45mm on a budget

[Sir Clothem Cap]

I have strayed into 45mm to have something to run on others 45mm lines.

In strict accordance with being a tight wad I purchased a playmobil city action set. This gives you a 2.4 ghz  rc diesel loco which looks a bit like the castle on the welsh narrow gauge line complete with lights and sound and a flat bed wagon with drop sides and enough plastic track to get anyone started all for around £100 (shop around on ebay etc.)  With a bit of a paint to lose the toyness (new word?) this is a perfect intro to the world of 45mm

If it's just the motive power you want in steam outline then the lgb my first locohttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/My-First-LGB- ... 2341b78591 gives a  remote infa red controlled, well detailed loco that once repainted will look great (also with sound) and can run on any 45mm track.

for a incredibly cheap carriage have a look at one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-G-Scale-G ... 19ef182167
very well detailed but have plastic wheels. easily changed but they run fine anyway. I got a blue one and was surprised by how good it is.

[steamie1]

The playmobile loco is very good loco and can be detailed up to look real. BUT the other LGB 'first steam loco' runs way too fast and with no speed control is very bad. watch the batteries jumping out inside when tipped up. The controller has to be right over the cab to work and therefore it needs chasing around just to stop it. Sorry to be negative but we had one at the school and I bought it with my own money, naff it is. Thumbs up to the playmobile though and even the tiny kids have had lots of fun with it. For the extra money the Playmobile does so much more and is controllable. Can't wait for the next version to spice up the school line.

In this game you do get what you pay for. The way to keep costs down is to buy small amounts of quality items. They will serve better at the time of ownership and hold residual money later on when shifted. For example the Playmobile was twice the price but you do get speed control, lights and a good 2.4 radio. So right now it serves better. Then, if or when you fancy a change, you could always sell it for about 1/3rd less, putting this valuable money to the next loco. Where as, the 'my first plastic loco will annoy you very soon and there won't be many who will want it later on.

I'm on a very strict budget and have been for some time in a survival mode. What I do is buy the best I can afford and little of it. I also build to save. A truck can cost as little as the wheels and axle boxes. Then, when made of wood and detailed up it was sold on. The tiny profit then paid for a better kit, which is kept and so on. I only have a few trucks but being quality they last and I can value them more, having built them.

It was a similar financial system with locos. I started with a MSS Mamod. Ran it in and improved it then sold it. I Brought two and did the same then sold them buying a Ragleth. With steam locos it would be best to save long and hard and buy a quality Roundhouse or Accucraft straight off as I did not enjoy the MSS route. Failing that a Mk2 Mamod from mamod ltd. With Diesels there are some great loco kits out there that offer quality at a cheap cost. Check out the chassis first mind. Once you have a good chassis any body topping is easy. Worth deep consideration.

On track; I never brought the Mamod track as the quality was not as good as the Peco sm32 stuff. I purchased very small quantities of Peco and made my purchase once, saving in the long run.

I hope you don't mind the long winded story on money but I do care for the long term and hope it helps in mentioning it. I know I'm sticking my neck out saying all this but I would like you to enjoy the hobby best way you can.

Welcome to the scene and 45mm is a good choice offering more scope but please buy wise for the long term as this hobby will suck you in. There's lots of advice on future purchases within and good luck.

Keep us posted.

[bazzer42]

Men after my own heart.
I own very little new track and the the last lot of tenmille I bought s/hand cost me 84p a foot. I am also selling some odd lgb on ebay on the hope I can regain the 86 quid I spent on it and get 6 r3 points and two peco g45 points for free.
I am a tight fisted so and so and enjoy fettling ebay diesels. I also enjoy scratchbuilding buildings which is another cheap way of enjoying this hobby.
There are sometimes bargains on german ebay for old lgb which is built to last. I bought a prehistoric schoema diesel that ran as sweet as a nut.
I must invest in an rc playmobile for my great nephew and niece.

[Sir Clothem Cap]

BUT the other LGB 'first steam loco'  runs way too fast and with no speed control is very bad. watch the batteries jumping out inside when tipped up. The controller has to be right over the cab to work and therefore it needs chasing around just to stop it. Sorry to be negative but we had one at the school and I bought it with my own money, naff it is..

I don't know how long ago you had one but it now has speed control and a battery cover. It can't pull much but will do as a siding filler.