I’m a diesel guy myself, buy my son has suddenly got an itch for a steam engine. 11 yr old, preferably something HO, though N is possible, in the GN, NP, Soo, Milwaukee Road, or C & NW names. I.e., a line that used to run passenger trains out of/through the old Minneapolis/St. Paul stations.
He’s very good with model railroads, in terms of being careful, etc. He likes the transition era steam.
I don’t know a thing about model steam engines, never been interested in them; any recommendations for a mid-priced, quality steam loco per the above info ?
You may want to look at some Bachmann Spectrum models. They come in most every era, a variety of roadnames, run very well, are DCC equipped or ready, depending on the model, and are reasonably priced, IMO. And I’ll share a secret with you, you can get some awesome deals on them at www.trainworld.com or www.micromark.com.
Dont waste your money on a Bachmann Standard. Standard it aint… those are like 30 year old examples on how not to build a model steam engine.
I second the Spectrum Choice.
Proto steam is another good choice except it may not pull as well as your son would like.
BLI’s QSI engines are good also but unfortunately they have gone to the Blueline route and needlessly complicated life all around.
IHC steam are generic. I suppose they are bullet proof but are not DCC.
Riverossi is dead, long live Walthers. However they are good engines, just watch out of the very old “Pizza cutter” flanges on the wheels… they may be too deep for the new track.
Athearn Genesis once produced a 2-8-2 mikado… very smooth runner, one of the best. But sadly it could not pull more than 2 cars on level track.
There is PCM, same as BLI but they want you to wait 2 years before the announced engines might get produced.
If it says Tyco on the box… dont buy it… you will be Sorree.
Wikipedia gave me a quick (hopefully accurate) steam roster of the Milwaukee Road. From the list I can recommend three good locomotives and manufacturers for you for specific configurations:
2-8-0 “Consolidated” (Bachmann Spectrum) - Ran mostly passenger but was pressed into service to pull freight during WWII. Very nice model. Unfortunately, you’d have to buy an undecorated one and detail it (add the road name) yourself. Might make for a fun project together.
0-6-0 switcher (Proto 2000/Walthers) - Obviously, used for switching yards. Nothing available in MR so it would be another one you would have to detail. Beautiful detailing and really crawls. Proto does have a C & NW 0-6-0 w/sound. At discount, you can find it for $250-300. I picked up a DC NYC 0-8-0 off eBay for only $80. Conversion to DCC was very easy. Should be the same for the 0-6-0.
2-8-2 “Mikado” (Athearn, BLI, IHC, Trix) - The almost ubiquitous freight puller for many RRs. BLI and IHC actually have a Milwaukee Road 2-8-2 available. (BLI is the better of the two.) The IHC model doesn’t look as good but will still run well. Athearn and Trix would have to be detailed. The Trix model is outstanding both detail-wise and operationally.
Congratulations, keep the track clean at all times and that IHC engine will give you good service. Maybe there will be more engines down the road if the experience is positive with this one.
Good for you and him! I have several of the IHC locos and find them to be rugged, good performing locos. IMO they offer excellent value for the dollar. If and when you get ready to upgrade them to DCC they are not a hard conversion at all. My boys are younger than yours and they are able to handle these without me worrying that delicate bits are going to fall off. Have fun with it.
Thanks guys. Sheesh, getting so every night I come home from work is an adventure. Walk through the door tonight, and it’s “Dad, can we make a layout for my new engine ?”
Can’t turn that request down, but can’t afford much on the train budget this month, this needs to be quick, inexpensive, and easy…hmmm, got a sheet of plywood leftover from the interior wall work I did last fall…and of course, LOTS of leftover bits and pieces from past layouts…
Show him a bunch of layout plans from various books/mags; it’s his layout, so I’ll let him pick something that catches his eye. Crucial to remember to look at things from an eleven year old’s perspective; in other words, what might make me say, “what !?!” (i.e., 4 x 8), may be just what makes him say, “cool !”.
He picks the old Carolina Central plan. N scale, and we’re in HO, no problem, we’re off and running !
Down to the lhs for some flex, and we’re laying track tonight.
He’s always been interested in model rr, but never even close to the level he’s at the last week.
Don’t know what triggered it, but I sure ain’t gonna throw water on it
