LGB Mikado vs. Aristo Pacific

[dukebasketballer`]

Hey guys,

I am in the market for a big steamer to pull at least 6 aristo heavyweights. I have narrowed down my search to the LGB Mikado and the Aristo Pacific with a Phoenix sound system. Can you guys help me with my next purchase? I want to know about the pulling power, speed, sound, and overall quality of each.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

This might give you a little guidance on pulling power

http://www.trainweb.org/girr/tips/tips4/tractive_effort_tests.html

this on pacific

http://www.trainweb.org/girr/tips/tips2/pacific_tips.html

 

 

[kstrong]

The LGB Mikado is nominally 1:26, as opposed to Aristo's 1:29 pacific. As such, the mikado may look a bit large when compared to the heavyweight coaches. That's an aesthetics thing, though.

My dad has one of the original Aristo pacifics (bought back when they were still "REA") and it looks good and runs fairly well. Aristo re-engineered the drive train at least once--if not twice--since that time, and it's reported to be far more robust now. I like the looks of the Aristo loco, but then I'm a bit biased there. They used a B&O "President" series loco as the prototype, and I'm rather fond of that particular style of loco. (Great Granddad worked for the B&O when these locos were first brought into service.) Why Aristo never released the loco in the original olive green, I don't know. (Ours has been repainted to that scheme.)

My knowledge of the LGB Mikado comes from what I've seen in on the store shelves and read in forums like this one. Aesthetically, I'm not nearly as fond of it as I am the Aristo unit, but that's purely my opinion. I've heard mention of problems with the LGB drive train on these locos, but I don't have specific examples. Consider it a yellow caution flag, but nothing more than that. It could be a few isolated cases.

I think that both locos are going to be good pullers. Both have direct geared drive to all axles, so that's a good thing. Aristo's Pacific is equalized, so all 6 wheels are constantly in contact with the rails. LGB's mikado is broken into two motor blocks, so at least 3 of the 4 wheels of each set (6 of 8) will be touching the rails. The LGB unit pivots in the middle so it can fit around 2' radius curves--lending to its nickname of "Bendy Wendy."

Your bigger concern with this comes not from either locomotive, but the heavyweight cars themselves. They don't have the best reputation in terms of rolling. I'd recommend fitting ball-bearing wheelsets to the trucks, or drilling out the journals to accommodate ball bearings around the axle ends. ANYTHING you can do to get these cars to roll better will greatly improve the locomotive's performance. Perhaps Aristo's improved things since we bought our cars, but evidently they took the term "heavyweight" to heart.

Later,

K

[wallyworld]

I have an original Aristo Pacific and it is one of my favorite engines. However, compared to LGB, it is abit fragile in terms of the siderods and detailing. It weighs a figurative ton and one has to be careful handling it in terms of these parts. Other than that, it's fine. I have two Aristo heavyweight cars and they do drag along. Wide radius curves are also called for or the overhang makes them look like a PCC turning a corner.

[dukebasketballer`]

Thanks guys. I am still at a toss up though and would like to hear from someone who owns a Mikado. They both seem to be pretty awesmoe engines and it does not sound like I can realy go wrong with either model.

[Bucksco]

I own a couple of LGB  Mikados and love them but don't take my word for it.

You know what to buy Johnny!

[RR Redneck]

Never have, and probably never will work up the will to dish out the cash for LGB. I usually go the cheaper and just as (if not more) reliable route with Aristo. They make Mikados to for the same price as their Pacifics.

[gtrainman1]

Train Worlds blow out prices of both as of 10-23-06
A for instances below;


Aristo Pacific = PACIFIC 4-6-2 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE - STARTING @$329.99 EA Plus how much  for a Phoenix sound card? (maybe about $300) total $629
http://www.trainworld.com/closeouts_blowouts_clearance/aristocraft_closeouts.html


LGB Mikado Southern RR.

25872

SRR Mikado Steam Loco, Sound

$599.99

http://www.trainworld.com/lgb/LGB%20BLOWOUT%202006.htm

PS,
I own several LGB Mikados.....I'm very pleased with them all. One of the early models I own did have the drive train trouble and LGBoA replaced the complete drive line wheels and all No Charge.

Hope this helped.

[spodwo]

If you can get an LGB Mikado for $600.00 from Trainworld and with it you get the sound - that would be the one....you will also get two sound effect magnets to trip the whistle or bell.  It has the very good and durable Luran plastic which is extremely tough.  It can be very loud or you can simply turn the sound completely off - your choice.

The LGB Mike I have is a good puller and it can operate on the smallest of curved track [if need be].  It tracks well and the drive mechanism is rock solid. 

The drive system of the LGB was reworked on the LGB Mikes a LONG time ago so the model that Gtrainman mentions was not part of the first run. This was only noted in the first run Mikes.  My Mike has the new drive system which was installed by LGofA for free. 

The Aristocraft Pacific is a solid puller as is the Aristocraft Mike but I am not enthused about how Aristocraft fits its wheels on to the drive axles. 

I love my LGB Mike - I have had it for 5 years now?  It is a winner.

http://lizardattitude.homestead.com/LiZarD_AtTiTuDe_8.html

 

 

 

[Anonymous]

If you're a purist, the the choice is easy.   The Pacific is a fast passenger engine, while the Mike is generally considered a freight hog (not to say a LOT of them weren't used as motive power for locals). Otherwise just run whichever YOU like the best.

[RR Redneck]

I love the Mikados. I aint much of a passenger fan.

[Anonymous]

I would chech not just on the pulling power of these two engines but also their traction. My LGB DR Mallet will pull 5 litres of white wine up a 4 % gradient and this is something believe me. The two engineds you are considering should be able to do that and i would check this out if i were in your position.

Mikados' seem to big too me and i really don't think they would look very natural on my layout. I have seen a green French LGB mikado and i thought it looked just great.

Rgds Ian

[RR Redneck]

I ain't much fer the foriegn trains.

[Anonymous]

You might not be much for foreign thinking either but what about the person that asked the question, surely that is what thi thread is all about?

Rgds Ian

[Anonymous]

I ain't much fer the foriegn trains.

I've been debating with myself since I saw this post whether to justify it with a response. I see this kind of thing on a LOT of boards...especially train related ones. If it isn't about someone's favorite road, then it's to be actively discouraged.  The Colorado NG guys can be the worst for bad manners...to the point of one noted RR photographer purposely didn't post a brief or pix about his trip on a steam powered narrow gauge logger in Romania on a narrow gauge web board because he KNEW they'd just pooh-pooh it...Kinda reminds me of my 6YO refusing to try a new food because she "doesn't like it", even though she never tasted it.

Of course, if one REALLY doesn't like something, then one can always skip it.

[dukebasketballer`]

I have to agree. Sometimes I even find myself guilty of such a crime. But you are right, the responses are suposed to answer the question.

I personally like the European trains, however I have not really gotten into them due to a limited budget.