I'm trying to find a 2-8-2 USRA Mikado Loco for my 85 year old father-in-law. He models the B&O at N scale and has an old one by atlas that has some serious problems and is unusable. Seems like this engine is no longer made. Can anyone give me some suggestions for finding one? I really know nothing about model railroading so please try to keep suggestions in "layman's" terms. Thanks in advance
They are not rare at all. I think I still have a couple. They should be easy enough to find on e-bay.
Yup sure enough there is one there now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Atlas-N-Scale-2-8-2-Mikado-Undecorated-Steam-Engine_W0QQitemZ390179118022QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item5ad87cdbc6
For a new one I believe the Atlas tooling was purchased by Model Power:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Model-Power-490-7591-BO-USRA-2-8-2-Mikado_W0QQitemZ350309567894QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item519013cd96
However, instead of looking for ones that are about 40 year old technology, I think you would be doing everyone a favor to look for a new one produced by Kato. The modern mechanizm will run so much better.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Kato-N-USRA-2-8-2-SP-Heavy-Mikado-Steam-Engine-Tender_W0QQitemZ380222043457QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item5886fff541
I believe if you look for a while a B&O model should be able to be found in any of these brands. In fact, I believe the Atlas one originally came as the ad above says undecorated and the B&O decals were included in the box to be added by the new owner.