What kind of steam engine shold I choose for a DRGW layout ?

[GearDrivenSteam]

I give up, How bout a D&RGW engine?

[Southwest Chief]

The choice of a D&RGW locomotive depends on a lot of variables.

What scale are you running?  What is you planned minimum radius?  And how much are you willing to spend on a locomotive?

The two main scales with the most available D&RGW equipment are 1:22.5 and 1:20.3

1:22.5

LGB, Bachmann, USA, Aristo, and Hartland currently offer a wide arrange of equipment in 1:22.5 scale.  Prototypical D&RGW locomotives in this scale, however, are very few.  If you want to capture the modern narrow gauge era (1930's to 1960's), as most D&RGW modelers do, the only prototypical options are the Aristo-Craft C-16, and the Kiss K-36  The C-16 is very toy like and I would not recommend it, and it actually scales closer to 1:24.  The Kiss K-36 is impressive, but it's made of metal and costs a fortune.  Not really ideal for most layouts, and more of a museum or mantel piece.  LGB/Aster released a beautiful brass K-28 many years ago but this will also cost you plenty...with the current market value of a mint loco around $6,000.

So your options for prototypical locos become thinner in 1:22.5.  I run this scale.  So for mainline power I went with LGB moguls.  Although these are not even close to a prototype D&RGW loco, they look good, are very reliable, and can take the tightest of curves.  I had an older C&S mogul that I simply relettered for D&RGW.  Then I purchased a newer undecorated loco that I also lettered for D&RGW.  LGB currently produces a mogul factory painted and lettered for D&RGW in the bumblebee scheme and about a year ago in the standard black scheme.

Here is a photo of my two moguls:

1:20.3

If you go the 1:20.3 route your options are very good for prototypical locomotives.  Accucraft and Berlyn control the market right now, however Bachmann is supposedly going to offer a 1:20.3 K-27 in plastic.

Accucraft locos are the most reliable of the group but they tend to be finicky with your track.  They are huge and very heavy too.  You need a lot of open space and excellent track work to ensure these locos run properly and look right.  But apart from opperational issues, the biggest downside is the cost.  These are all priced well over $1,000 each.  If money is no option fantastic.  But I'm not ready to spend this much money on a loco that won't run as reliably as an LGB mogul.  Plus I'd be worried to leave them outside, even though I'd cover them.  And the large size bugs me for some reason.  They just look too big.

My advice

So if I were you I'd get some LGB moguls.  It's almost a standard for G scale.  And the reliability you get out of them is unsurpassed, at this point, by any other G scale maker.  and they look great pulling LGB, Aristo, USA, Bachmann and Hartland cars.  Be sure with Aristo and USA you avoid their modern 1:29 scale equipment.

BTW, glad you went to Rail Fest.  I was there.  Our layout was also featured on the layout tours for the Narrow Gauge Convention in Durango which occurred roughly the same week as Rail Fest.

If you are interested in seeing more photos of our G scale D&RGW layout click on the Snowshoe & San Juan link in my signature below.

[kstrong]

Much depends on how accurately you wish to model the D&RGW. If you're a purist, your options are somewhat limited and typically expensive. If you're looking to just capture the feel of the D&RGW, and not worry about whether the prototype actually owned a particular style of locomotive, then the sky's the limit. Most manufacturers have locomotives lettered for the D&RGW because it's such a popular railroad.

Another option would be to freelance a railroad based on the D&RGW. That allows you the ability to choose your locomotives to suit your tastes and budget without worrying about the nuts-and-bolts of prototypical correctness. My Tuscarora Railroad is built along these lines--based on the East Broad Top's Shade Gap branch, but bowing to a distinct lack of EBT locomotives. Rather than letter locos for the EBT, I opted to create my own railroad.

Later,

K

[Anonymous]

Paul,

Do you have any photos of the Connie after your conversion? I have a unlettered spectrum to that I have to do the same thing to. I'm also getting a C-16 ($123 NOS on EBAY) that I plan to convert as well.

Thanks, Jim - [e-mail]

[devils]

Depends how deep your pockets are?

theres a bit of range price wise 

Affordable:

Bachmann 4-6-0 Annie $150

Moderate

HLW 4-4-0 and 2-6-0 $350

getting up there

LGB 2-6-0 mogul $500 and up

Holy Grail territory

Berlyn and Accucraft C-16, C-19, K-27, K-36, K-37 $1500 to $2500

 

[vsmith]

When considering any Accucraft K series, remember the BMW principle

BMW = Bring Money Withyou...

[ttrigg]

I got started  in the hobby about a year ago and am starting a D&RGW layout . I was wondering what kind of steam engine I should choose?       p.s. I went to RailFest at Durango

Without knowing which division of the D&RGW you are "rebuilding" and what year span you are attempting to immortalize, I would suggest a Mikado 2-8-2, a K27 or a K36 or K37 would be nice if you are rebuilding the Chama or Durango Divisions.  





D&RGW 489 in Cumbres & Toltec livery.

[vsmith]

Depends how deep your pockets are?

Theres a bit of range price wise in D&RGW livery, some are prototypical, other just labeled.

Affordable:

Bachmann 4-6-0 Annie $150

Aristo 2-4-2T $150

Moderate

Aristo C16 (1/24 scale) $250 projected

HLW 4-4-0 and 2-6-0 $350

LGB 2-4-4 Forney $300

Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 Connie $300

Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0 American $300

Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-0 Mogul $300

getting up there

LGB 2-6-0 mogul $500 and up

Holy Grail territory

Berlyn and Accucraft C-16, C-19, C-21, K-27, K-36, K-37 $1500 to $2500

edit Oops! I missed a few! probably still missing a couple rare species

[Anonymous]

Actually it's D&RGW--Denver and Rio Grand Western.  Bachmann makes a beautiful 4-6-0 Anniversary Edition coal burner in D&RGW livery. 

[Anonymous]

What is DRGW?

rgds Ian

[Bucksco]

I would go the LGB route!

[RR Redneck]

I would go the route of Bachmann.

[traintrax4]

there's a wealth of good locos for D&RGW. Most steam locos can be ordered with the D&RGW roadname. LGB and Bachmann have many good locos for what your looking for, it just depends what your budget is.

[Railkid]

I got started  in the hobby about a year ago and am starting a DRGW layout . I was wondering what kind of steam engine I shold coose?       p.s. Iwent to RailFest at Durango