I’m shopping for a Mogul or Prairie in HO scale for around a hundred bucks or less. It must have a working coupler on the pilot as well as the tender, preferably Kadee or Kadee-compatible. Something along the lines of Spectrum or Proto 2000 quality would be acceptable. Anyone have any ideas where I can find one? (I probably could use a Mike or Consolidated but I’m stuck with 18" radius). Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Well Bachmann Spectrum makes 2 versions of 4-6-0. Small like a Prarie or Mogul. It can be found for $95 www.trainworld.com
Actually the IHC Moguls and Prairies are pretty good for the price. I think they run about $40 at Trainworld.
The Bachman 4-6-0 is a early steam model,It runs well.I just finished working on a IHC Mogul and I’m fairly happy with the end result.Though I did have to install a working,front,Kadee coupler,it was’nt too much trouble[not too easy but nothing too complicated].I also had a Lenz back feed decoder installed.It now runs pretty good
The Spectrum consolidation 2-8-0 is a favorite among steam modelers.
Bachmann makes a 2-6-2 Prarie and a 2-6-0 Mogul, but I’d advise you to stay away from these. I’d try the Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0 or 2-8-0.
The Specturm 2-8-0 is considered the little engine that could in the Hobby. When it first released (1998?) it’s performance and reliablity made waves in the HO steamer world.
I have a Ma and Pa 4-6-0 from Spectrum that little engine is about as small as I will go. It runs rather well. Dont expect it to be a powerhouse.