My name’s Brandon, most call me Tobi however…I’m 23 and from the orange and white flooded and slightly radioactive(due to a neighboring locale of Oak Ridge) city of Knoxville, Tn.
Alright, first, my story… I used to be really into steam engines(not just locomotives) when I was little due to my grandfather’s fondness of them(he had a mill where he made molasses and it was all steam…and very cool…he also had a steam tractor on his small farm…) as well as trains(what little kid isn’t?). Well as I grew up and he passed on (R.I.P. 'Paw )…I kind of lost interest and got into cars…that lasted from 15 till recently when the economy killed my interest in them…so I’m back into my 2 original hobbies…steam…and RAILROADING! I managed to find my first actual model locomotive that I got way back in elementary school…it’s an Athearn Gp40 Rio Grande #3156… it never got much use when I was younger…and so basically sat around randomly for at LEAST 13 years… I joined a local club and bought a small Plymouth switcher as well(since I’m fond of such small diesels…) and put them on the rails…after a bit of aggrivation in getting the Gp40 mobile again…it ran like a dream…and all that spark that these little trains used to give me came back…now then… on to the questions…
Who makes a good and fairly affordable Gp40 in the Rio Grande colors? Also, I’m looking for one that’s fairly powerful as well…and if there’s anyway to modify my current athearn or other loco to pull more, i’d like to know.
I’m wanting to buy what will technically be my first steam locomotive, I really want a Big Boy, but don’t know who makes the best(Want sound and lights and at least DCC compatable for sure…I’m looking to add a Seuthe smoke unit). I’m also looking for a Dreyfus Hudson(or something fairly easy to kitbash into one), but don’t think th
Second, use the search function on this website. It will answer just about any question you may have. There are lots of very good people here to help you out nad most of your questions have been asked a number of ways. The answers are out there!
I would recommend the PCM Big boy or the PCM version of the BB that is known as Blueline which is still available. Both are easily converted to DCC or already available as DCC(the PCM). The Blueline is probably easiest to find and it’s also cheaper, it comes with sound and you just need to put in a decoder. Which is real easy to do, no problem what so ever. I think they have been selling quite fast and they won’t be making any more in the future either so you might want to start searching for one.
Although all of this some what comes down to taste, but that is my preference, I don’t personally own any Blueline BB but they are suppose to be a lot like the original PCM except no lights on the number boards, no smoke and different electronics.
I feel you there, I work in a body shop and was 30 HOURS down this past 2 weeks…talk about a painful paycheck Also, I’m searching guys, but I’m not very good at it at all…so that’s why I posted up the questions! Thanks!
My name’s Brandon, most call me Tobi however…I’m 23 and from the orange and white flooded and slightly radioactive(due to a neighboring locale of Oak Ridge) city of Knoxville, Tn.
Alright, first, my story… I used to be really into steam engines(not just locomotives) when I was little due to my grandfather’s fondness of them(he had a mill where he made molasses and it was all steam…and very cool…he also had a steam tractor on his small farm…) as well as trains(what little kid isn’t?). Well as I grew up and he passed on (R.I.P. 'Paw )…I kind of lost interest and got into cars…that lasted from 15 till recently when the economy killed my interest in them…so I’m back into my 2 original hobbies…steam…and RAILROADING! I managed to find my first actual model locomotive that I got way back in elementary school…it’s an Athearn Gp40 Rio Grande #3156… it never got much use when I was younger…and so basically sat around randomly for at LEAST 13 years… I joined a local club and bought a small Plymouth switcher as well(since I’m fond of such small diesels…) and put them on the rails…after a bit of aggrivation in getting the Gp40 mobile again…it ran like a dream…and all that spark that these little trains used to give me came back…now then… on to the questions…
Who makes a good and fairly affordable Gp40 in the Rio Grande colors? Also, I’m looking for one that’s fairly powerful as well…and if there’s anyway to modify my current athearn or other loco to pull more, i’d like to know.
I’m wanting to buy what will technically be my first steam locomotive, I really want a Big Boy, but don’t know who makes the best(Want sound and lights and at least DCC compatable for sure…I’m looking to add a Seuthe smoke unit). I’m also looking for a Dreyfus Hudson(or something fairly easy to kitbash into one)
Atlas. http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hogp40.htm I don’t think they are currently in production you will have to look around on the used market. BUT 1. Why do you think the Athearn needs to pull more? Just buy another Athearn and use them together. That is how real diesels work. 2. One can always modify an Athearn by changing to a can motor and adding weight. For more pulling power you can re-gear it. I’ve got an Athearn GP-9 that will out pull anything else at the club with or without traction tires.
Lots of choices there. There has been a rash of Big boys on the market. Athearn Genesis, PCM, BLI - blue line, Trix, Bowser (kit). Personally I would avoid the Athearn Genesis with DCC & sound, because of the quality of the electronics.
Rivarossi/AHM made several variations of the NYC Hudsons. Once again the used market is where to go to find one of those. I am skeptical of the quality though.
No, it is just that most people your age are busy starting their careers, families, buying first houses, etc. After those there is not much time or money left for something as trivial as
Most HO makers have a GP40 or a GP38 which looks the same as a GP40. Denver and Rio Grande is a popular western road. Some web searching should turn up what you want. Pulling power of model locomotives is strictly a function of weight and coefficient of friction. Heavy locomotives pull more than light ones. More weight on drivers keeps the wheels from slipping on the rail. Or, the locomotive can be equipped with rubber traction tires, but the interfere with electrical pickup and they dry out and crack. Most modelers prefer metal wheels. Tune up of Athearn engines is a long story, there are many things that can be done to improve both performance and looks. Some web searching will turn up very professional how-to-do articles with good photographs.
Bib boy’s are top of the line and nice but they are costly, and may derail on 18 inch curves. Was it me I’d go for something smaller and less demanding of cash and trackwork for my first steamer. Say a Bachmann Spectrum Consolidation.
Alright…I lost a post somewhere…so i’ll retype it…most of it’s in reference to Texas Zephyr…
Starting with G scale… I have track(4x10 with siding) and power already…it was packaged seperately from my loco(kitbashed americanized stainz and 3 passenger cars) and survived a tornado 11 years ago… my dad has a green thumb…so I’m hopefully gonna build a pretty small garden railway with him and maybe bond some…we’ve never been too close…
My H.O. was boxed with the G rails and powersupply as I didn’t care as much for it as the G stuff when I was younger, so it survived… I don’t know how much flex track I have, but I know I want to build a small, but expandable later, layout… Most of it more modern diesels…with a museum at one end housing many of the steam engines I want…and have the steamers do excursions randomly… other than that, my stuff will run on the club layout, which they aren’t picky about era…they enjoy the trains and the building aspect more than the WHOLE finished picture, USUALLY).
In regards to the club track…it’s not HORRIBLE, but has flexed over time…so is a bit wavy in spots…and is more of a neverending chase of bad spots rather than just alltogether BAD…coupler mismatch and/or worn plastic wheels are the BIGGEST problems usually…
As far as spending money on trivial things at my age…I’m in limbo with financial aid for school…and budget about $50-$100 per month on the hobby, I have stuff already that i’m tinkering with and just saving for stuff I want…as the $50-$100 isn’t limited to a month to month basis and can be cumulative for more expensive locos.
THANKS AGAIN GUYS! Looking forward to getting to know the board and some of you all as well!
Those Big Boys are huge, and this is coming from a guy who saw the one at Steamtown last week! You’ll need some broad curves for that, meaning it’ll look out of place on a small layout.
As to having your couplers all at the same height, I try to do that, but slight variations seem to be tolerable. One thing I did years ago, was to standardize on knuckle couplers (either Kadee, or equivalents), and bin the horn-hooks. I’ve also fitted metal wheels to most of the freight cars–not only do they ‘clickety-clack’ over joints, but they stay cleaner than plastic.
Well, the BB would be just a display engine unless I’m at the clubs roughly 40x40 layout which it’d be ran… they’re trying to standardize everything to Kadee there, and I personally am standardized to kadee myself…sticking mostly with their ‘whisker’ couplers which are working great so far!
25 packs or “Bulk packs” of whisker 148’s from Kadee are a good bargin.
Standard everything to a common set of rules for your trains will eliminate problems before they start. Kadee is the King of Couplers for decades and will continue to be so despite the presence of pretenders to the throne.
Consider eliminating plastic wheels and stay with metal wheels.
Welcome to the Hobby. take things slow and easy. One thing at a time. Enjoy the journey not a rush to get it all in one day.
If you dont have a shop near you, check online at others. I think places like MB come to mind as good places to get stuff.
)…I kind of lost interest and got into cars…that lasted from 15 till recently when the economy killed my interest in them…so I’m back into my 2 original hobbies…steam…and RAILROADING! I managed to find my first actual model locomotive that I got way back in elementary school…it’s an Athearn Gp40 Rio Grande #3156… it never got much use when I was younger…and so basically sat around randomly for at LEAST 13 years… I joined a local club and bought a small Plymouth switcher as well(since I’m fond of such small diesels…) and put them on the rails…after a bit of aggrivation in getting the Gp40 mobile again…it ran like a dream…and all that spark that these little trains used to give me came back…now then… on to the questions…
Thanks!