Hello All, I am new to this Board / N-Scale and would like your opinions on a proposed Engine purchase / setup..... I have already decided to do my first layout as a Prototype of Marias Pass in the 80's to 90's timeframe. In addition, this will be my first foray into DCC so I must ensure that I purchase engines that not only represent the line but will run well and can accept DCC conversion. My plan is this: Purchase a small number of Locos for track layout testing that can ultimately be used on the final layout. I dont want to purchase an engine just because I can easily convert it to DCC but cannot use it in my layout because of prototype constraints. After extensive research on the Internet I have found the following compatible locomotives: Atlas EMD GP38s Atlas EMD SD60Ms Atlas GE B23-7s Atlas GE B30-7s Atlas GE B36-7s Bachmann EMD GP50 Bachmann Dash 8-40CW Life-Like EMD GP38-2s Kato (just to dang expensive for track testing) I would like to purchase several engines at once but cannot expend the necessary funds for an all Atlas buy... and cannot wait for them to release all of their planned Decoder installed locomotives. I need to know the following (for each engine): 1. Do they run well? (meaning no problems in switch running or crossing isolated blocks: AKA All Wheel Pickup) I am particularly interested in the Life-Like and Bachmann options because of their nice price point. 2. Estimated stall current draw? (need this for the Decoder decision) 3. Could I fit a Digitrax DN121 Decoder under the shell (Size = .36" Wide x 1" Long x .18" High) or would I be forced into a smaller sized decoder? (say .38" Wide x .6" Long x .18" High). 4. Are the frames isolated from the enigne in a delivered state or could they be easily fixed? Thanks in advance for any input that you could provide... It seems extremely hard to balance price, performance, prototypical constraints, and DCC compatibility in N-Scale... Ron
Ron, Firstly welcome to Trainboard it is always great to see new members posting for the first time. If you want any information about this site feel free to email myself or any other moderator. You can't go wrong with the Atlas locomotives as all the models you mentioned are DCC ready or you can buy with decoders installed. The Lifelike and Bachmann models are not so they will need modifying. As for the Kato models the latest ones are also Dcc ready and can be purchased with decoders. If you want the a great Kato locomotive you cant go by the SD90. I'm fairly sure what I've told you is correct but I'm sure others will point out any mistakes. You may have also noticed we have a DCC forum here as well with experts who can give you advice on all DCC questions. Once again welcome to Trainboard and I hope you visit here often and make it you internet home.
Hi Ron, This is my first post too, and I'm in the same kind of situation. Actually, I'm returning to N-scale after a 17 year hiatus. But my fleet of loco's are, well, old junk compared to today's offerings (those that still work). So I'm looking over new locos too. There is a good thread on Lifelike engines in this forum titled "Opinions of LL Diesels" (Started 11/10/01). I also started a thread and got some good feedback on the Atlas forum titled "Lifelike Engines". I too am interested in LL because of price point, and I have received generally positive feedback on them. They are not DCC ready, but I understand that they are not that hard to convert. However, I have not heard much good said about Bachmann. Some of my lousy old locos are Bachmann, and it dosen't sound like they kept pace with the vast improvements in the scale over the years I was out of it. So I guess I'm sort of jaded against them. You'd be best to read over other peoples comments who actually own the newer ones and decide for yourself. Atlas and Kato are in the top tier, but as you already know, so are their prices. I hope to eventually add these to my fleet later on, when I have completed my layout and saved enough pennies. Overall, it's great to learn from others in this forum who have been there, done that. I have a lot more studying and planning to do, but I'll keep watching and asking questions in the meantime. Good luck with your layout! [ 28 November 2001: Message edited by: Bruce-in-MA ]</p>
All those locos are decent purchases. Certainly the newer LL releases are much better. The Bachmann locos are ok, if you can tinker with them and get them to run well, they pull the walls down. The Dash 8 is in the Spectrum line, which is slightly better. The frame is split and isolated, which is important. I DCCed an HO one of these without a problem. The N scale one is set up the same way (I model N back home in MA, HO here at school on the club layout). As for running, I have 5 of them, they run fine after a little work and pull well.
Hi Ron. I am much more of a fan of the Bachman Spectrum Dash-8's than most people. I have 6 of them and have super detailed them and am quite satisfied with them. Especially when you factor in their cost compared to Atlas and Kato. If you are modeling Marias Pass in the 80's-90's, the Dash-8 is a must have. I suggest buying your Dash-8's at a train show where the price is better and you can try them out on a layout to check them out. I wouldn't pay more than $30.00 each for them and you should be able to do better than that at some train outlet tables. I do think you would be disapointed with the Bachman GP-50 and the Life-like GP-38-2's as they are very out of scale and toy-like. You can't go wrong with anything Atlas, however I have two Atlas SD-60's that I have had endless problems with. Same goes for Kato. Once again, try to frequent train shows and get there early. I found an Atlas GP40-2 in CSX used at a train show a few years ago for $20. Last year I got a pair of Kato U36-C's in Delaware & Hudson for $100. I later doubled my money by selling them for $100 ea. to buy a pair of Kato C44-9W's. The bargains are out there you just have to find them. One outlet that almost always has the Bachman Dash-8's at around $28 is www.ahobbycircle.com Good luck in your search.
Kato isn't as expensive as you think most are $5-10 more than the Atlas models. BLW has great prices on N scale locos www.buynscale.com [ 28 November 2001: Message edited by: sd9043mac ]</p>
