Which Mfgr makes the best Berkshire?

[grayfox1119]

I would like to hear from those who already run a Berkshire, what manufacturer they chose. Broadway Limited Imports (BMI), Life-Like (P2K series), or Bachman (Spectrum). Pros/Cons, what you like and may not like, and did you buy it online from whom, or from a LHS.I see quite a difference in price between Trainworld and vendor sites.

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grayfox1119

I would like to hear from those who already run a Berkshire, what manufacturer they chose. Broadway Limited Imports (BMI), Life-Like (P2K series), or Bachman (Spectrum). Pros/Cons, what you like and may not like, and did you buy it online from whom, or from a LHS.I see quite a difference in price between Trainworld and vendor sites.

Of the listed manufacturers, only Life-Like (P2K) makes a Berkshire. By default then, P2K is the best of the 3.

As compared to the Rivarossi 2-8-4, there's no comparison. The P2K wins hands down.

I happen to like Spectrum locos. I have two 2-8-0's, one USRA light 4-8-2, and one Russian Decapod.



Andre

[Fergmiester]

I love my P2K, One of my best runners!

Fergie

[orsonroy]

I've owned Berskshire from several different manufacturers: Rivarossi (old), Rivarossi (new), Arbour, P2K, and United. By far, the P2K version is the best. The first production run has goofy-looking drivers, but aside from that is an excellent model. The second and third (and upcoming fourth) runs don't have the driver problem, and are hands-down the best Berkshire ever released, in plastic, pot metal or brass (though I suspect the new Division Point brass Berkshires blow them away: they should at $1200 a pop!)

[grayfox1119]

Holy Cow, with Andre, Fergie and Ray..

the BIG 3

all in agreement, need I ask for more proof? Thanks guys, I really like the P2K, but was wondering if I was missing anything. Brass would be nice for sure, but $1200 is beyond my retirement budget, maybe if I leave cheeeeeeeeese out for Santa, ......who knows what one might find under the tree!!!

[Fergmiester]

I put a Soundtraxx Decoder in my Berk and it does it justice. For a plastic model it is a very detailed and well done model. Given the option I'd stay with a P2K over brass. (did I say that!)

Fergie

[Anonymous]

I have a pair for DC operation picked up from TW, second run. Smooth!

See MR March 2004 review of the first run.

[Adelie]

Gee, and I thought most of the Berkshires were built by either Alco or Lima. Not sure which of those was the best.[swg]

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester

I put a Soundtraxx Decoder in my Berk and it does it justice. For a plastic model it is a very detailed and well done model. Given the option I'd stay with a P2K over brass. (did I say that!)

Fergie

Fergie,

Don't feel so bad about that remark; I sold off my four Uniteds and eight Rivarossis to pay for my fleet of seven P2K berks!

[tatans]

United, brass, now the story: a friend phoned me about an auction on the internet,it was page after page of model railway trains, mostly all brass, I bid on a berk that needed some work and got it for $35.00cdn. ( it cost another $35.00 to have it tuned and 2 small brass items soldered) I thenrealised that no one at the auction knew anything about MR and thought this was a bunch of old toys-- after the auction I found out nothing sold for more than $60.00 and I'm talking, brass big boys,C.P.R. locos, snowplows, passenger cars, hundreds of brass locos that went for nothing, you think I don't feel like a bozo for not going to the bank and borrowing $2,000 and buying the whole lot??? there were 600 locomotives,so that's why United makes the best berk.

[Berk-fan284]

Life Like Proto 2000 Berkshire from the LHS excellent detail, smooth quiet runner, not much pulling power. Rivarossi Berkshire (late production-can motor in the boiler, RP25 flanged wheels) from H.B KLIEN (Modeltrainstuff) not as detailed, smooth quiet,traction tires, just about twice the pulling power of the Proto. Both locos are HO Scale. For pwerformance I pick the Rivarossi, for detail it's LifeLike.

[grayfox1119]

Isn't P2K using a can motor in their 2nd and 3rd production runs? That should be the only reason why Rivarossi can outpull B2K, correct ?

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grayfox1119

Isn't P2K using a can motor in their 2nd and 3rd production runs? That should be the only reason why Rivarossi can outpull B2K, correct ?

The reason Rivarossi can outpull P2K is because it has a traction tire. That will pretty much double any engine's traction, but it's one less wheel picking up electricity for every tire. All P2K steamers use a can motor. Even the first production Berkshires.

Rivarossi's Berkshire is the best if you can't afford a P2K. AHM/Rivarossi Berkshires use the same shell as the newer Rivarossis, but a mechanism and motor that aren't as good.

I'd personally go with the AHM Berkshire. Something about the large flanges and motor hanging out of the cab seem more attractive to me. Don't ask why. They just do.[:D]

[grayfox1119]

This is the baby that I want !!!!

BUT I NEED IT IN HO not O

Check out this Berkshire on link below....this is the locomotive that remember as a kid hauling a long drag from Boston to Albany, NY up over the Berkshire Mountains.
http://www.k-linetrains.com/products/viewprd_new.cfm?prdID=97B4A08B-E805-460F-B34A27A37BADFF3F%20&secID=B17A068D-6D44-11D4-ADA90060B0576B82

[dinwitty]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Adelie

Gee, and I thought most of the Berkshires were built by either Alco or Lima. Not sure which of those was the best.[swg]

[#wstupid]


yeh, no dcc, you had to sit in the cab and pull the throttle, and the brake, push some huge johnson bar to reveres the dang thing,
and drag some huge rope to make the whistle do something...all the while watching all them gauges
and a real fire...sheeshe, what a drag....



[8)]

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grayfox1119

This is the baby that I want !!!!

BUT I NEED IT IN HO not O

Check out this Berkshire on link below....this is the locomotive that remember as a kid hauling a long drag from Boston to Albany, NY up over the Berkshire Mountains.
http://www.k-linetrains.com/products/viewprd_new.cfm?prdID=97B4A08B-E805-460F-B34A27A37BADFF3F%20&secID=B17A068D-6D44-11D4-ADA90060B0576B82

Unfortunately for you ***, that's one of Lima's first Berkshires. Basically, only the B&A and IC ever had that style of Berk (Erie's early Berks were different) and they've only ever been made in brass. That engine is VERY different than the AMC Berkshires, and a kitbash really won't be worth the effort (Pre Scale DOES make all the parts you need though).

There aren't any currently on Ebay, but they do pop up from time to time. All the early Berks built in brass are pretty old, so you might have to spring for remotoring as well.

[dinwitty]

The only mass produced berkshires current or near current is the Rivarossi and P2k.
The P2k is excellent, go with it if you can.
Rivarossi is more correct with mars light but far inset in position.
Later runs of the Rivarossi improved operation and rp25 wheels.
Mantua had a berk but looked more like their freelance style than any exact prototype.
Varney made a berk as well, but gotta eyeball ebay if one ever shows.

BLI doesnt have a berk, but if they did I'd go for it.
I like my P2k berk and will sell my rivarossi's, you know which I like now...
I'm not so concerned about pulling power, I can cheat more weight in, I just do like the prototype, doublehead.

[grayfox1119]

I wrote to P2K and BLI , as well as Bachmann, and asked them to produce a Berk of the design that I want. Will I get it? If wishes were horses beggars would ride.

[grayfox1119]

I wrote to P2K and BLI , as well as Bachmann, and asked them to produce a Berk of the design that I want. Will I get it? If wishes were horses beggars would ride.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Adelie

Gee, and I thought most of the Berkshires were built by either Alco or Lima. Not sure which of those was the best.[swg]

I would go with the Lima, but then I never met an ALCO I did not llike.

[DigitalGriffin]

Didn't they call the Berkshire's "Big Mike" on the C&O?

I'm slowly trying to create a complete collection of C&O big haulers from the 1910s-1940s. I'm still waiting for Rivirossi to release the 2-6-6-6 and LifeLike to release a 2-8-8-2 for the C&O. (I'm sorely tempted to take my virginian and do my first kit-bash)

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DigitalGriffin

Didn't they call the Berkshire's "Big Mike" on the C&O?

I'm slowly trying to create a complete collection of C&O big haulers from the 1910s-1940s. I'm still waiting for Rivirossi to release the 2-6-6-6 and LifeLike to release a 2-8-8-2 for the C&O. (I'm sorely tempted to take my virginian and do my first kit-bash)

I've heard the "big Mike" reference from IC guys, but not the C&O, who called them "Kawnaws" or something odd like that...

[Fergmiester]

***

Do you have a copy of "Chesapeake and Ohio in Color 1" by Plant/McClure?
If not you should as it has Allegheny's, Greenbriers (Northern) and of course the Kanawha (Berkshire).
Have lots of kleenex to wipe up the drool. It's what dreams are made of!

Fergie

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

QUOTE: Originally posted by DigitalGriffin

Didn't they call the Berkshire's "Big Mike" on the C&O?

I'm slowly trying to create a complete collection of C&O big haulers from the 1910s-1940s. I'm still waiting for Rivirossi to release the 2-6-6-6 and LifeLike to release a 2-8-8-2 for the C&O. (I'm sorely tempted to take my virginian and do my first kit-bash)

I've heard the "big Mike" reference from IC guys, but not the C&O, who called them "Kawnaws" or something odd like that...

Kanawha is the C&O equivalent to Berkshire as the Greenbrier is the designation they used for Northerns.

Fergie

[grayfox1119]

I don't have it Fergie, where do I get this?

[Anonymous]

Yes and the C&O Berk was classed as a bid mike, Mikes were class K, K1, K2, K3 and the Berk was a K4.

Rick

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jesionowski

Yes and the C&O Berk was classed as a bid mike, Mikes were class K, K1, K2, K3 and the Berk was a K4.

Rick

Well, given that there was an effort during WWII to change the name 'Mikado" to "Macarthur", it could just as well been called a "Big Mac". [(-D]

Andre