Just curious how the Model Power Mikados, Pacifics, Moguls and Americans run. Also the Life Like 0-8-0 and Bachmann Consolidation and Mountain locos. I'm considering going for a 1940-1960 era for now. My layout will have 2% grades, and the main will have a minimum 13 inch radius, and the branch will be 10 or 11 inch radius. I'm using Atlas C80 flextrack. Lastly, I'm pretty knowledgable about what cars are appropriate for what timeframe, I just don't want glaring errors. Specifically trucks on freight cars, etc. Thanks.
I have no Model Power locos or LL 0-8-0 but the Spectrum (only) 2-8-0 I do have and recommend. The Spectrum light Mountain I don't recommend. I never bought the heavy Mountain but others speak well of it. Ben
Unless you buy MP Pacifics and Mikado's will traction tires, the MP steamers do poorly on grades and some don't perform well on level track. The MP 4-4-0 can't be expected to pull more than 3-4 cars on level track. The steamer didn't come with traction tires. Only the least runs of MP Pacific's and Mikado's came with traction tires. All the MP steamers have cast metal boilers. The added weight somehow doesn't add much to the steamers performance which if you don't get a good performing loco in this group is disappointing. The LL-0-8-0 can pull on average about 12 cars on level track. What it might do on a 2% grade depends on your layout. It's best to add some weight to this steamer. As for the Spectrum 2-8-0, this is one of the best steamers in N scale. It will do well on 2% grades but it's performance depends on the loco you buy. As for the Spectrum Light Mountain, this is a beautifully detailed steam loco. It's pulling performance is suspect and you'll probably have to shim the traction tire fourth driver to improve its performance. It can pull a dozen cars on level track and what it pulls on a 2% grade depends on your layout. This steamer might have issues with your 10-11 inch radii on your branch line. Have fun with steam.....
The Spectrum Heavy Mountain is a fine performing steam loco. It will perform well on level track and grades, but like all Spectrum steamers you should test them out before you buy if you can.
I have all of the locos you mentioned and my opinions (along with a dollar will get you a cup of coffee in a lot of places!!!) of them are thus: 4-4-0 Nice running little loco but not a powerhouse (quite light). Will pull two heavy weight coaches and a reefer up a 3.5% grade. Gets better over time. I removed the spring over the front truck with no ill effects and it improved the pulling ability by one car. 2-6-0 Nice running loco (have two) and will pull quite a load for its size... due to traction tires. 2-8-2 Nice loco and will pull 10 Atlas boxcars up the 3.5%. 4-6-2 Nice loco but varied performances (have three). One is quiet, one is noisy, one in-between. One very slippery footed, the other two somewhat better. If you get one with the traction tires, much better. 0-8-0 Beautiful, work of art. Quiet but pulling ability is limited.... 8 freights on the 3.5% 4-8-2 Light mountain. A beautiful loco but very light footed (have two). There are fixes for this but I only tried one (shimming the third axle) but was not successful. Might try again sometime. 4-8-2 Heavy mountain. Again, beautiful loco, quiet, and pulling ability much better than the light. I normally run 12 car trains and it has no problem with my grades. 2-8-0 Consolidation (Spectrum) is a very nice loco. Beautifully detailed, quiet, sixteen (plus) cars, depending on the weight, more on a flat run. My opinion is this loco is heads and shoulders above the Kato Mike in all respects. I have had good luck with all of them running on 11"and wider curves. Hope this helps.
I have a Model Power 2-6-0 Mogul and 4-6-2 Pacific, and a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation. All three are excellent runners, though the Pacific and Mogul are a little noisy. The Consolidation was excellent right out of the box, but it does appreciate a little oil on its gears, rod bearings, and crosshead guides now and then. Both the MP locos had to be tinkered with before they smoothed out. The Mogul's crosshead guides had to re-seated, crossheads re-positioned on the guides, and all moving surfaces, gears, and bearings lightly oiled. The Pacific's crossheads and guides were OK, but it also needed oiling. Both the MP locos needed at least one of their driver gears adjusted by a tooth to stop a slight loping. The Consolidation easily pulls 12-15 cars up a 2% grade with a 16" radius curve. The Pacific pulls 7 heavy weight coaches on the same grade. The Mogul pulls 10 40' freight cars on level track, but with many 14-16" radius s-curves.
I should say that my layout is medium sized, so trains on the main of about 10-12 cars will be the max, and maybe 4-5 on the branch. We'll see how reality pans out compared to my plans, lol!
