Who, in your opinion, makes the best all around 2-8-4 Berkshire in HO scale? Something that’s a smooth runner and nice enough detail, without breaking the bank...if that’s possible lol.
These will be for a freelanced Texas line. They’ll need to be of the Nickel Plate Road design, but will be detailed to my home road specs (silver-ish smokebox and firebox, remove the number boards on top of smokebox, different pilot, oil tenders).
Thanks in advance!
Dakota
Berkshires are my favorite engines. Bachman 2-8-4s are the cost leaders and are ready to go out of the box. They are a little light and start to object at car loadings over about 20. Good repair service. Proto2000s are good runners, fair detail for the time period, will haul more than the Bachman's..prices are reasonable. Parts are non-existent...Walther's took over Proto2000 but has no steam parts at all. MTH I'm not familiar with their Berkshires...but their engines are good quality/price buys...and generally haul 30" cars with no problem. I think the PFM brass C&O Kanawas are the best runners and can usually be had for a little less than $300....older versions for less. And they run really well. Their Open Frame motors may not be optimum for DCC conversions but it can be done with good results...just don't derail or else use current limiters (auto light bulbs) to minimize the short circuit current draw.
The Bachmann 2-8-4 runs fine, good detail, and not a bank-breaker.
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I think that checks all your boxes.
Heve fun!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
This is an elderly AHM plastic Berkshire. I added as much lead ballast as would fit, and some cast brass detail parts. She will pull 34 coal hoppers (all that I own) with coal loads.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
I have five of the Bachmann version, which I have converted into freelanced heavy Mikados.
They run well, pull well and are nicely detailed for the price. There is room inside for more weight, I added about 5 onces, which improved the already acceptable pulling power.
Sheldon
The best for the lowest price is the Bachmann discussed above. The best overall IMHO is the old PFM/United brass import once its been weighted and balanced properly. They will outpull pretty much all the plastic Berks on the market today. They can be found for really good prices with some careful shopping around. Yes they still sport an open frame motor, and many times even this still runs very well. They are easily remotored with a Canon CN22 that is easily found on ebay if you desire can motor power, or a Maxon coreless if you want to go all out. Good Luck in your hunt! Mike the Aspie
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
The OP can also go to the Bachmann forums and check the details. All the Parts, diagrams are there with some people who use this loco. I sometimes see them discussing it.
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.
Well, although rare, there was also a Mantua 2-8-4. I suspect it wasn't based on any particular prototype. It was still a good runner. I found one used for a decent price. With a bit of work, it can be transformed into something quite decent, with good pulling abilities.
Simon
David :
Nice looking engine. I have an IHC Mountain, I believe it was made in Yugoslavia that I purchased may years ago, probably over twenty five years ago; weathered it up and it has been running ever since. It is without a doubt the best running steam engine on the layout. Quiet as a mouse and smooth. I have pleanty of steam from brass the Bachman, but none run like the IHC Reading Mountain.
I don't even know if you can get these anymore.
Robert
Nice looking
snjroy Well, although rare, there was also a Mantua 2-8-4. I suspect it wasn't based on any particular prototype. It was still a good runner. I found one used for a decent price. With a bit of work, it can be transformed into something quite decent, with good pulling abilities. Simon
Because the Mantua came up, if considering it as an option,you might try to find one (or a mikado as a starting point) with Mantua's "Power Drive". It's precision gear box makes it a really smooth runner. It's upgrade open frame motor is far better than the usual Mantua one also. Dan
Basically every 2-8-4 made in plastic:
AHM/Rivarossi: They run okay, really toy like, low quality. VERY OLD. Goes for around $45???
MTH: AFAIK, it looks like a terrific runner! (I really want one) love the sound, smooth quite run, LED lights. Breaks the bank though, at $400+
They are also quite rare.
Proto 2000: 1st batch was meh, 2nd batch are also terrific! I bought one for $100 with QSI sound(not a fan, but easy to switch) Smoothest and quietest engine I own, strong, I love it! Most detailed than any other. They usually go for around $150-250.
Bachmann: A decent 2-8-4, nothing wrong with it, but not as much detailing as MTH or Proto 2000. Their mech is simple, no sprung drivers, or anything fancy. But good price, at around $130 last time I checked.
Lionel: hahahahahahahahahahano.
Mantua: Its a really old model, but I guess its an option. Theyre quite rare, and personally, too old of a model for me. But I heard they can pull the wallpaper off the walls with their diecasts bodies!
Did I miss anything else?
Charles
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Modeling the Santa Fe & Pennsylvania in HO
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