Seems like I came across a picture of an N scale 2-10-0 Russian Decapod on here a while back. It was a very good looking model. I know Bachmann announced one in N a few years ago, but I heard they backed out due to a small enough motor not being available, I believe. Have they brought it out since then, or has someone found a good way to kitbash one?
Bachmann didn't ever come out with it. The DID come out with a 2-10-2 which is a pretty good running engine. http://www.spookshow.net/loco/bach2102.html The only 2-10-0 that was made was by Minitrix in 1979 (until 1999) but it was more of a foobie. http://www.spookshow.net/loco/decapod.html
As B-mann has a motor (and a pretty good one, at that) that will fit into a 44 tonner, a 70 tonner a mogul and a ten wheeler, that excuse no longer holds water, even, never mind making steam. I would buy at least one of these.
That's it! That's a great looking model. If I had experience with kitbashing, I would definitely try to have one. Looks like it might have taken plenty of ingenuity and patience.
I would buy one, too. It's a unique locomotive. At one time I was interested in modeling a freelanced line based off the Magma Arizona Railroad, but set in remote western Texas around Alpine, Marfa, and the Davis Mountains. A Russian Decapod was a must for me, as many were picked up by smaller lines after they were stranded in the U.S. with no place to go. It would represent the small line's "light-footed muscle" for yanking livestock, crude oil, and a yet-to-be-determined mineral up the Davis Mountians between the Southern Pacific and Texas & Pacific mainlines. Looks like if I ever did this project, it'll have to be HO, though.....
I would buy one. Have rode behind Frisco #1630 at IRM. Just seen they want to have her running this weekend. Dan
