Current N scale steam locomotives. What is your best running?

[boomer5344]

I am returning to N scale after a 5 year break from the hobby.[:D] I am impressed by the growing selection of nice looking N scale steam engines. I have over 100 diesels (Kato,Atlas,Lifelike). But only two steam locomotives (both Kato Mikados). I am very impressed by the Spectrum 2-8-0, 4-8-2, the Concor GS4, the LL 2-8-8-2. I see a pattern emerging from the makers... Make it in HO then N scale. The LL Lima berkshires look great.

I consider myself an operator. What is your experience with the newer N steam engines.

Thanks!

[egmurphy]

Based on my limited experience, I can't rate all the current releases. But I can say that within the three newer steam engines that I have that I would rate the MDC/Roundhouse 2-8-0 the best (in terms of smoothest operation over a range of speeds, and pulling power), the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 second, and the Kato 2-8-2 third. All three are very good (the Kato unit could pull a bit more) and way ahead of what was available in N steam even a few years ago.

The MDC/Roundhouse 2-6-0 has (I believe) the same mechanism as the 2-8-0 and should run as well.

jmho

Ed

[Wdlgln005]

Take a good look at the Atlas Mogul. Use it to pull a 4 car set of MDC shorties. It would be a good replacement for the Bachmann old timer till the MP ones come out. 2004-5 may be the best years for Nscale steam!

[boomer5344]

I have heard Model Power has a diecast pacific and mikado. I have no experience with MP. I know they have some nice running HO steam engines.

[Jacktal]

I own a LL Heritage 2-8-8-2 Mallet and it is the prime of my "N" scale steam roster.On top of being a finely detailed loco,it's a running jewel.I also have a MP 2-8-2 Mikado which is excellent in both looks and operation.The newer steam models are much better designs than they were a few years back,although I have a few older Rivarossi and Minitrix steamers which are fine runners.My only poor running steamer is my Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern which can't keep it's feet on track,but I have to admit that I didn't have the time to work on it yet.

[orsonroy]

The best running N scale steam, out of the box, is the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. With a little work, the Kato 2-8-2 and Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2 run as well. After that, the MDC 2-8-0 and 2-6-0 are great runners and pull surprisingly well.

After that, it's a crapshoot. The Life Like Berks haven't been field tested yet, the LL 2-8-8-2 pulls for poo, and everything else on the market only runs as well as the 25+ year old Atlas/Rivarossi steam. N scale still has a long way to go before it can even start to compete with HO in the steam arena.

[boomer5344]

Thanks to everyone so far... Today I was able to run a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 and a 4-8-2. Very impressive out of the box. So I purchased both and will buy several more of each. I am writing this in the evening so I am breaking in both as I type. So far they have smoothed out (3 hrs running) there hase been
a drop in the current too. I have a test double loop of unitrack using MRC
Tech 3 9500's. I will look at the the MDC 2-6-0 and 2-8-0 as well as the Atlas
2-6-0.

Anyone have any feedback on the recent Con-Cor offerings? The SP GS4 looks
good.

Keep the reviews coming!

[Anonymous]

Don't overlook the MP Pacifics and Mikados. Yea, I know that most of the detail is cast on and not free standing like the Spectrums but they are decent runners. They also have cast metal boilers and a traction tire can be ordered so their pulling power should be better than average.

BTW, I have several Spectrum 2-8-0s, Kato 2-8-2s and MP Pacfics and am happy with all three of them.

[Anonymous]

I almost forgot to add this to my previous post. If you ever decide to go DCC, adding a DZ-123 decoder to the MP Pacifics and Mikados is a snap. A decoder can be added to the Spectrums but it takes some careful work and skill. I have not seen anything on adding a decoder to the Kato Mikes but I'm sure there is a way to do so.

[Anonymous]

The best running steam loco I have in any scale would be my Kato mike, it is really quiet and smooth; The low speed performance is really good as well.

Alvie.

[Anonymous]

My wife's current best running N scale steam loco is a Con-Cor/Kato 4-6-4 Hudson. Has fantastic low speed operating characteristics.

Her 2nd best is her custom remotored Rivarossi Big Boy. (She remotored it herself).

Surprisingly, she has a Bachmann (non-Spectrum) 4-8-4 that is also a terrific running engine! This one she had replaced under warranty because the original ran unbelievably terrible and was sent back to Bachmann. Waited about 4 months for the replacement because it was out of stock at the time, they offered to substitue a 4-6-2 Spectrum as replacement, but my wife wanted the 4-8-4. The original came with an inexpensive train set, but the new engine is a real pleasure to operate.

[boomer5344]

Any suggestions from anyone else? Anyone running the new Con-Cor GS-4's??
Have ordered a ModelPower pacific and mikado for testing.

[boomer5344]

Back to the top.

Any more suggestions???

Anyone have any opinions on the ConCor GS4's.

[Anonymous]

Con-cor daylight, very smooth runner and good puller, will not do small radius curves, forget anything less than 13" I mean it. I have kato unitrack and any section that came from my K-1 set with 11" curves, off she went. Trailing truck and drawbar will foul together , and the pilot truck lacks sufficent clearance to swing. Probably a great engine if you have big curves and big switches.
New split frame 4-8-4 from Bachmann runs very nice, pulls well, and will do the aformentioned 11" curves no problem. A good deal for the price. If they would get rid of the piston rod coming through the front of the cylinder, that would be my only recommendation.
MP pacific was very smooth out of the box, but wouldn't pull 3 passenger cars, even those with MT trucks. Engine is cab heavy. Should be rebalanced and have traction tires, traction tire wheelsets are available from Model Power, but I don't recommend this to anyone with less than a degree from MIT. I sent mine back to model power, told them to fix it. Plastic wheel centers on metal axles are prone to shifting and screwing up proper quartering. My advice? Wait until Model Power equips their engines with traction tires, or corrects the balance of the engine so that all its weight can be used for traction.

[Anonymous]

Con-cor daylight, very smooth runner and good puller, will not do small radius curves, forget anything less than 13" I mean it. I have kato unitrack and any section that came from my K-1 set with 11" curves, off she went. Trailing truck and drawbar will foul together , and the pilot truck lacks sufficent clearance to swing. Probably a great engine if you have big curves and big switches.
New split frame 4-8-4 from Bachmann runs very nice, pulls well, and will do the aformentioned 11" curves no problem. A good deal for the price. If they would get rid of the piston rod coming through the front of the cylinder, that would be my only recommendation.
MP pacific was very smooth out of the box, but wouldn't pull 3 passenger cars, even those with MT trucks. Engine is cab heavy. Should be rebalanced and have traction tires, traction tire wheelsets are available from Model Power, but I don't recommend this to anyone with less than a degree from MIT. I sent mine back to model power, told them to fix it. Plastic wheel centers on metal axles are prone to shifting and screwing up proper quartering. My advice? Wait until Model Power equips their engines with traction tires, or corrects the balance of the engine so that all its weight can be used for traction.