I’m interested in opinions pertaining to the quality of various brands/models of N Scale steam locomotives. I’m hesitant to rely on magazine reviews, because I’m not convinced that it’s not paid advertising. I’d like to know who has had good and bad experiences with what. What runs the quietest, which are the strong pullers? So far I only have a Kato Mikado, and I’m pleased with it
I’ll take a shot at it…
First off, a Kato Mikado is probably one of the finest examples of N scale steam available. While they lack the details of the newer Life Like Heritage series and Bachmann Spectrum series models, the mechanism is very smooth and with the traction tire option, they are tenacious pullers. If you are looking for a decent looking and excellent running N scale model that requires virtually no extra tweaking out of the box, and represents a widely used US prototype, the Kato Mikado is tough to beat in my book. Now with that said…
Here is my general opinion of each of manufacturers products that I own -
Kato Mikado: Top notch model. Very smooth and quiet mechanism and decent details. Will pull nicely once the traction tire is installed. Not very DCC/sound friendly, but both can be done with patience.
Life Like Mallet: Very smooth and quiet mechanism. Wonderful details and one of my favorite N scale locomotives to watch run. Not a strong puller and there is no easy fix! DCC and sound are both quite easy to install. (I don’t own a Berkshire so I’m not sure about it).
Spectrum 2-8-0/4-8-2: Probably my favorite models when taking all things into consideration. Both require tweaking for optimum performance, but they will reward you with amazing performance once done. No other N scale models offer this level of detail and once super-detailed they looks like a million bucks. Both are as DCC/sound ready as N scale steam comes. (I don’t have the 2-6-6-2, but I haven’t heard many positive remarks about them so far).
Con-Cor Northerns: I have several of these and with a lot of break in and patience, they end up being pretty nice models. They will pull a ton, and look especially nice in GS4 streamlined attire! They are plug and play for DCC but sound is somewhat of a challenge.
Older Rivarossi Big Boy/Challengers: While these are sort of on the older side of things, I have several of each and wouldn’t give them u
I also own a few Rivarossi’s that I’ve bought used.While my Challenger is the jewel of my collection,my Big Boy and Mikado have both smoked their motors.I also had a pair of Rivarossi made diesels that did the same so my feeling is that their power plants could have been better.
I also own a few Minitrix made steamers (2-10-0,4-6-2,2-8-2) that run very nice after a little maintenance(clean&lube).As my Heritage Mallet is concerned,I have to agree that although it is a smooth performer,the pulling department could be better.
The one and only real crap I’ve owned so far was my Bachmann’s 4-8-4 Northern…it looked very nice and…nothing else…
Here’s my take on new N scale steam, based on what my family members and I own:
Kato Mike: great runner, lousy puller, horriffic job to upgrade to DCC. Add a $9 driver with traction tire and it pulls very well. Definitely worth getting.
Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0: the best out of the box N scale steamer on the market. Pulls as well as the Kato Mike with traction tire, and has better detailing, AND is easier to convert to DCC.
Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2: nicely detailed, smooth runner, light puller.
Bachmann non-Spectrum steam: stay away.
Life Like 2-8-4: beautifully detailed, best running N scale steamer on the market, can barely pull itself around a layout.
Con-Cor 2-10-2: best pulling N scale steamer on the market. Runs acceptably well, but is overpriced.
I’ve also run lots of older N scale steam. In general, the older Con-Cor stuff is OK, as is the old Atlas/Rivarossi line of engines. None run as well as the modern engines at slow speeds, so should only be used as through power on a layout.
In general, the high-end N scale steam is pretty good. Some are having issues with Bachmann stuff, but I haven’t run across any duds yet. I’m hearing very good things about the mew Model Power steam, but don’t own any. And unfortunately, it’s still to hard to get a wide variety of N scale steam to really do much proto-based modelling and roster assembling (unless you freelance!)
I have a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0, and I highly reccomend it.
I also have a Trix BR 41, and that is an awesome model as well, but it is a European prototype, and you might not want that for you duty.
I also have run a Con-Cor 2-8-8-2 Y6B, and Trix 4-6-2 K4, both good models, but the above I would rate better.
~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~
One of the smoothest running N scale steam engines is the old MDC/Roundhouse 2-8-0 which is now being released under the Athearn name. For its size, it is a fantastic puller! My friend and I were amazed at its slow speed. It beats my Kato Mikado. The Athearn 2-8-0 comes with traction tires and working knuckle couplers installed. The only drawback is that it is a 19th century steam engine. I prefer 20th century steam.
My friend has the Atlas Shay and I think it is fantastic. The new batch is even better than the first. You want to be careful on the universal joints, they come apart easily. They came apart when I accidently applied a little pressure on them putting the loco in its box. It slipped right back together, though. I almost had a coronary!
The new Atlas 19th century steam engine, either 2-8-0 or 2-6-0, I can’t remember which, is beautiful but does not run as well as the Athearn Consolidation. They are priced the same at my hobby shop. Oh yes, and the Atlas comes with rapido couplers. The Athearn, in my opinion, is a much better engine. Also with the Athearn, each road name has two road numbers, so it is good for double heading.
The Bachmann H-5, 2-6-6-0 is questionable. It does not pull well, is not smoothe running out of the box, and is a real bear to convert to knuckle couplers! I have read that it has a very long break-in period, so I hope mine will improve. Now it will go around the layout at medium speed without stalling but it will not crawl like the Kato Mikado, Spectrum 2-8-0, Roundhoude/Athearn 2-8-0 or the Life Like Berkshire. I still am still forming my opinion of the 2-6-6-2. I agree that the Berkshire is beautifully detailed and incredibly smoothe, and I also agree that it will hardly pull anything.
My luck and impression of the Model Power all metal Pacific and Mikado are good. They pull about like the Kato Mikado. They are fairly smoothe, even though they only have a 3 pole motor. All in all, for the price, I think
THe Atlas Mogul is a cute little steamer. It makes a good replacement for Bachmann’s 4-4-0. It suffers from the short wheelbase. The Shays may be due in a week or so. Hopefully, the second batch will be better than the first. THey will be very scarce unless Atlas does another run next year.
Athearn is making some upgrades in couplers & paint from the MDC offering. They represent a slightly later version. The MDC/Athearn cars seem to be the only cars to use.
Be sure to get a Bachmann Spectrum loco. They have upgraded their Standard lines with improved motors & pickup. Please try any Bachmann before you buy it. Their quality control could be better. Their old time cars appear to be only in the sets. Bachmann should get their production lines going with shorty heavyweights & other cars. They seem to be stuck with Rapido couplers.
Model Power has had a steep learning curve with their Pacific & Mikado. Later runs seem to be better than earlier ones. It is time for their next locos to be released. THey seem to have missed the NTS.
The ConCor 2-10-2 may be the strong puller of the bunch. It’s time concor had a winner.
THe LifeLikes need traction tires to make them decent pullers. THey do look good.
THe worst engines are the Bachmann Standard line & the LL Little Joe.
I have 1 Spectrum 2-8-0 and 2 Spectrum 4-8-2’s and they are great! Very smooth and they are stump pullers.
I also have 1 MDC 2-8-0 and 2 MDC 2-6-0’s and they are in the same class as the above loco’s. The 2-8-0 is now being rereleased by Athearn if you want one of these.
I’ve heard mostly good stuff about the Atlas 2-6-0 Porter, but I have no firsthand expierience with it.
Model ower also has the Pacific’s and they are about to come out with the 4-4-0 that should be followed up shortly with a 4-6-0.
Let us know what you go with and how it turns out, K? [8D]