I am a Z scale modeler but last fall in San Jose at a train show I was taken by a very small but beautiful layout running a couple of N scale Fleischmann steam locos. A big part of my fascination with model trains is just collecting and watching them run so I am looking for a little advice. Basically, is this a good running loco? I know they look great. Or are there better examples of small N steam available? The quirkier the better here, there is so much more to choose from in N scale that I might like to find something that would never be seen in Z. Are older Fleischmann locos the same or has the brand improved? In Z scale there is a big difference between a 2020 Marklin BR64 and one from 1980, or 2000. How can I power this? I can go with DCC, or not. I have Rokuhan Z, Marklin Z, and Snail speed Z controllers, and I have an NCE Powercab. I don't know the minimum power requirements for N scale. In Z scale DC and DCC are both commonly run but I don't know if that is true in N scale. Almost all Z scale DCC are conversions. Since N scale is larger and easier to add features to I imagine more of you would run DCC. I use Rokuhan track in Z and give up a bit of realism there because the turnouts work very well. I believe Kato is the equivalent in N? But I only plan on a small loop with a shack and some natural scenery, a piece of flex track, one siding, so what is the most realistic or popular in N? Thanks!
Hi. Fleischmann BR 64 is good model. Much better than Minitrix BR64. Check also BR86 (one drive axle longer than BR64) - it is also good model. Don't buy a BR86 from Kato/Hobbytrain!!! Most of Fleischmann models are good runners. They have a quiet motors. Some has flywheels (in german: schwungmasse - or similar word). Overall: New steam locos from Fleischmann and Minitrix are super models. Buying older was risky. I buy few older locos and it was mistake :/ There is also Arnold manufacturer. They manufacture subperb N scale GE U25C, U28C, SW1 - but many years ago also work on european steam locos. Older - for me means "produced before 1995". If you want a small european locos, I recommend: new production Fleishchmann BR64, BR86, BR70, Fleischmann BR91 was also small, but hard to find in good condition. For Fleischmann check the WWW site: https://www.spur-n-datenbank.de/cbliste_1.php?kat=GFN070 Minitrix BR89 "Glaskasten" (only new model!!! Especially in Bavarian paint and DCC on board ) https://pbase.com/misiek_m/image/155445902 https://pbase.com/misiek_m/image/124499535 Note that most of steam locos in German railways was built and used for private operators (for example Prussian Railways, Bavarian railways). For example: BR91 was T9 - is sometimes available with set of cars (passenger or freight - if you looking buy a dark green / olive paint NOT a bright green) this: https://pbase.com/misiek_m/image/150949968 https://pbase.com/misiek_m/image/155445899 Power supply: MOST european locos is DC only. All DC power supply with output 12-14volt will work. NOT AC output!!! I have Marklin Z transformer (brown/black box) as spare power supply and will fine. It has a low output about 10v, so locos was good scale speed. With 12-14volt they seem too fast. Very few are DCC. Minitrix has own line of selectrix decoders. Fleischmann has own line of Twin Decoder line, but steam loco with DCC are hard to find. You can install wired decoders, but european locos (especially steam) have little space for decoders. Some examples of DCC installations was on site: https://www.1zu160.net/digital/einbau.php For BR64: https://www.1zu160.net/digital/einbaubsp/gfn-br64.php maybe not easy installation, but possible (I have DCC in my BR86). Lot of work, not easy as installation DCC in Bachmann 2-8-0. Not compared to Plug'n'Play decoder in Atlas GP40 ;-) Note: most european decoders are NMRA compilant. Other are "Selectrix only" manufactured by Minitrix, or "Motorola ready". Often decoders are marked as "dual mode": Selectrix/DCC ort Motorola/DCC. Digitrax decoders will work, if you fit in locos. DZ126 may be to big ;/ For track systems - all currently available was good option, for most new european models. Older models has big flanges - they run on code 80 track and Peco "Code55" but will be problem on "true" Code 55. In this case i don't recommend a older Arnold and Minitrix locos.
Thank you for your informative reply, it will take me a while to digest all this! But I have been steered by a conversation with a retailer just yesterday toward new larger era 2-4 steam loco’s with tenders from Minitrix for their rich feature sets. They are larger engines than I was hoping for but all of the lighting and sound features with DCC would be fascinating. At least on line the sound seems really good. And they are compatible with my NCE Powercab. I guess even in N scale these electronics need some room! And they are expensive... he recommended Fleischman track and in particular was happy with their flex track. So I am glad to have your insightful comments and confirmation that new Minitrix (and Fleischman) loco’s run well.
I looked at your links and the small steam loco’s are exactly what I imagined. Very nice scenes too! And beautifully shot. Nice work sir! But since this is what I am doing in Z scale and as you say still too small for all of the DCC play I think I will have a larger Minitrix steam loco with tender and all of the bells and whistles in N.
In the end I purchased a Minitrix 16011, loco is 01 118. It is not small, a 4-6-2 with tender, but it has all the features we do not have in Z, less smoke. I bought a section of Fleischmann track and I have my NCE PowerCab DCC controller. The loco is outstanding, there are several videos of it online. It works well with my controller. All features are available and work properly. So if I want bells and whistles I can have them. Love the firebox flickering while the train chuff chuff sound goes by. So it is quite lively compared to running my Z loco's and I am having some fun with it. Eventually I'll have some sort of compact layout for it but I imagine it needs large radius curves.
