Mountain in N scale...what are the choices available?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I would like to add one,possibly two 4-8-2 Mountain type locos to my roster.However there seems to be very narrow options as to what to purchase.First,there are the Paragon 2(BLI) offerings,wich are real teasers with all their features but call for a quite hefty price (suggested retail).I suppose they can be had for less but still,price wouldn’t stop me providing they’re good engines wich I have no way to know.

The second and I believe the only other option is Bachmann who offer two versions.The light one is a very basic loco that I’m not too attracted to as I’ve had one of their 4-8-4’s that I couldn’t even call a lemon and a couple other Bachmann locos that weren’t much better.But on the other hand,their Spectrum Heavy 4-8-2 caught my attention.It comes DCC equipped (MRC?) and looks very good but is it?

Can someone comment one or both these engines?I’ve been contemplating them for a while on the web but now it’s time to make up my mind.Thanks.

2

I don’t model in N scale, so I guess I can’t be of much help, but if I were looking for a mountain for N, I would jump on the BLI Paragon 2 version while its still availabe, pricey, but its worth it! You won’t find that level of detail anywhere else, just my opinion.

Its probably an extremely limited run too, it would make quite the collectors item. I say go for it!

3

Sigh…

I’ve had my BLI (formerly PCM) PRR-style mountain on pre-order since 2004. This locomotive will never be made. Ever. BLI has pretty much admitted as such on its own forums multiple times. It does not exist except in ads, as has been the case for over FIVE years. Sense some scar tissue?

In N scale there is only Bachmann Spectrum for existing (non-vaporware) 4-8-2s. They make a heavy and a light URSA 4-8-2. They’re decent locos but need a lot of tuning to pull more.

4

Hi,

You might find this entry - http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/bachmann482.html of use. This site - the N scale locomotive encyclopaedia - is very thorough.

Hope this helps,

tbdanny

5

Yikes, sorry to hear that. I don’t keep up with N scale news or products really, but a few weeks ago, I saw the Paragon 2 mountain on their site, without checking, I just assumed it was already out or soon to be released. Why on earth has the project never materialized I wonder?

Sad, such a fine idea too…[sigh]