to catch the public’s attention in this busy and complex age,” said Jim Wrinn, author of Steam’s Camelot: Southern and NS Excursions in Color, and editor of Trains Magazine. “A steam train is a living piece of American history that teaches volumes about this exciting industry that has much to offer our country today. Once the door is open with the steam locomotive, you’ve got an opportunity to teach a new generation how railroading is the right transportation solution to so many challenges facing us.”

Later this year, Norfolk Southern and TVRM plan to launch a web site in support of the program. Correspondence can be addressed to 21stcenturysteam@nscorp.com.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum was founded in 1961 in Chattanooga to create an interpretive operating museum of historic equipment and artifacts in an authentic setting. Today it operates an extensive schedule of historic and scenic trains in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, supported by its East Chattanooga locomotive and car shop complex. TVRM is the largest operating historical excursion railroad in the Southeast.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern contact:

(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 (fsbrown@nscorp.com)

Rick Harris, 757-629-2718 (rwharris@nscorp.com)

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum contact:

(Media) Tim Andrews, 423-894-8028 (tandrews@tvrail.com)

Penelope Soule, 423-595-2396 (psoule@tvrail.com)

2010-06-24T13:37:00.005-04:00

MTH shows sample images of their new HO BigBoy on Facebook. Become a Fan on Facebook here: MTH Facebook page or just link to the BigBoy album here: BigBoy Album

Long time no Blog...

2010-06-14T16:54:00.002-04:00

It's been a long time as I've been pretty busy, but I am hoping to get out and do some Railfanning again soon. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good DSLR that also shoots HD video, or a good inexpensive HD video camera? I still have my trusty Fuji FinePix S1 that just needs a good cleaning and tune up.

Berkshire Bets on U.S. With Purchase of Railroad - DealBook Blog - NYTimes.com

2009-11-03T11:54:00.000-05:00

Berkshire Bets on U.S. With Purchase of Railroad - DealBook Blog - NYTimes.com

Wow. Warren Buffet is banking on the Railroads. Purchases BNSF. I can't help but think this is a good thing.

2010 Volume 1

2009-10-31T09:17:00.000-04:00

MTH 2010 Volume 1 O gauge catalog

I am also a little late on this one too, but Oh well. We are getting off easy here to. Only a couple things of interest for us, but again some people are going nuts. That's the way it goes... some catalogs have nothing for you and some kill you. Take a look and decide for yourself ;-)

Lionel Media Room

2009-10-31T09:07:00.000-04:00

Lionel announces rebate program on selected 2009 Volume II catalog items

I think this is a good move by Lionel. Hobby dollars are thin for many people and this should help. It also takes the edge off of what appears to be ever increasing prices.

Lionel Catalog - Lionel 2009 Volume II

2009-10-31T09:03:00.000-04:00

Lionel Catalog - Lionel 2009 Volume II

I'm a little late posting this, but we've been real busy lately. Anyway, Lionel has definitely changed their approach to their product offerings. We are getting off light this time, but I know others who are going nuts over this catalog. Check it out and enjoy.

Woman, 2-year-old killed crossing railroad tracks

2009-10-31T08:55:00.000-04:00

Woman, 2-year-old killed crossing railroad tracks

Train tracks are dangerous! A train traveling at 60 mph can sneak up on you without warning. A common misconception is that you will hear it coming. That is usually not the case. This didn't have to happen. Give trains the respect they deserve or they will give you what you deserve.

Facebook | MTH Electric Trains's Photos - What's New in the MTH Test Room from York 10/15/09

2009-10-15T12:39:00.000-04:00

Facebook MTH Electric Trains's Photos - What's New in the MTH Test Room from York 10/15/09

New photos from the upcoming MTH 2010 V1 O scale catalog.

WKYC.com | Cleveland, OH | Ohio train plan leaves out Akron, Air Force museum

2009-08-23T23:05:00.000-04:00

WKYC.com Cleveland, OH Ohio train plan leaves out Akron, Air Force museum

Lionel Christmas Preview catalog is up on the Lionel site

2009-08-18T22:31:00.003-04:00

LINK

Trainfestival09

2009-07-22T17:17:00.001-04:00

Leaving tomorrow for Trainfestival09 in Owosso, Mi. Lots of pics and video to follow hopefully.

Railworks by RailSimulator.com

2009-06-29T23:52:00.001-04:00

RailfanX - This new simulation looks pretty cool. We'll be downloading it and playing with it while on vacation :) review to follow shortly.

MTH Electric Trains - HO trains that do more

2009-06-17T13:55:00.003-04:00

RailfanX - The MTH HO 2009 v2 catalog has just been released. This one is going to hurt... They have The NYC ESE and 20th Century passenger trains as well as a very nice B&O 2-8-2 with 13 matching hoppers. These new metal MTH HO steam engines have great detail and incredible sounds for their size. The fact that they have the best puffing smoke I've seen in HO just puts them over the top. I can't wait to get my hands on these. MTH is just getting started in HO, but they are at the top of my list already.

2009-06-12T13:55:00.005-04:00

RailfanX - Saw this awesome photo and wanted to share it.

YouTube - Cabride Tour of an N-scale Layout

2009-06-12T12:02:00.001-04:00

RailfanX - Cool video I found on Youtube. You get to ride in the engine on a giant N scale layout. The camera glitches a little bit, but it is definitely worth a look.

CSX Transportation and PSEG Power Bring Ultra-Low Emission Locomotives to New Jersey

2009-06-09T14:21:00.002-04:00

Trenton, NJ - June 9, 2009 - CSX Transportation (CSXT) and PSEG Power met this afternoon with state and local officials at the Trenton Transit Center to unveil new ultra-low emission GenSet locomotives to be operated in New Jersey.

The GenSet locomotives, manufactured by National Railway Equipment Company, reduce nitrous oxide and particulate matter emissions by 80 percent and can create carbon dioxide emissions savings of approximately 50 percent by monitoring engine idling and switching to "sleep" mode after a period of inactivity.

RailfanX - Read the rest of the article on the CSX website HERE

Ohio Rail Tourism Association

2009-06-08T13:05:00.005-04:00

RailfanX - Cool site with links to museums and tourist railroads in Ohio.

New Model Railroader Press books on the way to RailfanX

2009-06-04T22:11:00.005-04:00

RailfanX - Have these on order and will review them as soon as they arrive. Iaan Rice is my favorite layout designer and Lou Sassi's fisrt book on Model Railroad Scenes is FANTASTIC! I can't wait for Vol. 2.

New book from MRP

2009-06-04T22:07:00.005-04:00

Model Railroader Magazine Pressroom

RailfanX - New MR Press book. Have this one on order. Will update when it arrives. Prices is $21.95

2009-06-01T15:02:00.001-04:00

Hello World. This is a test SMS update to RailfanX. I will use this to update from Railfest 09.

The UK gets a brand new steam locomotive

2009-06-01T12:13:00.001-04:00

The UK gets a brand new steam locomotive

RailfanX - Check out the BBC video of this impressive new steam locomotive

MSNBC - Top 10 reason to take the train

2009-06-01T12:02:00.002-04:00

MSNBC - Top 10 reason to take the train

RailfanX - It's about time that people in this country start looking at riding the train again. Here in Ohio we have a new Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati passenger service that will start soon. The renewed investment in rail is one of the few good things to come from the Stimulus package IMHO.

Pentrex - Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Passenger Train

2009-06-01T00:19:00.000-04:00

RailfanX - Pentrex makes great videos and this one looks like a winner too. We hope to be able to visit the Cumbres & Toltec someday, but for now we settle for ordering the Pentrex video. Enjoy the preview.

GreenFrog Videos - Northeast Vintage Diesels

2009-05-31T23:19:00.000-04:00

RailfanX - We love vintage diesels! These old warriors have tons of character. This looks like a winner from GreenFrog. We'll let you know more once we get our hands on a copy. Until then enjoy the preview.

GreenFrog Videos - Norfolk Southerns Dayton District

2009-05-31T23:07:00.000-04:00

RailfanX - New Greenfrog video on the NS Dayton sub in Ohio. Looks kinda cool. Xavier likes this one. Enjoy the HD preview.

Logansaan videos added to the RailfanX video bar

2009-05-31T22:15:00.000-04:00

RailfanX - We have added the compilation videos of Logansaan to the video bar. Take a few minutes to watch some of his wonderful work. Great shots and outstanding music that really sets the mood. Click once to open a small version in our Blog, or click again to launch @ Youtube. Enjoy!

GoRail

2009-05-31T20:39:00.000-04:00

GoRail:

"The so-called 'Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009' actually goes far beyond antitrust issues and makes major changes to rail policy. If enacted, this bill would impose new and conflicting regulations on our industry, subjecting railroads to oversight by not only the Surface Transportation Board, but the Department of Justice as well. This bill is an ill-considered, piecemeal attempt to artificially bring down rail rates for a few companies at the expense of consumers and other businesses.

Railroads are advocating for a more comprehensive approach to rail reform that fairly meets the needs and concerns of shippers and the freight railroads. The railroad antitrust bill flies in the face of these good faith efforts and must be stopped.

S.146 would hamper freight railroads ability to invest back in their systems resulting in less infrastructure investment and network growth. The ultimate cost, we fear, is jobs.

Today's bad economy is already making it tough on railroads. Circumstances will only deteriorate under additional regulatory weight."

GoRail

2009-05-31T20:36:00.000-04:00

GoRail

How Rail Can Relieve Congestion

Traffic congestion is significant and getting worse in urban areas throughout the United States. The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) just reported that the amount of time the average commuter spends in traffic congestion has nearly tripled in just 20 years. This represents more than $63 billion in congestion costs and 5.7 million gallons of wasted fuel due to idling in traffic jams.

There is every reason to believe that traffic will continue to grow along with population and the economy, yet the nation can no longer add sufficient capacity to urban freeway and arterial street systems to accommodate traffic growth. This means that, as bad as traffic congestion is now, it is likely to get much worse.

Trucks perform a vital role in our economy, but their volume is increasing at an even faster rate than automobile travel. Trucks suffer as a result of overly-congested highways as much or more than anyone else. With truck traffic projected to rise nearly 80 percent by the year 2020, sufficient road space is simply not likely to be available to handle potential truck volume.

The Potential of Freight Rail: Our nation's freight railroads can reduce gridlock (for cars and trucks) by handling additional freight traffic that would otherwise move entirely on the highway. A single intermodal train can haul up to 280 truck trailers (equivalent to more than 1,100 automobiles in traffic); other types of trains can carry as much freight as 500 trucks (the equivalent of approximately 2,000 automobiles in traffic). This carrying capacity is an important potential resource in the battle against highway congestion. Indeed, many trucking firms have already entered into cooperative partnerships with freight railroads to transport their trailers over long distances on intermodal trains.

Scenarios: This report reviews the potential for reducing future traffic congestion by

moving more of the long, heavy trailers to intermodal freight trains that largely bypass busy urban streets and freeways.

If 25 percent of truck traffic were shipped instead by freight trains, by 2025 the following benefits could be achieved:

• The average person traveling during peak periods would save 44 hours per year (equal to more than to five 8-hour work days) as the reduced truck volume eased traffic congestion. In the most congested urban areas, annual savings could exceed 100 hours. Nationally, we would save 3.2 billion hours of delay.

• Fuel consumption would be reduced because of faster speeds and more fluid traffic flow on the less congested roadways. Diesel and gasoline fuel consumption in 2025 would be an estimated 17 billion gallons lower than it otherwise would be - equivalent to more than 250 gallons annually per motorist.

• The savings in travel time and fuel would yield significant economic benefits. A typical household would enjoy $620 per year in reduced congestion costs, equal to $44 billion overall, in urban areas nationwide.

• Air quality would improve thanks to an estimated 900,000 fewer tons of air pollution, including lower levels of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide (NOx).

Train Festival 2009

2009-05-30T17:13:00.000-04:00

Train Festival 2009

Welcome to Train Festival 2009
8 Steam Locomotives to be Operating at Festival plus HUGE Model Train Layouts, a Miniature Railroad and More
Click for More Information

UPDATE - SP Daylight no. 4449 to attend TrainFestival
Click for More Info - Tickets Now ON SALE

Coming July 23-26, 2009, the sounds of steam whistles, the clickety-clack of steel wheels on rails, the smell of coal smoke and excitement of children of all ages will take over the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan. This quaint American Town is located in the central region of Michigan just outside of Lansing. All the charm of Owosso will welcome tens of thousands of visitors from all over North America and other regions of the world to TrainFestival 2009. The theme of the weekend will be Trains, Trains, Trains!

The Steam Railroading Institute has an award winning collection of railroad equipment and railroad artifacts. The museum is an interpretive experience for visitors of all ages. During the weekend of July 23-26, 2009, visitors to the museum will experience an even greater museum. Steam and Diesel Locomotives from around the country will be on display for visitors to tour the cabs, take photos, watch demonstrations and much more. Huge model train layouts will be on display including a massive all-Lego model train. Railroad vendors from around the globe will have unique items for purchase that you won’t find any where else. Families will be able to take an all day excursion or shorter one-hour train ride behind various vintage locomotives. For the thrill seeking visitor, you will even be able to pull the throttle and blow the whistle on one of these steam locomotives. Scaled down miniature trains will be hauling passengers around the grounds of the event as well.

TrainFestival 2009 will allow visitors of all ages to experience railroading at its best. With an expected attendance of 30,000+ for the three day festival, the Steam Railroading Institute will be buzzing with railroad excitement.

Railroad equipment is currently being arranged. As soon as a final list of equipment attending the event and a schedule is finalized, it will be posted here.

RailfanX- This is going to be an incredible event! Maybe a once in a lifetime type event. We are going and we'll have tons of pics and video when we get back! Drop us a line if you are going. Hope to see you there.

2009-05-30T17:07:00.000-04:00

RailfanX- Wow... The MTH HO line is impressive! This new SD-70 ACe has all of the features that the larger O gauge models have... Fantastic sound, super details, speed control, DCC, and remote couplers! We can't wait to see what they make next. We are voting for something smaller like some SW class yard switchers (are you lostening MTH?)

2009-05-30T17:02:00.000-04:00

RailfanX- MTH has really been doing a lot of work to their line of HO trains. These new HO J class N&W steamers are fantastic. The temptation to move to a smaller scale grows stronger and stronger...

When the journey ends

2009-05-30T16:47:00.000-04:00

RailfanX- Logansaan has captured the rustic beauty of a pair of former SP units awaiting their fate in McDonald, Oh. We are hoping that they are scheduled to be rebuilt, but we aren't sure. Sit back and enjoy the sites and sounds (Logansaan is known for his music).

Official Broadway Limited Imports Paragon2 Introduction Video with Bob Grubba, President of BLI

2009-05-30T16:37:00.000-04:00

RailfanX- HO models have been making big strides in details and sound recently which is making the move down from O gauge more and more appealing. BLI has introduced a new series called Paragon 2 that has many new features including puffing smoke for the steamers. Check out the video.

SoundTraxx

2009-05-30T15:34:00.000-04:00

SoundTraxx: "SurroundTraxx Multi-Train Sound System for DCC So Advanced it's Wired to the Future!
SurroundTraxx is a major breakthrough in sound system for model trains! For the first time, a sound system has been designed with multiple trains in mind. SurroundTraxx gives you the realism of high-fidelity sound moving with the train as it travels about the layout without installing speakers onboard the engine.

SurroundTraxx begins with a multiplicity of audio speakers that are strategically placed in hidden locations around the layout. Using the latest Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology and advanced block detection techniques, SurroundTraxx faithfully reproduces the sounds made by each train on the layout and directs the sound to the speaker closest to the train's location. As a train moves along its route, SurroundTraxx makes continuous adjustments to the sound level of each speaker so that the sound appears to follow the train around the layout.

SurroundTraxx does not simply switch the sound from speaker to speaker but uses an intelligent cross fade algorithm that factors in train speed, direction, and distance between speakers. The sound makes a smooth transition as your train travels from one sound zone to the next without abrupt pops or thumps.

Sounds for a wide variety of both Steam and Diesel locomotives
No onboard speakers are necessary!
Six independent sound channels to reproduce the sounds of up to six different locomotives simultaneously."

RailfanX- This is a very neat system. We love the sound of our O gauge trains, and that is one reason we haven't switched to a smaller scale yet (even though it would fit better in our house). This should give even N scale trains sound that rivals (and possibly beats) the larger gauges. This may be a purchase for later this fall when we begin the office layout.