Too bad the FVM 4-4-2 Hiawatha is hard to come by and expensive when you do find one available (usually in the box set with 6 cars so big $$$). They can't pull much but boy they run so smooth and easy to upgrade to sound with a built in 8-pin NMRA-style socket.
Indeed. So glad I snagged one back when they first came out. I recently updated mine to DCC no sound as there really isn't room for much other than the smallest of decoders much less a speaker.
I have a couple of newer Bachmann 2-8-0's (non-DCC version) and a few Bachman K4 4-6-2's (with DCC & sound). I've been pleased with how they run.
OK How many STEAMERS does the INDIANA RAILWAY have? Good question. A couple of Shay's--a couple of B'Mann EM-1's--several CC 2-10-2's [They Pull!{especially after Mark's/Spookshow fix}]--CC/Kato 4-6-4 Hudsons [still run like watches] LL 0-8-0's [Make sure they are the 2nd run!] LL 2-8-8-2's and a whole SH** load of KATO 2-8-2's [one of the best steamers ever run] Before converting ANYTHING to DCC, learn DC operation first. DCC may NOT be for you. It's gonna cost you, and if you don't pay attention to what you are doing, the ELECTRONICS will burn up and cost even more. Ain't no way to get that SMOKE, back in a decoder, once you let it out! Sound is NICE, but not a deal breaker, YET! Smoke, I'll pass. Before you purchase ANY N-Scale Locomotive, GO TO SPOOKSHOW for REAL & HONEST reviews. http://www.spookshow.net/index.html
