Hi, I am relatively new to N scale. I have been running Kato diesel engines exclusively, but would like to have a steam engine for variety. Looks like Kato doesn't have any current steam offerings with fewer than 8 drivers, and I have a few tighter curves, so I guess I will have to look at other brands. Any suggestions on what might be on par with Kato performance wise that would be a 6-driver or smaller steam? Ideally upgradable to DCC/sound. Not looking for shills, just shared experience from the community, thanks!
I’ve been very happy with my Bachmann 2-6-0 and 4-6-0 locomotives. Might be tough to find the former, but the latter is still available in train sets… mine was DCC equipped, but the train set version is usually DC only. (Not sure how easy it would be to convert.). For something a bit more modern, the BLI 4-6-2 is nice too. Bachmann’s 2-8-0 is a smaller locomotive, despite having 8 drivers and is also worth a look. I own at least one example of each of these and although none are perfect, I’ve been very happy with each of them. Hope this helps. Jim
Check out Spookshow Great reviews http://www.spookshow.net/locolist.php?steam=1&nonbrass=3&sortby=4&Submit=Submit Regards, Wolf
BLI has a number of USRA Pacifics (4-6-2s) Bachman has, in addition to what was mentioned above, some Hudsons (4-6-4) and streamlined Pacifics, and 0-6-0s and 2-6-2s.
Just FYI… the 0-6-0 (and the 2-6-2, which is an 0-6-0 with a leading truck and trailing truck added) is NOT an easy conversion to DCC! Jim
I have steam power from Kato, Bachmann, Concor, MRC/Model Power, Walthers, MDC, Tomix and LifeLike. None of them I would recommend. Meaning; I would recommend sticking with diesels. There is a lot less problems when you don't have to deal with out of quarter drivers or you lost that tiny screw that holds the side rods together or a number of other things. I'm sure others will disagree with me but steam power has not been very, very good to me.
What are your "tighter curves"? Even some of the big articulated models will work down to 11" radius. Noone has mentioned the Bachmann 2-8-0, and it will handle tight radius because the drivers are smaller diameter so the wheelbase is pretty short.......they are pretty common on the auction sights (brand new), just watch which version you get. There are old ones (white box) that you want to avoid, newer ones that run well but aren't DCC friendly, DCC ready, and DCC/sound equipped. The BLI 4-6-2 are very good ........I have several. As you've found, there aren't a lot of small steamers out there right now, so you may have to look to the auction sites and buy used. In that market, there are a number of options........Model Power had some nice units in 4-4-0, 2-6-0, and 2-8-0 configurations. I recently purchased a LifeLike Heritage 0-8-0, and I have one of their 2-8-8-2s, that will handle curves down to 9.5 inch (it looks horrible doing it though). As mentioned, if you find something, look to Spookshows site for a review before you buy. That's one disadvantage of sticking with Kato......your availability/variety will suffer since they don't make A LOT of different models especially American 1st and second generation diesels and steam locos (they only do the UP locos that are still running).
Caution on the "I'll upgrade to sound later" thought. Adding sound to steamers later on is not for the faint of heart. And since you are new to N-scale more so to maybe think about going for the end game now. To that point, even adding DCC later can be a pain for some models.
Au contraire! I mentioned this model in my earlier reply: However, @MRLdave added the caution about the old, “white box” version which is a totally different model, and is NOT recommended. Easiest way to spot the bad one is to look at the cab windows; if they have arched tops, it’s the older, junky version. (Thank you sir for adding this important distinction!) Jim
I will chime in here as I love small steam locos. The Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-2 and 2-8-0 are both very good running engines. Now for Kato, the C-50 and the D-51 are both really fine running engines and the C-50 especially can pass for an American prototype 2-6-0. I run only DC so I cannot comment on how easy they are to convert to DCC. Of course the Kato 2-8-2s in US prototype are superb runners and are the Gold Standard of steam locomotives.
I've got two of Bachmann's 4-6-0s, and one 2-8-0. All three run pretty darn well (I would give the 4-6-0s an "A," and the 2-8-0 an "A-"). My 4-6-0s came as DCC only, no sound (you can now get the 4-6-0 with factory sound), but I have converted both to DCC sound... my first two sound installs. The stock tender would not be a difficult sound install, but I made it harder on myself by converting one to a (smaller) Bachmann USRA short haul tender, and the other two a MP Vanderbilt tender. One of my 4-6-0s ran smooth and quiet right from the start. The other had a major hitch/bind out of the box, but I soon discovered that the cylinder block and attached cross head guides were slightly askew relative to the frame, allowing the cross head and rods on one side to snag on the crank pin screw on one of the drivers. A simple twist of the cylinder block (and the attached cross head guides) solved that problem, and it now runs as smooth as the other. My 2-8-0 came with factory-installed sound.... it was pretty decent, but I swapped the USRA tender for a MP Vanderbilt, and upgraded the sound decoder in the process. It runs pretty darn well... with just the slightest of hitches between about 10-15 smph. I can't even see the hitch... but can hear the VERY slight hesitation in the chuffing. I would have no problems recommending either of these small steamers. Good luck!
I concur with Deacon, NDave and others. I have been running the Spectrum 4-6-0's for quite a few years, not flawless, but pretty darn reliable! The trick is to keep the wheels and pickups in the tender and bearings clean. I also have a couple of the old Model Power 2-6-0's that have been reliable runners also. And they are available with DCC/sound. If straight DCC is ok, and you get brave enough to try, the old time 2-6-0 and 2-8-0 by Athearn are good pullers as well!
I would have to agree, based on my own experience. The only engines I have had to withdraw due to total non-functioning/inability to repair have been steamers (ModelPower, Bachman, Kato). That said, there is just something about a working steam engine on a layout. . So, I have three, a Bachmann Spectrum, and two BLI, all three currently working properly. <fingers crossed>
If DCC and six or less drivers are the requirements, go with 1. B-mann 2-6-0 2. B-mann 4-6-0 3. MRC version of Model Power 2-6-0 4. MRC version of MP 4-4-0 5. BLI USRA light 4-6-2 6. BLI USRA heavy 4-6-2 This list is in no particular order. The last two are the only ones that I know still to be in production. Numbers three and four are no longer in production. The first two might not be in production any more but they are out there. The first two have decoders but no sound. As someone has mentioned, the second one still is out there in train sets but does not have a decoder. If you buy the second one not in a train set, it has a decoder. The MRC versions of the MP mogul and eight-wheeler have sound and decoders as do the BLIs
There is no doubt that N scale steam locos are more problematic than diesels..........but not enough so to make me want to not have them. I have way more dead diesels than dead steamers........but I have more diesels. On a percentage basis, I'd say it's pretty even. And depending on what you model, you may have no choice........it's pretty hard to model the 1930s with a bunch of SD70Aces. I DO spend more time with maintenance on the steamers, but not on repairs. I model the transition era, and while I run my diesels way more, it sure is fun to have the steamers there, and I picked 1945-1960 for a time frame, and I'll sometimes shift more to one end of the window and run more steam or more diesel. My only complaint is with sound, I find the steam locomotives to be WAY more annoying than the diesels.
If you took off all the side rods and other external 'parts' (that seem to give n scale modelers fits) off a steamer...would you then have a diesel under a steamer shell ?? Asking for a friend. With that out of the way... I have to agree with Bookbear1...
FYI: The Bachmann 4-6-0 models are currently only available in train sets… a passenger set, DC only, and a freight set with DCC & sound. Jim
The best running steam I have ever had were the Roundhouse and then Athearn 2-6-0 and 2-8-0. The motor is in the tender. I have four of them and love them all.
