N scale steam??

Justin May Apr 27, 2000

  1. Justin May

    Justin May TrainBoard Member

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    Hello to all,
    I am usually a HO lurker, but I always watch and read what the N guys say and model, BTW all of the N scale contest entrants look great- Wow! I am interested in getting into N scale and was wondering about the Atlas re-released 2-8-8-2 Mallet? Was it a good runner, detail, pulling capablities, etc? How is this compared to the Kato Mike or some of the other out there? Would one be able to find one of these around still at a show or would one need to search Ebay for any chance of nabbing one of these? Thank you in advance and hope to be a N scaler sometime soon, Justin May
     
  2. Maxwell Plant

    Maxwell Plant TrainBoard Member

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    Justin,
    Steam in N-scale is not what it COULD be. The steamers are expensive and do't run quite as well as some Bachmann D/E's, but there are a few exceptions as far as runners go. The Atlas 2-8-8-2 can run well, but you have to watch for the dead spots that a D/E would normally roll through. This is true for most steamers of any brand. The Reid Brothers from Chicago seem to run alot of steam on their famouse layout, I wish we could get one of them on here to share their secrets with us. They are alot of steam guys in N-Scale, but I think most of us are doing the D/E thing. I hope you jump into N, you'll find it runs just as well as HO overall and you can detail them up real nice too! [​IMG]

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    RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style!
    Brent Tidaback
     
  3. Robin Matthysen

    Robin Matthysen Passed Away October 17, 2005 In Memoriam

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    I am not up to date on the Atlas Mallet. Mine came from Riverossi. A 2-8-8-2 that runs like a dream but takes a lot of current to operate. N-gauge power supply can barely handle it. I now have a larger power supply and all is well. Not sure of the motor size. It is a strong puller and can handle any size train that I have. EG. 50 freight cars.
    Robin
    http://members.xoom.com/Matthyro/index.html
     
  4. eddelozier

    eddelozier TrainBoard Member

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    I'm running both the N-scale Atlas and the Riverossi 2-8-8-2 mallets. I placed pilot coupers on both and have them double headed pulling a string of 55 coal hoppers.
    I never have any problems with derailments, even over the switches. Maybe I'm luckly, but the pilot wheels hug the rails very well. I can't say that about a brass M1a I have. The M1a's pilot wheels have problems. Could be that the M1a pilot wheels are 4. I call it the 'run the wagon backwards using the handle to push' problem.
    I use a Railpower 1300 power supply with a SS-EA Steam sound system in-line. I run less than 100%, even on a 3% grade. I've wired track power jumpers to my switch rails to eliminate any dead areas.
    I have 15 steam engines and each has their own problems, but the mallets have few.
    All the steam forces me to keep my track clean and aligned. A plus I guess?

    Eddie

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    Eddie Delozier
    PRR N-scale
    deloziers.com
    eddelozier@yahoo.com
     
  5. mtaylor

    mtaylor Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have seen mention on the web (forget where) about people who have re-motored their Rivarossi 2-8-8-2 with Kato motors and flywheels. How is this possible? My Rivarossi (Con-Cor) 2-8-8-2 is a collectors piece built December 1977. It actually runs decent. But as Robin stated, I have to crank my power supply way up. My current power supply is a Troller Autopulse from my old HO layout. I am planning on converting this loco to DCC. I know it's a collector piece and all, but I have no plans on selling it while I still have a pulse [​IMG]

    Any thoughts?

    Thanks
    Matt
     
  6. mtaylor

    mtaylor Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    By the way, my current layout is just a small dual track test oval. I am in the process of completing the benchwork design (working on support system now). I will be using Digitrax Chief (Radio?) on the real layout. [​IMG]
     
  7. eddelozier

    eddelozier TrainBoard Member

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    Matt,
    I'm running on a 100 foot line around basement wall and have plenty of power, even from a single feeder.
    The age of the engine may be causing a problem? Take a look at the motor brushes, armature and the power takeup contacts. They may be worn or dirty?
    I have one of two Bachmann 8-40C diesels which stops running completely, only in one direction! I reposition the motor and shafts to get it running again, too much play I guess. Plus it builds up carbon on the brushes?

    Eddie

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    Eddie Delozier
    PRR N-scale
    deloziers.com
    eddelozier@yahoo.com
     
  8. yellowtrain

    yellowtrain E-Mail Bounces

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    I waited in line for the first run of the Atlas 2882. Mine has always run great. Steam does have a problem with blocks and multiple power packs. Like they stop. But, there are several of us with steam of different brands in our club, and they all hitch up and run together. I hope the rerelease is better than the first. While I had no problems with my engine, the other two lads that bought first run engines had to send them back to Atlas. And to Atlas's credit, the engines were repaired and returned with no problem. As I recall it was a problem with the side rods not being set up correctly and they would bind and stop the engine. I like mine. I just can't run it at meets with multiple power packs and blocks without walking with it and helping it across the blocks.
     
  9. Maxwell Plant

    Maxwell Plant TrainBoard Member

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    Howdy YellowTrain! Welcome to the Boards!
    I'll be at Adventureland tonight, stop by if you can!

    Brent AKA:Buddha [​IMG] AKA:Maxwell Plant [​IMG]

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    RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style!
    Brent Tidaback
     
  10. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    Hello,


    In my opion, steam in N Scale doesn't have the same feel, or look as it does in HO!
    It is so small, that the whole moving rod thing is just lost in my mind

    Sorry, just how I feal,

    Dane N.

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    TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King
    TAMR2860@hotmail.com
     
  11. porkypine52

    porkypine52 TrainBoard Member

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    I have two of the old Atlas 2-8-8-2 mallets. One runs okay, but the second has had nothing but problems from day one. I think you should save you money. If you want a steamer that runs as good as a diesel, go get a KATO Mikado (2-8-2). You can pick one up for about $100.00 at various mail order places. The only thing I would advise you to do to it is to add the drive axle wheel set that has the traction tires on the wheels. Makes the engine pull 33% better. Add a Micro-Trains coupler conversion set so that you can have a working front coupler. You can double head your train and then put a pusher on the rear! With DCC you can have the pusher push the train to the top of the grade and then back off without having the train stop! Very nice effect.


    Let's Go Run Trains
    MARK




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  12. Designdog

    Designdog TrainBoard Member

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    I run both N and Z scale steam. N scale steam has alway been a disapointment and I've owned just about every make: Kato, Arnold, Fleishman, Hallmark Brass, Mini-trix, Rivarossi, Con-Cor, Atlas, and unfortunately, Bachmann. For N scale I only recommend Arnold and Kato, most of their products are very well designed and perform reasonably well. In Z scale we have fewer choices in steam, mostly Marklin, but Marklin is an excellent manufacturer and is a real inovator when it comes to new products. Micro-trains does not make any N scale or Z scale steam, only the brass shells; Marklin makes the actual mechanisms.

    Over 35 years of N scaling experience so I've learned a few bitter lessons over those years.
    Enjoy!
     
  13. mtaylor

    mtaylor Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by eddelozier:
    Matt,
    I'm running on a 100 foot line around basement wall and have plenty of power, even from a single feeder.
    The age of the engine may be causing a problem? Take a look at the motor brushes, armature and the power takeup contacts. They may be worn or dirty?
    I have one of two Bachmann 8-40C diesels which stops running completely, only in one direction! I reposition the motor and shafts to get it running again, too much play I guess. Plus it builds up carbon on the brushes?

    Eddie

    <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    I have cleaned the wheels and contacts. The motor itself is a can motor with the brushes inside (yuk). It still takes a large amount of juice to run it. I had a HO scale 2-8-8-2 that also took more jucice than my Atlas and Athearn engines. Maybe this is just the way Rivarossi engines run (poorly). I am interested in remotoring and adding a flywheel if that is even possible. I read it on a website that I no logner have bookmarked. If one could install a more powerful motor and then attach a flywheel to the drive shaft, I am sure the loco would run much better.

    Any ideas?
    Matt
     

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