what would be good steam locomotive for 4 x 8 layout?

[caboose63]

what would be a good steam locomotive to use on a 4 x 8 layout? i wanted to use either bachmann's 4-6-0 or 2-10-0 but i was told they would be too big for the 18" curves on my layout. i want a steam locomotive that will pull decent amunt of freight cars and also not stall when going across a turnout or slip over crossing. i was thinking of locating one of model power's discontinued 2-8-0s, IHC's IHB 0-8-0 or some other alternatives. are any of those two locomotives or others worth using.

[tstage]

I have an Athearn Genesis 2-8-2 Mike on my 4 x 8' and have had no problems with it negotiating 18" curves or Atlas manual Snap switches. It's been a smooth runner for me.

Tom

[SpaceMouse]

I've got a 4 x 8 and I have run:

4-4-0
0-4-0
2-6-0
4-6-0
2-8-0
4-8-4
4-8-2

The last two were kinda big.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jrinnorthcountry63

what would be a good steam locomotive to use on a 4 x 8 layout? i wanted to use either bachmann's 4-6-0 or 2-10-0 but i was told they would be too big for the 18" curves on my layout. i want a steam locomotive that will pull decent amunt of freight cars and also not stall when going across a turnout or slip over crossing. i was thinking of locating one of model power's discontinued 2-8-0s, IHC's IHB 0-8-0 or some other alternatives. are any of those two locomotives or others worth using.

A friend of mine has a 2-10-0 that makes a lot of noise on 22" curves, but contrary to what you were told, I think the 4-6-0 would be perfect. I've always said if I could only have one locomotive it would be the Proto 0-6-0. I've heard other people say they have pulling problems, but I've never put mine to the test. On a 4x8' it would look silly pulling more than five or six anyway. I really like my Proto 0-8-0's but they have power pick up problems without putting a little work in on them.

I don't know about the Model Power locomotives but would guess they are the ones that became the Mehano's. I've never used an IHC 0-8-0, but have had good luck with their 2-6-0's and 2-8-0's and could recommend either of them.

I do not recommend the Rivarossi or Roundhouse Steamers. The Round House can be really good running but are stiff and take a lot of work to get smoothed out. The Rivarossi look better, but I, even after extensive rework (gear box, wheels, remotor, etc.), have never gotten one to run what I consider acceptible.

[selector]

Gosh, you could just as well have titled this thread, "How do I open Pandora's Box?" [:D]

I have nothing much to add because I believe that the others have said well. I DO have the P2K li'l feller that Tex drools for, and it is a gem, there's no two ways about it. And, like he says, it is not the greatest puller. Still, it will pu***wo small ore cars with about two ounces of fake 'coal' in each of them up a 3.6% grade, and that works just fine for me. The details on that loco are astounding, and the box comes with others you can add or exchange.

Your 18" curves will be less satisfying with the bigger locos I fear, if not right away, then soon after. Better to go with a smaller loco that looks more like it fits, if you ask me. How about the Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation? It was a heavy hauler when it came on line, so maybe that will work for you.

[randybc2003]

I have run Bachman's 4-6-0 on my layout with 18" curves, - and no problems. Also their 2-8-0. (both SPECTRUM)
I also have a "premium" IHC 4-4-0 that hasn't given me any trouble. I am talking about a large Coalburner.
(The fact that I have woodburning American Standards has nothing to do with the above recomendations. )

[Anonymous]

tstage and SpaceMouse told you right. Stick to the smaller engines and you'll be okay. I personally model N scale, but I know a guy that's into HO and he has a 4 X 8 layout with 22" curves and found out the hard way that it won't handle anything over a Bachmann
4-8-4 Northern or War Baby...

Good luck.

trainluver1

[Anonymous]

The biggest I have been running on my 4X8' are BLI PRR M1 Mountains. They are a 4-8-2 class, and seem to do very well, even on the tight stuff including Atlas snap switches. These are great engines if you're a Pennsy person.

[Virginian]

Spacemouse, you just have to get an articulated.

[ukguy]

to follow up on Crandell and Randy bc, I run my bachman spectrum 2-8-0 on my 6x8's 18"s and it runs great, also no problem through the turnouts(all atlas snap unpowered frogs). It actually takes the 15" OK too !!

Have fun & be safe.
Karl

[Fergmiester]

Believe it or not I can run a 2-6-6-6, 4-6-6-4 and would have no problems running a 2-6-6-2on a 18" curve going up a 7% grade. It doesn't look pretty but it can be done. Does it look good on a 4x8? It can but to me The 2-6-6-2 would be the only fit if you were tieing it into a mining theme. Articulated's were designed for tight turns.

Space mouse and others are right about sticking to the smaller wheel arrangements.

Fergie

[Anonymous]

More of the same advice here.

I have a 4x8 layout in HO as well. I'm considering it my "Learning" layout. The first Loco I bought was a 4-6-2 and quickly after laying my tracks I discovered that is didn't work so well on the tight turns. I then bought a 2-6-0 Mogul and it runs nicely on those turns. My GP7 which has 2 pairs of wheels on each truck (what's the official term for that? 4 axle?) runs fine on it as well.

Stick to the smaller stuff for best results, and do as I do when you see those big engines...drool, shrug, and carry on [:p]

Trevor[:)]

[dehusman]

0-4-0
0-6-0
0-8-0
4-4-0
4-4-2
2-6-0
4-6-0
2-8-0

The Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0 would be a good choice for an all round locomotive. Any bigger than a 2-8-0 and it will look too big for the layout.

Dave H.

[IRONROOSTER]

A couple of others would be a Shay or a tank engine.

Enjoy
Paul

[ARTHILL]

I have lots of 18". My Broadway Limited Mikado runs good and pulls enough after I added the rubber wheels that came with it. My 3 truck Shay is good of course. My Sierra 2-6-6-2 is the best, though the prototype types would say the overhang is too much, but I think it looks great.

[Anonymous]

I recommend the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0.

The detail is as good as the Athearn Mike, my 2-8-0 actually runs BETTER than my Athearn Mike, and if you want sound later, Soundtraxx makes a drop in sound decoder with imbedded speaker. And it runs thru some tight curves on my layout without any problems.

Do try to try it out before you buy it - a few have mechanical problems. Having said that, I still think the Bachmann is your best bet - that rule is true for ALL steamers, IMHO. I'm having problems with my Athearn right now!

[caboose63]

hey everyone including spacemouse and tstage, thanks for the info and input on what steam locomotives to use or not to use on a 4 x 8 layout. i thought that a 2-10-0 would probaly be too big for my layout. i think i am going to go with the low boilered Bachmann 4-6-0. on Walthers' website their unlettered 4-6-0 is on sale for $129 instead of the usual $170. its not listed as on sale in their current mini sales catalog but i figure heck if its listed on the website on sale thats just as good as being shown in the magazine. also another question, how well does Bachmann's 4-6-0 and its tender travel on 18" curves. i heard from someone online that the spacing between the locomotive and tender had to be let out some as they would be too close together on 18" curves. any of you fellow model railroaders have you had trouble with a 4-6-0 or 2-8-0 being too close to its tender when coming around 18" curves? now if i could only find a few of Walther' discontinued 60 foot passenger cars. perhaps the hobby shop in pinckney michigan would have some. all other hobby shops in michigan don't seem to have any of those passenger cars. Oh well to haul passnger on my HO scale Leelanau County Railway i will just use my two lesser detailed Life-Like 60 foot heavyweight NYC coach and combine with a athearn bay window caboose, MDC outside braced caboose, Des Plaines Hobbies steel IC red side door caboose and soon to be added two undecorated Bowser PRR N-8 class cabooses. one thing i notice in Walthers' 2005 HO reference catalog is the lack of locomotives listed since Athearn and MDC are no longer listed. i think the only companies i would buy steam locomoties from would be Bachmann and IHC. it would be nice if Walthers would come out with a line of steam locomotives from say about size of a USRA 0-6-0 to say a small 2-8-0 along the lines you might have seen on a now defunct shortline like boyne city, in michigan

[cheese3]

on my 4 x 8 i used to run a pacific.

[knewsom]

I got my 4-6-0 low boiler off of eBay from TheFavoriteSpot for $72 including shipping. I also know that Trainworld has them for $99 usually.

[Anonymous]

Go "N" and you could run just about any loco made on 18 inch radi. Only there ain't that much "N" steam out there.

[nfmisso]

JR;

Spectrum 0-6-0T, 2-8-0, 4-6-0 or 2-10-0 will suit you fine. The Spectrum 2-10-0 is actually smaller than the 2-8-0.

The former Model Power 2-8-0 is another fine little locomotive. It is not related to Mehano at all. They were made in Brazil, and have tender drive. The locomotive is a dummy that is pushed along by the tender.

The IHC 2-8-0, 2-8-2 or 4-6-2 would also work for you.

Have fun.

[Anonymous]

I run geared and small logging mallets. The geared not yet mentioned are Heisler and Climax. Remember geared engines run at a pedestrian pace.

[Anonymous]

I would have to say stick with 4-6-0 low boiler bachmann and any 2-8-0s or 4-6-0s as these wouls loock best on a small layout such as this. Also you could imagin that your layout is a short line which allows you to run some interesting combinations

beauyboy

[BRJN]

There is an 0-6-6-0T (I think) logging articulated that might work on your curves. I have never seen one live so I dunno fer sure.

When I was a kid, my dad had an 0-8-0 that took our 18" radius just fine. Can't remember who the manufacturer was, though. Not that I ever thought to ask.

Otherwise, the rest of the group has already covered the important stuff.

[Anonymous]

I have a 4x8, with 15", 18" and 22" radius ovals. I run a 4-8-8-4 and 4-6-6-4 on the 22", 4-8-2 and 0-8-0 on the 18" and 0-6-0 on the 15".

[Anonymous]

I have only one steamer on my 4x8, a Spectrum 2-8-0. Mechanically very sound thus far, no stalling at turn outs (all Atlas snaps). It easily pulls two Roundhouse Overton cars and caboose around the layout and looks good doing it.
Andy

[Anonymous]

Bachman 2-6-6-2 will make it around tight curves, and the Life like 0-8-0 will as well.

[grandeman]

I really like our IHC 2-8-0's. They run well and are a bargain. They'll do sharp curves without problems.

[dinwitty]

I was repairing/fixing/adding kadees to a friends RR BigBoy, I tested it on 15" radius, and it ran! oboy...

Go HOn3...

er maybe go Traction!! 6 inch curves! Yay!!

If I were to do a 4x8 I would try to keep it from being the loop de doo layout and be realistic.

[don7]

Reconsider using the 2-10-0's, they are great little engines.

I have a layout just somewhat larger that 4' x 8'. I have two 2-10-0's as well as a 2-8-0 and a 4-6-0. The units are all Bachman Spectrums. The 2-10-0's are similar in size to the 2-8-0 and the 4-6-0.

All of the engines perform flawlessly through the 18" curves as well as the #4 turnouts.