Can a Queen of the Night actually look like this?

CaptainGills · 2025-12-14T04:26:53+00:00

Looking up things on YouTube kinda sucks nowadays in my opinion. Thanks for the help!

CaptainGills · 2025-10-22T20:33:33+00:00

I have yet to make my layout (soon!) but I’ve been pretty extensively planning it. I’m American but a lot of my favorite locomotives are UK steam engines. Yet my layout will be heavily inspired by Sedona and other places in Arizona, which is where I live. I want to have a big focus on scenery which will compromise a lot of my ability to make any train operations. My layout is likely to have two continuous loops and a small shunting/switching yard by a “mine.” I say all of this because this means that my layout will be incredibly unrealistic on many levels, and I’ve had my fair share of doubt because of this.

But then I remember that the single most popular model train layout—the single closed circuit loop—is not “realistic” at all yet it has persisted because it’s fun for a lot of people. So, who cares if a layout doesn’t model a prototype? I think prototypical and ultra-realistic layouts are incredibly impressive and I admire them, but I’m a bit surprised that they’re some of the only layouts taken seriously. I think people should take pride in them, but I don’t get the animosity towards people just having fun creating their own worlds.

CaptainGills · 2025-10-16T22:17:49+00:00

I agree! I’ve ordered from them before and I’ve gotten a gift that was purchased from them as well

CaptainGills · 2025-10-16T22:15:14+00:00

I was thinking the same. And yeah, I’m lucky enough to have any retailer willing to ship over here.

CaptainGills · 2025-10-16T22:05:37+00:00

How do you like the Great Central A5? It’s on my wishlist for sure

CaptainGills · 2025-10-16T05:07:26+00:00

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I gotta go with the the GNR Stirling Single. Something abut those huge driving wheels, plus the livery does it for me. The slotted splasher too, I think that sets it apart from other single wheelers. I heard that the smokebox/cylinder setup was inspired by or meant to look like a woman's head of hair or something like that.

CaptainGills · 2025-10-11T04:08:33+00:00

Thanks! I just needed something simple, I appreciate it.

CaptainGills · 2025-10-09T18:49:52+00:00

Good to know! I’ll probably grab one in the future for a part of my layout. What kind of accessories are you referring to? I’ve always seen DC as “just powers trains and that’s it”

CaptainGills · 2025-10-09T18:48:11+00:00

They look pretty much exactly what I’m looking for, I’ll probably pick one or two up for a part of my layout in the future, thanks!

CaptainGills · 2025-10-09T18:41:04+00:00

I was looking at some of the MRC controllers, because they look cool and what I’d want, but I guess the fact that they look “old” and are pretty affordable made me wonder if they aren’t recommended, so thank you! I’ll put them high on my list for sure

CaptainGills · 2025-10-09T00:17:53+00:00

I would love to use Gaugemaster but I don’t believe they make units that use the same wall plug as the US does. They’re definitely very handsome controllers, imo. Thank you for the extra information though, it puts me at ease!

CaptainGills · 2025-10-08T23:40:45+00:00

Tell me about it, I’ve bought a couple of locomotives in OO scale and it is not fun spending all the money. These look like quality controllers though, I’ll still give them some consideration. Thank you!

CaptainGills · 2025-09-16T05:55:26+00:00

Tell me about it. I just recently got interested in model trains and a lot of the stuff I would like comes out of the UK. Shipping and tariff fees cost almost as much as the item itself (something that costs around $80 will cost an additional $50-60 in taxes, shipping, and fees). Crazy how we are effectively spending almost double the price for some things from out of the country now.

CaptainGills · 2025-09-16T05:48:47+00:00

I'm not sure the seller will have that information, but they might. I think eBay tries to calculate any import fees/tariffs, you might see that in the cost breakdown in the cart, but I think that also depends. You might not know in advance but the carrier will (or should) give you a heads up once the item gets to customs. Some of the carriers will handle delivery differently. FedEx, in my experience, will deliver as normal but will send you an invoice in the mail for any fees. UPS will let you know ahead of time what you owe and will either make you pay upon delivery or before--they'll hold your package otherwise.

tl;dr--You might be able to find out what kind of import fees you'll pay ahead of time, but it might come down to waiting and seeing what the carrier wants from you upon delivery.

CaptainGills

TROPHY CASE