I'm gonna have to say the Bachmann 4-8-2 Light mountain as I only spent 60 something on it and she runs like a dream. I want to pull the trains out now.... [video=youtube;HG_hzboi4Oc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG_hzboi4Oc[/video]
Spectrum units are great! However if you go to swap meets you can find some good deals. I found a Kato Mike and a vintage con cor s-2. Both for under a $100. Lucky me! Sent from my Commando
My advice would be to look for a new-in-box DCC ready Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 or a Kato Mikado. The DCC-ready 2-8-0 is from the generation prior to the current one (the current one has DCC installed), but is a great running loco and a pretty easy conversion to DCC if you decide to go that route. I see them on auction sites regularly for <$100; often for $70 or so. The Kato Mike is long out of production, but was the "gold standard" of steam locos for many years. Converting to DCC is EXTREMELY difficult, so don't go this route if you are a DCC fan. The Mike's prices are all over the place; I've seen them for $80 and for $150. You might also be able to pick up a DCC-ready Bachmann J or Heavy Mountain (4-8-2) for under $100; both are excellent performers (but watch yourself, because early versions of the J are pretty much terrible; you need to get a later-production one). There aren't any NEW steam locos for street prices of less than $100 that I'd recommend. If you are willing to stretch to $150, then the current generation (DCC installed) Bachman 2-8-0 would be my first choice. I've also seen some Kato GS4's for about $150. Good-running steamers are expensive. A "bargain" isn't one if it runs like crap. Steam locos are finicky and unless you enjoy endless tinkering, stay away from cheap stuff. I consider the latest Bachmann release, the B&O EM-1 (a 2-8-8-4) a major bargain because you can buy it for $200, it runs like a swiss watch, has terrific detail, and will pull 70 cars on level track without even breathing hard. It's a terrific buy at that price, but I realize it's double your budget (and it's a huge locomotive; you need a decent-sized layout to run it on). You might also want to check out Spookshow's N-scale Locomotive database at http://www.spookshow.net/locos.html for information. Stick with "A" rated locos and you'll likely be a happy camper. John C.
The Bmann 2-8-0 and the 4-6-0 for smaller steam. Both of the Bmann mountains light and heavy, however the first run of the light mountain had issues that were corrected in the 2nd run. Stay away from the Bmann 4-8-4 except for the newest version of the N&W J. Anything pretty much made by Kato is quality although finding them may be a chore. The older Concor 4-8-4 S-2 made by Kato is a good older loco that can occasionally be found. The newer version marketed by Kato will not negotiate the tighter curvature that the old one will. Any of the MicroAce steamers are good. And the old time 2-6-0 and 2-8-0 are excellent small steam with Athearn making the 2-8-0 and Atlas the 2-6-0.
Most of these list for over one hundred bananas, but the street prices are much less. In order of preference: 1. MDC/Athearn 2-6-0 2. MDC/Athearn 2-8-0 3. B-mann SPECTRUM 2-8-0 4. Kato USRA heavy 2-8-2 5. B-mann 4-6-0 6. B-mann 2-6-0 7. Atlas 4-4-0 8. B-mann USRA heavy 4-8-2 9. B-mann USRA light 4-8-2 10. Atlas 2-6-0 This list is confined to out-of-the-box locomotives. I do like my modified MPs, the 2-6-0, 4-4-0 and USRA light 2-8-2, 4-6-2 as well as the modified B-mann USRA 0-6-0.
I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the Bachmann Mogul (2-6-0) with DCC that I picked up at a "I'm never going to win with this bid" price on that popular Internet Auction Community. The DCC onboard isn't the most robust, but it works for what I want it to do.
