Greetings,
For 8 years I've been running my beginner LGB set inside the home on a mix of LGB and ARISTO track (brass) and on great study of your successes here in this forum and by reading various magazines I've decided to make an effort to build my own outdoor railway.
Which brings me to ERA 2 style steam locos. Which manufacturer is best? I hear pros and cons on USA, ARISTO, BACHMAN and naturally LGB with their issues.
Any recommendations? My key interest is a quality unit, DCC and realistic sound true to the ERA. I really feel that the Loco is key to a great railway.
Regards,
NewbieGG
Check out MTH. Great value with sound and control built in. The future locos will be dcc compatable, Joe
Aristo locos are nice though the larger 1/29 steam locos (2-8-2 and 4-6-2) have had issues with driver slippage. Can be fixed yourself or the repair dept. is top notch. The 1/24 2-8-0 is a very nice loco with no issues I know of. All of the above newer models have the plug and play plug. Pop in a QSI DCC/sound chip for about $150 and you're all set to go.
The USA Hudson and Big Boy are nice looking but both have issues. Have not heard good things about parts/repair. DCC is DIY.
Bachmann makes some good locos in 1/20. Service/parts dept is fair but can be hard to get hold of. The geared steamers are nice and the K27 is a beauty but had issues resolved. I know its plug and play slot works fine with RCS RC control but not sure about DCC (I have heard things but no expert on the subject). Most others are DIY DCC.
-Brian
Great info Brian:
"DYI" refers to "do-it-yourself?"
NewbieGGGreat info Brian: "DIY" refers to "do-it-yourself?"
"DIY" refers to "do-it-yourself?"
yes!
Do you think Aristo has resolved drive issues on their Pacific 4-6-2 ???
What about the Mallet 2-8-8-2 which I think is a new product..
Looked at MTH and think that they are not DCC compliant so there is a serious restriction.
gg
I have an Aristo 2-8-2 and had problems with the driver screws working loose, even lost one along the railroad somewhere. I called Aristo about it. They suggested using Loctite; not having any handy I used Patricia's clear nail polish. It's working ok.
I want to add Aristo support, parts and service are very good. They repaired a Train Engineer I've had for years with no charge. I've also had good parts service from USA, I give them the road name and the parts come painted.
Good luck, Rob
Rob, you're the first person I've heard compliment USA on parts or service! Are you Charlie's Brother in law or something?
Capt Bob Johnson Rob, you're the first person I've heard compliment USA on parts or service! Are you Charlie's Brother in law or something?
Capt. Bob, I don't know him and admit he's a little rough but I got what I wanted. In fact I was going to add in original post that I needed the cut levers for the front of my F3A unit (a gust of wind blew it off the tracks) and couldn't find a part number. He said there wasn't one. I told him that's what I need, I listened for a bit and he said he'd make up a package and sent it. I got within a week.
You know those sleek liners grab the headlines, but when things get tough it the old cargo ship that comes thourgh.
Happy new year, Rob
NewbieGGDo you think Aristo has resolved drive issues on their Pacific 4-6-2 ??? What about the Mallet 2-8-8-2 which I think is a new product.. Looked at MTH and think that they are not DCC compliant so there is a serious restriction. gg
As Rob said the problem had to do with the tapered axles and loose nuts holding the wheels on all the big Aristo steamers. The wheels can then get "out of quarter" messing things up. There is much about this over on the Aristo forum.
I went on the Aristocrat forum page and asked the forum participants if they had any issues.
Feedback included that earlier models may have had issues however since resolved and apparently the new drive platform is working well.
I like their site, very complete and well organized. Found a distributor in my region easily. After sales support is key here as I can't simply "hop in the car" to get advice and service.
I am leaning heavily to either the Aristo Pacific 4-6-2 (passenger service) or the Mikado 2-8-2 (freight service) c/w a Phoenix sound board featuring the "American Steam Classic" sounds for a medium or large steam loco. (I didn't like the "tootsie" whistle of the Pacific).
If I'm headed down the wrong track (excuse the pun) then let me know...
NewbieGG Do you think Aristo has resolved drive issues on their Pacific 4-6-2 ??? What about the Mallet 2-8-8-2 which I think is a new product.. Looked at MTH and think that they are not DCC compliant so there is a serious restriction. gg
MTH ProtoSound-3, now shipping in their "HO' train line, will soon be extended to there "G" gauge (Gauge One) line. ProtoSound-3, besides the digital sound, includes BOTH the DCS AND DCC decoders.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Thank you Don!
Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month