I have found a athearn iron horse started set listed for $190(which I think is too much) and I found a Athearn sd60 at my lhs for $150. Now I’m tossed up on which would be the better buy, new loco or the set.
I forgot to mention that I have only 18 radius curves and not sure how the sd60 will run the n them.
It appears that you already have a layout. Do you have a theme or era you are modeling? An iron horse can be used on a modern layout as an excersion train, an SD60 would be totally out of place on an older layout.
You are probably right about the SD60 not liking 18" radius track, someone else will have to speak to that.
The SD60 is probably a better quality locomotive, but if it won't perform on your layout, it won't be much good.
If you are not looking for a starter set specifically, you might want to consider looking further to find a better quality loco that would perform on your layout.
Since you already have a layout, do you need the track, rolling stock and power pac that come with the set? Sort of a waste of money if you can't use most of the parts.
Just some ideas.
Good luck,
Richard
From experience with 24" radius, I wouldn't try the SD60. All by itself, with no cars? maybe, but pulling any "modern" cars that would be prototypical for the time period of an SD60, I don't think so with 18" radius.
4 axle diesels, like a GP something, a better choice, with nothing longer than 50' cars.
Just my experience.
So, the SD60 for $150, that seems high, it must be at least be DCC Ready? For that price, it might already have a decoder. Or is this also a "train set"? Not all sets from Athearn include track and a power pack.
Still wondering what your looking at.
Mike.
My You Tube
Personally, I would skip both the starter set and the SD diesel and settle for a good-quality, smaller 4-axle diesel that will navigate your sharp R18" curves. An EMD Geep would fit that bill quite nicely.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I asume HO scale. You can pick up lots of used stuff on e-bay for a good price and good quality, steam Proto 2000 0-6-0 go for around $75 and NW2 diesels from Kato go for around $50. The proto is DCC ready the other is not but there are other good ones that are in diesels.
tstage Personally, I would skip both the starter set and the SD diesel and settle for a good-quality, smaller 4-axle diesel that will navigate your sharp R18" curves. An EMD Geep would fit that bill quite nicely. Tom
The less axels on a locomotive the better it performs especially on tight radius track. The SD60 will probably run on your layout but it won’t like going through your turnouts. If you already have a layout you don’t need a starter kit unless you want more track etc. I would go with the recommendation above: Find an Athearn GP9, GP38, GP40 or GP 50 that you like.