I’m currently using 30+ year old diesel locomotives on my under-construction N-scale layout. They don’t run great and it’s been suggested many times that it would be better to start building up a roster of new locomotives. Also, I watched the preview video of Jim Kelly’s new column and he also said that there have been vast improvements to N-scale equipment in the past 30 years. A related aspect is that I have been having trouble with my locomotives going over turnouts and crossings (45 and 90 degrees). The plastic around the guardrails make the engines skip and frequently derail. I asked about this in a different thread and someone had suggested updating the locomotives.
So, OK, let’s get some new motive power.
My question is, what’s good? Keep in mind that I’m not in a position right now to drop $100+ on a single locomotive. Looking at modeltrainstuff.com, they have steam locomotives for around 40 bucks. Would I be buying junk for 40 bucks or is it all right? Who’s a reliable manufacturer?
As for the era I’m modeling, I haven’t entirely decided; all I have is trackwork that I’m painfully close to ripping out (but that’s the subject for another post) and a few buildings that I’m not married to. If I start buying new locomotives, I would like to go around the turn of the century; late 1800s - early 1900s so I would be looking at steam.
Check the Athearn website for their N Scale steam, also Model Power makes a nice 4-4-0 engine that might work for you, they also have USRA 2-8-2s and 4-6-2s although those are newer engines than what you want.
As for pricing just remember that no matter what the MSRP is you will be able to find it cheaper. As an example the Model Power 2-8-2s and 4-6-2s have shown up for as little as $50.00 from some retailers. You can also check EBAY and the YAHOO sites.
Also be sure to take a look at the Bachmann 2-8-0, again it’s a bit newer than what you’re looking for but a very nice locomotive.
Again, my suggestion would be toget on EBAY and watch what some of these locos are bringing as that will give you a pretty good feel for what you want to spend.
try looking again at Modeltrainstuff.com and go to the clearance items. I once got a couple Atlas RS’s for about $50 each , this was only a year ago or so. these were normally for $100 each
I don’t know a thing about N so Ii can’t comment on that scale but a good friend models the PRR in the 1920s. He chose that era as all major engine classes were in service and he just needed to backdate the headlight and some appliance on the boiler.
The site includes a compilation of N scale engine reviews written by a guy who’s tested virtually every N engine ever built. There’s a lot of other good stuff, as well.
I just got into N about a year ago. I’ve purchased 6-7 different makes and models of diesels based on the reviews, and I found the reviews to be spot-on for what I bought.
I’m working on a 1950s layout, so I haven’t picked up any steam yet. I’ve tested the Kato Mikado, and it’s performance is superb. The Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 is also considered a must-have steamer.
See what Spookshow has to say. He’ll point you in the right direction.