If i wanted to model something around the 1930’s or 40’s what Loco do you recomend. Roadname is not important at this time just model.
That’s a loaded question… Need more input as to what you are looking for… Scale, layout info (radius, etc), Control (dcc / non dcc)… Help us help you…
Jeff
Steve,
Jeff’s right. What info you have given can cover quite a bit of railorad history - from practically the entire steam era to some early dieselization. Scale would be a help to know. Are you interested in freight or diesel?
Tom
There is also a vast difference between 1939 and 1949 in diesel availablity. By 1949 the diesel craze was in full bloom. A narrower time frame in the 40’s would also help.
It will be HO, and I like diesel so i’m thinking early 40"s then. My layout is only going to be about 5x9 so its not alot of room for now and its my first attempt.
Check out the Stewart FT…
Other early F and E units would work too, this one just comes to mind quickly…
http://stewarthobbies.com/Catalog.htm#FT
Good luck,
Jeff
Sw-1, S-1? EMD doodlebug, 0-8-0 switcher, anything but superpower steam.
So,…HO scale, N scale, S scale, G scale…???
What’s your minimum curve radius?
DCC or not?
We want to help, but it’s like when you buy a car,…there are a lot of variables, ya know?
This info would help greatly in pointing you to the right thing.
Steve,
In diesels, the Proto 2000 Alco S1 is a jewel. Trainworld has them at blowout for $29.99-$39.99 - depending on the road. My NYC #687 S1 switcher was manufactured as early as '41. The Stewart FT that Jeff suggested as a freight diesel is a good one, too.
With steamers, you have a vast choice to pick from - TOO many to mention them all here. Here’s just a few:
Switchers - Proto 0-6-0 and 0-8-0.
Freight - BLI 2-8-2 Light and/or Heavy Mikado, 2-10-2s
Passenger - 4-8-4, 4-8-2, etc.
Tom
Well, this also depends on what kind of service you’re planning to have (passenger, freight). You’re not going to have any huge passenger trains with a 5x9, but, depending on your curve radii, you could still have some smaller representations of real ones. If that’s what you want, go with an E or F unit, and make sure to do your research on what kind the railroad you choose used when (the prototype forum here is good). For passenger service, EMD (which stands for the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors) Gas-Electric engines, called “Doodlebugs,” are interesting, and I enjoy running them. For freight, some railroads used E and F units, but there’s others out there, too.
you can use any smaller-mid size steam locos (2-8-0, 4-6-0, 0-6-0, etc) if you have a shortline or some sort of branchline.
I second Tom on the P2K Alco S1. I have one in MP paint which is my sweetest running loco. I am trying to work up the nerve to strip and paint it in a scheme of my choosing. Trainworld has 'em cheap!