I’m not at all familiar with N scale stuff, but I know in HO, Broadway Limited Imports are really well respected. The Bachman Spectrum stuff is supposedly decent, too… and the Life-Like Heritage series is expensive, but I haven’t heard much about quality/reliability/etc.
So, if any of those brands offer N-scale stuff (sorry for my ignorance of N-Scale), I would be comfortable recommending them… I have my eyes on a Broadway Limited 4-8-2 Mikado in Milwaukee Road right now myself…
The engine you posted is one of the Bachmann old line of engines. Watch out when buying these at a LHS; there are two grades. The old ones, which are garbage, come in a cardboard box. New ones, which look the same on the outside but have a better motor and gearing, come in a clear plastic jewel case. They’re better, but still not the same quality as their Spectrum 2-8-0 or 4-8-2 (their 2-6-6-2 has issues).
If you’re looking for ONE high quality N scale steamer, I’d strongly recommend going with the Spectrum 2-8-0. It’s one of the best American-prototype N scale steamers on the market (as good or better than the Kato Mikado), and is more affordable. You can find them for US$50.
The Proto 2000 would be nice but they only have the USRA 2-8-8-2 and the 2-8-4 Berkshire. You might also be able to find them at a good discount. Trainworld.com has the 2-8-8-2. Here’s the direct link for that:
I’m with TStage on the regular Bachmann–I bought my father a Bachmann N-scale 4-8-4–he ran it for about two months and the geared axle came apart–no way to fix it. Stick with the Spectrum 2-8-0, it’s really proven itself. I’ve got the HO scale version, and it’s a honey!
Tom
Given your location, you may also want to keep an eye out for other Kato steamers, Japanese prototypes. I don’t know what the exchange rate between the Aussie $ and the US $ is right now, but I can assure you that the only Bachmann N scale steam loco that ever went for even close to $250 is the 2-6-6-2. Those Prairies can be had for less than $40 over here, they are “train set” quality. You should definetely be looking for Spectrum if you’re limited to Bachmann.
The first two in the list above are your best bets. You may want to head over to www.Nscale.net, which is a focused N scale forum that also (IIRC) has a few members from Down Under who can help you out with local market knowledge.
(As I was saying when I accidentally sent the reply) Good Nscale steam I have found include the following engines:
1.) Kato Mikado
2.) Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation
3.) Model Power Pacific
4.) Model Power Mikado
5.) MDC/Roundhouse 2-8-0
6.) Life Like Berkshire (this is questionable as it runs very smoothly but doesn’t pull very well at all and can be finnicky and hard to put on the track.)
Steam engines to be avoided:
1.) Standard Bachmann steam that is not Spectrum
2.) Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-6-2 H-5 mallet
3.) Life Like Little Joe.
Those are just some of the steam engines I am personally familiar with. Actually the most available and a really fantastic locomotive is the Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation. I have to agree with many others in Nscale that the Kato Mikado is the pinnacle of Nscale steam. You can hardly go wrong with either of these engines. Remember to “try before you buy” any steam engine. Good luck!
Pavariangoo,
The Bachmann steam engine you have the link to is a standard Bachman steam engine and is not worth owning. I have had some of the standard (non-Spectrum) Bachmann Nscale steam and it just was very poor. Out of the four I owned only one of them ran decently (not good but at best decently). Besides, at $59 you are about half way to the price of a good steam engine. The 2-8-0 Spectrum Consolidation lists for around $130 -$135 but they are often sold below retail price. I paid $99 for mine. I was able to find the Model Power Pacific for $99 and the Model Power Mikado for $109. I don’t see how you can go wrong with the Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation or the Kato Mikado.
