Best bang for steam buck?

[mechanic]

Hi. My daughter has been bitten with the MR bug.She has us setting up a 4x6' h.o. scale layout.
I get to do the trackwork/benchwork and she concentrates on the scenery.(and running the train[8D] :))
She has seen in movies alot of steam engines.
She would like a steam loco for christmas, one that hopefully has functioning steam.
We are running straight D.C. not DCC.
I want to know everyones opinion on steam loco's.I can't afford to break the bank for one, but I would like to know everyones opinion/experiences with any steam loco's they have/had.
Are there any that you were very satisfied with, and alternately have you bought any that you would never buy again?
The main thing I need to know is, what's the cheapest steam loco. out there that has functioning steam that runs reasonably well too?
Thanks for any input.
Eric

[orsonroy]

The best bang for the buck in HO steam is the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. They're reliable, well detailed, easily available, and pretty darned inexpensive (especially online, where they can be found for as little as $55).

They don't come with smoke, however. Frankly, very few HO scale steamers come with smoke effects these days, and the few new ones that come with this option are in the $400+ price range. There are a few older, long out of production engines that come with smoke, but you'll have a hard time finding one that works well for less than $100.

There are aftermarket smoke generators that can be fitted to many steam engine models, but they're not cheap either, and they're not all that simple to install. They're probably not the best thing for a novice modeler to try to install in an engine.

Your best bet, if smoke is your #1 desire, is to switch to Lionel. There are more engines that have that feature in 3-rail O scale than in the smaller scales. It'll cost you more unless you go to a swapmeet and find an inexpensive older engine, but the upside is that older Lionel engines run forever and have a large support base.

[cnw1995]

Did I hear somebody mention Lionel?! Get a Lionel train set - or depending on whether you want to look at the local hobby store or big box hobby store or online - look at other manufacturers too like K-Line or MTH. For a couple of hundred bucks, depending on the set, you'll get an oval of track, a locomotive that smokes and perhaps has sounds and a few freight or passenger cars. Then c'mon over to the Classic Toy Trains forum and ask any questions you may have. At least, this is the way our family started - I had been in N scale (and a fine scale it is) but got a Lionel circus train set for last Christmas and got hooked on the size, lights, sound and 'steam'. My daughter was more 'into' them but now the younger boys are - see some photos at http://condor.depaul.edu/~dmurphy

[joseph2]

I second the opinion on the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0.If Mantua are still being made,avoid them,mine never did run . Joe G.

[orsonroy]

Joe,

What are you talking about? Metal Mantua steamers are probably the most reliable and indestructable HO models ever made! A ten year old can build one and get them to run for 30 years (at least, my dad's old Mantuas are still running!). Of course, they don't look the best and don't have slow speed control, but pieces of poo they're not.

[Fergmiester]

IHC (Mehano of Slovenia) also sells a good but inexpensive Loco. These units are generic but are very good runners for their money. IMHO stay clear of smoke as it can cause more grief then it's worth.

I too have a Bachmann 2-8-0. A fine little Loco for the price.

Regards
Fergie

BTW [#welcome] to the Forum

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mechanic


I want to know everyones opinion on steam loco's.I can't afford to break the bank for one
Eric

How much$, ?

[railfanespee4449]

Wait- doesn't Bachmann still have their 0-6-0, 2-6-0, and 2-6-2, all with smoke, for under $50.00

[Anonymous]

Another vote for the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. AND another vote to forget about the smoke.

[jwmurrayjr]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rails5

Another vote for the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. AND another vote to forget about the smoke.

Ditto![:)]

[Budliner]

I like my little rivarossi 0-8-0 got it on ebay for $12
screams
I have a RSO that has smoke its a daylite


K-

[joseph2]

What type of couplers are on the newer Bachmann 2-8-0's ? I would hate to see a new modeler get one,then have the coupler not compatible to horn hook cars.Mantua kits might be better then pre-assembled,I have had some electrical pick up problems with a 2-6-0. Joe G.

[Anonymous]

I agree that the Spectrum 2-8-0 is one of the best deals out there. I also agree to forget about smoke....it looks fake, gets oily guck on the track. The 2-8-0 comes with knuckle couplers. I presume that you will be using knuckle couplers on your rolling stock....Talk about frustrating beginners, horn hooks will do it!!! I also recommend avoiding old regular line (non spectrum) Bachman and regular line (non Proto2000/1000) Life-like engines.

Guy