Lately, Ive really started enjoying the smaller steamers,but Im also running DCC and sound and I’ve found very little in the small RTR HO steamers with DCC and sound. Im not good enough at installing DCC and sound yet to do it myself. Whats available? Is there a Prairie available?
The only two I know of are the Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0 and Athearn/Roundhouse 4-4-0.
Be advised, the Athearn/Roundhouse 4-4-0, 2-6-0 and 2-8-0 are identical in size. I have all three.
The Bachmann has the Tsunami factory installed sound decoder.
The NEW Roundhouse are supposed to have the Tsunami but be careful, there is old Roundhouse stock around that have the MRC sound decoders. Maybe a LHS or ebay.
My first sound loco about two and a half years ago was the first Roundhouse sound loco with the MRC decoder.
I do not know if the Roundhouse with Tsunami are available yet as I have switched over to diesel.
Rich
Bachmann seems to have the largest variety of smaller steam engines. Their 2-10-0, 2-8-0, 4-6-0, Modern 4-4-0, and 3-Truck Shay are all available with Tsunami sound and DCC. Walthers has also offered their Proto 2000 0-6-0 and 0-8-0 steam engines with sound, and another run of the 0-6-0 will be coming later this year.
Bachmann makes a 4-4-0 American in its Spectrum line. It is available with sound, the model comes with DCC. In addition Bachmann also makes a 4-6-0 which is also available with sound. The next engine in this line is their 2-8-0 which is also available in DCC and also with sound. There is also a Shay engine available with sound as well.
These engines are available at a number of sellers priced well below the MSRP. Check e-bay and you will see that they are very available.
I have a few of each of these and am very happy with their performance and sound. Note that Bachmann’s warranty is the best you will find.
Walthers sold out the original run of 0-6-0s with sound. I bought one early on, and I really like it. They have announced another run of the engines, with some different road names. They’re not cheap, but they are very nicely detailed and run well.
The Proto 0-6-0 ROCKS!
That is the best running steam model I own.
NEVER stalls, even on my temporary track with only 1 set of feeders and non-powered #6 frogs.
If you keep on top of ebay, you can find them with factory sound for $150 or under. I have 4 of them and 3 of the 0-8-0. None over $150, several new in box.
Since it’s the same tender, sound units are easy to swap.