I am looking to buy another engine for my layout. I have 2-Climax & 3 Diesels.
Here is the problem. The Climax has trouble climbing my 2% grade with much of a load, but has no problem with some VERY TIGHT 18" radius (Flextrack). My switcher stays in the yard. My BLI E6 can’t make all the tight turns and stays on an outside oval with a larger radius. I want a Steam engine that can pull as well as navigating tight turns.
Will an engine with 8 drive wheel make all the turns. Which ones are the best to fit the situation?
Mikado.Berkshire Pacific etc. Need to be ATSF or UP.
First, try adding some weight to your Climax. It might be a challenge but if you can it will improve its pulling power. Even only an ounce or two will make a difference.
As for which steam engines will negotiate 18" curves, think small. I don’t have any specific suggestions to offer but I would think three driver axles would be the max. Two axles would probably be better. As with the Climax, add some wight if at all possible to improve pulling power.
For diesels, stick to four axle models. The reason the E6 cannot handle the tight curves is it has six axles. Something like F units, Rs-1,2 or 3’s or GP 7 or 9’s, all four axle locomotives, should handle the tighter curves.
I’ve “swung” Challengers and Alleghenies on 18" curves but they do NOT look very good! If you’re looking for some some sort of realism I’d stick with a 2-6-0, a small 2-8-0 and maybe even one of the Russian 2-10-0’s but nothing bigger. As for diesel try a 40 tonner or maybe a RS1 or early GP.
I’m sure there are other opinions on this so you will have a choice by the end of this thread
The only reason I’m suggesting a 2-10-0 is that they were designed for spur lines as they were “light” and had a short wheel base, which distributed weight out over lighter rail.
My Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 handles 18" curves well and pulls pretty good. I think this model is now sold under their “standard” line. The IHC 2-8-0 also tracks well but doesn’t have as much pull.
Pulling power is why I am looking for another engine. The climaxes pull ore from the mine and lumber to the mill.
The switcher is in the yard. This leaves only a GP38 for freight. I would like the new engine for freight (Pulling Power)and has to go around the tight turns.
Do You have a price range in mind? And I forget if you have DC or DCC. I really like the 2-8-0 Bachmann Spectrum’s, have three, but never run them on anything less than 28’‘. Other Bachmann’s include, 2-6-2 Prairie, Alco 2-6-0, USRA 0-6-0 and Baldwin Modern 4-4-0, will all take true 18’’ radius curves. I’m not plugging Bachmann, but for the money and detail, they have many others beat.
Every four axle diesel I’ve had to date has had no problem on 18" radius curves. I run F3’s, F7’s, FP7’s, GP7/9’s, GP38’s, GP40’s, GP50’s and a few other types.
The only two locomotives on my roster are both Bachmann. I have a NYC 2-8-0 and a NYC RS-3. They both run great on my 4x8 layout with 18’’ radius curves. Bachmann makes a 2-8-0 in UP, but I don’t know about the ATSF. The RS-3 doesn’t come in either of those. And I’ve heard that the GP7/9’s are good too. The GP 9 has both a ATSF and a UP design. Not to also forget the many other Bachmann locomotives that would fit around your 18’’ radius curves.
I haven’t run any of my GP7’s or GP9’s up any grades but two consisted together pulled a 30+ string of 40’ to 60’ cars around my layout. My rolling stock is weighted to NMRA spec.
UP had light USRA 2-8-2 Mikados like the BLI, and they had Harriman design 2-8-0 Consolidations similar to the Bachmann engine, as well as USRA 0-6-0’s similar to the P2k. Santa Fe had three “Russian” 2-10-0’s, but they didn’t last past the 1930’s. Can’t think of any other small Santa Fe engines except brass or the Model Die Casting 4-4-2 or 2-6-2, which have been out pof production for a fairly long time Any of those I mentioned would be good, and could be made better with some detail changes. I’ll leave others to tell you about the engines’ pulling power.
I’m not sure, but I don’t believe Bachmann made a DCC W/Sound 2-8-0 or A.T.S.F, W/DCC, I do know they made them in DC. Bachmann shows a UP W/DCC on board in the catalog. I tried to copy the page from the catalog to show, but it won’t allow that and the PDF file is just too long, will take forever to load.
The three I have are DC and I changed them to Santa Fe.
Frank
Edit: UP #617 Item #51315 2-8-0 DCC on board 185.00 last yrs catalog