Have the n scale steam masses been placated? I haven't seen a new steam release in quite awhile. I know about the Challenger and Big Boy but what about anything smaller. The last small steamer was the 0-8-0 if I'm not mistaken. Does anybody know if anything is in the works or are the manufacturers done for the time being? I wish Bachmann would've continued their 4-6-0 in N. I have theay HO version and its a beaut. If they make one for N, I would've stayed in N. Who knows, maybe I will anyway. Eric
Eric, I have been patiently waiting as well. Athearn released their SP MT-4 in HO so I hope that will be on the way for N. I think it would do really well considering the number of SP guys on this board alone. The IM AC12 has been pushed back further on its release date but other than that I'm unaware of any upcoming steam releases. You're absolutely right in saying that we need more small steam. The Bachman 2-8-0 was a huge hit. I need some 2-6-0's, 4-4-0's, etc.
Things are a little quiet on the steam scene after the rash of releases over the last couple of years. You could name just about any loco and say we need/want one, there are plenty of prototypes out there still to be done, as well as improved versions of those that have.
The Intermountain Cab Forwards still have to be released sometime in the next few month. Otherwise, it's been very quiet after a large number of big steamers were released in the past year.
The only thing that hasn't really arrived yet is the AC12. There are some reruns due shortly that are worth the wait, specifically the Walthers Y3 and the Kato GS-4 in the black scheme. Other than that, all is quiet. I have a feeling Bachmann may have something to announce around the NMRA show season. Other than that, no real rumors even floating around. The manufactures are tight lipped.
Don't forget the to-be-corrected MP 2-6-0 ! I bought a gorgeous Model Power 2-6-0 back in JAN2007. It ran smoothly - when it ran. Trouble was, it stuttered even on long straight level stretches of clean, flawless track. A spokesman for MP was quoted as saying that the loco needed some redesign, especially to add all-wheel tender pickup. He said that should occur during 2007. A very nice gent in MP's Service Department told me I could check with him periodically re: the new-and-improved 2-6-0. When I last checked with him (JAN2009), he said he hadn't heard anything yet. I know there are folks out there who are pleased with the performance of their MP 2-6-0s, but reading other posts (and Model Power's admission of a pickup problem), the good ones seem to be an exception. I wish it weren't so. This is a beautiful little loco, and I'll keep inquiring until MP says they're not going to correct it and produce a 2nd run. Gotta say, though, it's gonna be difficult for MP or anyone else with a small loco to compete with Bachmann's wonderful 2-8-0. MP may have waited too long to fix the 2-6-0. Too bad - she's sure pretty! Scott
You may be right about Bachmann, I recall there wasn't much advance warning of the Heavy Mountain, I'd line up for another engine of that quality whatever it was. A heavy pacific would be nice, or an ATSF 4-8-4 or 2-10-4. They've done a few engines in HO that would be welcome in N.
My dos centavos worth of N scale steam griping Sure all those mallets are cool looking, but honestly they tend to look stupid when the railroad can't seem to field a smaller loco to pull the local or branch passenger run and the mallet ends up pulling everything. N scale steam is always on the small switcher or else giant steamer theme. We really do need some of that filler stuff. Ten wheelers, Atlantics, etc. Not the big heavy looking stuff either. We need light branch line or early steam variety. If Bachmann could do their 4-6-0 like the high wheeled NYC version, then we'd have something interesting for N scalers. Eric, if you wanna do steam... go with a bigger scale.
I forgot about the GS4 and the AC12 because they are for roads that would have never been on the line I am going to try to model. As a matter of fact, the ten wheeler was almost too large for that line. N scalers need smaller steam. Maybe the announcement Bmann will make will be the ten wheeler they shelfed a couple of years ago. C'mon, if they can make a 44 tonner, they should be able to to a ten wheeler. Eric
I would love to see more small steam. I would love for someone to put out a respectable 4-4-0 with a 5 pole motor and some thought about DCC conversion, for example. I would love to see Atlas bring back the 2-truck Shay, and I would love to see someone produce a three-truck Shay. I would love to see class B and C Climax locomotives, and maybe a Heisler, too. I would love to have a more modern 0-6-0, and, no disrespect to Kato, but maybe some more variations on the 2-8-2.
I would love to see a 4-4-2 as well as a high quality 0-6-0. The climax and heisler would be great along with a couple of logging mallets. As for mainline steam, an SP MT-4 or 4-10-2 in plastic would be great.
The problem with small steam in N scale is lack of weight, which translates into lack of pulling power and lack of good electrical pickup, which could be helped by good tender pickup design. Anything less than a 2-8-2 in N ought to be manufactured with a metal boiler (a la the GHQ pewter conversions for the Kato 2-8-2, which will pull a ton without traction tires). Bachmann and Model Power have both done metal boilers for steamers, so it can be done economically. I think the Atlas 2-truck Shay has a metal shell too, right? For mainline steam, I've got to agree with Oldrk: 2-10-4 (C&O T-1; Pennsy J; other roads; different shell for a Santa Fe, which had slightly larger drivers, too); 2-6-6-6 Allegheny (if you can sell the Big Boy and cab forward, you can sell the Allegheny). The N&W Class A 2-6-6-4 would be great, too, and these things ran until 1960! John C.
Well, I'll jump in and throw a vote for PRR-specific engines. Yes, I know that leaves out just about everyone else, but I think there are enough PRR modelers out there to make one or two steamers with Belpaire fireboxes a decent choice. Recent offerings in HO seem to have done pretty well. I have to believe even a single PRR 4-6-2 variant would sell like the dickens. That and an 0-6-0 and 2-8-0 would all be in high demand, I would think. Of course, I would fall over in a faint if the M1a actually came out, and I'd seriously think about doing unlawful deeds if someone promised a Q2! biggrin:
But these are just new runs of existing models, not something new. I've always thought the same thing, even the UP or SP can't run with only Big Boys and Challengers or GS4's and Cab Forwards. Without the mainline locals and branch trains there's nothing for the big engines to pull. They already do. There are small Japanese, European and British steam locos out there that show it can be done, some even made by Bachmann. The following are Graham Farish, aka Bachmann. Catalogue No 372-478 Catalogue No 372-577 Catalogue No 372-627 The 2-6-0 is a HO photo but it is coming in N scale and all are DCC ready with a 6 pin NMRA socket. And as for the 44 tonner, it's positively huge. Catalogue No 371-015A Catalogue No 371-051A We've all forgotten that, even PCM. The M1's dead and buried, lets move on and push Bachmann or someone who actually delivers the goods.
OK a 4-4-0 with the motor in the tender, metal body, all wheel pickup, traction tires, that runs like the Atearn 2-6-0 AND has one of the tiny DCC chips factory installed. Colorful livery and lotsa detail. Or something
