If you had 50 bucks to spend on an engine what would you buy? 50 bucks......no more. Steam or diesel. any suggestions?
nothing Figuring $5 of the $50 goes for shipping charges or Sales Tax and gasoline, any n scale engine costing only $45.00 isn't worth owning. Save your $50 until you have enough to buy a quality product.
Any newer Life-like (proto2000) with a metal frame is probably your best bet for under $50. Without knowing your needs, the last runs of the Life Like BL2 were very nice, and it's a locmotive that served many purposes. Jason
I have an idea for a Life Like SW1200. There are usually some on a certain auction site, for well under $50. Boxcab E50
Well, typically, you can't get a very reliable steamer for that. Close maybe, but not under $50 typically (occational awesome deals not included). So, that leaves diesel. You can get a decent diesel for under $50. It might not be a Kato, or Atlas, but maybe a used one of those. Any bachmann under $50 would probably be the standard version, and a crap. However, Life-Like diesels I have found a very good for the money. They can run very well, and dependable with little to no tinkering. Some, a simply low cost mod, and can run like a Kato. Life-Like detail is good on their stuff over the past couple years, especially with their proto series. And they are good locomotives for some cases more then half the cost of a Kato. So, my choice would be something in a Diesel made by Life-Like within the last couple years of release.
I've had good luck with second-hand LL SW9/1200 switchers. They require some mods to install a decoder, however.
I would probably reserve an Atlas GP15-1. Other than that it would have to be a clearance item or used. That Walthers GP38-whatever is probably a decent deal and I think you could probably find a LL GP60 in that range new on eBay. Maybe a rogue Atlas unit could be had on eBay for that, dunno.
First rule- Thou shalt not pay full retail It's called "pre-owned". Either some good rolling stock or a decent used locomotive, either on eBay or N Scale Supply (got three great-looking and great-running diesels that way). Did it online, saved gas. Had to pay shipping, but oh well.......... BTW, the last diesel I got was in excellent shape, cost 45 bucks, and runs like a Swiss watch. It's an Atlas GP38 in MP colors (don't tell the Mopheads I got one ), and runs very nicely with my other Atlas engines.
"If you had 50 bucks to spend on an engine what would you buy?" If I "had 50 bucks to spend" I wouldn't necessarily spend it on an engine. I can think of a couple new passenger car items available now from Brass Car Sides and Eastern Seaboard Models that I would love to have!!!
Last small train show I went to had deals everywhere. tons of atlas and even some kato engines for $50 bucks.
I might get a Atlas GP15-1. I also might get a unit from N-Scale Supply!!! I dunno this is a toughie, I am in the mode of not thinking "I need this now" come later I think man I realy didn't need this now that I spent the money!!! Oh Well :tb-biggrin:
I have rarely paid over $50 for an engine on Ebay, new or used. You can get a good variety from Atlas, Kato, LL, or others if you are patient and get it at the right time. I would second the earlier suggestion for the MDC mogul. Those were some of the best running steamers.
