The Trains Have to Run

Model railroading has gone off in so many directions in it's colorful history.  There is now every scale and era of trains that one could possibly think of, available to model.  Navigating through it all and picking the one that's right for you is nothing short of a feat.

To pick the scale/gauge/era that's right for them, a model railroader must weight:

• Space available
• Funds available
• What do I want to do? operations, museum-quality model building, re-live my childhood, etc.

I have come to the conclusion, perhaps at least for myself, that one requirement stands above them all:

The trains have to run.
HAVE TO.

Nothing makes me more angered with model railroading than when the trains don't run.  This includes standing there silent on the track, not starting when I said "go", starting when I said "go" but doing so in a jerking motion, WHEN THE SOUND CUTS IN AND OUT (oh my gosh, don't get me started), sputtering, running for 30 seconds then unexplainedly stopping and not responding to anything, and generally anything that resembles not doing EXACTLY WHAT I JUST TOLD YOU TO DO!

The trains HAVE to run, and more importantly, they have to do exactly what I told them to do.  Nothing else is acceptable.  Identifying this as a requirement has made me pause and wonder about the layout I'm building.  I'm far enough out that things can change and evolve (intentionally so) and I'm wondering if battery powered is the choice for me.

Guys have successfully gotten R/C+battery functional down to On30 I believe, though that might be a tad small.  Is it worth going up to a larger scale, say 1:35 or 1:24 to be able to have self-powered trains (via battery) that don't have to fuss with the issues of track electrical connection?

I don't know.

Here's a brief comparison.  I think back to a quote I read a while back:  "The man who has built a [model railroad] layout is a man who's learned to compromise."

Smaller Trains

Bigger Trains

PRO: Much more space for track and structures... PRO: ...which means much more operational potential PRO: Don't need to mess around with charging batteries PRO: Smaller trains mean less materials and are typically cheaper (though not always) CON: Trains run less well and are subject to stopping or stalling much more CON: Sound cuts out CON: Crazy complicated wiring for layouts and features CON: Expensive startup cost for DCC systems

PRO: Self-powered (battery) trains don't stop or have the sound cut out PRO: No need for wiring track at all PRO: Laying track is easy, hand-laid turnouts are much easier PRO: When done right, the bigger train can display a level of texture and refinement that makes it look amazing PRO:  Typically easier to scratchbuild things PRO:  Link and pin couplers become a realistic choice CON: More space is needed, which means smaller layouts and less industry... CON: ...which means less operational potential overall CON: Everything is bigger and usually more expensive

In some sense, the choice comes down to:  Do I want a complicated layout that focuses heavy on operations  but I have to deal with poor running trains -OR- do I want a simpler layout that focuses heavy on scratchbuilding and details, I forgo operations but end up with smooth running, heavier trains I can rely on?

Man that's a hard choice...