My son will turn 6 next month. He’s a HUGE railroad fan. We already have a pretty good layout started and 2 loco’s ( a 4-4-0 and 2-8-0 ). I’d like to get him a very simple dcc engine. But if it’s not a steamer he’s going to go into a meltdown. So I thougth I’d ask the community here for some suggestions. He’s very hands off so small details are not a big deal. My Powercab will not run a dc only engine, so that kinda kills the dc only operation.
I will assume that price is not a big issue (except that brass is out of the question…unless you get one first [:-,]), and I was about to recommend the excellent Spectrum 2-8-0. I see you have a Consolidation…is it the Spectrum?
So, how about a nice Walther P2k Heritage 0-6-0 or a 0-8-0? I say this because I wouldn’t think your son would be able to get something larger and heavier on the tracks with any great ease…something like a Berkshire, a Hudson, maybe a Mountain 4-8-2. Berkshire from Walthers (does Bachmann have one out now, too?), Hudson from BLI or Rivarossi (try trainworld.com for either of those), and a mountain would be Bachmann. I don’t believe that BLI has any DCC mountains available at the moment, and the ones they produced a couple of years back are scarcer 'n hen’s teeth.
BLI says that they are coming out in April, so a 2-8-2 Hvy Mike with a DCC board might work. Low detail, good power, sound, and enough bells and whistles to keep him occupied. It would also seem to work with your layout. My other suggestion would be one of the new Bachmann Spectrum sound equipped loco’s. I have one of the non sound equipped 2-10-2’s but that seems kind of big for what you are running. Nice part is the Spectrum sounds come in 4-4-0, 2-10-0, 2-10-2, 2-8-0, and 4-6-0 sizes. I don’t know if the Berkies or Northerns are sound equipped yet.
We do have the Spectrum Connie, well actually not right now. It’s in for replacement. But it should be back soon!! 4 weeks so far…
If price is not a concern I would recommend a Proto 2000 0-8-0. It has an amazing amount of detail and are priced around 100 bucks. Decoders are very simple to install in them, I recommend a Digitrax DH165L0 because it is a plug and play decoder that doesn’t need resistors for the lights. The only downside to these loco’s is the tenders are very light. While you are installing the decoder in the tender throw in a bit of weight as well. I have 3 of these loco’s and find they are great running little engines. These are switchers so don’t expect them to pull a large amount of cars.
Any Bachmann Spectrum steamer would be good. I like IHC steamers as well. Good runners, modest detail, modest price. The 2-6-0 Mogul is close to being a B&M B15. You would likely have to solder in the DCC decoder, I don’t think IHC comes DCC ready. The P2k steamers are wonderful but with prices up to $400 I’m not sure they are just the thing for a 6 year old.
Dave,
I’d also like to highly recommend the Proto 2000 0-8-0. I found two DC versions for $90 and $80 off of eBay. A Digitrax DH165L0 decoder will run you ~$25, with the option of plugging in the Soundbug later on. Both a beautiful looking and running locomotive. Everyone needs at least one switcher on their layout…
Tom
I would suggest Bachmann’s DCC version of the Russian Decapod. It is a 2-10-0 and it manuvers around 18" curves with ease.
I purchased 2 a couple of years ago and recently bought another with sound. These are great locos. All are Bachmann Spectrum series locos. Price varies. I found the DCC versions for around $75. The DCC with sound was $142.
They also have good details and are not terribly fragle.
Bill
I’ll jump in with something different! My 11 year old grandson has ADD and many other issues, and his favorites are the Athern Challenger, 4-6-6-4, with sound & smoke. His second favorite is the Lionel Veranda Turbine - the sound includes regular diesel as well as the turbine and it can go very slow or very fast!! Both locos will run on DCC or DC. My [2c]
Do you not read the Internet railroad forums? Everyone NEEDS a UP 4-8-8-4 Big Boy. After that you must purchase a Pennsy K4, and then after that you are free to pursue your own prototypical or freelance desires. [:D]
I have a Mehano (IHC) 2-10-2 that I like very much. It runs very well, will take 18" radius curves all day long and goes through #4 turnouts without a problem. It’s DCC ready and shouldn’t be hard to install a decoder. $149.98 at Walther’s.
Those IHC Premiere Gold series steamers have a plug for decoders already.
I haven’t seen anyone ask so I will - What scale are we talking about here?
I would go with a LIFE LIKE 0-8-0 I have heard that it is one of the best locomotives out there. Here is a good site that has good reviews on all sorts of locomotives.
It is a great one I have been using it a lot for looking to see what locomotives are good and bad I think it will help you out a lot.
All of this stuff is for N SCALE I dont know if you are doing that but it should help he may even have HO stuff on there also.
HO. It says that in his sig. That’s my best guess anyway.
Ah, I don’t display sigs. Wastes too much screen space.
The Proto 2000 Heritage 0-8-0’s etc, are really great, and with factory sound are awesome. For a 6 year old, though, I would cringe every time he touches it. TOOOO much fragile detail. Heck, I cringe even when I touch mine!
Jim
What about Bachmann’s 2-8-4? It has DCC in it & has a retail price of $160. To program it you change cv 1 to a number between 1-99. I have 2 of the & the run like a swiss watch!
Thanks guys. There are all great ideas. I’m not sure about a 0-6-0 or 0-8-0 as he likes to run quite a bit of rolling stock. We’re trying to keep to small steam, but a 4-6-2 might be a nice change. A 4-6-0 would be very cool. I’m already waiting for my Spectrum 4-6-0 with Tsunami!!
NO BIG BOYS!!! But thanks for the advise anyway.
Again thanks for the help.
If you are talking about the IHC 4-6-0…they wont pull many cars, Too light.