My wife is going to build a small layout at the school she teaches. She wants turn of the century (last one). I know N, we know G as we've modeled in those scales for years. New to HO. From the ratings thread it looks like LL proto is good running. Running is main importance here- kids don't want to see stalling at turnouts. The LL 0-8-0 looks a little modern to me- or is this ok for the era? any recommendations? max price, I figure with her budget, $90. (mailorder) not list. Thanks, Bill McLean
LL 0-8-0 is too modern (it's USRA, so I believe it came from the first World War). It also won't fit your budget (list $225, now way to get it less than $100). Again, look through that thread below. IHC makes a couple of locos (4-4-0, 4-6-0) that would be better for turn-of-the-century running. I don't have experience with these locos, so I can't vouch for them, but they are more period for you.
You may want to look at the Athearn Genesis 2-8-2 Mikado. It's got plenty of wheels and action to entertain the kids, and quite good detail. I paid $100 for mine, and I know right now new ones are going on eBay for around $80. It runs really quiet. Pulling power is not the greatest. I pull 4 cars well up a 4% grade. It'll also handle 18" curves if it has to, but prefers a wider curve. Given that most steamers didn't pull long consists out in the country-side, that may not be a problem to you. If you have a flat layout, it should do fine with most anything you'd want to model. Mark
Bill, Tell your wife to take a 'atta girl' out of petty cash! I did this same thing with our local MRR club- had a 'blast', there were even some bigger kids in attendance that had beards & moustaches If you go with IHC remember not to get anything but the 'Preimer line' as these engines are better quality that their other stuff. The American or Mother Hubbard would fit well with that era. Roundhouse makes turn of the century freight & passenger cars that would work well. Above all else, regardless of the era or equipment chosen, teach the kids that having fun and learning new things are the most important lessons. 2slim
Don't forget to teach them about safety around the tracks! Hear in NJ a kid was killed a few weeks ago using the tracks as a short cut.
The real question is, what are you going to do with the stuff after the show? Always a good idea, although I think it looks like you have that one under control...
The Makado is also a bit too new (I think it's from the 20's too). I'd recommend an American (4-4-0). I just got an IHC for my son and it runs remarkably well (now, I had to send it back for a repair, but it came back in just a week, working great). Several Mfr's make short freight and passenger cars, notably Bachman for "old-time freight cars" and Roundhouse has 40, 50, and 60' old time passenger cars, as well as 32' freight cars. As you might note from the above, rolling stock at the turn of the century was shorter than what we're used to now.
