Hello, All,
This has probably been asked before, if so, I apologize. But can you folks out there recommend any N-scale, transition era locomotives (steam or diesel) that perform well as switchers. I’d like to build an N-scale version of my current HO switching layout.
I have several great engines in HO, but I’m not familiar with N.
Many Thanks,
smyers
Life Like made a good SW9 that ran well under DC, though I have had trouble converting it to DCC (burned out 2 decoders in the process).
Ron
I actually have that engine, but I don’t find it to be a great runner. I usually have to team it up with another loco to get anything out of it.
N scale steam switchers are a rare breed. Good ones are a rare as hens teeth. About the best I can suggest is the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 (modern steam) or the Athearn/MDC 2-8-0 (19th century style steam), both of which are not really switchers. Mine run very well, but some have said that the quality control on the Bmann’s is spotty. I suppose either could be converted to an 0-8-0, but that would take some doing. For the most part, small steam is just not realiable enough in N.
Model power just came out with a 4-4-0, but I’ve heard mixed reviews about it. That could be a nice general purpose small loco.
I don’t do the “D” word, so I can’t help you there.[8D]
Cant go wrong with an SW-1000
Atlas Mp15dc
Thanks, guys, I was kinda hoping the Atlas RS-1 or VO-1000 would work out, too.
I believe the Bmann 2-8-0 would be great as a down-graded road engine if it has the necessary good low speed control quality. What do you think?
Best,
smyers
Mine has always run very smoothly and at very slow speeds on DC. Wish I could successfully transfer that performance to DCC.
Ron
I have an old Atlas 0-8-0 and it runs like a fine tuned watch, as a matter of fact I like it so much because its reliable and has a great deal of pulling power . I hunted down four more one E-bay. I don’t believe Atlas makes that model anymore but like I said I’ve seen the on E-bay from time to time, also minitrix made an 0-6-0 that was a good runner, as far a deisels go SW9, and minitrix H-12-44 are a good choice. I also have a Bachmann 2-8-0 (older model) and had trouble with the lead truck, so I pulled it off and it became a 0-8-0 with an extended pilot. .There aren’t a lot of N steam switchers on the market and thats sad.[:(]
Radioman2
The only thing I could possibly suggest is to SWITCH TO HO SCALE. But, everyone has there preferances. Good luck!
Kato is coming out with a NW-2 sometime this year. Should be a great runner.
Right now I use an Atlas MP-15 and they run like a dream. They have been around about 25 years.
The secret of getting a Life-Like SW to run great is proper break-in. It needs to run in each direction for an hour or so and it will quiet down and really run smooth. Atlas Gear Lube really helps too.
gtr
I have Atlas VO-1000s that run great – both DCC and DC versions. The Lifelike SW also runs well, but does not seem to pull as well as the VO-1000.
radioman2,
I was just thinking about my old Minitrix 0-6-0 after I posted earlier. Good runner that would be great with the addition of electrical pickup on the tender. Only bad thing is the big flanges on the wheels.
The main problem with the Spectrum 2-8-0 is that there is no provision for an automatic coupler on the pilot. And this on an engine type that spent most of its working life switching!
The Atlas/ConCor/Rivarossi IHB 0-8-0 is serviceable. However it represents an unusual three-cylinder prototype.
The Minitrix 0-6-0 is also good, but may require some fine tuning.
Believe it or not, one of those old Atlas 0-6-0T switchers was also quite serviceable. (Life-Like is making this engine now; I haven’t run it, so I can’t speak to its suitability.)
One loco that I found could do quite well was the old Rivarossi 0-4-0.
If you can find one that runs decently, the old Bachmann Dockside can be good, but quality on these engines is extremely spotty.
A common problem with smaller N scale steam switchers is that turnout frogs on #6 or larger turnouts MUST be powered, or else a slow-moving switcher will stall.
Where diesels are concerned, I’ve had good experiences with the Life-Like SW-1200, the Minitrix Fairbanks-Morse switcher, and Arnold S12. Some of the old Atlas MDT industrial switchers were good runners, believe it or not.
But then, being a GM&O fan, I would not hesitate to use an RS-1 as a switcher. And Kato made a good one.
I also have the old Atlas 0-8-0. It’s about 32 or 33 years old. It runs great and pulls well.
One note on the Minitrix -6-0;
It comes in two versions, a switcher and an “old time”. The old time one doesn’t have a coupler on the front, not even a fake one. It has a BIG cowcatcher. Because of this it is not much good for switching unless you do some revisions to the pilot area.
I have had two Lifelike SW1200s since 1999 and both have performed without fault except the lighting on one has recently failed.
I believe the secret is to run them in carefully as mentioned earlier. At least an hour running (as slow as they will start and run without stalling) and then an hour in reverse. A small amount of lubrication on the gears. Note small amount!!!
I use Peco Electrofrog turnouts in yards and Insulfrog turnouts on the main line and I rarely have problems with the switchers stalling or derailing. They will quite happily pull 10 boxcars on the flat.
I have a shunting ops oriented pike in mind so I roster a few different switchers in N.
The Atlas RS 1 is a decent unit - kind of long for shunting ops.
I love my LL SW’s they run great - don’t needa lot of pull for short strings of cars.
The old Arnold S2 is reasonable - but loud.
- But the neatest trend is taking a KATO 11-105 (106, 107) and making your own 44 tonner or other small diesel unit. there is a good pic of some on NCAT site for reference -if that’s your thing. I plan on making mine a GE or whitcomb 70-75 tonner.
Best of luck. It has taken N a few years to get a decent switcher - the old minitrix Fm was the only thing for years & years - ran pretty good from what I hear.
I don’t know if they would fit the end of your transition era, but I have 2 road switchers Kato RSC-2 fitted with Digitrax decoders and they run really "smoothly ".
I can vouch for the VO1000 and the RS1, both from Atlas. The VO1000 is available with a factory decoder, which is just a replacement for the light board. However, if you want it as DCC you’d better buy it that way from Atlas, because the decoder is not available elsewhere.
The VO1000 has a slow speed motor that crawls.
As far as road switchers, the Kato RS2 or the RSC2 Peter mentioned (same loco, different trucks) are great. I have several RS2’s all equipped with the same decoder he mentioned, and they are fine runners.
I’ve also had good luck with the Life Like SW9. Not the easiest decoder installation, but a reliable loco.
Atlas also has RS3s and RSD4/5s (same loco again, different trucks). Reliable, but they run fast. That can be solved since Atlas makes a scale-speed motor for them which tones them down some. Decoder installation requires surgery.
I’ve never dealt with the Arnold S2.