What manufacturer would you recommend that makes the least expensive but yet a good quality early Baldwin type steam locomotive?
I don’t know what you mean by early, but if you’re talking early 1900’s I’d suggest maybe the Bachmann 4-4-0 or 4-6-0. Even though the 4-4-0 is a modernized version, You could easily backdate it with an enlarged kerosene headlight, and diamond stack. It could even be fitted with a wooden cab. That would probably work for an 1890’s version as well. The nice thing is you can use these locos to kitbash many various versions of these types from them. I took the boiler from a Bachmann Pennsy K4, and mated it with a BLI heavy Mikado frame and ended up with a fairly nice version of the Pennsy L1 Mikado.
-Stan
I could have been more specific on the age or date. The time period would be late 1890’s to 1920. The PFM that I have is modeled after a 1912 Baldwin 2-8-0 consolidation. The 2-8-0 is my favorite, although 2-6-0 or 4-4-0 would also work.
Bachmann is probably the best bet short of brass. Many of their steam locos come with changable details to make it fit a specific era or prototype. The Spectrum series are reasonably priced and generally quality products.
–Randy
Randy,
Bachmann’s 4-4-0 is a Richmond and their 2-6-0 is an Alco. However, both are generic enough that they may work for SilvertonRR in HO.
A colleague has a couple of the 4-4-0 and they’re a great value, run well, and seem pretty robust. The 2-6-0 has less detail, but runs equally well from what I recall.
I agree with Randy. For my money (definitely limited in retirement) Bachmann Spectrums are best buy. I have total of 13 Spectrums, including four 2-8-0’s, four 2-10-0’s, two 2-10-2’s, two 2-6-6-2’s and a 3-truck Shay.
As I recall the Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation is based on the Baldwin 2-8-0 circa 1910. Here are two, one modified to add an Elesco feedwater heater and to change the headlight.
I appreciate all the information about cost vs quality. It’s sounding like the Bachmann Spectrum is the winner. One last question. What about when Roundhouse first came out with their RTR already assembled engines. Say the old timer 2-8-0 RTR consolidations. I thought I heard were they were suppose to be fairly good ??
I have several MDC/Roundhouse factory RTR engines and they are all good. No problems.
Bob
I have a few of the newly released old timers RTR, the 2-6-0 and the 2-8-0. They are decent running engines, however, they lack the detail that makes the Bachmann 2-8-0 second only to brass in its overall detail.
The Roundhouse RTR engines are without doubt the most lacking in added detail that I have run across in todays market. They look like they are from the 1970’s when their kit versions were first released.