I’m new to the Hobby, so I’m just curious what would be the best Locomotive to start with? I"m willing to spend up to $100 for one to start with. If you guys could suggest one that would help me out a lot cause I really know nothing about them except what I’ve been reading on the forums and such.
The best diesels for under $100 would be the new Bachmann Spectrums. Make sure they are new if you buy one, because the old ones have been known to develope problems. (cracked and split gears, broken driveshafts) The best steam engines for under $100 would be the Bachmann Spectrum 0-6-0T, the Mantua Classics steam engines and the IHC steam engines.
Atlas are good quality loco’s for under $100 you should get one of them.
DRew
you can get a real good quality locomotive for $100.00 if you buy in the right place. Kato,Atlas,Genesis,ect… are all great locos you can get for ubder $100
The Life-Like Proto 2000s amd Proto 1000s are very good diesels too. Both my P2K SD60 and my P1K DL-109 run very smooth and quiet. Very strong pullers too.
What’s the Difference between Proto 2000 and Proto 1000?
Life Like Proto 2000 is more detailed than Life Like Proto 1000. Some P2K’s run better than P1Ks too.
Re Brands: [#ditto]
Model: I’d go for a "utility"4 axle Rd engine such as GP35, etc. If I was a steam enthusast, I’d go for a “general purpose” loco, such as a 4-6-0 (good for both passenger and small/light freight), 2-8-0 (Consolidation: American RRs had more of those than any other steam model), or an 4-4-0 (American Standard). These 3 models all lasted well into the transition era, and even after. I think IHC american standard is very good. I have one.
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randy
P2K are great …I picked up my SD50 for 70.00. This is my best engine by far.
jspisak,
It depends what kind of locomotive you are looking for. Steam or diesel? Modern or early? Is there a particular line you are wanting to model? These will determine some of your choices.
I, too, like the Proto 2000s locomotives. Trainworld (http://www.trainworld.com) has some great deals if you poke around their web site. You can pick up a Proto 2000 S1 switcher from them for as little as $29.99! (That’s over 70% off retail) GREAT little switchers that run as smooth as silk and have terrific detail! Best $29.99 I’ve spent on a locomotive to date.
Stewart also makes some nice, good-looking, powerful switchers. I just picked up a Baldwin VO-660 from Empire Northern Models (including decoder and both front and back replacement LED headlights installed) for under $100. Nice locomotive!
Both of these locomotives, however, are classified as early diesels. Bachman makes some steam switchers, like their 0-6-0 and 0-8-0. These should be available for under $100. If you are wanting more modern locomotives, there are stil some good deals out there to be had.
Tom
for a first engine i would go with an athearn RTR GP35. Its a great little engine, under $100. And if you go DCC its got a plug so you can just drop in a decoder. I mean the one in the yellow and blue box with the window. Not the old ones in the light blue boxes. The ones in the light blue boxes are also good for a first loco, but they are noisy, the detail is not up to par with todays engines and you will have to install a DCC harness yourself if you go that route.
The Old Dog would suggest a switch engine.
In the diesel era this might be a SW7, SW1000, or SW 1500 by Athearn a GE70 tonner or 44 tonner by Bachman.
For the steam period, you might want to try a 0-6-0 by MDC or Mantau off EBay.
Where are the Varney Docksides when someone needs one!
Have fun
Just curious, Why a switch engine rather than a GP or something of the sort?
'Cause switchers are the work horses of the RR…(and probably more likely to be priced under $100 for a good one.) Can’t have a decent (and profitable) RR without a decent switcher. [^]
Tom
Because the Old Dog remembers being the guest of some family friends who lived near the Erie Oil City branch. The goal was to wait up at night for the train, a black Erie SW1200 with yellow Erie diamonds followed by maybe ten or twenty mosty black tank cars lighted by a “buck a year” light. Nothing says train like a EMD end cab swithcher painted black.
On a more practical level, switches are the “jacks of all trades” likily to be found pulling anything.
Have fun
Bowser got the molds for the Varney Dockside and gave it a better drive. They sell for $50 retail, but I saw a store on eBay that sells them for $35.
Just to throw my hat in the ring. I have the Proto 2000 S1 Tom mentioned and it is a great switcher. I also had a couple of F units that were not such good quality. I have Bachman Spectrum 2-8-0 and for steam it is pretty good. My best runner, I think is my Atlas GP-38 It came with a decoder for $85 from Train World. I also have a M1A from Broadway, that I was using as a freighter on my club layout. But the Atlas runs so much better that I’ve switched to using it exclusively. It also handles the industriy spurs so much better.
A word of caution about P2K locomotives…Some of the older GP7/9/18/30s comes with a crack gear problem.PLEASE NOTE: Some of these older P2K locomotives are the ones usually in sale for $29.95-39.95…Avoid them unless you want to replace crack gears.I have a mix of 34 P2K geep units and every dang one of them I had to replace the gears so you will be better off buying RTR Athearn,Atlas or Kato.
Thankfully, I’ve had no problem with my P2K S1.
Tom
Diesel: Athearn/ Athearn Genesis, Walthers, Proto 1000/2000, Bachmann Spectrum.
Steam: Athearn genesis, Proto 2000, Bachmann Spectrum, IHC Premeir Series ONLY, Rivarossi