Minitrix engine?

They were the first maker in the scale and they have prospered and still exist. Some of their models have been on the market for a very long time and suffer visually because both Minitrix and other manufacturers have made better models since. Mechanically they are at worst adequate, reliable and long lasting. There are better models from firms like Kato, and worse models from a long list of manufacturers.

I would recommend that you buy one of their models to start and in the future reject any other models that don't reach their standard.

A word of warning, if you buy second-hand then there's a fair chance that the model could be up to 35 years old!

Regards, Greg.P.

I have an 0-6-0 that must be at least 25 years old. All die-cast body- durable little thing, though not the greatest detail/runner in the world. Big 'ol flanges. But it's so gosh-dern cute! Dependable, too; I think it's been dropped a couple times.

Depending on your era, proto 2000 (lifelike) and Atlas both make lots of dependable, good-looking first and second-generation diesels that are great to start with. Making a slightly bigger investment now will pay off in the long run; don't feel like you need a sub-par loco just because this is your first attempt. A good loco will last a good while.

-TG

I haven't seen a Minitrix N engine for a number of years, but in the '70s, Minitrix and Arnold were among the best you could buy-easy to service, quality materials. Trix has since been bought out by Marklin, and the goodness of their current N locos probably depends on how recently the mechanicals have been updated: I feel that starting in the late '70s and especially by the '90s, N locos evolved from balky troublesome things to solid performers that worked right out of the box. But of course I was paying $25 or so for a Minitrix F loco back then, versus closer to $100 for a Kato F these days. But happily, it's not just Kato that's improved: Even some of the relatively inexpensive Life Like stuff is worlds better than what we had back then (NOW I'm sounding old...).

Markl> I am assembling my N Scale starter kit. And am considering a Minitrix

G.=A0Michael=A0Paine wrote: I am assembling my N Scale starter kit. And am considering a Minitrix engine as my first. I have not seen this make in the local shop or for that matter on the web. Can someone give me a clue as to their quality.

------------------------------------------------ Minitrix was made by Trix Mangold GMBH & Co. Trix Mangold declared bankruptcy in the mid-1990s and Marklin purchased the assets of Trix. Marklin recently began production of Minitrix items. I'm not sure what items Marklin is currently producing.

Model Power was the U.S. importer of Minitrix from the 1970s until Trix Mangold's bankruptcy. Prior to Model Power, American Tortoise was the U.S. importer.

The locomotives made by Minitirx were basically the same throughout their production. Most ran very well for a 1960s design.

I have most of the U.S. prototype locomotives that Minitrix made and the only ones I have had any problems with are the 4-6-2 K4 Pacific steamer which has eratic electrical conductivity and the U28Cs and U30CGs have pick up shoes that have a small tab that might break. Since parts are hard to find, I had to make my own which isn't hard to do.

Otherwise, these are very good locomotives.

Bill Bill's Railroad Empire N Scale Model Railroad:

History of N Scale: Links to over 700 helpful sites:

Thanks for the advice all of you. One final (Ha) question. These locos come with Rapido couplers, can Rapido be changed to MicroTrains Magne-Matic system?

Michael

Michael wrote: Thanks for the advice all of you. One final (Ha) question. These locos come with Rapido couplers, can Rapido be changed to MicroTrains Magne-Matic system?

-------------------------------------------- Yes. Here are the Micro-Trains Coupler Conversion Charts:

Bill Bill's Railroad Empire N Scale Model Railroad: History of N Scale: Links to over 700 helpful sites: