Best Quality HO Steam

[spruce57]

I'm in the market for a good quality 2-8-0 or 4-6-2 HO steam locomotive with DCC capabilities, with or without sound. It seems that Bachmann has a good selection, but I'm wondering if there are more or better choices then Bachmann. I have favored Atlas or Proto diesel products so far. Any opinions and experiences are appreciated.

Dave

 

[kenw]

the only steam I have is the Athearn Genesis Mikado, it is great after a few tweaks (like reducing the spring load on the firbox axle, it tended to lift the rear drivers!).

 

[Tuna]

I have an IHC Premier Gold edition 4-6-2 that has Tsunami sound/DCC and I'm pretty happy with it. Maybe not as detailed as some but it runs good.

 

[Espeefan]

The 2-8-0 is tough in HO. That's amazing when you think about how many there were on all railroads. They were the GP-9's or F units of steam. The Bachman model is better than the IHC for detail, and DCC adaptability. Probably for mechanism reliability too. Outside of that you don't have much choice unless you cruise E-bay for older brass. As much as I like the new products our manufacturers are cranking out, when it comes to HO steam, they seem to think we all want a Big Boy or a 4-8-4. Small "layout sized" steamers that you can run on a smaller home layout are currently being ignored. Oh well, we wait and hope!

 

[UP2CSX]

It's tough to beat the Bachmann Consolidation for details and value. The DCC decoder is basic but works fine. Like all Bachmann locomotives, it needs about an hour of run-in before it smooths out. The IHC 4-6-2 is a good runner and the sound is awesome. As Tuna said, it could do with a bit more detailing but you can add those yourself. We actually used to that all the time back in the day that dinosaurs roamed the earth. Both the IHC and Bachmann offerings are great values.

 

[hamltnblue]

Broadway limited Blueline's are good runners and great pullers. Nice and heavy as well

 

[Ronzzr11]

At the moment I have a pair of Broadway Limited locos on my layout, that my friend has let me borrow. A PRR T1, and a Norfolk and Western J1. The quality of both locos is very impressive, as for weight, the T1 is supposed to be around 2 pounds, more than enough to cope with all the passenger cars I have.
I,m running my layout on DC so I don,t get the benefit of all the built-in sounds,just the basics.
Ron

 

[Cjcrescent]

...Outside of that you don't have much choice unless you cruise E-bay for older brass....

Alan, SSSSSHHHHH, you giving away our secrets!

Just kidding, of course. The Bachmann consol is probablity the best to start with. It seems to be the "Santa Fe consol" from PFM, of the1960's. Not only is it sold at a good price but it's not a "limited run" the way a lot of models are today.

Like the Life-Like P2K line of diesels, the Bachmann Spectrum steamers, started an unprecedented time of superdetailed great performing loco's, that weren't brass from two companies that were never known for quality or performance. They trumped everyone.

 

[stationmaster]

I favor a few of different manufacturers. Rivarossi Red Box, BLI, . Tough to beat either without buying brass. As my layout is probably 75% steam, I'd say that the Red Box units are mighty hard to beat. I have a 2-8-8-2 that has tugged 237 coal cars around a layout at a couple of shows. It has the motor inside of the boiler and not in the cab as with the earlier models. And, yes, we cheated by using traction wheels.

I have at least 12 of the Red Box engines, from a IHB 0-8-0, to the NKP Berkshires, to the NYC Niagara's, to the NW and C&O 2-8-8-2 Mallets.

The BLI's number around 10 including a couple of C&O compounds.

I also have a number of IHC Premier series, which preform surprisingly well considering it's price when compared to the others.

My brass engines can perform no better than the ones I've mentioned, even at the much higher price. I really expected more out of them.

Bob

 

[kbkchooch]

If you can find one, Bachmann made a "plus" series 2-8-0 just prior to the release of the Spectrum line that was a little jem! It looks identical to the "pancake" motored regular line engine, but that big Reading boiler held a secret. A can motor! I've got a few of them and so far, I've had less failures than I have with my Spectrum units.
Of course, you gotta cruise ebay and be patient. The latest one took 6 months to find, but only cost me 40 bucks! It should have a Tsunami installed by months end!

 

[stationmaster]

the only steam I have is the Athearn Genesis Mikado, it is great after a few tweaks (like reducing the spring load on the firbox axle, it tended to lift the rear drivers!).

Ya needed a fatter engineer!!

Bob

 

[spruce57]

Thanks for everyone's interesting answers. I tend to agree with Alan that the newer HO steam offerings favor large layouts, of which mine is not one.

Dave

 

[Cjcrescent]

Thanks for everyone's interesting answers. I tend to agree with Alan that the newer HO steam offerings favor large layouts, of which mine is not one.

Dave

Again David, take a look at Spectrum for their small steam. They have the largest number of small steam engines on the market. They have 2 types of 4-6-0's, a modern 4-4-0, a small "Russian" 2-10-0, as well as a Shay.

Go here,

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewCat&catId=78

Click on either DCC equipped or DCC and sound to see all but one of the Spectrums. The Spectrum Shay is sold DCC ready.

If you want a good running, small 2-8-0, that can come DCC equipped, look at the "new" old time 2-8-0 from Roundhouse, now a part of Athearn. They have improved this model greatly. I got one recently and it is a quiet, great running little loco.

Go here,

http://www.roundhousetrains.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=2-8-0&CatID=THLS&Page=1

 

[stationmaster]

The Mallets, and other compounds(the articulated engines), are a bit more forgiving on tighter radius' layouts. Rivarossi's 2-8-8-2, ect, CAN assimilate themselves around an 18" radii, but look funny doing so.

Not real sold on the quality of Bachman's steamers. I've got two. The BLI's are much nicer, although more expensive. And they have fine sound system. And I have yet to find an engine that can match the power of my Mallets. Even my Rivarossi Berkshires and Niagara's are pulling machines. They easily out perform my Bachman's.

Bob

 

[Cjcrescent]

Bob, I interpreted his questions, esp. his last comments, as a desire for smaller steamers. I just gave him a couple of sources.

Both BLI and Spectrum have had issues with quality at times, as have everyone else. I own 4 Spectrums and have never had issues with any of them. I don't own any BLI's, (they don't make a loco that I need or want), but many of my club members do own them, and I have had a lot of experience with them.

I'm sure that there are many horror stories with any make of steam locos out there. I personally rate the BLI's and Spectrums on par with each other in quality.

 

[Espeefan]

I'm sure that there are many horror stories with any make of steam locos out there. I personally rate the BLI's and Spectrums on par with each other in quality.

Oops! Foot smell?? Cause you just stepped in it! You haven't compared the N&W J's have you? BLI/Paragon is head & shoulders above Spectrum quality wise, leaving the sound out of it. This is as it should be, considering the price difference between the two brands. Not to say Spectrum doesn't make a servicable entry level steamer...they do. BLI paragon is just better. Also, I'm talking about current models, not early offerings. BLI made it's share of stinkers early on, as with any manufacturer new to steam loco models. Remember the early BLI 2-8-2's? Talk about a turd! Then there was that disastrous first run Intermountain AC-12! No I didn't buy one, but I am awaiting one from the second run...if they can ever get them finished

 

[Espeefan]

Again David, take a look at Spectrum for their small steam. They have the largest number of small steam engines on the market. They have 2 types of 4-6-0's, a modern 4-4-0, a small "Russian" 2-10-0, as well as a Shay.

One last thing: I'd suggest treading carefully with the shay. I don't own one but the plastic bevel gears seem to have a high failure rate. I have talked with several owners and read posts from others, and if you put any kind of load behind this model...Sproiing! There is some chatter on the repower & regear group that NWSL will soon be making replacement gears. Bachman's parts selection is rather limited (no gears, only entire trucks). The ten wheeler is a nice model, and the Roundhouse models are little tanks! Good stuff!

 

[Cjcrescent]

Oops! Foot smell?? Cause you just stepped in it! You haven't compared the N&W J's have you? BLI/Paragon is head & shoulders above Spectrum quality wise, leaving the sound out of it.

Well Alan, I didn't want to say it but just about every WC club member that has had anything from BLI, has had to return it to the factory. Seems they use an odd axle size a well as gear axle size and its almost impossible to do any repairs to the mech yourself. Don't believe me, check the axle sizes yourself. Besides, I don't model the N&W, and have absolutely no need to compare any two locos that I'm never gonna own. Step in it, not hardly. For that kind of money, those locos should be user repairable,

This is as it should be, considering the price difference between the two brands. Not to say Spectrum doesn't make a servicable entry level steamer...they do.

Every Spectrum that has needed repair in the club, I've been able to fix it, including Bob's J. Can't do a thing with BLI's steamers.

BLI paragon is just better.

Again that's your opinion, Alan. I have to disagree.

Also, I'm talking about current models, not early offerings. BLI made it's share of stinkers early on, as with any manufacturer new to steam loco models. Remember the early BLI 2-8-2's? Talk about a turd! Then there was that disastrous first run Intermountain AC-12! No I didn't buy one, but I am awaiting one from the second run...if they can ever get them finished

Sorry, don't like BLI steamers, simply for their reliability, "first run problems" or not. They are not designed to be very "user friendly" in the repair department. Plus, they still don't make a loco that I need or want. I'll even take an IHC steamer over a BLI anyday, and I don't own IHC's either.

 

[Espeefan]

Well Alan, I didn't want to say it but just about every WC club member that has had anything from BLI, has had to return it to the factory. Seems they use an odd axle size a well as gear axle size and its almost impossible to do any repairs to the mech yourself. Don't believe me, check the axle sizes yourself. Besides,


Sorry, don't like BLI steamers, simply for their reliability, "first run problems" or not. They are not designed to be very "user friendly" in the repair department. Plus, they still don't make a loco that I need or want. I'll even take an IHC steamer over a BLI anyday, and I don't own IHC's either.

That's pretty strange. I don't own any BLI steamers either, but lots of guys up here do. One or two have gone back to the factory-one "doa" and one with a limp. Lots of others soldier on with no problem. Now mind I'm talking about current models, not stuff you pick up at the swap meet or "new-old stock" out of somebody's car trunk. I had one fellow give me one of their 2-8-2's. it had a nasty bind in it and we just scrapped the mechanism and put the sound on a brass model he had. Granted they are not as well put together as a KTM or later Samhongsa mechanism, but then, they cost about half of one of those. It would seem NAPM has not had the reliability issues that the WC has. I will agree with you that they are not the most user servicable models out there, but I'm afraid that is going to get more common as manufacturers try and hold costs down, use cheaper materials, and design models to be manufactured efficiently which sometimes leaves out repair. I'm sticking to my older brass and installing tsunamis though i would not rule out BLI if they made something I wanted (except a GS-4...plenty of those on hand!)

 

[lmackattack]

every loco will have its good and bad. I have 2 spectrums and 2 BLI

one spectrum needed a new motor and now needs new gears

one BLI needed a new Chuff sencer I think the Spectrums have better detail but the motors and drive train is weak BLI has a better motor and gears but lack some detail..Thats my opinion on them....I have seen both that were very nice and some very poor..cant win everytime