I recently saved up about $300 and am looking to get a new N-scale loco. The 3 that come to mind in that price range are the BLI Pennsy T-1, The Bachmann Em-1, or the new ScaleTrains GE standard turbine. Which one would you guy's recommend? based on how good the Big Blow is supposed to be, I'm kinda leaning towards the Standard turbine.
I also have another option which is a little more pricey, but since it's brass it will hold its value better so I'm ok with it. This 4th option is a 90's Samhongsa, Key Brass, Cab forward for $475
I have two questions. First, is that a good price? I don't normally deal with brass so I wouldn't know. Second, what's the minimum radius? it has a fixed rear driver (like the prototype) so I would think it's rather large. I couldn't find anything online, and NMRA assumes that both drivers are articulated (Please correct me if I'm wrong about that), so I'm unsure. I have a 16" minimum radius in N-scale so I'm assuming that it won't fit, but I'm hopeful it will just because of how cool it is.
thanks!!!
I see examples of the Key cab-forwards sold in the $1500 range (#124) on brasstrains.com, and there were said not to be many, so I think that is worth considering. The minimum radius looks to be about 19", and from what I can see you should expect considerable rework to get it to run smoothly -- one pair of drivers on each 'engine' (the group of drivers driven by one set of pistons that you call 'drivers') is driven by a complicated shaft arrangement with the others driven by the side rods -- these and the valve gear likely to bind. It likely does not help that all the drivers on the 'insulated' side have plastic traction tires...
The cab-forward is less of a problem on curves because the 'front' behaves more like a 4-8-4 with the hinged engine trailing and more stable. So with care the guiding ought to be better than a 'regular' articulated.
Otherwise, I have a suspicion that the general consensus here will favor Scale Trains over either Bachman or BLI... so your instinct is likely to be confirmed.
OvermodI see examples of the Key cab-forwards sold in the $1500 range (#124) on brasstrains.com, and there were said not to be many, so I think that is worth considering.
well, both the minimum radius and mechanical expertise sound a little bit out of my range...
i found the brass trains page, I didn't see the minimum radius stated, but maybe I was looking in the wrong place. Interestingly, the one that's on eBay looks to be significant less detailed when compared, especially around the front of the loco. Wierd... Then again, the photos are pretty bad, so maybe it's just because of that.
since it seems like a good price. if anyone else is interested, it's on eBay. I can't say where specifically due to forum rules, but it's pretty easy to find.
feel free to grab it
I'm still wondering about the other three loco's if anyone else has info. Or even more info about the cab forward would be appreciated, Overmod has sparked my interest :)
Atoni found the brass trains page, I didn't see the minimum radius stated, but maybe I was looking in the wrong place.
Cool. Thanks for your help :)
I am only going to comment on the brass locomotive on your list.
Avoid it!
My friend Randy has one, he has a pretty good collection of N scale brass from the 90s. It is a poor runner at best. As said, it WILL require rework to get it to run right, and it will require constant service. If you do not have experience with brass, it should be removed from your list.
As for your other three... are they just locomotives that appeal to you, or are there other considerations.
I have a Bachmann HO scale EM-1, and it is easily my best runner. I 100% love it. I know nothing of an N scale EM-1.
In N scale, if it were me and I wanted something really reliable, I would look only at Kato. Randy's Kato engines (many of which used to be mine) have been running for decades.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190As for your other three... are they just locomotives that appeal to you, or are there other considerations.
I model the B&O during the transition period, but I honestly don't care about prototypical trains running on it. I'd much rather have amazing engines/trains like Big boy, Em-1, Big Blow, and GS-4 Daylight running on my layout than be restricted to what's period-accurate. That's just my personal preference, I figure that I can always store away my non-proto locos if I want to do an accurate operation for a day.
For the most part, The 3 I picked are just the most appealing to me in the price range I'm looking at. Since I model B&O, the EM-1 is a no brainer (plus I don't have any articulated loco's yet so I kinda want one). The T-1 just looks absolutely amazing, has lots of pulling power, and can do both freight and passenger service. And all the stuff out of scale trains is so highly detailed and powerful that I rather want one. The Kato stuff that might come to mind in this price range is the GS-4 or a DCC GG1 (the rest of the Kato stuff doesn't much interest me, though I don't really know why). However, I already both the daylight and a GG1 so they're not on the list.
The only real "special" considerations are DCC (sound is nice but not necessary), and pulling power. I like to run longer trains but have 2% grades all throughout my layout so it's a bit tough on the locos, so pulling power is a must-have.
I prefer east coast trains since I was born there, and have family that worked in the port authority, often on train-related stuff (thank my G-Pa for the original Penn Station number boards). But, as I'm sure you can tell by the mix of the Em-1, the GTEL turbine, and the Daylight, I'm not very picky.
AtonFor the most part, The 3 I picked are just the most appealing to me in the price range I'm looking at.
That is a great reason. You need to purchase what you will enjoy.
Hopefully an N scaler with experience with one of these will chime in.
For what it is worth, I have never heard anything bad about the Bachmann EM-1 or the Scale Trains turbine locomotive.