general n scale cheap switchers questions

SteveN-trainz May 2, 2018

  1. SteveN-trainz

    SteveN-trainz TrainBoard Member

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    so the u25c i bought was meh the handrails broke otherthan that amazin im ready to expand i want a switcher looking on ebay i found some compellin offerings for 60 bucks i waslooking at bachmannalco switcher any advice for good cheap switchers under 65 used ill do but only in perfect condition are the kato switchers anygood the arnold sw1 was compelling but i cant find enough detailed info on them so i about the bachmann alco are they good smooth fast slow runners any help for any switcher would be amazin thx steven
     
  2. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    My mainline power consists of switchers mainly the Bachmann 44 and 70 tonners and they can be found around the $50 range. Most of the SW class switchers are also good and those would be the SW-8, 9, and the 1500. A little larger are the Atlas and Kato RS1, 2, and 3. All are in my fleet and have been trouble free for years now. Both the 44 and 70 tonners are slow speed runners and regardless of how far you advance the throttle they only run so fast that is why I don't mix them with other locomotives. A Lifelike SW will be a speed demon on full throttle easily doing three times the speed of a 70 tonner at the same throttle setting.
     
  3. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    This may be a nutty idea, but if you are a DC guy and want to go low on the dollar scale, the old Minitrix FM was a great switcher. The model dates from the early 1970s, but was a good runner for its day. M-T might have even made a conversion kit for it.
     
    Kurt Moose likes this.
  4. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    DC or DCC?
     
  5. SteveN-trainz

    SteveN-trainz TrainBoard Member

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    doesnt matter ill run dc ones aslong uner 60
     
  6. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    A number of locos today have dual mode decoders that run on DC or DCC. The 44 and 70 tonners come with that along with the S-4 and probably the recent S-2.
     
  7. SteveN-trainz

    SteveN-trainz TrainBoard Member

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    so you know about the arnold sw1 switcher i own a couple of the new arnold hornbyn scale trains and they run nice do you think thatill be betterthan the bachmann idk if im allowed https://www.ebay.com/itm/N-SCALE-AR...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 but thats the one im talking about lemme know ur opinion between this and bachmann the spooky review said it was a amazing runnner
     
  8. SteveN-trainz

    SteveN-trainz TrainBoard Member

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  9. jtomstarr

    jtomstarr TrainBoard Member

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    FYI I have one for sale.
    Tom
     
    SteveN-trainz likes this.
  10. SteveN-trainz

    SteveN-trainz TrainBoard Member

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    can u pm me whih one you have
     
  11. SteveN-trainz

    SteveN-trainz TrainBoard Member

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    after some looking around i found a walther http://www.spookshow.net/ limited edition newrelease walther is pretty good ill pick that up thx for everyones help
     
  12. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    The Walthers SW's are decent engines so you should be okay with that choice.
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  13. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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  14. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Life Like GP20s are solid switchers. They run smooth as butter. And cheap!
     
    BNSF FAN likes this.
  15. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    #truth
     
  16. Run8Racing

    Run8Racing TrainBoard Member

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    LOVE the GP20s !!! I have about a dozen in different roads. I don't use them as yard switchers, but I'm sure they would do fine.
    Some other switchers out there are the Atlas VO1000, ConCor SW1200, and the ancient Arnold-Rapido S2. The VOs are REALLY nice !!! The ConCors can be hit and miss. I have three that are fantastic. I have a cow & calf set that can pull your house. The fourth SW is over 40 years old and is for "exhibition use" only. It runs like a slot car !!! It sets land speed records and has NEVER been beaten. Some day it get a Richard Petty paint scheme !!! My three S2s are great, but you have to do the NWSL transplants.
     
  17. Hansel

    Hansel TrainBoard Member

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    Love my Atlas RS-3 and Atlas VO-1000 for switching duties. Not sure if you are looking for something bigger but my Atlas GP-7/9 and Atlas RS-11 run great too!
     

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