New to this forum,MRR for 45+ years.I have quite a few HO scale diesel locomotives (Atlas,Genesis,Kato,P2K) and lots of better rolling stock but only two steam locomotives,A Trix Big Boy and a Trix Mikado.Both perform very well.
It appears that MTH,Spectrum and BLI are the big players nowadays as non-brass steam locos go. I am using a NCE 5A DCC system and may upgrade to a Zimo system (I like the remote). My layout is around the room with minimum 22" radius curves.The mainline minimum curves are 36" radius.
I love big steam and have been holding back from buying from these “New kids on the block”.I’ve read the reviews in MR and RMC but I want some input from some folks with real operating experience with these engines.
I don’t have dozens of hours on my BLI steamers, or any of the other steamers in my roster, but they all perform rather well. Truthfully, some are a teensy bit jerky at slow speeds, but they move much better when using 9-12 volts.
I have a Proto 2000 Heritage Series 0-6-0 that is a very reliable runner, although it hardly meets your criterion for Big Steam. On the other hand, I have never read of a complaint over the Rivarossi/Hornby H-8 Allegheny, and mine runs like a Swiss watch. I have a Trix Mike as well, also smooth as silk…but it’s not Big Steam.
My PCM, now recently issued in Paragon 2 by BLI, Norfolk & Western 2-8-8-2 Y6b Mallet is a brute, and also like silk. Not only that, but it is heavy and can pull the paint off the walls. Beautifully detailed for a non-brass loco, and it is a champ on the rails. So is BLI’s brass Hybrid Series Pennsy Q2 4-4-6-4. They are about to release another run of their twin cylindered Pennsy workhorse, the J1 2-10-4, my favourite steam locomotive. It’s a surprisingly good puller on its own, a smooth runner, and sounds great…nice big tender for the speaker.
Not sure what else you are looking for. Bachmann Spectrum Heavy Mountains have a great reputation, and they ‘were’ all metal. I don’t know if you’ll find one since they have run out of issue. I hope they make more soon because they’re pretty much all gone. I believe the Spectrum H-6 (?) 2-6-6-2 is also a good model. Spectrum also has the rather new EM-1 B&O “Yellowstone” equivalent 2-8-8-4, and I have yet to read of an unsatisfied owner.
Thanks for the input.I too have heard good reports on the Spectrum EM-1 and the Hornby-Rivarossi Allegheny. I consider “Big steam” as anything larger than a USRA heavy MIkado 2-8-2 and follows the “superpower” principals developed by Lima in the late 20’s .
That size of curves should easily handle anything out there. You left out the Proto Heritage units, and Athearn Genesis. Since you have Big-Boys I presume you are modeling UP. I thing that might make a difference. Not all vendors make UP locomotives. Athearn Genesis makes(made) a UP 4-8-4 and a 4-6-6-4 Challenger. BLI seems to be favoring the eastern roads (maybe do to their name ?).
I’ve got the Rio Grande painted version. It was an old one with the junk MRC electronics in it. Once I replace them with Soundtrax every thing went great.
I also have a fleet of the BLI AT&SF 4-8-4s that I really like. They have run and run and run. The only problem I had was loose valve gear, and one loose rear truck. A couple twists on a tiny wrench and good as new.
Unfortunately the Spectrums that I have are all the small ones. 2-10-0 Russian, 4-4-0, 4-6-0, and 2-8-0. They have all been great. No complaints.
I have several Proto 2-8-8-2s. They are a bit weak in the pulling department, but I don’t use the traction tires on them.
I know several people who own MTH and they look a bit toy like but seem to run great. I would never own one just based on principles.
I have a couple Proto Heritage Steam 0-8-0’s, a Broadway Limited 4-6-4 and a Trueline Trains 4-8-4. I’ve only had these for less then two months but they run very smoothly and I haven’t had any issues with them.
Thanks for your input.I wasn’t familar with the Trueline trains 4-8-4. I visited their website.Wow! That looks like a great looking and running locomotive!
Thanks for the reply.Not only do I model the UP,my layout is loosely based on the five main southwestern transcons.The UP,ATSF,SP/SSW,MP/TP and WP/DRGW/CB&Q.Lots of KCS,Rock Island,Frisco,MKT and Wabash trains make appearences.
I would like to buy several of the new Atheran Genesis Big Boys,Challengers and FEF’s.It appears they have worked out all the earlier bugs.
I am glad to hear positives about the BLI ATSF 3700’s.I love that engine and paln to buy several in different numbers.
I know a few fellows that have bought MTH locos. They look fine and seem to run well However,nearly all have had some sort of electronic/drivetrain issues.
I’m also interested in hearing about the new run of Intermountain Cab Forwards.
My BLI Hudson has been in service for 6 years now, and it’s still a great engine. Likewise, the Proto 0-6-0 is a standout. If you’re a big steam fan, then you should complement your roster with a nice steam switcher, and I can’t think of a better one unless you prefer the 0-8-0. I recently bought a Bachmann 2-6-0 Mogul. This is a nice engine, too, and it runs well, but it’s a bit light and struggles to pull more than short trains, even though my layout’s main lines are all flat.
For the money, I like Bachmann Spectrum. I’m not a fan of Rivarossi/Hornby. Athearn Genesis line is pricey for what you get to me, but they do run well. My Bowser kit Challenger is a good runner too.
I only have a couple of steam locomotives on my roster. One is a Broadway Limiited GS-4 and the other is a Broadway Limited Cab Forward AC 5. The GS-4 has been run just a few times so I can’t really give you an educated opinion on it yet but the Cab Forward runs great.
Well, you have two beauts with the Trix Big Boy and Mike. I have two Trix Mikes (both NYC) and they run great.
As others have already mentioned, the Proto 2000 locomotives are very smooth runners. The 0-8-0 isn’t exactly big steam but it’s a real sweetheart of steam switcher.
I would avoid the MTH locomotives because of their programming limitations due to the DCS decoder. The Bachmann Spectrum line is decent and are good runners. BLI offers good-looking steamers but they can be hit and miss on running quality. I’ve sent back all but two steamers because of driver slop/binding. However, since they offer a number of fairly accurate NYC models, I put up with the possibility. To BLI’s credit, they’ve fixed the locomotives that I’ve sent in for repair.
The new BLI Paragon2 Niagara would be a nice addition for some big steam. I have their older Blueline version and it’s just terrific. Because I could add my
I have the Athearn Genesis Challenger and the Big-Boy. The Challenger is about 6 years old and has the MRC sound decoder which is not the best. Mechanically it runs beautifully. I replaced the supplied traction tire driver with a driver without a traction tire. It still pulls very good. As I have said before the only time it ever derails is when I have a turnout set against it .
The Big-Boy is about 3 years old and I installed a QSI Revolution decoder in it. It is a little finicky on the uneven club layout, but runs well.
I also have a late run Rivirossi FEF. It is a nice looking DC locomotive. I may install a decoder someday. The main mechanical issue is that the front truck likes to derail. On my home layout when I use DC it starts like a scared rabbit (very touchy low speed operation). On the club layout, which is DC, it starts much better. Why the difference? I do not know.
I’d recommend anything made by Bachmann Spectrum. I own a Bachmann Standard Line 2-6-0 “sound value” and I am very pleased with it. My Spectrum K4s run great, and if Bachmann makes any more Spectrum PRR locos, I’ll probably end up buying them.
I would advise trying Bachmann Spectrum steam engines. They are moderately priced, well detailed and have the best warranty of all the model railroad manufacturers
However, . something certainly seems to be up with their production levels.
Larger Steam engines made by Bachmann as well as smaller steam engines also made by Bachmann seem to be in relatively short supply.At present there is not much choice as there used to be.
While Bachmann makes far more steamers for the Asian and European market,
it seems the market in North American runs a poor third,
They are only marketing a few steam locomotives right now. I do not know it they will re-release some of their earlier steam locomotives, they had some very nice engines which sold very well. Not sure why they seem so reluctant to produce more for the North American market.
I would not be surprised to see the European and Asian markets concentrated on by Bachmann and like Rivarossi, only a few engines produced for the North American market. Based on the sale prices the return on the North American Market would be far less than the other two markets.
Does this have anything to do with why Bachmann discontinued the J? It was my understanding that the excellent N&W J’s produced by MTH and Broadway Limited were the main reason for this.
As to my choices in large steam, I still rely on my Rivarossi Y6b’s. I have two: the old AHM model and the new (last run) model. The new one runs very well but the old one is in need of a tuneup. I love my Broadway Limited A as well as the Broadway and MTH J’s, which really put my old Bachmann J’s to shame. The IHC Mountain is a dependable runner as well, which I am in the process of converting into the N&W K1 class 4-8-2.
mopac, I’d steer away from the Intermountain Cab Forwards. Their lst release was a disaster of mis-engineered/designed stuff. The 2nd release was promised to be fixed but was only “better”.
I own several AC 4/5s from Broadway Limited and highly recomend them. I operate on a barn sized layout that runs them forever and they’ve been trouble free.
I like the Paragon 2 sound on this engine a LOT. I can hear the steam hitting steel and other subtleties.
The engine is very nicely detailed. I don’t think you’d be disappointed.
I like UP engines also, so far have an earlier BLI (Quantum??) 4-8-2 Mountain and a new Paragon 2 2-8-2 light Mikado. The Mountain is my favorite. Both run well with two exceptions. The Mikado chugging got intermittent but they replaced the sensor and it works fine. The Mountain is quirky in that the rear driver when backing likes to climb over rail faults that are minor (no problem) to the rest of the fleet. I think they are releasing new Mountains soon. I plan to acquire some of the upcoming Athearn Genesis (all Soundtraxx Tsunami) FEF, Challenger and/or Big Boy, expecting them to be at least satisfactory (pretty good or better). I haven’t decided on other roads, which opens lots of possibilities (so I’m favoriting this thread for later reference).
I had the BLI Hudson from the first production batch that had problems and was replaced just recently by Broadway Limited. So, BLI has very good customer service. I also had a Bachmann Spectrum Two Truck Climax that developed problems and was replaced by Bachmann with their Three Truck Climax, so I also feel Bachmann has a bullet proof warrentee system. I have an IHC 0-8-0 that is a very fine runner; but, maybe not based on any prototype. The rest of my steam roster is all older stuff, Riverrossi, MDC Roundhouse kits and even a Varney Docksider 0-4-0. Your interest in big steam, is out of my realm, I can’t afford them and none are offered in my chosen road, which is the Northern Pacific. However, the fact that I have received good customer service from Broadway Limited and Bachmann Spectrum, should be helpful for you. I would not hesitate to order another steam locomotive from these manufacturers
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