I’m thinking of adding a small yard to my original layout plan and will need a small switcher. A small tank engine might be best and I’ve been close to picking up one of the 0-6-0T’s, but just can’t seem to get into it. One of the little post-war diesels would also be appropriate, but I seem to be hopelessly addicted to steam, handrails, and eccentric valve gear. A small Porter engine would be great, but the only one I’ve seen is the K-line version and like the 0-6-0 I’m just not grooving on it. I’m leaning towards a 1615, but have heard they have problems over switches due to the light tender. Anyone have luck adding weights to correct this? Any other engine ideas would be greatly appreciated.
If you are going to stay conventional, the Lionel Docksider is a great little steamer that has had a good reputation. It does not have command, but some have done some upgrades…it is tight fitting.
The other thing you may want to check out is the K-Line Pennsy A5. It is command control and you can pick them up for a little over $200., with the Docksiders setting you back around $100.
I have the Lionel Spokane Portland & Seattle docksider and it is a great little steamer. It navigates all my switches with no hiccups, the switches are Ross 054’s and Gargraves 105’s. If that little docksider can get through a Gargraves 105 it should be able to manage any switch.
heres my spokane,portland& seattle dock sider and also I took a slope back and added a coupler to the front of it so i could put it behind my docksider for another look
Normally, I would say the Docksider would be a great choice but I have had problems with mine going through switches when all my other locomotives pass through them fine. It doesn’t derail, but it “jumps” up.
Thanks for all the info on the switcher. As neat as the docksider is, and I love tank engines, I think I am still leaning toward the 0-4-0. Given the fact that the newer ones come w/ smoke and a whistle, I think I may opt for one on these instead of a 1615. If I ever decide to go command control I would be more inclined to make mods to a new one. Plus they come in my brand (Southern Pacific) and there’s something about the look of the front end that I really like.
Thanks again for all the advice
Bob
RT - thanks for the comparison w/ the tender, as it gives me a good idea of the size I will need to accomodate.
I’ve had a 1615 ever since I can remember. Never noticed any problems backing over switches. Good puller for its size too.
I was backing about 8 cars around a 027 curve this weekend and the Lehigh Valley hopper car, located 2nd car back from the tender derailed just after the locomtive cleared a switch it was backing over. No problem with the tender, though.
After reading this post last night I decided to check out what, if anything, my local train shop in Portland had available. They had a couple of 2009 sets that come with an 0-8-0 with smoke and air whistle. List price about $200 but since I did not need any track nor another transformer they removed them and sold me the rest for $130! Have not tried it yet but it looks nice. Hope it can handle the grades on my small layout! Has anyone “played” with one of these yet?
Thought that this might be another option for you!
Strogey, was that Whistlestop Trains on Division St.? I have been buying from Whistlestop since I was a young-un, I believe that Charley (the owner) said that it originally opened in 1974, I would have been 9yrs old then, and have been a Happy customer ever since. They were originally on Stark St. about 142nd or so, just a short ride on Tri-Met’s #20 line for me back then.
I have read threads in the past about there not being any Good LTSs any more, I feel fortunate to have lived only 4 miles from them for the last 5 years, I got Married last month and I am moving to Forerst Grove, OR only about 1 1/2 miles from Mainline trains out there, but they are mostly HO, and a little bit of N, no O Gauge[:(].
Fortunately, I will be able to stop in to Whistlestop and see Charley, Don and the rest of the guys with just a short detour on my way home from work. There are still some Great LTSs out there.
Yes, it was Whistle Stop. As for any “O” gauge activity, I have been searching the internet high and low for something to no avail. I went to a train show in Aloha not too long ago and there was a club that had a feww layouts in the cellar of a strip mall. Was a permanant home since track was running through the walls and everywhere else. Unfortunatly I did not grab any inf and have not found anything since. Gee maybe I should ask Don…duh!
Good luck on the move and Congratulations and best wish on you wedding!
The club in the basement of Aloha Mall, is the Portland Chapter of TCA. If you are on/get on Whistlestop’s email newsletter, it gives info on various local clubs and upcoming events, at the bottom, The TCA’s contact info will be in there. IIRC, the TCA club meets the third Sunday morning of each month. Unfortunately, the TCA club is the Limit of O-Gauge clubs in the Portland area, as far as I know. Oh Well, at least moving to Forest Grove, Aloha wont be so far from home.
Vic’s Hobby Shop near Lloyd Center, in Portland also carries O-Gauge stuff, but Whistlestop is my Favorite shop. Tammie’s Hobbies in Beaverton carries a little bit of O-Gauge, but they are the area’s “Go To Place” for Large Scale trains, and of course they carry HO and N.
I have a 1615 with a slope back tender. Boy, that little engine is fast around curves. It goes over my switches just fine. It does not have a smoke unit though, thats the only thing that stinks about it. It is nice for putting my freight cars in order, or pulling around some cars around the layout. It can pull maybe (4) 6464 boxcars. Nice little loco to have.
