My DCC system came today, and I would like a good engine. I model HO and my layout is going to be a shelf layout which will be 12ft long. With a couple of 4 ft sidings. I am looking to spend about $130.00 or less. I thought it might be cheaper to get a reagular DCC engine and install the sound later. I know everybody on the forum knows there engines. But the catch is it has to be at least related to NS and I model the years late 70s to early 90s.
Proto 2000 makes two very nice GP38-2’s in Norfolk Southern paint schemes. I have one myself and I’m very happy with it. Proto’s GP38-2’s are very nicely detailed and installing a decoder is very simple, use a Digitrax plug and play DH165L0 decoder and you will be all set for sound later on if you want it. You will need to remove or relocate the number board lights on the GP38-2 but its a very simple procedure. Take a look at the Proto’s and they are well within your budget, you may even be able to get two for your 130 dollar budget if you look around on Ebay.
Pardon me there, Robby P. but your post is just a little bit confusing - at least to me it is just a little bit confusing. It infers that you are building a simple shelf layout twelve feet in length and not a shelf layout extended around-the-walls into a donut shape. With that assumption I have a profound question: where are you planning on fitting those
Four feet measures to about 350 feet in HO Scale; even with #4 switches you are going to need about 18 inches to clear the fouling points on these sidings. That only leaves 30 inches for your trains; an HO-Scale locomotive is going to be about 8.5 inches long which is barely going to leave you room for three 50’ cars.
Now that I have granulated a few icons I will bow out and allow the N&W/Southern/Norfolk Southern folks to tackle the issue of locomotives.
Try trainworld and modeltrainstuff, both .coms. They may have a Walther’s P2K or an Atlas or Athearn that you are looking for.
Scroll to the bottom of this linked page and find a black NS engine that may fit your bill.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/HO_Scale_C30_7_s_s/1874.htm
Seems NS engines are popular and therefore somewhat scarce.
I have DCC locos from Athearn, Atlas, BLI, and Lionel, most with sound. I would recommend the Atlas above the others IMHO. [:)]
Robby,
I looks like most people have missed the point of your question.
To the point, my first suggestion would be to get an Atlas MP15DC in NS but those won’t be released until September, Southern was released awhile ago. With some looking you might be able to find one still. Second would be a Genesis MP15AC, but not available in NS. Third choice an Athearn RTR GP40X in NS, a very nicely detailed loco, a little bigger than switcher, but a nice crossover loco.
Thanks for the input guys. I will see what the LHS has tomorrow (Sat). I know he has a real nice collection of engines in a glass case, but not sure what brand or DCC. Maybe I can get one I like and post it tomorrow.
Robby,
Dave beat me to the punch. I have two of the Proto 2000 GP38-2s in the NS scheme. (My only “modern” locomotive). They operate very smoothly and have very nice detailing to them.
Be sure to check out M. B. Klein. I was able to pick up my GP38-2s for 50% off MSRP. There might still be a few left.
Tom
P.S. I just checked, Robby. Unfortunately, M.B. Klein is all out of the NS GP38-2s. [:(]
[sigh], well thanks for checking Tom. I will see what the hobby stores have and go from there. I have checked out those websites, and man there are some NICE engines!!!