If you were to build a HO steamer,what would you include?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Enough weight for better traction,front and rear working couplers{at the right height},LED headlight& back-up light ,DCC,deeper bass sound for engine “chuff”,seperate set of number decals for which
ever class of loco it is…What else?

2

A decent can motor with a flywheel, driving through spur gears rather than a worm gear (as with the Trix Mikado). These gearboxes are reckoned to be the ultimate system amongst builders of steam loco kits over here, and a flywheel would help keep things even smoother. Only snag with this is you would need DCC load compensation to stop the loco being pushed down inclines by the cars, but it’d be worth the effort!

3

Articulation (I have fairly substantial grades) an all-weather cab (it gets COLD here in these mountains), cross-compound air pumps on the boiler front that talk to each other, significant weight-to-driver ratio, Elesco bundle-type or Worthington feedwater heater system, 14-wheel tender with sufficient coal/water capacity for the grades–hey, I think I’m building an M-4!
Tom

4

Railroading Brit
You are right…I forgot how well my Trix Mikado runs with thier gearing.They have set the bar a notch higher.I wonder what advancements we can expect in the future?

5

You mean building a Steamer from the ground up?
In addition to what you said:

  1. equalized axles.
  2. floating gearbox(s) so the locomotive can coast.
  3. and because of #2 above DCC controlled brakes.
  4. electrical pickup from all wheels.
  5. a ceramic static armature can motor with NO flywheels.
    Ok, I’m up to about $1000 was there a limit?
6

[%-)] did nobody mention awesome sound?

7

Texaszepher
no limit…I just wanted to know what our “wish list” would be.Maybe the product development people will incorporate some of them in future engines [yet keeping the cost reasonable-which I realize is subjective]

8

Wheels. [:p]

9

Die Cast Frame and Body
Numerous hand applied plastic parts
Traction tires
Golden white LED
Superior sound system
DC or DCC running
Lead weight in tender
Cab light
If the loco were articulated, 2 can motors

10

1.Fine details
2.Motor with flywheels
3.NO traction tires.
4.Enough weight to pull a nice size train.
5.NO DCC, light board or sound… DCC friendly by other means-can be operated on DC.
6.No wires between engine and tender.All driver pickup just like a diesel.
7.No stamp on piping.
8.Blacken side rods.
9.Fully RTR no detail parts to add.
10.Price affordable for all modelers just like diesel locomotives.