Suggestions wanted for best pulling engines, prefferably Steam less than $400

[cruikshank]

Hi, trying to find some good pulling engines for our club layout.  One of our members collected trains for about 8 years.  He has lots of engines but some are cheaper  MPC that can barely pull themselves.  Since we have very few members and fewer dollars I'm looking for suggestions for engines with descent pulling power, Steam or Early Diesel, any manufacturer. Don't need lots of bells and whistles conventional control is fine, but the ability to pull at least 10 freight cars or a string of 4-6 passenger cars on level, and up manageable grades is needed.  What has worked so far is a Railking PRR K4, an MTH or railking Blue goose (but it doesn't fit the area, East coast Anthracite Region  ), a late model Lionel T-1, and an MTH Reading Camelback.  My Reading Loco Works Docksider works but looks unrealistic pulling scale hoppers. What hasn't worked is MPC F3's, Earlier T1's, and some Lionel entry level train set Steamers.  A Postwar GG1 works but pulls too much juice and doesn't fit the prototype.  So the best thing would be good pullers with Reading, PRR, or Lehigh Valley Flags or ones that can be re-lettered.  I'm sure there are very good pullers out there for $600-$1100, but that's not in the budget right now.  BTW the best T-1 can pull 25 hoppers and a caboose around the 30 x 55' layout and up and down two considerable, but manageable grades.  Thanks in advance for your answers.

[magicman710]

F3s, postwar or modern are a good puller. Heck, even a 4-4-2 can pull 10 traditional size freight cars with ease, and still only aroud $100. In my experience, I think almost locomotive can pull at least 10 cars (with an exclusion possibly being a heavy engine, such as a berkshire) with ease, and i'm sure passenger cars as well. My pw cell. series F3 has been able (so far, as I only have 13 cars) to pull 10-13 of them cars, around 027 curves, on a 4x8, while at least the train is on 3 of them curves at once, thats Lionel power! IMO, pretty much anything made by particular favorite, Lionel, can pull 10 cars easily, even aroud 027 or 031 curves, as long as its not a scout engine or steam switcher (more of a modern term for a scout). I think you should get a traditional size enginer or stadard O size engine, preferably being at least $300, otherwise, it may not be the quality you need.

 

My

 

Thanks,

Grayson

[traindaddy1]

Hi!  Have you considered the 2-8-4 Polar Express engine? (Just change the tender name..I did)

[Prairietype]

Does your club prefer modern or older locomotives for the layout?

I don't have a lot of experience with the new, but get the feeling that a lot of the locomotives out there will answer your requirements.

I can vouch for the power of the older postwar though. The dual-motored F-3's from the mid-50's are strong, reliable, and fast (not that fast is a criteria).  I have a couple of Southern Crescents, and the Chicago and Alton hudsons. They run ok and can pull their consist pretty well. I don't like the way the feel (seem to jostle through switches and in general) and I usually keep the sound of steam and whistle disconnected because it sounds crappy; yet these locomotives can be found for under $200 in fair shape.  I have also a 2037, which is a new acquisition and I think this little steamer is amazing. It is quiet, and runs smooth. It's strong and it's little air whistle is a delight. It can pull a string of six 6464's and a caboose with ease (has magnetraction) and these locomotives (2035/2055/2037)still sell for around $150 (sometimes less).  

 

[palallin]

The scale Mikados from the early '90s are great pullers.  I'm sure about the Southern version, but teh Frisco can be had for around $300 if you watch eBay carefully.

[brianel027]

I don't know, but I have no troubles with my cheaper locos and in fact am very happy with them. Right now I have a former Lionel MPC #8602 2-4-0 on the layout and it's pulling a 12 car train with no trouble. And half the cars have die-cast trucks: two with roller pickups and three with postwar staple trucks. I could probably add a few more cars too.

Usually I do make alterations like securing the traction tire and adding weight to the shell and chassis. But heck, I have a Lionel MPC #8200 0-4-0 and I've made no alterations to that loco. It doesn't even have a traction tire and it still pulls a 10-12 car train with ease, which even amazes me. That's one darn fine little loco.

For the low cost that I bought most of these locos for, it's of no trouble to spend a little more money making some improvements. I have a couple other 2-4-0's with DC can motors, and they too pull 10-12 car trains or longer with little trouble. The plastic bodies make for easy alterations like adding additional handrails or marker lights. And I love the MPC mechanical sound tenders (which I've also altered so they work perfectly even on 027 curves), so these locos are pulling those too, which adds even a little more drag to the train.

Ironic as it is, some of these cheaper MPC or modern era locos actually outpull my cheaper postwar locos.

[Anonymous]

cruikshank,
I have a Lionel B&O Mikado that does an awesome job pulling 8 B&O Madison passenger cars, a Lionel C&O Berk that could pull 10-12 cars easily, a Lionel 0-6-0 that could do the same (poor trainsounds on this one), an MTH 491 C&O Streamlined Hudson that pulls 7 streamlined passenger cars, and an MTH WM Diesel (can't remember the info) that will pull 10-12 cars no problems...

My MTH Rugged Rails F3 A-B-A isn't strong enough to pull 10-12 cars,  but that will change when I have the money to upgrade it with a couple additional motors...

[phillyreading]

Have you tried Williams locomotives for good pulling power at moderate prices?   I have a few Williams GP-9's that can pull more than 14 freight cars and still have power to spare.  Bought my GP-9's for $123.00 for the Reading with True Blast 2 sounds, and a pair of GP-9's for $200.00 with just horn in one & only one powered unit, replaced the horn with True Blast 2 system for only $24.00

The new Williams S2 turbine in Pennsyvania pulls over 25 freight cars on my layout, bought it for only $200.00 two years ago and has whistle in the tender and the loco smokes.

For more power try a Williams SD-45 or FM Trainmaster in Reading or Pennsy colors.  If you are going to use the loco for forward only take out the reverse board and put in a bridge rectifier, a bridge rectifier for 8 amps can be bought at Radio Shack for close to $5.00, that way you skip the reverse cycle.  I put in a bridge rectifier because my circuit board died on me.

Lee F.

[chuck]

Check the Williams site for what they make and then Ma and Pa Junction or Just Trains for availability and pricing. 

[phillyreading]

Chuck,

I can do better than Ma & Pa junction prices as I buy direct from a local Williams dealer, even better than Williams club pricing with 20% off.  Shipping is what will eat up your train dollars!

Lee F.

[chuck]

I can do better than Ma & Pa junction prices as I buy direct from a local Williams dealer, even better than Williams club pricing with 20% off.  Shipping is what will eat up your train dollars!

Good to know!  Thanks.

[ezmike]

If you're looking for post-war steam I have both a 681 S2 Turbine and a 736 Bershire, both excellent pullers and this time of year you can probably get either for $300 or less on eBay. I also have a 2046 which pulls great as well, also available on eBay and for less than the 681 or 736.

 Just my 2 cents.

Mike

[Buckeye Riveter]

For durability, the Williams engines would be hard to beat for a continuous running club layout.  Parts are available and they are not complicated to repair.

[phillyreading]

There is one other thing that I forgot to mention about Williams locomotives and that is they have metal gears not plastic.  Cost less than most other brands and have a good variety to choose from.

Lee F.

[Anonymous]

 

cruikshank,

 I have a Williams Berkshire in a Reading scheme that is a great puller. I'm not too far from Frackville and would love to check out your club. I could bring the Williams, and some postwar engines along for you to try on your layout if you like.