What is "THE LOCOMOTIVE" to have ?...

for me, a P2K BL2 with DCC and sound and painted in the pa belt pa schemme

Do you mean from a historical model railroad manufacturer perspective? In that case as someone already said for HO scale it would probably have to be the Varney 0-4-0 Dockside (now made by Bowser I believe). Of course one would have to upgrade the valve gear and add the detail kit! For diesel it would have to be the Athearn F7 in Santa Fe War Bonnet. In N-scale I would think it would have to be the first 2-8-2 done in brass (AT&SF by Hallmark as I recall) about 1984. In O-Scale I think the AHM 0-8-0.

Or do you mean which prototype locomotive to have a model of? Just from recent history I would say the UP 4-8-8-4 Big Boy. I can’t believe there are so many manufactures making them, and moreover I can’t believe that they sell all of them.

Or do you mean the ultimate model locomotive that every model railroader would want to have reguardless of the road name. For that (once again in HO) I would have to go with the W&R brass loco works people. Of the things they have done I would probably pick the NP Z6. It is the only brass locomotive I’ve seen that the $3000 price tag didn’t make me wonder why. The one unit I saw looked to be worth every penny of that price. If I could have afforded the cost, it

I guess I’m gonna be another one of the Minority people here. I would like to see more SD40-2s. One of the most commoon locos in the US, Still very easy to find. Yet, there is very few models. Almost anyone that models 70s+ Could use a few of these. Between all the scales I’m in I only own 2, a CNW one in HO and a BN/BNSF one in N scale. I’m going to be picking up a couple more in N scale. Even though I am pretty much out of HO if someone where to run SD40-2s in CNW I would probably get them.

When I was 3, a Lionel prewar Hudson. When I was 13, a Penn Line 2-10-0 When I was 23, a PFM Shay When I was 33, a Rivarossi Heisler When I was 43, a 30 inch gauge Joe Works brass Shay When I was 53, a NWSL vertical boiler Shay When I was 63, a Spectrum 3 truck Shay Currently, I have them all with the exception of the Lionel Hudson and all of my loggers are still running strong. If I am lucky enough to make 73, a Broadway Limited SP MM-2 Cab Forward with sound. They are going to make one aren’t they? Peter Smith, Memphis

These are my choices for What is “THE LOCOMOTIVE” to have.

In HO scale, on of the most prestigious has been any of the models by W&R. They are simply highly detailed and very rare. Make a few very highly detailed accurate models, and you can ask about any price within reason.

Challenger Models also made some very good models but now are out of business.

O Scale Kohs O scale brass models. These are some of the very best O scale available.

http://www.kohs.com/UP_type_Pages/UP%20type%20sample%202.html

If you are talking #1 scale. Fine Arts have the Big Boy for you. About $25,000. The orginal price of 15,000 sold out several years ago.

http://www.fineartmodels.com/pages/product.asp?content_area=3&sub_area=10&product_area=35&product_id=259

If you are talking one to one, the ex C&O 614 has been up for sale, but is is not cheap like the ones I have already listed.

I got the BLI Mountain with the QSIsound module about a year ago and I really enjoy running it. My next “LOCOMOTIVE To Have” will be a P2K y6B 2-8-8-2 which I think is offered in ATSF roadname & is sound equipped. It lists for about $500.00 though so it may take me several birthdays & Christmas’s to acquire it. Tweet.

The steam locomotive to have???

In my case it would be a Bachmann Freelance 2-6-2 with the vanderbuilt tender from their 0-6-0.

James

I went to all of the trouble of writing and posting the thread, but failed to add in my own entry as to what I thought “THE LOCO” to have might be, which I think I’ll have to go with the 2-8-2 Heavy (WP) Mikado. It’s a toss up between it and the 2-8-0 C-9 (SP) Consolidation. I like em small and beefy…

Tracklayer

For the real thing, the N&W class J #611 is my favorite. Having visited her in the Virginia Tech Transportation Museum, I was astounded by the size and simplicity of the design. The other exhibits were worth the trip too.

As far as models go, the N Scale Benchmark DMIR Yellowstone that I have is my favorite, with the LifeLike N&W Y class a close second. These choices are based on appearance and running ability.

I have to run 2 Y class to pull a satisfactory load of 20 cars (to me), but in real life they were run with a Y and A class at the front with another Y class pushing on the grades; here in the Blue Ridge mountains.

The Yellowstone is just a superior model, it pulls as good as it looks. It is a pleasure to be able to run 50 freight cars up a 2% grade wrapping around 270 degrees of helix (a1/3 scale mile of train). It will pull more, but I have problems with pulling cars off of the rails when I get close to 360 degrees of turn with a train. In N Scale it is the best in detail and one of the most reliable steam locomotives that I have come across.

For me the “must have” steam locomotive to own would be a Big Boy. Just the massive size of one makes it impressive and deep down everybody wants one, even the UP bashers, lol. Next for me would be a Challenger. I have both and don’t crave any other steamers.

I kinda that at least at one time that a shay of some sort or a geared steam engine was the one on everyones list. Although for sheer size nothing compares with the BigBoys and Challengers.

C’mon guys; no more “big boys” or “royal hudsons” There can be only ONE locomotive that is a must for every Canadian (and any other intelligent human) That is a C.P.R. K-1, Northern, of only 2 made, and they both exist.

Seems hundreds of big boys are around now . Everytime I go to any local club out comes 10 big boys . I decided on the C&O 2-6-6-6 with the 6-8 tender by k-line in O scale . Which is what Lionel is calling theirs … since they bought K-Line . Did ya all know the allegheny was more powerful than the challengers and big boys ? You want a real different engine … check out the 2-12-4 … 4-12-2 … or the 4-14-4 . Don’t think anyone makes the 4-14-4 though . Have seen a 12 wheeled unit on eaby and have been kicking my rear for not buying it .

Ok, but as I understood you writing the question it wasn’t what we liked but what we thought had mass appeal for every railroad. So besides you liking them, why would our layouts have-to-have a heavy 2-8-2? I do think that your selections of a Mike or Consolidated are excellent. I was just hoping for a bit more depth on the why part of the answer - especially from the original poster of the thread.

P.S. I would choose the GN O-8 as the heavy Mikado for my layout. For a Consolidated I can get even more specific, would probably choose the Bachman in Western Maryland colors. Every layout needs at least one fireball on it.