What is the report on running quality of the Proto Berkshire in HO scale? Any problems that I should be aware of? The reviews from this forum have always been right on.
Check the production numbers to ensure you are getting the latest and not the earlier engines.
The first run engines had no traction tire and barely pulled their own weight, latter runs with the traction tires greatly improved their pulling power.Note you can not add traction tires to the first run engines as advised by their tech staff.
Onrman,
It should run very well and look good doing it. Pulling capacity on a grade may be an issue, unless it comes with traction tires. I have a Proto 2000 0-8-0 and it runs beautifully.
Tom
And just what might those numbers be?
Check your engine if it has traction tires :shrug:
if this is the Bachmann I think its pretty good, if its the LifeLike/Walthers, Big Thumbs up.
Depends how you want to deal with price vs features.
I think the Bachmann is good quality for the price its at, but full sound/DCC on the LL is tops.
Is there any room to add weight inside the boiler shells on either one?
Dick
Texas Chief
Hello Onrman,
I recommend getting the newer run with traction tires (you can form your own biases here), sound,etc. Beautiful detail ,smooth quiet running, but the first run are a bit light in the loafers for pulling power. Mine does a swinging impersonation of an early sixties dragster (spins the drivers a the way down a straight and level track pulling just six Athearn Blue Box cars). The Rivarossi (with traction tires) and an older brass Berkshire I have outpull the Proto 2000 version like it’s tied to a tree. And yes I have used a truck reaming tool on the box cars (Reboxx brand) before anyone asks.
I still like the Proto 2000 Berkshire all the same but it is a pretty limited puller (early non traction tired).
Good luck
Andrew
I’ve stayed away from Proto 2000 steamers after having had an 0-8-0 and a 2-8-8-2 that can just about pull their tenders. They are beautifully detailed, smooth running, but if you can’t put any cars behind them, why bother? That’s not why I purchase steam locos, LOL!
However, I have heard good things about both the 2-8-4 and the 2-10-2 since Proto has FINALLY decided to add traction tires, even though I think re-weighting and re-balancing would have been a better option. Traction tires tend to wear out and they’re a bear to replace.
I was almost ready to get one of their USRA 2-10-2’s, but ‘twice bitten’—[:-^]
Tom
I do not understand how the Bachmann unit with DCC sells for around $100 and the Proto unit retails around $250.00 with DCC and sound. Isn’t $150.00 steep for sound?