Bruce,
Sounds like your best bet is to find any used VO-1000 in Canada. Pay someone to install dcc/sound and custom paint it to your specs. Should be cheaper than the initial $251 + $12 + $50 it will cost to buy a new sold out at the manufacturer model. Unfortunately, thats the price you pay living in the "great white north", especially when the US dollar is so strong.
I've got a Walthers P2K 0-6-0. This is a nice little steamer, and it's not particularly fussy about minor track irregularities. I think that in general smaller engines without pilot trucks are going to be less tricky, as I usually find it's the pilots that derail.
I've also got a number of diesels. There's an Alco S1, a Proto that I had a Loksound decoder installed in. Next is an EMD SW8, another Proto that came with sound. I have a Milwaukee H10-44 (Proto with sound) and finally a Baldwin S12 (Milwaukee by Athearn) that's currently got a "quiet" decoder. The diesels are all very nice models and run very reliably.
The SW8 is on the left and the S1 is on the right:
The H10-44 is in the upper right corner:
The Baldwin S12 cost me $15 at a train show.
Another option you might want to consider is a road switcher like this Alco RSC-3, a Proto 1000 model:
I put the sound in this one myself. It has 6-axle pickup yet it negotiates 18-inch curves with ease.
I didn't pay close to MSRP for any of these. Trainworld, train shows and the Walthers flyer are great places to find bargains.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
For steam, I would consider the Walthers/P2K USRA 0-8-0. I believe it's been offered with DCC/sound. If I could come up with an excuse, I'd get one. C&NW didn't have any, but EJ&E did. And others. You (or someone) could re-letter one. C&NW DID have some 0-8-0's; you can compare pictures if you can find some, and see if they're close to the Walthers.
For a diesel, I'd pick the Atlas Alco S-2. Like the Bowser Baldwin mentioned, it comes with DCC/sound; but it also has a cast metal frame, rather than a plastic one. The extra weight can only be useful. C&NW DID have these. Atlas has not, unfortunately, yet offered theirs in C&NW. But perhaps the Milwaukee would do. For now.
I do have the S-2, in Great Northern, and I like it a lot.
Ed
Another option is to find an older Bowser/Stewart Baldwin for cheap, and then buy the sound chassis and swap the shell. I have a bunch of the original ones (these were always well detailed - they are made by one of the brass companies (Ajin maybe... I don't have mine accessible at the moment) and have incredible drive trains. I bought a sound chassis for one since I got it for less than the decoder + speaker would have cost, not counting the work to shoehorn it all in there. Great little locos, and the sounds are really good - current production ones have a newly updated Baldwin sound set loaded, taken from SMS's running Baldwins. Mine still has the older version but once I get everythign out again I will change that to the new one. Stills sounds great though, and a Baldwin is very unique, especially stuck in among a bunch of EMDs and Alcos.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I think that tax is a real thing as Canadian sellers often have an extra charge on sales to the US.
Since Winnepeg isn't that far from the US, having a good friend in the states could be a work around if the distance isn't too much. I'm not certain if any tax applies to "gifts freely given", although you should confirm that if it matters.
one of the reasons I STAY AWAY from Ebay is the rediculous shipping and import taxes. The dealer of those VO1000s want $12 shipping PLUS $50 "import tax". The import tax is a cash grab from the seller.
I will pass on these until I find one in Canada.
73
Bruce in the Peg
Did you notice then 2 new Reading units on ebay listed with sound? At $250.99 at least they are a little below MSRP. Buying one of those would be a solution. Then watch for one without sound and swap the shells. You could try a saved seach for "Bowser CNW VO-1000 sound" on your my ebay page. You will get an email when one is listed. Good luck with your search.
Thanks Dave. All on the Bowser site and Ebay are DCC ready and do not have sound.
Hi Bruce
There are a couple of sound equipped Bowser VOs listed on eBay right now:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Bowser-/97780/i.html?_from=R40&ghostText=&_nkw=VO&rt=nc
Unfortunately there are no C&NWs listed, but you might contact the sellers to see if they have anything more suitable.
Bowser themselves still have a few VO-1000s with sound in stock:
http://www.bowser-trains.com/history/vo1000loco.html
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks for all the replys folks. I tried the links and google but I cannot locate ANY Bowser VOs with DCC & sound. I tried M B Klein, Tonys trains, and Dallas model works but nothing in stock. Any other places?
For C&NW during the 1949 time period, I would agree with the choice of a Bowser Baldwin switcher. C&NW also used switchers from other manufacturers, but the Baldwins had a special appeal IMO. If steam is your choice, C&NW had USRA 0-6-0's as produced several years ago by Life Like P2K.
Tom
Guess I should have included links.
There are Traditional, DCC ready with 8 pin socket. Pretty basic.
Executive with sound, chassis with sound, etc if you know how to search. The Exe line are super detailed also with 8 pin socket.
I bought DCC ready and installed Tsunami and 16mm x 36mm speaker.
Interesting some have a trolley pole for triggering signals at a crossing on a trolley line. Probaly not your road.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Blind Bruce Where might I buy one of thesse VOs?
Where might I buy one of thesse VOs?
http://www.bowserorders.com/.sc/ms/cat/HO%20Locos%20Stewart%20Traditional--VO-660
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bowser-Stewart-HO-VO-660-S8-S12-DS4-4-1000-Chassis-p/bow-1218.htm
For a start.
Maybe Bowser Executive line VO-660 or V0-1000. They come with sound.
You can Google them for era and roads.
I have the VO-1000 with sound.
Don't know of any 0-6-0's or 0-8-0's with DCC and sound. I suspect you would do better with a diesel.
Bachmann has a 0-6-0 but with smoke, no DCC or sound.
Bachmann 44 ton and 45 ton do not have sound. On board low end Lenz, non sound.
Any loco that comes with stay alive is usually on for sound, not motor operation. Users have to install a keep alive module. That will be changing in the future as DCC evolves.
You say small switcher, how small are you talking? For truely small, the Bachmann 45 toner was highly regarded and should still be available. For reguler switchers the Atlas S2 & S4 and HH600/660 should be available. Bowser/Stewart has a wide range of Baldwin switchers with the VO versions being a fun choice. Both atlas and bowser have good mechanisms. This is just a start.
Is there a particular road you're interested in? Do you want steam or diesel?
I would like some advice on which small switcher to buy. Layout is point to point/switching and is set in 1949. DCC and sound required. I haven't bought a new loco in a long time and don't know what is available.