Does anyone have a decent list of Steam Loco types available for N? I am looking for Switcher types (0-4-0, 0-6-0). It seems that there isn't much out there that is compatible with DCC. Is this the case? What have others done to model early 20th century yards? Thanks
Probably the most comprehensive list I know of is Spookshow's N Scale Locomotive Encyclopedia. You're right that there isn't much in the way of 0-4-0's and 0-6-0's, but there have been a few. His site has some good reviews and ratings including his perception of a model's DCC compatibility. A more recently made option would be the Walthers 0-8-0. These have a socket in the tender for adding a decoder. Make sure you get a really small socket board. The thicker ones will not fit at all.
Mark, Your best option for an 0-6-0 is the Bachmann with a tender swap.... It makes and almost dead on B&O D-30 USRA 0-6-0 switcher. That tender came from an old Atlas/RR 0-8-0 but the Bachmann USRA Short tender works fine behind the loco, gives you all wheel pickup, and room for a decoder. If you don't want to swap, you can still get the B&O lettered 2-6-2, remove the pilot and trailing trucks and have a good representaion of this: http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/bo351s.jpg Adding the Spectrum tender does wonders for these loco's though. Bachmann made a 0-4-0T docksider (B&O protoype) way back when. I have one, hoping to resurect it but the motor was a POS. Not sure it's worth a $35 Coreless to get it running again. If you are doing B&O, they only had a couple 0-4-0's anyhow and they were used around the Baltimore area exclusively if I remember. As mentioned above, the Walthers 0-8-0 was a very good running loco (2nd run much better than first) but they are long gone and not really a B&O loco. If you want a B&O 0-8-0, you should disect a Bachmann 2-8-0 as that is what B&O did. They took E-27's (which the Bachmann loco is fairly close to in size) and removed the pilot truck and rebuilt the pilot beam to shorten it to create the L-2 switchers. http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/bo677s.jpg
You may also want to visit the N Scale Steamers group here on TrainBoard. I will probably be attempting some 0-6-0's and 2-6-2's soon because I need them for the Oregon American Lumber Company.
Thanks all for the advice. I am definitely going to look at the Life Like 0-8-0. I am relatively new in the hobby, and only have two locos. I was hoping for something a little smaller than that, considering I have the Consolidation already... A tank engine would have been perfect to fit the "scale" of my collection and the yardwork I am doing. Maybe someday...
Mark, The problem with tank loco's is the short wheelbase. Tank loco's will stall in most turnouts and require almost perfect electrical trackwork to be used as a reliable switcher. Pick something with a tender to help spread out the contact area. The best of the tank loco's is the Life-Like 0-6-0. They should be back in stock at Walthers around Christmas time.
Skipgears right about the small Saddle Tank, but with some fairly easy modifications, you can turn them into excellent running little critters. Here's a previous thread about the modifications I made to my 0-6-0t. I now call it the "Ultimate Saddle Tank"
Back in the early 1970s I had a great little B&O 0-4-0 and tender made by Atlas. I'd love to see this one back again. It was one of the few good running N gauge engines I had back then. Odd-d
Walthers 0-8-0 has given me heck, the elecentric rods won't stay on. It ain't the best puller either, but it sure does look pretty.
I haven't had a problem with mine. It's been a reliable runner so far, though I agree that it's not a great puller.
I took a Bachmann 0-4-0T, and added pickups to both the front and rear bumpers. These increased the pickup but reduced the pulling power. It waddled down the track quite well.
Over the years several N scale providers have issued steam switchers, ranging from very bad to occasionally good. The problem is they are a small loco, of which its weight poses a problem for traction, pulling power, electrical pickup over switches and glitches, and "wobbling" over so much wheel action on such small wheels. I have been moderately impressed with the Bachmann 0-6-0 with tender model, and never had luck with the tanker. My best steam switcher, however, is no longer made. It is the Minitrix 0-6-0 with slope back tender. It runs great, has weight from its metal boiler, looks OK, but could use some detailing, and has versatility to exchange tenders as the drawbar is very simple. Although not made anymore, I manage to always pick one up at swap meets for $15-20 a pop, and will never stop. When I get "the glare" from others when buying this seemingly old loco, I look back and think, "If you only knew". The Minitrix switcher is based on I think the Pennsy B6 switcher and it has a great aesthetic running on all of the layouts I had over the years. I am very pleased with this model, as I am with all of the Minitrix products. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
