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I want to get a couple of med duty Steam engine for my layout. I have an old IHC? 4-6-2 and 2-8-2 that I upgraded to DCC but both are having some motor troubles and they are not great running at slow speeds. My track work is good and so I can run just about anything besides very long articulated steamers. I model the IC and want to keep with the med duty locomotives with 4-6-2 2-8-2 2-4-2 etc.. somthing that would have a tender with 4 axels and look normal pulling only 7 freight cars.
My layout can only handel small local freights if I want to use the sidings for passing.
I dont know what Mfg have the smooth running steam engines as I havent bought one in over 10 years
Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 or light 2-10-2. Both very well detailed, run great, have DCC already installed, and are about the best value in steam locomotives on the market today.
The Athearn Micado isn't perfect, but it runs as smooth as silk. I had to loosen the firebox truck spring to get it to pull more than a half-dozen cars up any grade, but since then it has run fabulously.
I was looking at the mountains but I think the long wheel base of the drivers may cause some issues in the 18"-22" curves and yard turnouts? Thats why I was looking at engines no larger than 4 axel drivers.
I like the look of the Micados I will look closer at them
So the Athern and Spectrum Locos are good quaility. Last time I had a spectrum diesel it lasted 2 weeks before the motor went bad.
How about the lifelike P2k? I have lots of there diesels and love them. never ran any of there steam
Trent
The Broadway Limited blueline series is excellent. I have 2 Diesels and 1 4-8-2 steamer and they run and sound great. Since you are running DCC you have to try sound equipped. You'll never go back.
All I can say is, Wow!. HO Steam engine have come a long way in 10 years!
This thing pulls better than any 4 axel diesel I have. It will pull all my freight cars up the 5-6% grades with ease! The sound is very cool and in tune to what the train is doing.
Just a word of warning, you should read the message posted at Tony's Train Exchange (http://www.tonystrainexchange.com/tonystips/2008/091908.htm) about this model of engine. It has separate control and sound decoders and there have been major problems with this combination. Tony's returned the entire lot to Blueline, something not done lightly, so keep your receipt handy.
Thanks for the heads up. I am in good at my LHS so if there is an issue I will talk to them. So far the only issue I have had is I cant get the decoder to change its direction? When I reset it back to the CV03 default it works but when I use the loco number (address 5501) CV29 does not respond to change its direction. most of the time it wont even move and I have to reset the decoder? I still need to play around with it.
Besides that The sound and performance is very good so far. I still havent figured out all the DCC system has to offer but it has been fun learning. I need to get a few more sound units.
The decoder reset issue is one of the big problems people have been having. As much as you like that engine, I'd return it and wait to see if Blueline reworks this engine to eliminate all these problems. The decoder resets have been driving people nuts and you're much better off trading this one in for one that doesn't have these know issues. In general, always makes sure the sound and control decoder are one unit and not two separate units like your engine. The two separate units seem to be the main cause of the problems and it's unlikely to be fixed without some major reworking by Blueline.
Thanks for the tips again LOL!! I just bought the tsunami tonight, It was just under $130 with a speaker and a good guy discount. I Wired it up tonight to a socket board and will install it in the tender tomorrow. I got the 4-8-2 Mountain for $135 from a local ebay seller.
I figured out how to get my BLI Mikado to move in the direction that the controler says I was programming it incorrectly. So far I have about 5 hours use of it without issues.
I thought I was spelling it wrong LOL!
