Small Diesels

[Anonymous]

Hi gang,

I have started myself off in model railroading using Steam loco's, but am considering altering my purely Steam era layout to a transistion era layout. Can you recommend some diesel models which would be approximately the same length of a 2-6-0 Mogul Engine (without the tender).

Thanks,
Trevor

[Anonymous]

It might help if you stated the scale you are talking about and the actual length of the steam engine. Not everyone has one around to measure.

Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

Many Apologies and Much Grovelling...grovel grovel grovel

I am modelling in HO scale. The size of my loco's is limited because of the tightness of the curves. The smallest is 18" Radius the largest is 22" Radius.

Hope this added info helps.

Trevor[:I]

[Anonymous]

I don't think you would have any problems with 4 axle Diesels like the Early "F" Units like the F3's. Some of the Switcher Engines like the S1 series would also work.

I am an EMD nut so this is what I get. I also enjoy the GP-7 and GP-9's but I think they are a little later on the timeline.

Good Luck!

Chris

[Anonymous]

I would suggest the Atlas RS-1. prototype was produced from about 1940 to 1956

Rick

[CP5415]

You could go with an early ALCO unit as well
An RS1 or 2 would be a good choice.
Or even a S1 or 2

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

[ndbprr]

Moguls were main line power around 1900. Most were pretty much gone by the time diesels came into being. Any of the early diesels particularly the Ingersoll Rand box cab are your best bet.

[joseph2]

A transistion era shortline might have used a 44 Ton GE and a Alco,Baldwin or EMD switcher.Even major railroads used small switchers on their branchlines.Allof those are available in HO.

[cwclark]

Transition era diesels include: Alco PA units, EMD F and E - A&B units, FM trainmaster switchers, and RS 1 & 3 switchers..Baldwin Boiler Works also made a few transition diesels but they weren't too successful switching from steam to diesel...Chuck

[simon1966]

The Atlas S-2 or S-4 is an excellent model, well built and can be had for reasonable prices on the web.

[tstage]

Trevor,

The Proto 2000 Alco S1 switcher would fit that bill. You can pick one up from Trainworld.com for either $29.99 or $39.99 - depending on the roadname. (My NYC 687 only cost me $29.99 + $7.95 S & H.) Terrific switchers and they run as smooth as glass. I"ve been VERY please with mine.

If you decide to install it with a decoder for DCC, you'll need to first isolate the motor from the frame. A bit of a pain but not too bad. I just did that to mine, and also replaced the 1.5v bulb headlight with an LED. Whoa! Did that make a diffenence.

I also like the Bachmann GE 44-tonner but there have been some mixed feelings on it's perfornance. If you do decide to pick up the GE 44-tonner, be sure to pick up the newer "single" motor version vs the older "dual" motor variety. (See link for current post on topic about the GE 44-tonner: http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=32147)

Hope that helps...

Tom