HO Yard loco for use with 36' box cars & reefers

[exPalaceDog]

Just out of curiosity, what would loco you recommand for use as a switch engine on a switching pike where most of the rolling stock would be Roundhouse 36' box cars and reefers? The Old Dog is concerned about haibg an engine that would look too large for the cars.

Have fun

[dehusman]

An MDC 0-6-0 with a wood cab or a cab from an MDC old time 2-8-0/2-6-0 kit.

Or an Omaha 0-6-0 in brass.

Or a Mantua camelback 0-4-0 or 0-6-0.

Or a brass 1880's 2-6-0 with the lead truck removed.

Dave H.

[SpaceMouse]

I use an MDC old time 2-6-0. But your milage will vary. Depends a lot on the era you are modeling.

[JohnT14808]

I have always wanted one of those switchers called "lil critter". I think they are the neatest looking switcher and really good for moving only one or two cars at a time. The only problem I see is getting a decoder in one.......

[Don Gibson]

36' car's are early steam. 0-4-0's - 0-6-0's for switcher's .

[twcenterprises]

You could use a 44 tonner, if you're modeling early '40's through late '50's. Or maybe an SW1.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JohnT14808

I have always wanted one of those switchers called "lil critter". I think they are the neatest looking switcher and really good for moving only one or two cars at a time. The only problem I see is getting a decoder in one.......

I did it with a TCS M1. It took a little planning and some tricky wire routing but it can be done. Supposedly they are DCC ready, but the diodes are backwards so that plug wont work. You have to hard wire it.

[Jetrock]

A classic "Dockside" 0-4-0 would be a great locomotive for such a layout. 36' reefers are appropriate through the 1950s but 36' boxcars went out of use a lot earlier--a very early diesel would be suitable for a WWII era setting.