Hi all, I'm learning the hard way that I probably should have started out with HO to reliably do all the operational stuff I want to to. If anyone could give me their two cents on a couple of questions, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm modeling U.S. Steam, and I'm not terribly concerned with road names or precisely accurate eras. 1. I'd probably like to start with just one or two locos for switching, and the HO Bachmann 2-8-0 consolidation and 0-6-0/2-6-2 and Alco 2-6-0 look to be a good fit budget and size-wise. I've had a bunch of N scale Bachmann locos, some fantastic, others not so much. I'd be fitting my own DCC, sound, and hopefully remote uncoupling. I'm not adverse to remotoring. Are these locos generally good performers at low speed or should I steer clear? I'd like to be somewhere around $130 or less for the loco (minus all the DCC stuff) 2. How about rolling stock brands? I'd likely be starting out with freight, probably a few shorter box cars, a couple of flat cars and maybe a coal/ore car or two. Are there any brands that sit in the sweet spot between detail and value? 3. Is there a particular brand of HO track for switches and flex track that is reliable and looks good for U.S. railroads? I was using PECO for N scale, which was bulletproof but didn't look great. I'd be powering the switches with DCC controlled servos. 4. I've seen some of these locos come 'with smoke', which would be an amazing feature. Is it good in reality or is it messy, needs refilling often and leaves residue everywhere? Any clean options for smoke/steam? 5. Is it practical to expect that the average modeler can get realistic results in painting HO scale figures? It seems to my uninformed eye that HO human figures are right at that awkward size where they are not quite big enough to add a lot of fine detail, but big enough that your eye notices the lack of detail. 6. Is there any resource like Spookshow.net but for HO scale? I found this site SO helpful in choosing good locos. Tons of questions and a lot to ask I know. Thank you very much for any insight here.
Hah, sorry - I didn't explain that part. I've only got limited space available, so a smaller scales offered the potential for a more intricate track plan in the same space. If I had plenty of room I'd have just started with HO, the selection seems unmatched. Didn't mean it to sound like a snub in any way, apologies if it came across like that.
1. Most HO locomotives are pretty bulletproof. Their larger size means certain cheesy design features of older N scale do not exist in HO. Bachmann spectrum is good, and I have some 'standard line' Bachmann models that are decent too. If you wanted to go brass you could do that too. Those are true tinkerer locomotives, but if you want good running out of the box, brass can be hit-or-miss. While discontinued for a few years now, Proto2000 made a few steam models. Those you will have to find on eBay or at swap meets. 2. For rolling stock, I think it depends on what you are looking for. Atlas and Intermountain make good reefer models, while Walthers has good boxcar selection. Tangent is a more upscale brand with their notable 8,000 gallon tank car. Accurail makes basic kits, but they are a good starting point for detailing and weathering. They come with plastic wheels, so you will probably want to upgrade them to metal. Bachmann locomotives are pretty good, but their cars don't really interest me. Atlas Trainman (their 'entry level' series) is comparable, but better in my opinion. Bachmann's price oftentimes does not justify the detail. Bachmann gets people to buy because they are available, but experienced modelers know there are superior alternatives, both in price and detail. I don't mind mixing brands for my rolling stock. One manufacturer cannot supply every model you want. 3. Peco, Atlas too, or you could check out Micro Engineering. I don't have a lot of experience with them though. 4. Smoke features may be harder to find, either they come with older obsolete Bachmann models, or higher end models like Broadway Limited. Broadway has been making some nice steam locomotives lately, but they are pricier and you might as well just buy them with DCC installed. 5. As long as you get good, small brushes, painting figures and smaller details is much more achievable in HO than your previous scales. 6. HO Spookshow- no. Most modern models have pretty much the same features. I feel that spookshow focuses a lot on the internals and the operating characteristics, and like my answer for your first question, overtly 'bad' drive-trains don't really exist. What kind of models are you looking at buying? New models from online or from a hobby shop, or older vintage/used models from eBay and Train shows? If they are new, you could consider them a good runner.
The Bachmann spectrum and Proto 2000 models mentioned are definitely OK. but I think before I looked at Bachmann "standard line", I would also check out some of the old Mantua/Tyco steam (look on Ebay), such as their 2-6-2 or 4-6-0. Although the latter may be on the old side for you, similar power was in regular shortline use into the early 50s. Those models are somewhat dated and would benefit from a detailing project, but are built on very solid, durable and simple mechanisms that are easy to work on. A nice one is worth having. Another good candidate is the old IHC 2-8-0. I've got one of those and do really like it. If you'd like to try building a kit, there's also a lot of the old Roundhouse stuff available, both built and unbuilt. Just some food for thought.
Thank you very much! I have some Spectrum N scale stuff and those are certainly among the nicer of the locos. Great to know HO is a similar story. It's interesting to learn that the mechanisms are so solid on old and new locos alike. Opens up a lot more choice and I'm fine with adding visual details to older models. Peco code 83 sounds like it'll work nicely, and looks prototypically pretty good. Greatly appreciate the advice guys, thank you again.
Quick question on the Bachmann vs. Spectrum please - I'm looking at a few 2-8-0 consolidations. Road # 639 (part number 51319) says it has DCC on-board but I don't see mention of Spectrum in the listings. I've found a few listings for road # 721 which says DCC-ready, but DOES say Spectrum. It looks like I can get a new non-spectrum with DCC for about the same price as a used spectrum without DCC. I don't really care about the DCC since I'll be swapping in Zimo decoders that I already have. Is there likely to be any differences in quality or detail between the two, or are the the same & the spectrum name was dropped when they added DCC? thanks very much!
As long as it's a 2-8-0 or a Russian 2-10-0, I think they are essentially the same beast. You do, however want to avoid the really old 2-8-0. These look different, being models of a very husky Reading 2-8-0. They did not have the best mechanism to begin with and will normally be used to one extent or another. They often will not run well or will not run at all.
Not mentioned but Intermountain and Kadee make a lot of 40' boxcars from the 1937 AAR to the PS1 along with other thinks like hoppers, covered hoppers and reefers. Rick Jesionowski
Not at all. Could not resist temptation to rib. I model in Omega scale for: lots more room, unlimited selection. Rule #1: It is my (your) railroad. (from another member). Have fun!
That is an interesting observation. Are 721 and 639 both Union Pacific locomotives? Be careful that you aren't looking at an N scale model. I think Bachmann makes those numbers in both HO and N scale. They might be from separate runs, but I think Bachmann only has one set of tooling, so they both should be the same model. I just looked around on the internet a bit, and the Spectrum Consolidation box looks to be the black box, which is usually for older spectrum models. Newer ones are in red. They probably just rebranded the newer runs as 'standard line' models. Maybe they thought it wasn't good enough or too outdated to be Spectrum. Either way, anything Spectrum, past or present, is pretty good. (except maybe the GE Dash 8 - that one is definitely outdated).
Just be careful of pancake motors. Some older Bachmann models (white box) have these, so I wouldn't say that every model has a high-quality drive. For a serious railroader, they are best avoided. They are hard to work on and it's difficult to retrofit those models with new motors. Another brand you may want to look at is Athearn's Roundhouse series. They released a 2-8-0 locomotive in an 1800's style. I don't know if that is too old for you, but that is another model you could add to your list.
I know your doing steam but here's a shot of my Bachmann S4. As for track I'm using mostly Micro Engineering codes 83 mainline code 70 siding and code 55 for in the weeds/mud trackage.
