I seem to recall that Tom and I both got our Trix versions within a few weeks of each other when Tony's Train exchange had them deeply discounted back in about 2006 or so. It is a hefty piece of machinery for its size, and the craftsmanship is quite evident. It runs as smooth as a top, and I believe its drive mechanism is clutched or 'free-wheeling' in that it can be pressed lightly agains the rails and moved so that the drivers and rods move...no skidding.
It's a keeper. Fortunately, like so many of my steamers, it doesn't get a lot of running, so I expect it will outlast me. I know to place it on the rails once a year at most and get it moving to keep the drive freed-up.
I only have the IHC/Mehano and Genesis models, but if I could pick any of them regardless of price, I'd buy a Trix model. From what I've seen and read, the detail is as sharp as you can get with diecast, and most details are within a scale inch or two of the average prototype. It also has a wormless drive and coreless motor unlike any other models available, giving it the most efficient mechanical design of all. Just be careful about grades, because it may coast down instead of stopping!
The IHC model is made with tooling that's about 45 years old now, and wasn't exactly high end even back then. It still looks fine with some detail work. It's a great runner though, and a nice model for the lower price range.
The Genesis model is a fantastic runner even if it's not the best puller, and the detail is pretty nice too. Many parts are molded onto the plastic body, so it doesn't look as good as it could, but it's still a nice model.
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ATLANTIC CENTRAL Road specific details include high or center mount headlights, front or top mounted bells, Delta or original style trailing trucks, Commonwealth or Bettendorf tender trucks - AND, a long list of roadnames.... Sheldon
Road specific details include high or center mount headlights, front or top mounted bells, Delta or original style trailing trucks, Commonwealth or Bettendorf tender trucks - AND, a long list of roadnames....
Sheldon
They also have roadname specific tenders! (like the southern one)
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
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I have a new run bli light Mike and an older Paragon one. The older Paragon runs OK but the transitions between the modes in DCC is a pain in the rear. The new run Paragon 2 runs extremely well. In fact, of the 3 Proto 2000, 3 Genesis,and 4 BLI's steamers of different wheel arrangements it has the best slow speed and proto typical operation of any. The new Paragon 2 Santa Fe 2 10 2 runs just as well. Maybe they are getting their act together. My only complaint is the chuff sounds tend to be the same for a lot of BLI's steamers. But I have not played with any of the CV's yet. The new Mike though is much better than the 2 10 2. Also the Paragon 2 sound is much better than the older Paragon. Many places have these at good prices right now I would not hesitate to grab one if I needed another over the other choices listed.
SB
A few thoughts:
The BLI model is completely generic - meaning there are no road specific detail changes. They generally run fine, but I did have trouble with two, BLI had no parts, I had to tear them all the way down and rebuild them myself to get good runners.
MTH - most MTH steamers appear to me to have too much oversized detail cast in place to make them more "handling friendly".......I'm a DC operator so I'm not going to deal with paying that much for a loco and rewiring it.
Athearn - as metioned by others, nice detail, too light/unbalanced. I fixed one, it wasa lot of work.
Trix - very nice model, not sure about any road specific details, limited roadnames offered.....pricey and now hard to find.
Bachmann - I have not seen one in person yet, but for the price (street prices), seems like good choice. Road specific details include high or center mount headlights, front or top mounted bells, Delta or original style trailing trucks, Commonwealth or Bettendorf tender trucks - AND, a long list of roadnames....
And, knowing Bachmann, they will likely stay in production and be available for more than ten minutes - no preorders needed.......
Sound performance of any of these - no opinion here, I give decoders away or sell them on Ebay after taking them out.......
If I was after a "mass produced" USRA light Mike, I'd definitely get the Trix. It looks to be an excellent locomotive. I would consider brass, also. But brass would take a bit of work--sound and DCC. These days, speakers go in the tender. And that should be VERY easy to do on a brass one. It might very well need painting, especially if it were an older one.
Ed
I'm not going to give an absolute opinion because I don't have experience with all of the contenders. I do have some very nice examples from BLI, Pacific Fast Mail, and Samhongsa (Key and Westside). However, I have never heard anything but glowing reports on the Trix engines. Now that the Bachmann has been announced at a $400 list, the brass option seems to be more and more of a viable option. A good brass engine will have a solid, square frame and an all-metal drive train instead of the engineering plastic found on more recent mass-produced engines. Digital Griffin, there is rarely any need to do much to improve the actual mechanism on most brass engines. Motors can be replaced with something more up to date. Same for gearboxes, but the need is rare. DCC and sound can be added. The final decision amounts to a balancing act between purchase price, price of upgrades, mechanical quality, durability, appropriateness for your desired prototype, and probably some other factors. My point is that it's short-sighted to restrict your shopping to items that are currently catalogued.
The comment about the oversized sandbox on the Bachmann is interesting. I hadn't noticed that, but now that it's been pointed out I think you might be right. But I did notice the unusually tall sandbox on Bachmann's new N scale K4s. Is that something we can consistently expect from Bachmann?
Tom
(edited)
DigitalGriffin, I meant USRA mikados, brass would be a nice choice, but it would take too much work to add DCC/sound and a good mechanism.
BMMECNYC, I own a MTH mikado I bought 1 month ago, though I've done years of research on all brands because they are one of my favorite engines. (Wanted one for 2+ years!)
MTH has everything you would possibly want, and its the only brand that has smoke. It runs very well. Only problem is that you can't really program the engine with DCC.
Athearn genesis's mikado is too light, and the engine is unbalanced.
Bli is just as good as MTH, but the whistle and bell sounds are a little... weird. And it doesn't have smoke.
Oh ya, and the Bachmann's 2-8-2 is out! Go check it out!
tstage, best = all views How good are Trix mikados? Ive heard of them and seen them run, but in what ways are the BLI better? There are a few details that aren't prototypical, like the tender, and I heard the wheel diameter is a little small.
It sounds like not a lot of people are familiar with MTH mikados...
I guess it depends how you want to quantify "best": Accuracy? Running? Detail? Sound? All the above? I have one of the original Paragon BLI Mikes and it's nice. That said, I wouldn't trade my two Trix Mikes for anything. Beautifully detailed, heavy, and they crawl like a switcher.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Brass might also be good option if you want to spend a bit of money.
Do you own any of the others? I personally own 3 of the Genesis Mikados. The only problems I have is the weight on drivers is unsatisfactory, and the lack of power pick up on the tender. The BLI Mikado has traction tires, which makes it an excellent puller. I don't have any experience with MTH's HO line. I do however own a 3-rail Light Mikado in O. It is an excellent piece of equipment. I do not plan on purchasing their HO equipment. That is all I want to say about that. As far as Bachmann goes, I might pick up the MEC one when it comes out. Ive had good and bad experiences with their locomotives, mostly power pick up issues, so we will see.
Brass! None of them have an accurate C&O Switcher C class (0-8-0), Connie (2-8-0), Mike (2-8-2), Pacific (4-6-2) Nothern (4-8-4) or Hudson class (4-6-4)!
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Hi, I was just curious to know your thoughts on who makes the best USRA mikado.
(Bachmann, Broadway Limited, MTH, and Athearn Genesis)
I personally think that MTH makes the best
Bachmann's has an oversized sand dome and number board, and weird pop valve placement.
Anyone's opinion is welcomed.