Hi gang. I was just wondering which N scale steam locomotive you might choose from those available today. I own several and of those the one that I favor the most is the Spectrum Western Maryland 2-8-0 Consolidation. And though it can’t pull but about eight or ten cars it looks really neat chugging around my layout which is based in the mid 1950s.
Tracklayer
Tracklayer,
I believe Your decision,should be based on the size radius of your curves and so forth…And my understanding is that,there is not a lot of steam in N-scale,but I could be wrong,maybe DCCwith sound, I don’t know for sure,for I am in HO-scale…I have two Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0,DC, that are very good runners and pullers…
Cheers,
Frank
Any N Scale Bachmann Spectrum locomotive is great in except for the USRA Light Mountain, that has pick up problems and traction problems, but the Heavy Mountain is fine. Also the new Bachmann 2-6-0 is a good choice. The Kato Mikado is one of the best N Scale Steam Engines ever and it is the golden standard. Here is a website that you can get detailed reviews of N Scale steam too see what you like: http://www.spookshow.net/locos.html
You’re right about the Light Mountains PJM20. I own two of them and have the same problem with both where as the front pilot wheels keep jumping the tracks. The only thing I’ve found that will help stop this is to put a small square piece of foam rubber between the pilot and the boiler which forces the pilot down and prevents it from going anywhere. You’re also absolutely right about the Kato Mikado but for some reason I keep going back to the Consolidation…
Tracklayer
For N Scale steam…I think I would go with Kato’s 2-8-2…
Why?
Both the 2-8-0 and 2-8-2 was the GP7/9 of steam locomotives and used in general service.
The Bachmann 2-8-0’s are great. I have four. I get them to pull 18 40’ cars at mid throttle with no problems. I did have to replace a pair of traction tires on one. I don’t like the dummy front coupler. I have a Bachmann 4-6-0 on order.
If it matters, think about dual service steam that hauled both freight and passenger. The 4-6-0 and 4-8-2 wheel arrangements were known for that, and in the later days of steam the 4-8-4 was the classic dual service locomotive. Going way back the 4-4-0 of course was dual service.
This of course varied by railroad.
For the curves and train length of the average layout I happen to think the 4-6-0 wheel arrangement is ideal.
Dave Nelson
Locomotives are like cats. You do not choose it, rather it chooses you.
You try to bring home the wrong one and it will not be happy, and you will not be happy.
The locomotive needs to fit the job. Are you running elevated subway trains? Then you need a Forney and nothing else will really do. If you are running coal drags in the hills of Virginia, then you need some power that is big enough to pull your train and small enough to negotiate your curves. If you built a layout with tight curves then you need a smaller locomotive. If you have a tangent course over the Rockies then you want a Big Boy. If you are pulling passenger trains then go for a Hudson.
Of course you want the best brand that you can get (afford).
ROAR
I will respectfully disagree about the lt. mtn. I have one myself, and it’s one of my favorites. I do own most of the spectrum locos b-mann has made and have found that they sometimes need a bit of tweaking to get them to run the best. The electrical problem is mostly in the drawbar. The wiskers tend to be a bit loose and the post on the loco needs to be cleaned. Another problem is that the valve gear sometimes hits the crank pin. A gentle bending of the valve gear usually solves this problem. Never had a problem with the pilot truck though, could it be on upside down ? I converted mine to DCC, but taking the boiler off to do so is not something I would wish to do again. I agree that the Kato mike is one of the best . It set a high standard for N scale locos…Mike
Interesting to hear about your Light Mountain, how much does it pull? The fact that you still have to play with this engine before it runs at 100%, which it can do and is a great engine, means that it is more appealing to purchase engines that are RTR and run well.