Hi all,
I’ve just spotted this locomotive at Caboose, and I’m considering purchasing it for my layout. What I’m curious about is the quality of the model - are PFM/Key Imports smooth/reliable runners? And I’m also curious about the fact that this model seems to have sound installed - would this likely be DCC/sound, or some sort of older system?
Regards,
tbdanny
Greetings…
if its a older PFM , it may have the PFM sound capability but was not on board - the sound was amplified by a remote station that played pre-recorded sounds ‘thru’ the rails and out thru a speaker mounted in the tender.
I’d call Caboose and ask to speak with Duane Miller - he’s the boss and probably can confirm for you what -if any, sound is aboard.
Good luck with the purchase though…they made really nice locomotives - both Key Imports and PFM.
HeritageFleet1
That is a Key Imports brass engine, with PFM Sound installed, which is about worthless unless you have a PFM sound control system. However the engine is a really nice runner normaly and would make an excellent one upgraded to DCC/Sound. Mike
The advice is good. I have purchased many locomotives from Caboose Hobbies over the past ten years and Don or any other guys will run them for you. I have requested this over the phone and they always give me the results.
Most of the early Keys were fairly good runners but you have to check each one. Samhongsa was just beginning to produce brass if this is the late 70’s and early 80’s model, but the store will run it and let you know. It is labeled as a Key in the ad. I noticed the model has been in the store for almost a year. That is not a bad thing, but it has been on the shelve for some time. Most places will take more pictures for you when you are interested in a model. I would want to see the drivers and how much wheel wear they have since that is mentioned. If they are down to brass, you might have voltage pick up problems when the wheels are not cleaned all of the time.
This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 23 August, 2009.
Hope it works for you.
CZ
Danny:
I can’t help you on HOn3 from Key, but I can help you on Key quality, as I have 8 Key Rio Grande standard gauge steamers that I’ve bought from Caboose Hobbies over the years, and all of them have proven to be good, smooth, reliable runners (2-1600 series 4-8-2’s, 2-1700 series 4-8-4’s, one 1800 series 4-8-4, 1-1200 series 2-8-2 and one 950 series 2-8-0,) Occasional models have needed a little more weight and balancing, but all in all, they’ve proven to be very capable and powerful locomotives.
And I trust Caboose Hobbies all the way–I’ve gotten most of my Rio Grande brass steamers from them, and they’re a terrific company to deal with. And if you have problems, they’ve got a great brass repair department.
I’m very happy with my Key Rio Grande brass steam from them. As to the PFM sound addition–it only works with the old PFM sound module, so unless you have one of them, what you’ll get is a regular DC locomotive that will run on standard DC power without any interruptions.
That’s a sweet-looking loco.
Tom [:D]
Hi all,
Thanks for the feedback. I’ve made the purchase - with a bit of luck, it should be here in a couple of weeks. I’m planning to rip out whatever electronics it has and install DCC anyway, so the electronics doesn’t matter. The speaker may come in handy for a later sound upgrade.
If worst comes to worst, NWSL will hopefully have replacement wheelsets for this model.
Thanks again,
tbdanny
If you can take the PFM sound stuff out in one unit, without messing anything up, you can recoup some of your purchase price by selling the sound unit. There are many guys out there that still use the old PFM sound system and are always looking for sound modules. Mike
Mike,
Thanks for the heads up.
Cheers,
tbdanny
Tom,
You have a nice roster of Rio Grande steam going there, however I would like to point out that Samhongsa is not without it’s share of mistakes. As such, avoid the 1st run Rio Grande L.95/96 2-6-6-2, the one with the “red” foam at all costs. Although a very nice looking engine it has severe mechanism problems. If you should decide to get one make sure it is the 2nd run with the “yellow” foam only, they corrected the problem, they are also harder to find. The old Trains, Inc 2-8-0’s aren’t to bad as well as the Sunset 2-8-2’s, Samhongsa built and smooth runners. And the PFM 2-10-2’s are real beauties but also a touch expensive because of their rarity.
I’m surprised Broadway has not made one of these as they would most probably be an instant sell out.
As for the articulateds, hard to go wrong with the Westside/Max Gray 4-6-6-4 and the PFM 2-8-8-2, both ruggedly built and great runners. Of course the PFM has that stupid drop down gearing in it but that can be bypassed easily enough. Also the old Custom Brass N&W 2-6-6-2 isn’t a bad engine either and one of the few 2nd hand engines that stayed around for awhile.
Samhongsa is a very good builder but they have made “duds” as well, just like most any of them.
Mark
Mark:
You’re right about the ‘red foam’ L-95, I’ve got one on my table being rebuilt right now–it may end up going back to Caboose Hobbies to see if they can replace the drive mechanism. Didn’t want to mention that, though, LOL!
I’ve got both the Westside L-105 (2) and the PFM L-131 (2) and they’re very good, powerful locos. The Sunset ex-N&W 4-8-2 is a nice little runner, but has VERY soft driver springs. I keep salivating over the PFM F-81’s, but I did pick up a Precision Scale F-81 a couple of years ago, and it’s an absolute jewel. and you’re right, the Trains C-48 2-8-0 is a very nice little lokie. I’ve got one and I’m happy with it. They’re also comparitively inexpensive–Caboose Hobbies has them going for under $300. I might pick up another one.
Like you, I don’t know why BLI or someone else hasn’t gotten on the bandwagon with some Rio Grande steam–Rio Grande might have been a relatively small railroad as far as total mileage, but it was a BIG railroad as far as motive power.
Tom [:D]
Tom,
On your Ex-N&W 4-8-2 did you change our the motor? I have one of the W&LE versions and thought that the motor was too small for the size of the engine and that it need to be changed out.
Rick
Good point about the motors, I changed mine out for Sagami 20X32’s and they run like a champ. Then used those motors for some smaller stuff, such as the Trains, Inc Rio Grande 2-8-0…give you any ideas???
By the way, those ex N&W 4-8-2’s didn’t hang around very long on the old “Grande” before they were sold to the W&LE, who was then taken over by the NKP. DId you know that the NKP had 4-8-2’s? There is a picture of them in the Rehor book on the NKP.
Talk about an engine that got around!!!
Mark
rick:
Yes, I did change out the original motor on the 4-8-2. It was rather small for the loco, IMO, and with the newer NWSL can, it runs quite nicely–a little ‘wobbly’ with those soft driver springs, but it kinda/sorta gives the locomotive ‘character’, LOL!
I also installed a NWSL can in the Trains, Inc. 2-8-0, and it improved the running considerably. The little lady can creep along with the best of them. It’s really a cute little Consol.
Tom
Being a student of the NKP I did know they ended up with 4-8-2’s, they also ended up with 2-6-6-2’s and USRA Heavies from the W&LE also. Both the 4-8-2’s and 2-6-6-2’s did not last long on the NKP.
The N&W K-3’s (4-8-2) were affectionately known as Water Buffalo’s due to their rough riding, so the wobbly due to the soft driver springs would be prototypical. They were intended for fast freight like the NYC Mohawks but the 3rd driver connection of the main rod left them out of balance and contributed to the rough riding qualities. The A class became the Fast Freight engine of the future.
Rick
Rick:
That 3rd driver main rod was one of the reasons that Rio Grande bought them from the N&W, as all of the Rio Grande 1500 and 1600 series 4-8-2’s were built with 3rd driver main rod connections. This worked very well for them in their mountainous terrain where speed was not as important as sheer power (average 75,000 lbs TE). But even on the Rio Grande’s main line, the ex N&W’s proved to be badly balanced. They were numbered in the 1550 series, as they had the same TE as the Rio Grande’s own ALCO 1500 series 4-8-2’s.
From what I’ve read of the ex N&W’s, they were just problematic locomotives no matter WHICH railroad they ended up on, LOL!
But the Sunset model is kinda/sorta clever. And with a more powerful motor, it’s a nice little runner.
Tom [:)]