Hello Everyone,
As some of you may or may not know, I am fortunate eneugh to share this hobby with my brother Justin. However, he has elected to go with N scale rather than HO wich precludes us from interchanging equipment on our layouts. However, he has lately been on a a sabatical from the hobby due to going to college, Job, girls, ect, you know the story. However, with me getting some train stuff for christmas this year his interest has been keenly awakened once again and he was asking me about some of the better Passenger Train options in N scale. For now he seems to have settled on a Kato California Zephyr however is wanting a steam locomotive for the front end. The only appropriet locos I can find are the Bachmann ATSF 4-8-4 Painted in CB&Q colors. Or the Con-Cor GS-4 in WP (Depicting WPs GS-6 Clones of WWII)
I was wondering if any of you N scalers have any experience with the operating charicaristics of these two locomotives and could help me in which would be the better buy.
As for the diesel Locomotives that actually ran the train. Its a case of “Yes I know. But I want a steam Locomotive.”
He is also Considering a GN train as well, so any coments on the Con-Cor S-2 would be welcome as well.
The Bachmann loco is better then it used to be, but is going to probably require some work to make it a top runner. I don’t have any ConCor’s, but I’ve run them and most of them are good runners. They are a bit light on details, but then so is the Bachmann. The thing you have to know about the ConCor is that the owner of the company is retiring, and so the companies future is quite unsure at this time. Parts are sketchy now, and with the company’s future as it is that may get worse.
If I had to pick between the two, I’d probably take the ConCor because it’s just a better runner.
The Bachmann Northerns I have found to be decent runners. At least the new shipment has been. It’ll work for simple operations; but don’t expect it to be around forever with little work. The older ones were…Umm…Poor at best. I tinkered with a chassis for one and got it to run half-way decent…But still not the greatest. The new ones are much better, but ya know…They ain’t Spectrum. If you order one, get it from www.blwnscale.com , they only charge $60 or so, compared to the $80 from other places. Trainworld has 'em for only $55.
Model Railroader reviewed the Con-Cor 2-10-2; and found it to be a good working and good looking model if I remember correctly. Maybe someone can add a bit more to this bit of info here.
And from what Con-Cor is doing…It seems that they are going to be around at least a bit longer. Recently announcing the AeroTrain in both HO and N scale…As well as the M-10000 to follow.
Hello Again,
Thanks everyone for answering my questions about the options for 4-8-4s. Now We are wonding if the new Kato N scale passenger cars come equipped with Micro-Trains or compatible knuckle couplers or if they will have to be installed as well.
Thanks a bunch.
James
With the exception of rapido style couplers, I have yet to find a knuckle coupler that wont work with Micro-Trains on any model on the market.
Thank you RR Redneck, hopwever that does not answer my question of if the Kato cars come with knuckele style couplers or not.
James.
James, a quik check on the Kato web site resulted in the answer your looking for. The California Zepher comes with Kato magnetic knuckle couplers and also lighting kits (led) are available for it also which are DCC compatable. Ken
Thank you. Erie.
As for DCC. Both me and my brother are high technology averse, so he is sticking with DC for the time being, and I am only converting because The time is coming when you can’t buy DC only versions of the locos you want any more.
James
The current releases of the ConCor S2 4-8-4, USRA 2-10-2 and GS 4-8-4 have a jumper plug in the tender that can be replaced with a plug in decoder after the tender shell is removed. The conversion is probably the simplest out there. I have examples of all 3 and it took less than 10 minutes to accomplish including installation of an MT coupler to replace the Rapido coupler.
All are traction tire equipped and will pull the entire 11 car California Zephyr set.
When not equipped with DCC, the S2 and GS will run alot faster than is safe in most N Scale curves and turnouts. The 2-10-2 has a new slow speed design and has an MT cuopler on the tender and locomotive.
I do not own any Bachmann spectrum steam yet, but understand that they have had drivers out of guage from the factory on occasion and have had other QC issues that effected operation. All were repaired/replaced by Bachmann for no cost other than shipping; as they protect their reputation of having the most responsive service departments and best warranties. I have 1 Class J at the post office awaiting delivery tommorrow. If all goes well, I will be able to get closer to filling my N&W steam roster. Now if Kato would turn their attention to the Eastern named passenger trains…