Steam Engines

[Anonymous]

Hi there

I was thinking to myself about what to do next for my railroad and i thought i might go out and by a Steam Engine for N Scale.

I went to my LHS and they showed me a gorgeous Bachmann Steam Engine that they were selling for au$125ish and said in americe it went for $250!

Is this what i should be getting becaus i am not sure of how well N Scale Bachmann Steam Engine run. I do not recall it being a Spectrum.

Any advise on a good engine for max au$200. It must be bacl though!!!!!!

Should i be looking for that steam engine they reccommended me or would i be better of getting one of the Spectrum Series engines?

Many thanks

Pavariangoo

[Anonymous]

Most importantly is there any brand in particular i should be looking for?

[Anonymous]

Pavariangoo -

I'm not at all familiar with N scale stuff, but I know in HO, Broadway Limited Imports are really well respected. The Bachman Spectrum stuff is supposedly decent, too... and the Life-Like Heritage series is expensive, but I haven't heard much about quality/reliability/etc.

So, if any of those brands offer N-scale stuff (sorry for my ignorance of N-Scale), I would be comfortable recommending them... I have my eyes on a Broadway Limited 4-8-2 Mikado in Milwaukee Road right now myself... :)

[Anonymous]

I have found an option that seems to be affordable at http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/catalog/?function=detail&id=804

Does anybody know anything about this loco?


Many thanks petejung

Pavariangoo

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pavariangoo

I have found an option that seems to be affordable at http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/catalog/?function=detail&id=804

Does anybody know anything about this loco?


Many thanks petejung

Pavariangoo

The engine you posted is one of the Bachmann old line of engines. Watch out when buying these at a LHS; there are two grades. The old ones, which are garbage, come in a cardboard box. New ones, which look the same on the outside but have a better motor and gearing, come in a clear plastic jewel case. They're better, but still not the same quality as their Spectrum 2-8-0 or 4-8-2 (their 2-6-6-2 has issues).

If you're looking for ONE high quality N scale steamer, I'd strongly recommend going with the Spectrum 2-8-0. It's one of the best American-prototype N scale steamers on the market (as good or better than the Kato Mikado), and is more affordable. You can find them for US$50.

[tstage]

Ju Jit,

I run HO but I have heard some good things about the Atlas Shay that was recently released. Here's a link: (Sorry it looks like it's sold out.)

http://www.4nscale.com/products.asp?m=1&t=37

The Proto 2000 would be nice but they only have the USRA 2-8-8-2 and the 2-8-4 Berkshire. You might also be able to find them at a good discount. Trainworld.com has the 2-8-8-2. Here's the direct link for that:

http://www.trainworld1.com/lifelike/lifelike_n_scale.htm

Lastly, if the Bachmann's are NOT Spectrum, I would encourage you to stay away from them.

Hope that helps...

Tom

[twhite]

I'm with TStage on the regular Bachmann--I bought my father a Bachmann N-scale 4-8-4--he ran it for about two months and the geared axle came apart--no way to fix it. Stick with the Spectrum 2-8-0, it's really proven itself. I've got the HO scale version, and it's a honey!
Tom

[Bikerdad]

If you want N scale steam, then here are the 5 best candidates of North American N scale steam.

Kato 2-8-2 Heavy Mikado ($90-$125 US)
Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation ($90-$110 US)
Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2 Light Mountain($100-$125 US)
Athearn/MDC 2-6-0 Mogul ($60-$180 US)
Athearn/MDC 2-8-0 Consolidation. ($60-$180 US)

Given your location, you may also want to keep an eye out for other Kato steamers, Japanese prototypes. I don't know what the exchange rate between the Aussie $ and the US $ is right now, but I can assure you that the only Bachmann N scale steam loco that ever went for even close to $250 is the 2-6-6-2. Those Prairies can be had for less than $40 over here, they are "train set" quality. You should definetely be looking for Spectrum if you're limited to Bachmann.

The first two in the list above are your best bets. You may want to head over to www.Nscale.net, which is a focused N scale forum that also (IIRC) has a few members from Down Under who can help you out with local market knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Good Nscale steam would be:

[underworld]

I had a lot of N when I was little. Had several Bachman....no problems.

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

(As I was saying when I accidentally sent the reply) Good Nscale steam I have found include the following engines:
1.) Kato Mikado
2.) Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation
3.) Model Power Pacific
4.) Model Power Mikado
5.) MDC/Roundhouse 2-8-0
6.) Life Like Berkshire (this is questionable as it runs very smoothly but doesn't pull very well at all and can be finnicky and hard to put on the track.)

Steam engines to be avoided:
1.) Standard Bachmann steam that is not Spectrum
2.) Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-6-2 H-5 mallet
3.) Life Like Little Joe.

Those are just some of the steam engines I am personally familiar with. Actually the most available and a really fantastic locomotive is the Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation. I have to agree with many others in Nscale that the Kato Mikado is the pinnacle of Nscale steam. You can hardly go wrong with either of these engines. Remember to "try before you buy" any steam engine. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Pavariangoo,
The Bachmann steam engine you have the link to is a standard Bachman steam engine and is not worth owning. I have had some of the standard (non-Spectrum) Bachmann Nscale steam and it just was very poor. Out of the four I owned only one of them ran decently (not good but at best decently). Besides, at $59 you are about half way to the price of a good steam engine. The 2-8-0 Spectrum Consolidation lists for around $130 -$135 but they are often sold below retail price. I paid $99 for mine. I was able to find the Model Power Pacific for $99 and the Model Power Mikado for $109. I don't see how you can go wrong with the Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation or the Kato Mikado.