Who should I choose?

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I am making a coal mining operation on my layout. I have decided to model a layout similair to the EBT (East Broad Top in Orbisonia, PA). They had a very successful mining industry before moving to passenger trains (that's what they pull today). It is all steam locomotives. Who should I choose for a good quality steam locomotive like a 0-4-1 (or whatever it is with no back wheels, four driver wheels on each side, and 2 front wheels).
 
You do know that the EBT is narrow guage, right? Assuming you want to run standard gauge HO, the best match would be a 2-8-0 Consolidation, since that's the most common engine type on the EBT. The "2" means there are two small wheels in the front called a pony truck, not powered, but to help guide the engine through switches. The "8" means a total of eight powered drivers, four on each side. The "0" (zero) means there are no smaller, non powered wheels to the rear. This would be a trailing truck and is used to support larger fireboxes.

The Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 would be the one I would use. It's well detailed, is a good runner, and is inexpensive, with DCC already installed. One place to buy it is http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Sear...Manufacturer=Bachmann&RefineBy_Price=&Search=.
 
RRManiac said:
I am making a coal mining operation on my layout. I have decided to model a layout similair to the EBT (East Broad Top in Orbisonia, PA). They had a very successful mining industry before moving to passenger trains (that's what they pull today). It is all steam locomotives. Who should I choose for a good quality steam locomotive like a 0-4-1 (or whatever it is with no back wheels, four driver wheels on each side, and 2 front wheels).
Click to expand...

The 2-8-0 (2 guide wheels, 8 drive wheels and 0 firebox support wheels) steamer is called a CONSOLIDATION. Bachman Spectrum and BLI have good running models in DCC with sound. Check several websites for pricing that are listed in other threads. The 2-8-0 will operate well on 18" radius track, where a 2-10-2 requires a 22" radius track.
Athearn and Lifelike's Proto series have several styles and road names for coal carrying gondola cars.

You may want to start with these manufacturers until you can detiremine the detail and accuracy of equipment you want to operate on your railroad.
Mikey
 


UP2CSX said:
You do know that the EBT is narrow guage, right? Assuming you want to run standard gauge HO, the best match would be a 2-8-0 Consolidation, since that's the most common engine type on the EBT. The "2" means there are two small wheels in the front called a pony truck, not powered, but to help guide the engine through switches. The "8" means a total of eight powered drivers, four on each side. The "0" (zero) means there are no smaller, non powered wheels to the rear. This would be a trailing truck and is used to support larger fireboxes.

The Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 would be the one I would use. It's well detailed, is a good runner, and is inexpensive, with DCC already installed. One place to buy it is http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Sear...Manufacturer=Bachmann&RefineBy_Price=&Search=.
Click to expand...


No offense implied Mikey, but I understood his a little bit better. I have absolutely no idea what an " 18'' radius" Track or a " 22'' Radius" track is. That's just the first thing. Another thing. Which manufacturers are you talking about. Please keep in mind that I have only had my train set for about a year and am just now starting to really get into it as a hobby. I don't want to spend to much money on more expensive things yet. Just because I have no way of getting money. So I have a limited amount of money.
 
Mikey is talking about the radius of a curve in inches. 18" curve sections will make 36" half-circle. 22" curves will make a 44" half circle. The radius is just half a circle or oval. 18" curves are considered sharp and won't take long engines or cars. 22" and above curves can handle larger equipment.

Let me suggest that you get the book Track Planning for Realistic Operations. You can get a copy at http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/...ur_Model_Railroad_Model_Railroader3rd_Edition or some hobby shops. This book is kind of a bible for planning your layout so the track does what a real railroad does - pick up and deliver goods and merchandise to businesses and industries rather than just having your model railroad run in a big circle. Things like curve radius are well explained, as well as how to plan yards, siding, and industrial spurs. Believe me, this will be the best $15 you ever spent in the hobby. If you read and understand everything in the book, you'll be well on your way to building a great quality layout.
 
I have asked my parents to purchase this book for me. I have no money at all, that's why they are buying it. I have said thank you :rolleyes:. thank you for recommending it. But does it just apply to the Kalmbach trains or does it apply to them all?
 
What Jim and Mikey have said about curves, applies to all HO-scale model trains.

Kalmbach is a publishing company that puts out Model Railroader magazine, plus a number of other how-to books about the hobby. They don't manufacture trains.
 
Kalmbach doesn't make model trains. They are a publishing company that runs 15 magazines ranging from American Snowmobilers to Birder's world. And they have published numerous books. To be honest you've picked quite the hobby to have a budget of zero :) I have spent well over $1100 this year but there are alot of ways to cut costs. The hobby is like the project triangle. You can only pick two things, but you can't get all three. :D
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Welcome to the forums and welcome to an excellent hobby :D
btw i case u didn't know narrow gauge means that the rails are closer than 4 ft 8.5 inches from each other. 4 ft 8.5 inches is standard gauge. So what is your layout now?

edit: ya beat me to it ken =)
 
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It's standard. I just wanted an operation similar to what EBT did way back when. And thanks for clearing that up CSX_Road_Slug. I thought kalmbach made trains. I didn't know they were a publishing company.
 
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