So the little guy (6 y/o) included a "Union Pacific Steam locomotive" in his letter to Santa yesterday.
Well, unknown to him, Mom and Dad already have all of Santa's presents (and this is not on the list). But the grandparents are still looking for something for him.
Manufacture isn't too important, nor the model. We'd be looking for something that's between $100-$150 and either DCC (a stretch I know) or DCC ready in HO scale. FWIW, I have a handful of UP Harriman coaches for him for under the tree, so anything that would match up with those era wise would be a plus, but certainly NOT a requirement for our layout. lol.
So does anybody know of something that might work? I know that's a tight budget, but any suggestion would be appreciated.
Also, FWIW, we also picked up a AHM Big Boy at the last train show for a steal ($40). It runs on the fastrack layout he has on the floor of his room, but unfortunately, we can't run it on our "real" layout, but he's getting that from his mom. (And I can tell you what's going to happen with that. Dad will be re-building the layout or making a new one to make it run. But that's another post in another thread.)
I would recommend you go to the modeltrainstuff.com site and look in their listings for steam HO, and find the Bachmann version of the Union Pacific FEF (Four-Eight-Four) in grey with elephant ears (smoke lifters).
selectorI would recommend you go to the modeltrainstuff.com site and look in their listings for steam HO, and find the Bachmann version of the Union Pacific FEF (Four-Eight-Four) in grey with elephant ears (smoke lifters).
Not sure than one will make the 18" curves on our layout (which I should have mentioned before). :)
Bachmann's now-venerable belt-drive 2-8-0 comes with UP lettering and can be found selling at a little over $100. Not exactly UP, but vaguely close, and great for a tight layout.
Check this:
Bachmann UP 4-6-0
Sir MadogCheck this: Bachmann UP 4-6-0
That's pretty good.
It´s probably a foobie, but I don´t think that matters much to a 6 year old. It´s a nice little engine which does not look awkward pulling a string of Harriman coaches. For the price, it comes with DCC and sound - looks like a good deal to me!
Sir MadogIt´s probably a foobie, but I don´t think that matters much to a 6 year old.
A 6 y/o with a vivid imigination.
Lonnie Utah Sir Madog It´s probably a foobie, but I don´t think that matters much to a 6 year old. A 6 y/o with a vivid imigination.
Sir Madog It´s probably a foobie, but I don´t think that matters much to a 6 year old.
Love that! Reminds me of myself - 55 years ago!
You are a blessed man to have him as your grandchild!
RR_Mel I second Selector’s choice, A UP 4-8-4. EDIT: You are correct, the minimum radius on the Bachmann 4-8-4 is 22". Mel Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951 My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Why put a picture of an Athearn UP 4-8-4 which is nothing like the foobie Botchmann UP 4-8-4 which is obviously a NYC Niagra with UP Markings!
Of course Botchman also did a UP 4-8-4 in the past using the boiler from an ATSF 2-10-4.
Another reason not to buy Botchmann!
Rick Jesionowski
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dti406Why put a picture of an Athearn UP 4-8-4 which is nothing like the foobie Botchmann UP 4-8-4 which is obviously a NYC Niagra with UP Markings! Of course Botchman also did a UP 4-8-4 in the past using the boiler from an ATSF 2-10-4. Another reason not to buy Botchmann! Rick Jesionowski
I have no idea how that posts contributes to the OP´s question, other than showing your strong dislike for Bachmann products, for which you appear to make use of every opportunity there is.
Not very helpful, I´d say!
Sir Madog I have no idea how that posts contributes to the OP´s question, other than showing your strong dislike for Bachmann products, for which you appear to make use of every opportunity there is. Not very helpful, I´d say!
- Kevin
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dti406 RR_Mel I second Selector’s choice, A UP 4-8-4. EDIT: You are correct, the minimum radius on the Bachmann 4-8-4 is 22". Mel Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951 My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps. Why put a picture of an Athearn UP 4-8-4 which is nothing like the foobie Botchmann UP 4-8-4 which is obviously a NYC Niagra with UP Markings! Of course Botchman also did a UP 4-8-4 in the past using the boiler from an ATSF 2-10-4. Another reason not to buy Botchmann! Rick Jesionowski
Apparently you have no idea of the context in which the OP asks for helpful advice.
To our OP, my apologies. I hadn't actually gone and looked for the specs on that loco because Bachmann has had, I guess until recently, a practice of making all their locomotives run on 18" radius curves. Their Decapod and Class J are two examples that, like their prototypes which had smaller drivers than almost all others in their class of locomotive, were manufactured to negotiate smaller curves. So, unless you are willing to enlarge your track plan, I'm afraid the FEF won't do.
Nice little engine. I had to order one, don't you know.
Deane
Sir Madog Check this: Bachmann UP 4-6-0
Given that it's a 6-year old, I would look at some smaller than a 4-8-4. That's a handful - even for an adult.
You might consider the Bachmann UP 2-6-0. M.B. Klein has the E-Z App control version on super sale for $100 and 2 are in stock. (Note: M.B. Klein has "live" inventory. So when they say they have "2"; they actually have two in stock.) That particular Bachmann locomotive should be a quality engine, operate easily on R18" curves, and give you years of good service.
Hope that helps...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Here is a few from ebay
First one usra 4-8-2 from bachmann
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HO-SCALE-BACHMANN-SPECTRUM-81603-UNION-PACIFIC-USRA-4-8-2-STEAM-LOCOMOTIVE-7009/272965343562?epid=6003304273&hash=item3f8e00994a:g:fngAAOSwPCVX~Zo9
Second one is bachmann 2 8 0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-51315-HO-Union-Pacific-2-8-0-Consolidation-Steam-Locomotive-w-DCC-617/391926504927?epid=2255451355&hash=item5b40a3dddf:g:uz4AAOSwdkpZeaoz
This last one is are little higher in price but it a UP 4 8 2 MT-73 dcc with sound (listing say brass but it not)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Broadway-Limited-Imports-BLI-044-MT-73-4-8-2-UNION-PACIFIC-7018-Brass-Gray-HO/391939171439?hash=item5b4165246f:g:7OAAAOSwR2RaJFLL
Athearn original version UP 4-6-6-4 challengers are due near end of December. I am on the hook for one at a good price which I would gladly pass along to someone else...sorry cant do as low as $150, but will be a good price.
For budget reasons, including kids' baseball, I dieselized and sold all steam save one...
Replacements include Intermountain IC and ICG diesels...
John
Sir MadogYou are a blessed man to have him as your grandchild!
He's my kid, I'm just helping my parents with what to purchase.
Going to hit the LTS this PM and see if they have anything that might fit the bill. If I had my druthers (and didn't just have to had replace our 19 y/o furnace and AC), I'd just get him the Jupiter and 119 set. We live just about 90 mins from Golden Spike NM and he is familar with and really likes both of those locomtives. Here's the replica 119 from the Steam Fest they have over the holidays couple of years ago.
dti406Why put a picture of an Athearn UP 4-8-4 which is nothing like the foobie Botchmann UP 4-8-4 which is obviously a NYC Niagra with UP Markings! Of course Botchman also did a UP 4-8-4 in the past using the boiler from an ATSF 2-10-4. Another reason not to buy Botchmann!
You may not like them and that's fine. Everyone has their personal preference. Given our budget and the fact that 6 year olds, while respectful with the layout, can be rough on the equipment, have served us well. And if they DO get damaged, they have a very good repair policy that we've used a number of times.
So we are not personally opposed to Bachmann products on our layout. But thanks for your opinion on the matter. And if you dislike them so much, why not offer alternatives that fit the criteria I posted above and I'll expore them as well.
As I said, ALL sugestions welcome.
selectorTo our OP, my apologies. I hadn't actually gone and looked for the specs on that loco because Bachmann has had, I guess until recently, a practice of making all their locomotives run on 18" radius curves. Their Decapod and Class J are two examples that, like their prototypes which had smaller drivers than almost all others in their class of locomotive, were manufactured to negotiate smaller curves. So, unless you are willing to enlarge your track plan, I'm afraid the FEF won't do.
No worries, it was unintentional and I left out some critical advice as well.
Caveat Emptor
I've been able to deduce that the "DC" version of Bachmann's Alco's are DCC ready. Most of their others are not.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/HO_260_DCC_ready.pdf
At six years old, he ought to be overjoyed with just about any steamer just so long as you put some UP decals on the tender sides.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
dstarr At six years old, he ought to be overjoyed with just about any steamer just so long as you put some UP decals on the tender sides. Six is temporary, you know!
Six is temporary, you know!
dstarrAt six years old, he ought to be overjoyed with just about any steamer just so long as you put some UP decals on the tender sides.
And you might be surprised at the road names he knows number and the locos he can identify even at 6....
He said to me the other day, "Dad, I think the SP Daylight is my new favorite locomotive. It's colorful." This is after the Big Boy being his favorite for at least a couple of years.
New wrinkle from yesterday, while talking about this he said, "Dad, IT HAS to be a 2-6-0. Because that's what pulled passenger coaches..."
lol
Smart 6-year old, Lonnie. Read my earlier post. There are still two on "super sale" at M.B. Klein at well-below $150 and they are a terrific outfit. It will operate on either DC or DCC. You'll still need a transformer.
Thanks Tom. I saw than and after reading some online reviews of the product, I was a little leary of controlling the train only out of the app. I'm not sure how well that would work on our DCC layout. Then there's the issue of getting a dedicated divice for the layout and handing it over to a 6 y/o. If we were starting from scratch, I think that might be a viable option, but in our case there just might be too much water under the tressle. :) But you might have solved the issue unintentionally. After much thought, what I think I might do is get one of the other 2-6-0 Alco and just remove the decals and reletter it as a UP. There were lots of options on that page that would work.
Found a Bachmann DCC ready Alco 2-6-0 Mogul for less than $100 and pulled the trigger. Now lets just hope UPS Santa makes it to grandma and grandpa's house before the 25th...
Lonnie Utah Found a Bachmann DCC ready Alco 2-6-0 Mogul for less than $100 and pulled the trigger. Now lets just hope UPS Santa makes it to grandma and grandpa's house before the 25th...
Of course he'll make it. He uses the "magic dust"...
Marlon
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