How is the preformance of Con-Cor steam locomotives for N-scale. Thinking about purchasing one
I have five con-cor hudsons and I find them to be excellent runners, with plenty of pulling power. Been in the hobby since the late 60’s and have watched everything get better. Are you set on con-cor steam? if not check out kato, Atlas for steamers, not to shabby.
Rm2
Which specific locos? Some are very good, some are good, a few have issues. Their latest, the 2-10-2 is supposed to be a hauling brute, and it does have very good detail.
Mostly, Con-Cor N scale steam is very good. Not as good as the top of the line (Kato USRA heavy Mike), but close. Most of their paint schemes are bogus.
I have a sizeable collection of N Scale steam: ConCor, Kato, Rivarossi, and Spectrum. Hands down, Kato is tops, followed by Spectrum (4-8-2 is awesome, 2-8-0 is superb puller), then the PROTO 2000 series from LifeLike.
ConCor S2 Northerns are overpriced, BUT, of the 5 I have (2 old one w/ Kato motors, 3 new ones) I have no complaints. The J3 Hudsons are amazng locos.
Rivarossi has great models of Mallets, but the motors aren’t worth spit. I’ve replaced all of them with Kato or with Canon can motors.
If you want a great starting steamer, go with the Kato Mike. Their Japanese outline engines can be ‘Americanized’ (I hate that word).
The Spectrum 4-8-2 Mountain and the 2-8-0 consolidated would be my next step. If you want a passenger loco, go to a ConCor S2 or J3 Hudson; you won’t regret it.