Advice on Steam engines ?

[Anonymous]

I am new to this hooby, so have a very limited knowledge

Please advice me, Which make of Steam engines is good ?

Bachmann or IHC or Rivarossi or any other that you know of.


Thanks

[Anonymous]

Depends on what you want to model. That is, modern or older? Steam or diesel? I'm certain there are others here with more experience than me but I know in small steam the Bachmann Spectrum seams to be popular. I myself bought a Bachmann Spectrum 3 truck Shay. A number of posts have pegged it as great but I haven't had a chance to run it yet, no layout!!!!....Walt

[Anonymous]

I have had very good luck with the Athearn Genesis models and the Bachmann Spectrum series. I suspect that Walthers neww arrangement with Rivarossi will result in a great product as well. Most of the model railroad magazines contain review of the new releases. While it is rare for them to bash a new loco (it cuts into advertising revenue) they do include a number of statistics that can be used to objectively compare the products of various manufacturers.

I would stay away from the HO toy trains. Happy railroading.

[Anonymous]

Athearn Light Mikado was reviewed by MR Dec 99
and received good comments. The only concern I would have is the engine only weighs 13 oz. You may have to add weight to avoid wheel slippage.

Athearn Light Pacific was reviewed by MR Aug 01.
Here again the engine only weighs 12 3/4 oz, so you may have to add weight.

I have copies, should you want.

The Rivarossi line is very- very expensive and those with the All New Allegheny Drive should be better performers than its predecessor models.

Go to the IHC web site,www.ihc-hobby.com and click on HO, locomotives, steam.
These weigh a little more and look at the specs.
You want a model whose tender also has electrical
pick-up from each rail.

Chuck Walsh-Grand Rapids Mi
[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

In addition to the prior post, The Bachmann 2-8-0
Consolidation received a good MR review June 98 and I have not seen a bad comment about this particular
model.
Here again the loco picks up current from all eight drivers and from TWO TENDER WHEELS on each side. That,combined with the drive, makes this Spectrum
2-8-0 a very fine performer, per MR June 98.
The engine weighs 13.4 oz and you may wi***o add additional weight for better rail adhesion/draw pull.

[Anonymous]

Like Walt says it depends what you want to model? There's a lot more around from the 1930's-50's era, if you want to model old time steam you're much more limited. I am also assuming you're modelling in HO, not N, O or S scales - you'd be a lot more limited in the other sacles, and if you wanted a resonable collection of steamers you'd have to seriously consider imported brass models (which is really expensive).

I'd agree with most of the comments made here already about various makes of HO ready to run engines, but I'd also add the following:

I've never liked IHC models they're just too - well toy like (IMHO)- and would need loads of work to make them look like a reasonable representation of any prototype. I couldn't comment on their running qualities as I've never bought one (for this reason).

It also depends on what aspect of the hobby you like; quite a few of my friends just like building loco's and rolling stock - not running trains. If you really like building stuff have a look at either Bowser (slightly more expensive) or MDC Roundhouse kits (reasonably cheap). I've built quite a few MDC kits now, including a couple of HOn3 Consolidations, and with the exception of a worn out gearbox, not had many problems. I find they are easy to modify and detail to more closely match a prototype loco.

[Anonymous]

Before I switched to narrow guage about 15 years ago I probably at one time or another had every RTR steam locomotive that came out. They all had their good and bad points. My all time favorites were the Rivarossi locos which you could re-motor with can motors and re-gear with gear kits from NWSL. They would run as good as any brass import after being modified and by removing some of the cast on platic details and replacing them brass detail parts they looked evey bit as good too. Trying looking around at train shows or train flea markets. You can still find some good deals on these....Vic

[Anonymous]

I'll put another vote in for the Athearn Genesis "Mikes" - my RI is great!

[Anonymous]

I have Bachman Spectrum, Rivarossi, Mantua,
Roundhouse, IHC, Bowser. Depending on what you are
using the engine for will depend on what you want
to purchase. All engines need to be detailed to
a certian degree. Most of the more expensive
engines do not need as much but need some. If you
run smaller trains than you don't need big engines
to pull them. All of the engines that I have I
use for different things. Most plastic engines
will probably need weight added to them. Most of
the metal body engines are normally okay. My
suggestion to you for what it is worth is start
with a small engine and decide exactly what you
want to do. There are good things and bad things
about most model makers. In this area you will
read a lot of good things about makers and a lot
of bad things. So do what you want a hope for the
best. Ross

[Anonymous]

Jim do you have the 4-6-2 and 2-8-2 if so which one do you like,I'am talking about the Athean Genesis.