1800’s locomotives

[NVSrr1500]

So my mom has a bunch of 1800’s era cars. Just the old mantua 4-6-0 is the only loco. I want to get her one or two more locos of that era. What are the ones to avoid, and which is decent. Standard dc operation. Nothing fancy

 

[Iron Horseman]

So my mom has a bunch of 1800’s era cars. Just the old mantua 4-6-0 is the only loco. I want to get her one or two more locos of that era. What are the ones to avoid, and which is decent. Standard dc operation. Nothing fancy

I have had good luck with the AHM/Rivarossi 4-4-0. The motor is in the tender with a drive shaft to the front driving wheels. If you get ones from the 1960s they have real brass trim. This photo is of my Reno, needing its brass polished up a bit. It was my very first "new", not hand me down, HO scale loco I got for Christmas in 4th grade. Still runs like a top. If you don't like the oil burning stack, they make other versions, including a Western & Atlantic and a Genoa both with wood burning cone smoke stacks. Also an Inyo with a pan top smoke stack (supposed to be for coal burning but they have a oil tender on it).

 

[Iron Horseman]

So my mom has a bunch of 1800’s era cars. Just the old mantua 4-6-0 is the only loco. I want to get her one or two more locos of that era. What are the ones to avoid, and which is decent. Standard dc operation. Nothing fancy

I also see Roundhouse/Athearn have re-released the 2-6-0 old time locomotive. It is probably pretty good, but I don't have one nor know anyone who does to vouch for it. It would be a very modern locomotive in 1888.

Bachmann's Alco 2-6-0 locomotive is too modern for what you want.

 

[Colorado Midland Modeler]

So my mom has a bunch of 1800’s era cars. Just the old mantua 4-6-0 is the only loco. I want to get her one or two more locos of that era. What are the ones to avoid, and which is decent. Standard dc operation. Nothing fancy

Bachmann's 4-6-0 is a good choice in my opinion. I custom lettered mine as Colorado Midland 29, the prototype of said locomotive was built in 1888. Mine is a somewhat older Spectrum line version. It's standard DC, and runs like a Swiss watch.

The old AHM/Rivarossi 2-4-0 and 4-4-0 would also be good choices. I custom painted mine, but haven't gotten around to lettering them yet. They are also DC.

 

[Colorado Midland Modeler]

Just for comparison, an actual historic photo of one of CM 29's siblings in storage when the CM closed.

 

[Iron Horseman]

Bachmann's 4-6-0 is a good choice in my opinion.

Yes, forgot about that one. Don't know how I could as it is my main Louisville & Wadley locomotive. This is a Bachmann Spectrum line locomotive.

The old AHM/Rivarossi 2-4-0 and 4-4-0 would also be good choices. I custom painted mine, but haven't gotten around to lettering them yet. They are also DC.View attachment 200697

Yes, also forgot about AHM 2-4-0 Bowker locomotive. It comes in three different paint schemes from the manufacturer. It does not have the motor in the tender like the 4-4-0s do.

I agree with Colorado Midland Modeler here. Both of these are worthy of looking into.

AVOID the BACHMANN 4-4-0 loco. I think they call it the golden spike or civil war or something like that. They are "lurchy" runners.

 

[Colorado Midland Modeler]

AVOID the BACHMANN 4-4-0 loco. I think they call it the golden spike or civil war or something like that. They are "lurchy" runners.

I tend to agree with that. I have both the UP 119 and the CP Jupiter, and both often have electrical contact issues due to their small size and very light weight. They really start having problems when the track or their wheels start getting dirty.