Hi All, I'm looking for a small diesel switcher that runs very well at slow speed. I'd like it to be available in ATSF older paint scheme. I see Atlas has a VO 1000 model, does anyone have any experience with those on a switching layout? Other locos that might be interesting are a 44 tonner or an EMD switcher, can anyone suggest a good running model of these types? What is your best slow runing switcher? As a secondary question, any 0-6-0 or 0-8-0 steam switchers that might pass the slow speed test, I could back date a bit if necessary? .....dave
I'll beg the indulgence of the folks on this board for posting the link to this video yet again (which they've now probably seen a hundred times), but if you're considering an 0-8-0, the Walthers 0-8-0 does a pretty darn good job with slow-speed switching chores, as the following should illustrate (note that they don't come with sound; I did the sound installation): [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJiOVw2aX2I"]YouTube - N-Scale NKP Steam w/Sound 1[/ame] John C.
I also have the walthers 0-8-0, & it's pretty amazing: well detailed & great at slow speeds. I have a kato nw2 which rocks! (& rolls). Looks (I have the SP tigerstripe) & pulls great! It's got springs in the trucks which helps for a smooth ride: I tried it on my first module that has pretty iffy trackwork & it still rolls smooth & slow. Most recent aquisition is the spectrum 44tonner (no markings, yellow). That has great slow-speed action, though I hear it has pulling power limits (just like the prototype!), and it comes with "dummy" couplers that you should change out. I'm still in the middle of laying track, so I haven't had the chance to test out the pulling power. All three are pretty awesome switchers. I'm waiting for a reliable 0-6-0T, or maybe I'll save that for scratchbuilding when my mad modeling skillz get exponentially better (my friend has a full metal shop). I've heard good things about the VO 1000, too. Can't go wrong with most of the above. Just a question of what yr modeling & what you think works well for you. Good luck! Cheers! --Mark
With some fairly easy modifications, you can make a Life-Like Saddle Tank just glide! Here's a video preview of mine. Ultimate Saddle Tank on Vimeo The subtle lunges as it picks up speed going forward were caused by too much side to side movement in the drivers, and has since been eliminated.
The Bachmann 44 tonner or Kato NW2, both excellent runners, could be what you're looking for and I'll be lining up with you if either ever get around to doing them in Santa Fe zebra stripes. You might still find some LL SW's or Atlas VO1000's around somewhere.
Depending what you mean by the "ATSF Older" scheme it could be the zebra stripe or the pre'72 blue and yellow standard. Out of the box, it's really hard to beat the Kato NW2. The Life-Like SW's include both the ATSF zebra stripe and the blue and yellow, I've had both. I concluded that they 'dirtied up' easier on the contact and wheels and the Kato had much better pickup and materials - I repowered my ATSF SW-8 with a Kato drive. That's kind of extreme. I've also become a big fan of the new GE 44-ton drive, but it will be a while before Bachmann puts it out in Santa Fe anything. Great slow speed and pickup. I do custom ATSF painting, PM me.
Please post the results of your 44 tonner's pulling power when you get a chance to test it with some cars. It would be the perfect loco for this planned layout since the real terminal (ATSF Alice street Oakland) used a 44 tonner. I had guessed the Bachman loco was probably not up to kato or atlas running standards but maybe I was wrong. I've got plenty of time to figure out the motive power since I'm just now getting info for the track plan and layout design. If the 44 tonner doesn't work out I can use an Atlas VO 1000 or one of the walthers 0-8-0 switchers as fill in power. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and running experiences....dave
There's a lot of info / opinions / testamonials about the 44 tonner in this thread: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=109802&highlight=tonner It's got a great mechanism & runs (seems to me) just as well as the kato & walthers. When i get around to playing with the dcc settings, it will be even smoother. Modeling Oakland, CA? Groovy! I'm a Bay Area dude myself. Hope you've taken a gander at Byron Henderson's website http://mrsvc.blogspot.com/ He's working on Alameda, if I remember correctly. The 44 tonners are worth it. You can also convert them to the Sacramento Northern electrified http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Northern_Railway Looking forward to yr picts!
I made no Kato frame changes at all, just dremel'ed out the inside of the shell to clear. I glued the LL body solid to the LL frame and just started cutting. Use a barrel cutter and just start shaving it out. I had to take off maybe 30-40% of the shell thickness. A surprising number of the ex-ATSF 44-tonners have survived out in the weeds. One (460) is at Baldwin, KS on the Midland Railroad (non-operational) and another (462) is out in storage in the Niles Canyon Railway. Have photos of both. I scratchbuilt my own 44T several years ago and am happy with it, but that Bachmann mechanism is about as good as anything they have designed. Go with confidence. Hard to say if Bachmann would want to do one it ATSF zebra, but I'd certainly enjoy the shot.
Mark; I really want to know what you did to that Life Like. Was it an older run saddle tank or a new re run? Jim
I've had this guy for a number of years, so I'd guess it's the older run. Is there a major difference between the two? I have no actual step by step online yet, but between this thread and this thread you get the jist of things. Hopefully I'll get a hold of another one(or more) of these guys soon, and if so, I'll post a pictorial step by step.
Atlas VO1000 If you decide to go with an Atlas VO1000 be sure to get one made in China NOT Korea. Mine was made in Korea and runs like dodo. Many have said the same thing. For some reason the Quality control in China was better. It does look good but it buzzez with or without the body on. I thought it was in the bearing blocks but have attempting running the loco with them mounted both dirrections. When I get a replacement I intend to put in on the local BNSF mainline and see what a 1:1 loco does to it.
Hehehe.. thought that might cause you some grief from the railroad officials, that would be sweet to see from a high speed camera!
Hi Dave, From your post, I assume your first choice would be a diesel switcher. I've been on the same quest for several years. I've tried every new release that's come out. I remember being so excited when Life-Like released the SW1200. At the time it was unbeatable. With some work they can be made to run quite nicely. Anyway, to date my favorite all time favorite switcher is the Atlas VO-1000. I've tested them against everything on the market (remember, I've been on this quest for quite awhile and have several of everything). Out of the box it is a stellar performer, both for smooth running and pulling power. My second choice would be the Kato NW-2. While this little guy runs extremely smoothly, it doesn't have quite the pulling power of the larger, heavier VO. Several have mentioned the new Bachmann 44 tonner. I have to say that this loco has really been quite a surprise. It runs very well and pulls way more than I expected. On level track mine will handle six to seven average N scale cars (usually a mix of 40, 50, and 60 ft cars). See this link to view my three 44 tonners at work: Picasa Web Albums - Jim - 44 tonners at... Good luck in your pursuit. It may be tough to find some of these locos in an older Santa Fe scheme, but keep watching e-bay and shopping around. Jim
Jim, Is the VO1000 made in CHina? Also I was looking at the NW-2 as a replacement for my VO1000 but if the China built VO1000 runs that much better I would try another. Thanks for any more info you supply.
spidge, So, I just went looking for locomotive boxes to see where my VOs were made. Wow, you never know what you're going to find when you go looking under the layout. I guess I must have lost track somewhere along the line, because it seems I have eight of those critters. I found boxes for six of them. It seems mine were all made in Korea. I have no idea which runs may have been made in China, one of mine is from the first batch and the rest are from runs that were produced up until recently. To be completely honest, some run better than others. They were all great out of the box, then after decoder installation a couple got a bit noisy. I was able to quiet the noisy ones a little by removing the inside bearing blocks . Three of mine run almost continuously during op sessions and are very smooth and quiet. Two others run less frequently, but are also good runners. I also run two NW-2s quite a bit. They also run good, but one is a bit noisy. Again, it was good out of the box but during decoder installation I must have mis-aligned something to create a bind. My third NW-2 has spun the drive gear and is awaiting repair. Now if Kato or Atlas would produce an SW-1500 that would pull like the VO 1000. I keep hoping. Jim
Hi Jim, Thanks for the info. Is it possible to buy VO 1000 or the Kato switchers with factory installed DCC or would that be sub- par decoders? How about the bachman 44 tonners with factory DCC? 6 or 8 cars on level ground would be enough for this layout but it would be nice to have some power in reserve. One other question..to keep the reach in distance within reason I'd need to use about 12 inch radius minumum curves in a couple of spots, would these switchers and 50 foot cars have any problems getting around 12 inch radius? I'd like to use atlas code 55 track and fox valley wheels if that matters. Regards, Dave Branum
Dave, You can get the Atlas with a decoder installed, but of course it's an Atlas decoder. I didn't like the performance of the early Atlas decoders, but the more recent versions may be just fine. As far as I know Kato doesn't offer the NW-2 as decoder equipped. The 44 tonner has a very basic decoder. The only motor control I could find was the start voltage. I'd like to have a few more adjustments, but it's still a nice little critter. I haven't seen anyone mention the Atlas MP-15, but it's probably too modern for you. The MP-15 is also a good runner, but doesn't pull as well as the VO. Good luck, Jim
