My son has fallen in love with the history and look of the 4449 southern pacific “daylight” steamer. My question is: What companies make the daylight in HO scale? Which brand is a “safe” brand to buy? For example, I’ve heard some (lot’s)of negatives about Bachmann? I don’t want to spend money on the loco, then have him be disappointed because it doesnt run well or brakes down. I have a 4’ x8’ oval ho layout (yardmaster design) I have used atlas standard radius curves (13" I think)
John:The Bachmann “daylight” as far as I know is
the only one made.As you have already found out,
it’s not a very good engine.Sorry,I can’t help
any more.By the way,if you are useing the standard atlas curve it is 18" radius.
Now at a club I used to belong to we had a member
that had a “daylight”,He ran the engine alot and
had no problems.Perhaps he was lucky and got a
good one.
Larry, thanks for your reply. It’s kinda what I thought. I guess there is a chance I could get a good one, but for $70 or more, I’d rather stay with something more likely to keep working and not disappoint my son. I saw an IHC model that looked sort of like the 4449, but I think it was a 4442 and it did not have the same sleek lines to it. I don’t know if a IHC would be any better than a Bachmann? I am knew to “Forums” and in seaching the internet I’ve been looking for some kind of site to review/rate the different brands/models but this is the closest I’ve come to finding what I’m looking for. Would you recommend a brand/model of steam engine that is reasonably priced, reliable, and something that has a history like the daylight? Maybe I can get him excited about some other engine other than the “Daylight”. Also thanks for the 18" radius information. I also want an engine that won’t derail on the curves. john
John:I had a IHC 2-8-2,that ran fairly well,I
sold it the a friend of mine,He still runs it.
The biggest problem I had with it it was light
and would pull about 10 cars around the club
layout,which had a ruling grade of 1.5%.These
cars had the stock Athearn weights in them.If memory serves me right,IHC made a 4-6-2 in SP
colors,but,not the daylight colors.These engines
will go around a 18".curves.One word of warning,
these locomotives come with smoke units,if you
run these engines with-out smoke the smoke unit
will get hot and melt a hole in the boiler below
the stack.To fix this problem,remove the boiler
and remove the smoke unit or simply cut the wire
going to the smoke unit.Would I buy one again? I
believe I would for none club use.Would I buy one
for my grand-sons? I don’t know.You see a steam
locomotive is very delicate with the side rods and valve gears and hangers .If these would get bent You will have major problems.So You be the judge.
Now for the good news!You can usually pick these engines up around $35-40,at most train shows.And last but centainly not least,welcome to the forums.Always feel free to ask any and all
questions.We are happy to answer!
John I just checked IHC web site,and looked over
their steam engines there was no mention of smoke units be on the alert if you decide to buy one.They may have done away the the smoke units.
Larry, Thanks for your suggestions. It sounds as though IHC in your mind is better than Bachmann. I know your concern regarding the fragileness of the steam locomotives. My son is just about to turn 11 years old and I believe he will treat it very carefully if he knows of potential danger of damaging the gears. I’ve waited till he was older before considering a steam loco. Will start looking in the IHC website for anything close to a 4442. I live in Western suburbs of Chicago and we have a nice monthly train show in our county fairgrounds. thanks again.
John:You are welcome! I hope I have help you in
some way.I look foward in talking to you again!
Some of the Bachman “Silver Series” locos run as well as thier Spectrum counterparts, I know the 2-6-2 does. IHC locos run great, but the motors are very cheap to say the least. Bachmann won awards on their Shay and 2-8-0 btw.
Also, Con-Cor is coming out with a very high quality N scale Daylight, which should run as well as their S2 4-8-4. N scale is a great scale as you can fit a lot more track in a smaller space.
www.con-cor.com Click on In Stock
Welcome John, I bought the IHC premier series 2-6-0 mogul about two years ago. Its beautifully detailed and runs great! It has no smoke unit,so either that was discontinued two years ago or wasnt offered on that model. About the motor, Ive had no problems,but that doesnt mean its the same one installed in their models today. After all its two years later and things change. I would also recommend the Athearn Genesis series,and if Bachman is purchased,the Spectrum series is much better than their standard line. As Ive stated before on these forums,"You get what you pay for in this and other hobbies. You cant buy a Ford and expect it to drive like a Cadillac,and there are some Cadillac trains out there as well as Fords. Fine trains can become heirlooms and most cheap trains become landfill or part of scenery on your layout. For a particular train,you dont have a lot of choice unless you take on the job of buying a undecorated locomotive and painting it to the specs. that you desire. This isnt the easiest project but with a little time good results can be achieved. Some modelers love this undertaking and others would rather buy off the shelf to start running the train right away. Sometimes I think model railroading is another dimension! A whole new world thats always changing. If you burn out a drive motor,most can be replaced with great after market motors. Details can be added to locomotive stock and rolling stock that can be purchased at hobby shops that specialize in model trains if your lucky enough to have one nearby,or online. You can get as detailed as a real locomotive or a basic shell with features molded in. Skys the limit and thats why youll never get bored,or ever…be finished. Welcome to the family! Gerald