Buying Locomotive need advice.

[Anonymous]

I would like to buy my boy a new Steam Locomotive for his 10th birthday. We’ve been dabbling in model railroading for about 6 years and have a few small locomotives, but they have problems pulling even the smallest trains. I’m willing to spend in the range of 50 –75 dollar. Could somebody recommend brands and model type?

TIA

kkerr

[Anonymous]

Better buying one smooth running locomotive than several dogs - you cant go wrong with top branks like Proto 2000, Kato, Genesis, walthers are all smooth running locomotives - there are others but I can vouch for the above as that is what I am running on my layout - It took me quite some time to realize that spending a little more and getting a really smooth running loco made all the difference - oh yeah atlas is also very smooth and highly recommended - stay away from cheap locomotives as they are sure to turn you off model railroading and believe me nothing is more frustrating than a locomotive that doesnt run properly - actually same applies to your rolling stock buy the better brands like Atlas, Athearn,
Roundhouse, Accurail, Walthers and you and your son will enjoy many many years of model railroading together. Hope above helps
Keep on trackin
Rudy Montreal Canada

[Anonymous]

It may cost you a bit more than $75, depending on where you buy it, but Bachmann's 2-8-0 is rapidly becoming a staple. Athearn's 4-6-2 or 2-8-2 also are good choices, and Life-Like is coming out with a well-detailed 0-6-0 that will probably run quite well.

Spend a little more for quality and you won't regret it.

Paul

[Anonymous]

I guess first of all it depends on what scale you are modeling. Since all I model is HO I can only give advice in HO. My first true Model Engine was an Athearn GP. It will pull as many as thirty cars on level track with 18" Radius curves. I paid $35 new from a Hobby shop two years ago. I would suggest paying a visit to your local Hobby Shop, (not toy store). Ask them for some suggestions once you pose the same question as you posted here. I'm very sure they will direct you to a solid performer.

Good Luck,

John

[Anonymous]

In HO scale, the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation is an excellent choice. It's very smooth, has good pulling power for a small steamer, and will handle 18" radius curves well. I've got 2 of them running and am very pleased.
It's worth spending a little more to get a high quality locomotive which will delivery satisfying performance and last a long time.
Good luck and enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately buying an HO steamer could be a tricky call. Not easy to evaluate versus a diesel and in my experience steamers were more problematic.

I don't think you can get a decent one for less than $70.00 + tax or shipping if you are buying thru mail
order firm like standard or trainworld who advertise in Model railroader.

MR does review most of the locos and did on the Bachmann 2-8-0, engine weight 13.4 oz. June 98 review
Athearn light pacific 4-6-2, engine weight 12.75 oz. Aug 2001 review.
Athearn light mikado 2-8-2, engine weight 13.0 oz.
Dec 99 review.

IMO, the engines are too light and will have driver wheel slippage.
Modelers have added weight to the boiler to compensate.

Also the some of the loco tenders also pick up current which is a big plus thus riding over isolated poor track connections..

Go to www.ihc-hobby.com
click online catalog
click locomotives
click steam and the steam page should pop up with all the steam specifics by model. I believe their 4-8-2 mountain weighs in around 16.50 oz and also has tender wheel pickups. You can shop around for
a better price.
Also make yourself aware of warranties, return items, shipping expenses.




Ex Rivarossi Steam Guy, seven times.

[Anonymous]

Take a look at MR's Feb 01 work shop feature, adding
weight to steam locos.

[mhdishere]

For sheer bang-for-the-buck, go to a train show and pick up a tyco/mantua Mikado (for freight) or Pacific (for passenger). I have one of each, they're very reliable, and will pull anything you can couple to them. BTW, I got both of these engines over 20 years ago.

[Anonymous]

I bought my son an IHC Mogul for his birthday and we are happy. It is in your price range. I recommend the Mogul because you probably have a small layout and the smaller the engine is, the better it will look on a small layout. I have a friend with a Pacific on 18 inch curves. It doesn't look too great on the curves. I never said anything to him about it though.

One small bit of advice, remember to weight your tender to match the NMRA practice to help it stay in contact with the rail for electrical pickup. Weighting the locomotive will help it pull up to a limit but don't add too much or you will burn up the windings. You want the wheels to slip before the loco stalls.

I agree you want a quality locomotive. I also recommend you get a quality power pack like those sold by MRC if you don't have one already. Mine has a momentum circuit. That is way cool!

All my stuff is HO so if you are in another scale I can't help you much. - Ed

[mhdishere]

Good point on the IHC locos, and Trainworld in Brooklyn NY has them on clearance for $30 each. I got two camelbacks the other day!

[Anonymous]

If interested in the IHC, do you homework, review,road name from the www.ihc-hobby site and then go to the www.trainworld.com site and shop it.
Write down your selections, 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc and then call on their i-800-541-7010.

[Anonymous]

Ed made a really good point about the transformer. Stay away from the type that come with train sets. A Rail Power 1300 is a very simple transformer that with run several engines on a 4 x 8 layout with no problems for about $30.00. MRC ina very good brand. The most common thing that everyone has said is to spend the little extra and get quality stuff. The cheep stuff just doesn't stand up or compare. Your local hobby shop is always a good place to start. Yes, you may pay a little more there, but the info they give you is usually worth its weight in gold if they are any good.......Jamie

[Anonymous]

MRC 9500 POWER COMMAND. Is it a good one.What is the biggest one MRC sells.

[Anonymous]

I have a pair of those babies. Has current and
voltage meters, momentum, braking and acceleration features.
The VA rating, that's VA now is your most important
rating. The 9500 model has 30VA's and can easily run
6 + locos. $70.00 + shipping from standard hobby. Comes with a five year warranty.

[Anonymous]

First, I’d like to thank everybody for taking the time to respond to my question.

The overwhelming senses was “You get what you pay for” which I have unfortunately learned the hard way. The list below is a summary of recommended locomotives.

Bachmann’s - Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation
Athearn’s – 4-6-2 Pacific and 2-8-2 Mikado
IHC – 4-8-2 Mountain, Mogul’s and Camelbacks
Tyco/Mantua – Mikado and Pacific

We ended up buying the Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation from Bachmann with UP road. Are local hobby shops had two of the recommended locomotives, but the salesman recommended the Bachmann over the 2-8-2 Mikado from Athearn.

Thanks again for helping create a birthday my son will not soon forget.

KKerr

[Anonymous]

The 2-8-0 weighs in at 13.4 oz. If necessary you may wi***o add additional weight in open spaces in the underside of the boiler, underframe & cab interior.

Weight should be equally balanced over the middle of the driving wheelbase.

Happy railroading.