As most of you know i am planning a switching layout based around Mopac in the 70's and 80's however for visitors to the layout I would like a nice steam locomotive with good sounds etc, any recommend a model i should keep an eye out for?
I am very happy with Bach 2-6-0 ( greatest headlight/backup light in the hobby !). Chuffs synch up real easy/CV 116 to 100 value. No deck plate. Recently got a Bach 2-8-0 (worst headlight in hobby/no backup light !). It runs really nice/steady, is strong, proto-looking sky area over drivers, deck plate, nice rods, difficult to synch up chuffs but gets close enough.. Would 70s-80s Mopac have steam ?..
Most likely no but i want a loco for when i have no modelling visitors. Took a look on ebay quite a few available for a good price with DCC and Sound
If you don't mind spending a few dollars, a Walthers Proto Heritage 0-8-0 is hard to beat. Very nicely detailed, good runners, good sound. And used widely as switchers in their time.
You've already gotten the two biggest reccomendations I can come up with. Don't be afraid of the Bachmann SoundValue line, they're good little engines. You'll only get the bell and whistle and background noise, ,but most of us don't use the raido chatter or farm animal sounds anyway, and for a while e-tailers were selling them for $97. For "on a lark" style running, that might be all you need. The P2K switfhers are greaty little engines, but the detailling really wants to make them a star engine and not a "I think I want steam today". They do have 8pin plugs on their boarsd though, so if uyou find a style you like without sound, adding a Tsunami speaker is pie. ".
May be straying too much into road power, but Dorin's book Missouri Pacific Lines/Freight Trains and Equipment includes diagrams from MoPac sources of Mikados, Berkshires and Santa Fe's, as well as a photo captioned as a Mountain. I also have to suppose that an 0-8-0 would fit.
My "Guide to North American Steam" says MoPac had 0-6-0 and 0-8-0 switchers and all were retired by the mid 1950s.
