List of currently available good out of the box n scale steam locomotives

Specter3 Aug 5, 2012

  1. Specter3

    Specter3 TrainBoard Member

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    Well as far as I can tell from my recent dive into N scale steam here is a list of currently available steamers that run well out of the box.

    Life Like 0-8-0 usra switcher. cir 1919
    Athearn. 2-6-0 mogul. 1900
    Athearn. 2-8-0 consolidation. 1889
    Bachmann. 2-8-0 consolidation. 1910
    Bachmann. 4-6-0 ten wheeler. 1910
    Kato. 2-8-2 Mikado. 1919
    Bachmann. 2-10-2 Santa Fe. 1919
    Bachmann. 4-8-2 Heavy Mountain. 1919
    Fox Valley. 4-4-2 Hiawatha. 1935
    Bachmann. 2-6-6-2 mallet. 1912
    Life like. 2-8-8-2 mallet. 1919

    Now There are new locos and re runs coming of the following that are or are expected to be good

    Atlas 4-4-0. 1860
    Bachmann. 2-6-0. 1910
    Athearn. 4-6-6-4. 1920
    Athearn. 4-8-8-4. 1930
    Kato. 4-8-4 FEF3. 1930

    Now this is not meant to be an all inclusive list but just a quick and simple of what is out there that runs and pulls ok. Please if you have additions or contradictions to what I have read, chime in.
     
  2. porkypine52

    porkypine52 TrainBoard Member

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    Out Of The Box? Well Maybe.........

    It depends on which issue you get. The first issue of the Life-Like 0-8-0's were DOGS!! And so were the Bachmann 2-6-6-2's. It can depend a great deal on which issue/run you buy and how you break the engine in. I always check out what Mark has to say about ANY engine I purchase now-a-days. ALWAYS go to SPOOKSHOW for an HONEST review and overview of what is right & wrong with any engine, even those new-fangled DIESELS!!! Go to:http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/index.html

    You left out one real good engine and that is the Con-Cor 2-10-2. The thing will pull stumps and can be DCC converted by removing a plug in the tender and inserting a decoder. The tender is also drilled for a speaker for installing a sound decoder. Don't let the high MSR price scare you, they can be found cheap on Feebay.
     
  3. Specter3

    Specter3 TrainBoard Member

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    Is the con cor engine currently in production? I dont know for sure. All of these were pulled off Spookshow's page as A ratings and I simply listed the models in current production. But ymmv with anything and like I have found out personally the best loco in the world may be a dud if the last person that had it was an idiot. But it is simply a place to start.
     
  4. EMD F7A

    EMD F7A TrainBoard Member

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    FWIW/for ebay treasure hunters, I offer the following addendum (for buying "new" in-box locos):

    -The Athearn 2-6-0's and 2-8-0's are simply updated versions of the MDC/Roundhouse locos of the same wheel arrangement; the MDC locos (can be found for $45 or under, new, on ebay) are a fantastic deal! They won't have blackened wheels though.

    -Bachmann's current runs of the 4-8-4 Northern and 2-6-2 Prarie/0-6-0 (all locos having blackened wheels) are great runners and good pullers, if you can get past their visual flaws. I've got a recent Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern that is quieter and smoother than most steamers I own! Consider them to be "train set" locos, sure, but I'd buy 'em again!

    -Kato 2-8-2 Mikado: Be aware, without traction tires (only the most recent runs have them, I think) these don't pull much. With TT's they'll pull the nickel off your rails!

    -Model Power steamers (4-4-0/2-6-0/4-6-2/2-8-2): These are average in quality and price, their high marks go to the "looks" department. If you buy one, make sure it's got factory knuckle couplers and traction tires. The best of the bunch is the 2-6-0, which will outpull many larger locos.... BUT, they're all buzzy/noisier than they should be. I would say $50 or less is a good deal; $65 will get you a brand-new far-superior Athearn!

    There's more to say, for sure, but that's a start! And I agree, Spookshow is the best d@mn resource for loco advice I've seen, period.
     
  5. papahnash

    papahnash TrainBoard Member

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    May I add the Kato GS-4's? While getting scarce there are still some NIB.
     
  6. EMD F7A

    EMD F7A TrainBoard Member

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    Kato GS-4? Please do!!! I ahve one and it's the 2nd best runner I own. Of course, NEVER disassemble it! Electrical system is odd and complex.
     
  7. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    I also understood the Intermountain AC-12 was pretty good...
    Bruce
     
  8. rick773

    rick773 TrainBoard Member

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    New ones are rare now but I have a Life-Like C&O Van Sweringen Berkshire that runs great. Nearly all the internet suppliers are out of stock but someone has a half dozen of them on eBay. Unfortunately they are charging $179. I originally got mine from BLW for $75.
     
  9. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Bruce,

    I would agree that the AC-12 is a good runner. It ran so well on analog that I put a Tsunami, speaker, and cap in the tender. Runs great.

    EMD F7A,

    Not sure I understand your comment about the KATO GS-4 being odd and complex regarding the electrical system. I took one apart and found the most difficult chore was removing all the plastic such as cab, boiler, skirting and the small piping. The split frame is a horizontal top/bottom split and IMHO a real marvel. It was very easy to put a Richmond Controls light module in the boiler and a Tsunami, speaker, and cap in the tender. Rather simple and straightforward task. The first run units did have a shorting problem with the drivers. The only thing odd and complex is me, but I succeded in upgrading the GS-4. My main problem has been the traction tires. The groove in the driver tread is not deep enough IMHO. I would certainly agree to not ever disassemble the drivers.

    Carl
     
  10. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    ConCor/Kato Berkshire is an awesome runner. They show up on ebay fairly often.
     
  11. skipgear

    skipgear TrainBoard Member

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    Forgotten from the list and available or soon to be again: (some already mentioned above)

    Bachmann 4-4-0 Old time - most recent runs very good.
    Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern - improved drive, newly retooled boiler to sharpen up the 70's tooling.
    Bachmann Spec 4-8-4 N&W Class J - One of the first Bachmann locos to really perform.
    Bachmann 0-6-0/2-6-2 - runs very good, detailing dated, priced right.
    Intermountain AC-12 and other variation - a little balky when new, great detail.
    Kato GS-4 - other than some complaints of traction tire loss, an excellent running loco.

    There are quite a few on your list that are no longer in production and starting to get very scarce.

    Athearn 2-6-0 and 2-8-0. Last production was 2-3 years ago.
    Kato Mikado. Last production 4+ years ago.
    LifeLike/Walthers 2-8-8-2. Last production 5 years ago. Good luck trying to find one with TT and sound.

    Model Power 4-4-0, 2-6-0, 4-6-2, 2-8-2 - all very good runners, pickups just a little fragile and easily maladjusted. Most recent runs come with TT drivers in all but the 4-4-0. Can be made better with tender pickup improvement.
     
  12. skipgear

    skipgear TrainBoard Member

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    There is no such thing.

    Berkshires have been made by MRC, Rivarossi (sold by concor), and LifeLike/Walthers. Kato has never touched a Berk.
     
  13. oldrk

    oldrk TrainBoard Supporter

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    And the ConCor 4-6-4 Hudson. I see the Lima 2-6-4T didnt make the list. *G* The Walthers/LifeLike 2-8-4s can be winners with Bullfrog Snot and if the tender has pickup on both trucks. For some unknown reason the early versions only had electrical pickup on one tender truck even though it was simple to add the pickup to the other truck.
     
  14. skipgear

    skipgear TrainBoard Member

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    Keep in mind, currently available is the key word. Ebay and train show finds really don't count as currently available and in production.
     
  15. Specter3

    Specter3 TrainBoard Member

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    List updated with current production models.


    Bachmann. 0-6-0 usra switcher. 1918 latest release in clear box
    Life Like 0-8-0 usra switcher. 1918
    Bachmann. 2-6-2 Prarie. 1900 latest release in clear box
    Bachmann. 2-8-0 consolidation. 1910
    Bachmann. 4-6-0 ten wheeler. 1910
    Bachmann. 2-10-2 Santa Fe. 1919
    Bachmann. 4-8-2 Heavy Mountain. 1919
    Kato. 4-8-4 GS4 SP. 1941
    Bachmann. 4-8-4 J class. N&W. 1950.
    Bachmann. 4-8-4 Northern 1937 look for New shell
    Fox Valley. 4-4-2 Hiawatha. 1935
    Bachmann. 2-6-6-2 mallet. 1912

    woo woo woo says they are not getting any more Intermountain AC12s. When you look at this list even thinking about the new stuff coming, it looks like Bachmann owns N scale steam.

    About Model Power, Spookshow says they are really hit and miss on their QC. When you hit, it's fine. When you miss, it's agony. They look great, but it seems like you have to be ready to send it back until you get a good one. That to me doesn't qualify for "runs good out of the box"

    Now There are new locos and re runs coming of the following that are or are expected to be good

    Atlas 4-4-0. 1860
    Bachmann. 2-6-0. 1910
    Athearn. 4-6-6-4. 1920
    Athearn. 4-8-8-4. 1930
    Kato. 4-8-4 FEF3. 1930

    Now this is not meant to be an all inclusive list but just a quick and simple of what is out there that runs and pulls ok. Please if you have additions or contradictions to what I have read, chime in.
     
  16. skipgear

    skipgear TrainBoard Member

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    A new run of AC-12's is due early to mid next year. It will include include other variations other than the AC-12. woo woo woo Klien doesn't do pre-orders anymore so they aren't going to list things till they arrive.

    http://www.intermountain-railway.com/newsncomingsoon.html

    I have a half dozen Model Power steamers and the only one that runs bad is the one that I let set shorted turnout thrown the wrong way. I have done one "tune up" on a new release Pacific for a friend which was as simple as removing the front truck spring. I'm not sure the last time Mark reviewed one but the Model power loco's have gone through some fine tuning in this last batch. The ones floating around Ebay are leftovers from the older batch. They are also our only option for a Pacific right now. The new versions with the traction tire will out pull a Kato Mikado with TT tires. I've had a Pacific up to 52 cars on level track.
     
  17. Spookshow

    Spookshow TrainBoard Member

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    The last time I purchased a new MP steamer was in 2010 when the "revised" semi-streamlined Pacifics came out (the ones with the new McHenry coupler on the tender). Unfortunately, I wound up having to buy three of them before I got a keeper. On the first one, the tender coupler was broken into a half-dozen pieces. The second one shorted out and stopped running after a minute on the rails. The third one ran well out of the box (and ran even better once I replaced the stock tender trucks with Bachmann trucks). So maybe I was just unlucky, but all in all, about the same ratio of "keeper" to "returner" that I've seen in the past.

    I've been told that Model Power has literally been begging Ajin to redesign the tender pickup in these models, but that so far Ajin has refused to do so. It must be awfully frustrating working with these asian factories if they have that kind of say in what does and doesn't get done...

    Cheers,
    -Mark
     
  18. EMD F7A

    EMD F7A TrainBoard Member

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    Their double-contact-double-drawbar is odd to begin with, but the little circuitboard in the tender is awfully hard to realign if their qc was even a bit off it seems. Without instructions, I'd recommend not doing it! Of course, mine may have been mussed up by prevous owner... Doesn't matter though! When they're new/fresh they are flawless!
     
  19. Cajonpassfan

    Cajonpassfan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ryan,
    thanks for putting together this list, it's easy to forget how much steam has been available over the years. We've never had it this good.
    The column showing year prototype made, if that's what it is, has some errors in it. The Bachmann 4-8-4 is an 1941 engine (ATSF 3776/2900 class) and the three modern UP steam locos are all WW II era production (1942-44). Sure, there were earlier Northerns on the UP and ATSF, as well as an earlier Challenger, but they were different classes of locomotives. I thought that if there's going to be a list like this floating around, the dates ought to be accurate.
    Thanks again for doing the work,
    Otto K.
     
  20. oldrk

    oldrk TrainBoard Supporter

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