Full Version: Kato 2-8-2 Mikado or a Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2?
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Hi,

I've been thinking of getting a Kato 2-8-2 Mikado or a Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2 in N scale. It will be for a layout in the 1950's (1950-1955). The layout is a fictional New England location. The steam locomotives will be handling freight. So which engine should I get? Smile Also, what would be good road names for the locale?
I've started to consider the 1940's as well. This era might be more apt for the mentioned steam engines. Smile The locale is still a fictional New England location. Which engine would you recommend? And would you recommend some roadnames? Smile
Early 1950s would be ok (just) for steam. In this case, it wouldn't really matter - the railway would be running out the life of any engines. In the 1950s in Southern Ontario, freights were being handled by 4-8-2s, which were modern passenger engines when built in the 1920s. Sad

As for which manufacturer, I have several Bachmann Spectrum steamers (0-6-0, 2-8-0, and 2x 4-6-0) and they are nicely detailed and run well. Kato has a good reputation, but I have no first hand experience. My experience is in HO.

As for names, you could pick a real railway, and put it in your fictional location, or make up a name by choosing places on a map, or even inventing them. In terms of names, there are lots and lots of British names in New England, some with the prefix "new" in front.

My Ottawa, Algonquin and Georgian Bay (see avatar) is based on the real Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound, and while I have used some real locations, like Algonquin Park, I have invented others (Marlpost) and given it a completely fictional history that diverges from the real story in about 1933. See <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://bigbluetrains.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=2053">viewtopic.php?f=48&t=2053</a><!-- l -->

Hope that helps.

Andrew
I love N scale, been in it for 35 years. But if I wanted to run steam I would switch to HO. I have tried Atlas/Bachmann/Kato and a half dozen others. Some are tolerable, none are good IMO and Bachmann is the worst. Also if you are going to run N scale steam don't use switches smaller than #8's and make sure your track work is flawless. Then be prepared to clean it very often as most N steam has traction tires which can foul the track in record time.
2-8-2, or 4-8-2 ? ---- Mikado, or Mountain ?

.......................2-4-4-2 ?! Icon_twisted Icon_twisted 357 357 357

Standard Gauge 2-4-4-2 SHLC
[attachment=17061]
3' gauge, outside frame, 2-4-4-2 SHS&D
[attachment=17059]
30" gauge 2-8-2 WBSP
[attachment=17058]
The shipyard is currently building an outside frame 2-6-6-2, and is the "maintainer" for all four roads.
( The only four wheel pilot trucks I have are on the Challengers, ( 4-6-6-4 ). )

Seriously, if you are going with a fictitious road,- - - - - - -
( "The layout is a fictional New England location. The steam locomotives will be handling freight." )
The choice would be more, "one of personal preference".

I "own"/ model, four "Fictitious roads":
Sag harbor Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. SHS&D The shipyard's industrial 3' gauge ( parent company of the next three )
Sagaponack Montauk & Cindys Harbor SMCH The standard gauge line that runs from Montauk Point, to Cindys Harbor Me.
(( a variant of "Cundys Harbor" Me. ))
Shinnecock Hills Lumber Company SHLC A standard gauge lumber hauler.
Icon_twisted ( There are no forests in Shinnecock Hills, N.Y. ) Icon_twisted 357 357 357
Wiscasset Bucksport & Schoodic Point WBSP A 30" gauge, lumber hauler. ( On30 ) (just beginning )

One of the major scenic points on the first two lines is the Kennequogue River crossings. "Kennequogue" is a combination of the village of Quogue, on the south shore of Long Island N.Y., and the Kennebec River, that flows through Bath Me. into Casco Bay. The Shipyard, Sag Harbor Shipbuilding, was inspired by Bath Iron Works.
That's the beauty of choosing a "fictitious" road name, or setting ( The rockbound coast of Maine )
......you can be "creative" Big Grin Big Grin
Thanks for the wonderful input, everyone. Smile

Sumpter250: Nice pictures. Smile Also, your opinion on fictional settings is very informative and helpful. I make my own road name someday, or give a name of my own choosing to a name train.

MasonJar: Thanks for the reviews on brand names for HO scale steam locomotives. I had some ordinary Bachmann steam engines in my HO scale layout that I left in the Philippines. From your input, I think the Spectrum line and other brands will be better. I've been able to try diesels in HO from Bachmann (plain), Athearn, and Atlas. The Atlas ones run great. The only one from my collection that runs better than is an Athearn Genesis F7A. I also had a recent Athearn blue box F7A (Santa Fe), and I find the paint job a lot better than the older Athearn blue box models.

MasonJar: It now appears to me that steam should be better for scales larger than N scale. I think you're right. These N scale steam locomotives will have so many complicated (and tiny) parts that it might become a nightmare. My desiring for N scale locomotives may have been too ambitious. I'm now looking at Atlas, Life-like Proto, and Kato N scale diesel engines. I'm placing back my era to the 1950's (but this time I can choose any year in that decade Smile ). My locale will be still a fictional New England location (or go freelance Wink ). Among the engines I'm considering are:

RS-1
RS-2
RS-11
H15-44
H16-44
E8A
E9A
RDC-1
RDC-2 or RDC-3 (but not both)

Again, thanks for the information. I only have scant literature about American trains (I have some Model Railroader magazines and internet access. I am virtually bookless on American trains). The help is priceless.
michael_balcos Wrote:Thanks for the wonderful input, everyone. Smile The help is priceless.

You are most welcome Michael. Looking forward to pictures of your "final decision". Big Grin Big Grin
Last I knew, the Kato 2-8-2 was considered to be king of N-Scale steam.

I've been out of the loop for awhile, but I don't think you can go wrong with the 2-8-2. I had some issues when I ordered mine a few years ago...I forget where I ordered from, but I had to send it back TWICE for exchange because details were broken inside the package. Not sure if that lies at the feet of Kato, where I bought it from, or getting bumped around during shipping. Probably just my lousy luck. Regardless, the engine runs great and pulls like a champ.