N Scale Steams

[rlandry6]

Which of the N scale steam locos , in your opinions, run and pull the best. I have a Kato Mike.. It runs very smooth, but doesn't seem to pull well. Traction drivers might fix that, but should you really have to do that to get a loco to pull. A Spectrum 2-8-0 Connie, Seems to run well, and also is a decent puller. That one may end up being my favorite. The Model Power 4-6-2 pacific seems to do very well also, but it is about the noisiest loco I've ever seen. Does anyone else notice the noise, or did I just get a bad copy? I've read some not glowing evies on the LL's..
Just wondering what everyone prefers..

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: Which of the N scale steam locos , in your opinions, run and pull the best. I have a Kato Mike.. It runs very smooth, but doesn't seem to pull well. Traction drivers might fix that, but should you really have to do that to get a loco to pull.

I'm afraid that N scale steam does pull better with traction tires. The Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 comes with them factory installed. Might be part of the reason it pulls so well.

I only have a few locos, but based on what I have I'd rate the ones I use fairly regularly this way:

1. Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0
2. MDC 2-8-0
3. Kato 2-8-2 (very smooth, nice detail, downgraded for lack of pulling power. I'm probably going to install the TT kit.)
4. MDC 2-6-0 (not as good as the 2-8-0)

jmho, your mileage may vary.

Regards

Ed

[Jacktal]

Most N scale steamers suffer from the same handicap...lightness,as their internal room doesn't allow for much weight adding.I own twelve N steamers and like them all but I don't expect them to pull as much as their prototypes.With this in mind,I enjoy them very much as they are a delight to look at,even with fairly light loads.

A friend owns a MP 4-6-2 and,just like yours,it is quite noisy.I found that strange as I own an MP 2-8-2 Mikado which is a very smooth runner.So they probably don't share the same internal components I guess.However,I've been told that the MP 4-6-2 is a snap to convert to DCC.

I own only one LL,a 2-8-8-2 Mallet and absolutely love it.But my jewel is a Rivarossi 4-6-6-4 Challenger which is an absolute thrill to watch.The rest of my steam roster are mostly older Trix ,Con-Cor and MRC,all bought on Ebay and they all run nice.May be I've been lucky........

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rlandry6

Which of the N scale steam locos , in your opinions, run and pull the best.

The best puller out of the box is the Trix Decapod. The best combination of smooth running and good pulling power out of the box is the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. The Kato Mike is the best runner, but a lousy puller without traction tires. I've HEARD that the new Con-Cor 2-10-2 is a monster puller, but at $300, I'm not going to ever know for sure.

QUOTE:
I have a Kato Mike.. It runs very smooth, but doesn't seem to pull well. Traction drivers might fix that, but should you really have to do that to get a loco to pull.

Unfortunately, you realistically DO have to have traction tires on steam in N scale to get them to lug well. Virtually all of the new plastic steam on the market these days looks fantastic and runs smothly, but pulls for poo. The P2K 2-8-8-2 and 2-8-4 are prime examples of nice engines that can barely pull themselves around a layout. Add one set of TT's, and they'd become beautiful all-around engines.

[Tracklayer]

I own one of them there Model Power 4-6-2s, and it does have a strange sound to it. And no, it's not all that great of a puller unless it's on a flat track, and even then it can only pull about ten cars and a caboose at the most. I also have a Kato 2-8-2 Mike, which is one of my favorite engines, but the traction tires have to be replaced about every 100 hours of moderate running speed. My most powerful steamer that gives me the least amount of trouble is my cheap old Bachmann Northern... That thing will pull about twenty cars like they're nothing and never skip a beat. A friend of mine said he's owned a couple of them and never got them to run as well as mine does, but then, I ran it for several hours when it was new to break it in, run it as often as I can, always allow it to warm up before adding cars and keep it oiled and the gears greased.

Tracklayer

[Anonymous]

Bachman consol # 1for its smooth running (pulling power isn't a concern AFAIC since its job is to handle 10 to 15 cars locals, but its seeems very good)

Kato 282 # 2, smooth runner but poor puller, as you said, got her slip with only 22 cars in tow, around the Xmas tree, on level and tidy Kato unitrack :-(

Don't know for others, though Bachman hvy mountain and Concor 2-10-2 make my mouth watering :-)

[pcarrell]

The B-mann Mountain's that I have are every bit as good as the Connie, but I may have gotten lucky. I understand that some of the Mountains were spotty on quality at first.

[Anonymous]

I have a LL 2-8-8-2 mallet, Ive yet to run it (no track laid yet :( ), but, as far as gorgeous engines, it is supurb.

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Josh_A

I have a LL 2-8-8-2 mallet, Ive yet to run it (no track laid yet :( ), but, as far as gorgeous engines, it is supurb.

Hello Josh_A. I have a friend that has one of these, and it runs flawlessly. Like you said, beautiful detailing...

Tracklayer

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer

QUOTE: Originally posted by Josh_A

I have a LL 2-8-8-2 mallet, Ive yet to run it (no track laid yet :( ), but, as far as gorgeous engines, it is supurb.

Hello Josh_A. I have a friend that has one of these, and it runs flawlessly. Like you said, beautiful detailing...

Tracklayer

Good to know... I have heard that from alot of people. They are supposed to be quite the pullers too.

[Anonymous]

My wife runs N scale and her best puller on the flats is a Bachmann 4-8-4, next is her 3 Rivarossi/Con-Cor 4-8-8-4's, LL Heritage 2-8-8-2 and then her Con-Cor/Kato 4-6-4. On hills, the Big Boys are the best pullers.