Hello, I'm looking for some help with my next loco purchase and this place seemed to be the most active of the MRR forums so I thought I'd ask here. If you want some back story and reasoning for the purchase read on. Otherwise go ahead and skip to the next part. I just recently picked up the hobby again after loosing interest and have been working on completing the woodland scenics scenic ridge layout kit that I started a couple years ago. I know now that the 4% grades and 9 3/4" curves are certainly not ideal for a smooth running layout. I was able to up the minimum radius to 11" by ripping out a part of the tunnel section and relaying it (bit of a hassle and mess). Not a big change but should alleviate things a little. Anyway my problem is that I need a loco to test the track that I'm currently laying down. I have three at the moment, all purchased in the mid to late 90's and not really run in the last ten years until recently. They all ran fine originally. My first is a Lifelike GP38-2 from one of their train sets that was taken out of service after a horrible first attempt at hard-wiring an engine with dcc. My second is a bachmann 4-8-4 northern (no dcc attempt) that despite disassembling, cleaning and adjusting wheel gauge, still has terrible pickup. The last one is a lifelike E8 that was successfully hard-wired with dcc but unfortunately the lead weight that sat in the front of it has gone missing. Also while I was able to greatly improve pickup with cleaning, adjusting wheel gauge and pickup strips it still is a bit sketchy at times. So this is what I'm looking for. I'm picky because I don't have a lot of money at the moment so this may serve as my main (if only) locomotive for a while. -decent pulling power (since it'll be running cars up a 4% grade with a 11" radius). -11" minimum radius (9 3/4" preferred to ensure no problems) -either pre-equipped with dcc or easily converted (not looking to solder a bunch of tiny wires again, at least not right now) -reliable (so if there's a problem I can reasonably assume it's an issue with track and make life easier). -something a little different (I'm tending to lean away from the usual run of the mill diesels since they don't interest me much but I will consider one with the right merits and price) -under $150 (preferably less than $120) -looking to buy new rather than used -I would love a steam engine but everything I see is very big/expensive/not dcc friendly/bad quality I've already read through Spookshow's N-scale Locomotive Encyclopedia which was a great help. I went through and comprised a list of all A-rated models that could be easily converted to dcc and their lowest price from reputable websites but I thought I'd ask you guys as well for your input. I really like Kato's GG1. The fact that they state it can run through a 9 3/4" S-curve and haul the 15-car broadway limited up a 4% grade made it very appealing. I realize it probably won't manage that many on scenic ridge but if it can haul at least 8 or so cars then I'd be happy. It also seems to have a pretty simple dcc conversion and kato is known for their consistency in quality. I found a first production run (brunswick green with 5-stripe) on ebay new for ~$83. I do have a few questions about it though. From what I've read, starting with the first production of these the magnetic knuckle couplers have trouble with MT couplers. Is this still the case and if so has there been a fix for it yet? Also would there be any more advantage to buying a more recent production run of these (like the tuscan red or single stripe scheme)? I've learned the hard way that trains that've been sitting for a while may take a little work to get up and running again. Thanks very much for taking the time to read through all this and for your input.
I would buy a kato sd70-series locomotive to handle the job. - a friend has loop with 4% grade and 11-14 in. radius and pull about 10 or more cars. you will need the long shank coupler and car behind the engine should be weighted. - dcc installation is almost plug and play. - price range of $70 and up. - kato's are the best running engines in my opinion. - common power, but many different paint schemes.
Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to the forum! Looks like you are getting back into the hobby like a huge amount of us have. Reading Spookshows site was a great idea. His site is still a huge "go-to" for me. IMHO I would go with a 4 axle loco on your small layout. I have a few Geeps from Atlas and Kato. If you are not looking at consisting them in DCC I would go for a Trainman GP-15 from Atlas. They run well, and have a drop in decoder. Later on if you want to expand your roster you can start playing with some CV's and learn more about DCC as you grow. Not only is this the most active forum I have found, They are the most helpful! Mark
welcome to the gang where are you from? as stated you cant go wrong with a kato. New or used nothing runs as good
Shop eBay, or the pre-owned section at nscalesupply.com and you could get a pair of GP15s or GP38s. Decoders can be installed very easily.
nssd70m2: Do you happen to know which version it was (SD70M/MAC or the newer ACe mechanism)? My only concern with that is I'm hoping to have both freight and passenger operations on the layout. While I'm not really that strict as far as adhering to prototype, I think an SD70 might look a little odd with passenger cars behind it. Still I'll keep that and the other advice in mind, thank you. catfan: I don't have too much money at the moment so while I'm confident I could get consisting set up and running smoothly on my layout, buying two or more locos at the moment is a bit beyond what I'm looking to spend. Unless we're talking about Bachmann GE 44Tonners but that again would look a little odd hauling passenger cars around outside the siding. bigford: I'm from upstate new york. jpwisc: I've been keeping an eye on ebay for any better deals, saw a new gg1 go for $80 w/ free shipping.
what RR are you looking to model? here are some lower priced locos http://cgi.ebay.com/KATO-EMD-SD70MA...750330?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item20b3b2263a http://cgi.ebay.com/KATO-EMD-SD70MA...750883?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item20b3b22863 http://cgi.ebay.com/N-Scale-SD-70-M...684042?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2a0a5fe88a http://cgi.ebay.com/N-Scale-Kato-CSX-/260665257479?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3cb0dc2e07
There are several places that offer decoder installation services. You could pick up a Kato Mikado and have the decoder installed for you. It would probably run closer to the top of your price range, but should be possible with your budget. My two Mikados are the most reliable locos I own. When equiped with the traction tire drivers it will pull a 10 car train up a 4% 11" curve, so long as there are no dips/bumps in the track that might shift the weight off of the rear driver.
bigford: I'm looking for railroads that operate/d in or around western NY so Erie, Erie Lackawanna, PRR, NYC, Lehigh Valley, Finger Lakes Railway, Amtrak, Conrail, CSX are all acceptable. To be honest though I might settle for whatever railroad if the model is particularly nice.
I'd say depending on the road name you want to run get two GP38's or two GP40 locos from atlas. I have a 4x8 and I run anything from GP15 to SD90's and I still have no issues with de railings. I have to say I run my Jeeps the most I can lash up from two to about four locos at once and I also have an incline that is close to 3%. You can pick up two GP38's because they are still in use today on a lot of rail roads so they are the most versatile locos out there.
I think he said the conrail sd70mac pulls a car more than the latest floating-axle NS sd70m's. NS runs to buffalo then to binghamton, ny, although NYC/Conrail/CSX is primary road in New York. You could put modern power ahead of your passenger cars and call it a business/employee train. Although i do not own a kato E8, that could be a possibility depending on era of passenger cars you decide to model.
I would look at a Kato F7A for whatever road you are going to model. It can pull freight or passenger cars, is 4 axle and a decent puller. You can always add a B unit down the road for more pulling power. Not to mention that they can be had all day on ebay for $50 or less.
rrbill: P42 would be my first choice for a more modern passenger locomotive, however I'd like to try and get one that could feasibly serve both that and freight. watson: I have heard about how nice the mikados were. The only site I found that has them and offers services is tonystrainexchange.com. $190 is more than I'm looking to spend right now. n-builder: Buying more than one locomotive is more than I'm looking to spend right now. nssd70m2: Yeah I've heard the newer version isn't quite as great. I didn't realize NS ran that far, I'll keep that in mind. Dave: So far I've only been able to find one auction with a local rr scheme and they don't seem to be selling for quite that cheap. Anybody have any experience/opinions on the Kato GG1? I'm still leaning a bit towards that, I realize it's a little more than some of the diesels that've been mentioned but it's rather unique looking and it did do some freight work. Will I be better off buying the most recent production run or does it not make much difference? Anybody had any trouble between recent kato couplers and MT couplers?
Go with a Kato or Intermountain F unit. Great units, good for freight or passenger trains, used from the 30's till recently, and still on some shortlines and class ones. Can be purchased for around $50 on-line or EBay. I have both Kato and Intermountain F's and am happy with them all. Great pullers, look good, not overly expensive. (Pretty much what Dave said....)
Johnh: Again I'm looking for locos that would look reasonable with both freight and passenger. OC Engineer JD: Unfortunately Kato doesn't have any recent f-units in a local railroad scheme. The only stuff offered is used. Intermountain does have one though at a reasonable price so that is an optional I'll consider.
I don't think there is a whole lot that Kato has to offer in the eastern railroads. Atlas is probably the best bet for the roads that you would find in New York state. At least that's what I've seen out there. I have an Intermountain F7 A/B unit in Lehigh Valley that I like a lot. It would be around your price range minus the decoders which you could always add later. I think just starting out I would go with DCC ready loco's if possible to do in your price range. You can equip with decoders as funds are available. Installing decoders in DCC ready locos is not hard at all. Wouldn't pay for installation if it were me and also would not purchase decoder equipped if they would cost more than doing it myself. Just my opinion and may not be shared by everyone.
onryou, if you want to pull passenger cars, the only passenger cars made in the roads you named are NYC (Kato ahile back), PRR (Kato awhile back more recently) and Amtrak (again Kato for the last upteen years. You should pick the road for passenger cars and then find a loco. The Kato GG1 s a very nice running loco and I have one, but it is big and there are a lot of wheels, so your trackwork has to be very good. I would not be afraid of used locos from a reputable source (that is all I buy unless I absolutely can't find them used or I have to have a newly released loco) because you will save 20-50% off new. As mentioned, the Intermountain F units are great runners the detail is unbelievable. The good thing about F units is you can keep adding more B units or A units as required for pulling power. The Kato and Intermountain F units are easy to add decoders to later, as well.
I like the Atlas geep option. There is a huge variety of road names and it looks good on a small layout.
