Hello all, I have my track all setup and need some help/suggestions. I have a passenger line that was based on the old blue B&O royal blue. Bought the bachmann royal blue started set and I am just not happy with the 4-4-0 little cheap locomotive. I want something bigger and with a little more power. I also find that the bachmann provided locomotive is also noisy. I am looking at a bachmann spectrum (Locomotive, Bachmann Spectrum H-4 2-6-6-2, DCC N-Scale) but would only run it on a DC setup (no money to going digital...yet) This loco is marked at C&O which would suit me even though not B&O. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks Sparky
If you'd like to replace the 4-4-0, the bachman 2-8-0 is DC and is terrific as far as running goies, I own four of em I also have a 2-6-6-2 that is a good runner and is DC and it's a horse power wise, pull about everything I own. Model power makes a great little DC 2-6-0 mogul that's really nice running wise and has more power than any 4-4-0. The backman 4-4-0 is junk, I know of none that run without a complete overhaul. A pacific, 4-6-2 is a great passenger locomotive, and Kato used to make one, and Model power now makes one. I've had no experience with it, and have heard both good and not so good about it. Expense wise, I believe the bachman DC 2-8-0 is the best buy money wise. I did get a 4-6-0 ten wheeler that comes DCC equipped and I cut the wires on the decoder and resoldered them so I now have a DC loco that runs great. There's lots of good running locomotives out there, and now days we've finnally got the small frame locos we've wanted for thirty years. Good Luck.
Model Power makes a very nice looking B&O 4-6-2 streamlined Pacific. It is painted and decaled for the Royal Blue. I have one that runs alright. Out of the box there are some issues with the driving wheels being out of quarter, but when this is adjusted they run quite nicely. I have seen these from time to time on eBay for around $90. I haven't seen one recently but they are available at N scale supply for $127 (which i think is a bit pricey)
The era that the trainset models is the first Royal Blue which was in the 1890s which would have been pulled by the 4-4-0 based on the open platform wood coaches supplied with the set. Locomotive options in the late 1800s to early 1920 would also be the 2-6-0, 4-6-0, and 2-8-0. There are several good old style locomotives both in the 2-6-0 and 2-8-0 that would look alright with that train. Another option would be another 4-4-0 this time the one from Atlas or the Bachmann 4-6-0. However I would suggest pulling the bottom plate on the loco and lightly lubing the gears with some Labelle lubricant. The motor in the tender requires a bit of skill the open it up to get to it since on the older models it slides out of the front and probably still does on these newer ones. Some lube at each bearing end of the motor plus the gears of the loco should quiet it down some for you. Normally these little locos are good pullers but suffer some in the electrical pick-up due to the tender having the only pickup wheels. A good review of the loco options available and the Bachmann 4-4-0 is to go to the Spookshow site. http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/locolist.php?steam=1&nonbrass=3&sortby=4&Submit=Submit
Believe it or not I have one of the royal blue from Model. It don't run worth a flip. In fact the bachmann 4-4-0 actually runs better than it does. I am trying to learn to repair these things. I was an old lionel guy that didn't have the space so I went to N gauge. Thanks for answering me. Sparky
