| Fleischmann trains are made in Germany and are of | | | | more, even if made in China. For a more definitive |
| very high quality. Most of my model trains are British or | | | | answer I would contact the Southern Railway |
| American. But I do have a few Fleischmann | | | | Historical Society with respect to whether models of |
| locomotives in both HO and N gauge and they are | | | | Southern Locomotives and cars are accurate. |
| really superior. They are comparatively expensive in | | | | I took a look at the Riva Rossi cars in the Walther's |
| the United States, but well worth the expense. | | | | listing. These are pretty generic, standard 1930's |
| Kato is superior equipment, but they only manufacture | | | | vintage heavyweight passenger cars, just painted in |
| American and Japanese models, not European as far | | | | Southern Crescent colors. I doubt that they are truly |
| as I know. Roco track I believe is nickel silver. I have | | | | prototypical. I would sense they are family reasonable |
| only used their N gauge track, not their HO, and that | | | | running cars. Depending on the era your modeling they |
| was all nickel silver. Sounds as though you're on the | | | | might be out of date, as I would sense that the |
| right track. | | | | Southern Crescent, as a premier passenger train, |
| Remember that even though tracks from different | | | | would have employed streamlined lightweight |
| manufacturers may interchange different | | | | passenger cars early. |
| manufacturers use very different couplers. HO/OO | | | | Snap track is okay but needs care in laying, as does |
| trains need 12vDC that has speed control and a | | | | any track system. Its main problem is a limited amount |
| reversing switch. The 16vAC is only for accessories, | | | | of different radii. Probably the best, and most |
| lights, turnouts switches or points. Never attempt to | | | | expensive, track system of a snap track type is |
| connect your running tracks and locos to AC power -- | | | | Kato's. It is not compatible with other makes. Atlas is |
| it could could burn out the motors. | | | | fine however their snap track switches are very |
| I do know that the Southern Crescent ran up to the | | | | limiting. I would use their custom line switches instead. |
| time of Amtrak in the 1970's. I believe it ran on the | | | | They will mate with snap track. They are not powered |
| Southern Railway before this company merged with | | | | which means you'll have to attach an operating lever |
| the Norfolk & Western to become the Norfolk | | | | or point motor to switch tracks. |
| Southern. Probably by the 1950's or 60's it would have | | | | I'm not a fan of DCC because I have too many older |
| diesel locomotives, either E8's, PA1's, or DL109's. I would | | | | locomotives that would be tough to change to DCC |
| think there are cars and diesel locomotives in Southern | | | | and too expensive. For someone just starting out DCC |
| Green and white. The Southern also had steam | | | | provides the advantage of running more than one |
| locomotives, 4-6-2s and 4-8-2s, painted in green, which | | | | locomotive on common parts of your layout, without |
| could be used. Riva Rossi's products have had mixed | | | | having to sectionalize the layout electronically. |
| reviews over the years. | | | | It saves wiring, switches etc. Make sure your |
| I doubt any would really compare with modern | | | | locomotives are DCC equipped or convertible. |
| equipment such as Proto 2000 or Ahearn Genesis. | | | | Couplers are a big question. Cheaper makes still use |
| They probably would not have motors with 5 pole | | | | the horrible "standard" hook/horn model. Better ones |
| skewed armatures or flywheels. The detail would be | | | | use a magnetic coupler compatible with the brand |
| plastic cast on rather than separately applied plastic or | | | | named "Kadee". |
| metal parts. But detail is a subjective issue. Many | | | | You can fit "Kadee" types to most modern made cars |
| modelers are happy with poorer models that meet | | | | and locomotives. They uncouple with a magnet inset in |
| their prototypical needs. I fall into that category. | | | | the tracks. The original "Kadee" couplers are better, but |
| I have some early brass engines that don't compare in | | | | more expensive, than those that are copies. "Kadee" |
| detail to recently issued plastic bodied locomotives. But | | | | are metal most of the copies are largely of plastic. All |
| the locomotive I like may not be available except as an | | | | need careful adjustment. Kadee makes a cool gauge |
| early brass version. More modern models with finer | | | | for this. |
| detailing and better mechanisms will invariably cost | | | | |