Best N Scale Passenger Steam ?

[eja]

Opps ... duplicate post

[eja]

After years of following TRW, it seems to me that most folks agree Mikado is the best N scale steam locomotive.

I know, "best" is subjective, but I am  thinking in terms of run quality, dependability and no need to tinker with it out of the box.

What passenger steam do my fellow modelers believe best meets the criteria I described for best in a 1930s - end of steam locomotive?

[NorthWestGN]

Con-Cor / Kato GN S2 Northern??



Spookshow doesn't care for the later variations, Grade A for the original run....

[C855B]

Kato FEF-3.

And I can't fault my B'mann J, even though it's a "white box" version (2nd? 3rd? gen). It had some wiring glitches out of the box, but it's been a smooth and reliable runner since decodering.

[mmagliaro]

The FEF would get my vote hands-down for pure performance since it is such a spectacular running engine.  Although, it represents "big" steam and is very road-distinctive, whereas the Kato Mikado is a more generic USRA model, and is more of a mid-size engine that would fit in better on a smaller layout.  My idea of a passenger "companion" engine to the Mikado would be a 1930s-1950s era 4-6-2.   Kato did make such a thing, the C55, but it's a Japanese prototype.  Bachmann makes that K4, and the ones I have seen run pretty darn good.  But it's such a "PENNSY ENGINE" (in all caps) that unless you are modeling the PRR, it just doesn't work.  I don't think a medium sized, non-road-specific 4-6-2 with the quality of the Mikado exists.

[spookshow]

As far as what's out there and readily available, I would cast my vote for the BLI 4-6-2 (the stealth version if you live in fear of Paragon decoders).

-Mark

[Bill H]

As to the best passenger steam, I would have to vote for the Bachmann B&O EM-1 which did pull some passenger trains on the B&O. Excellently reviewed by Mark.

[wm3798]

It has to be one that looks the part...


Really, it comes down to what kind of service you're modeling.  A squat Model Power 4-4-0 with a combine and a coach is perfect for a branch line in 1930.

A 4-6-2 Pacific, unadorned by shrouds of sheet metal is just right for those short intercity mail trains in 1950, their best years behind them.

Perfect is always conditional.

Lee

[thomasjmdavis]

I'm hoping that by this time next year, the answer will be the BLI ATSF 4-8-4.  In the meantime, I have acquired a Bachmann Heavy 4-8-2, which I've heard good things about, but haven't had any track down for the past since I acquired it to test it on. And, in any case, they seem fairly rare. I also have a Bachmann Light 4-8-2, which runs fine, but anything beyond a 2 car local is a challenge (I understand Bachmann has made improvements in later releases).

As Lee said above, 'best' will have to do with what you are trying to model (road, main vs branchline, limited vs local), and what your other criteria are (dcc? sound?).

[Jimbo]

As to the best passenger steam, I would have to vote for the Bachmann B&O EM-1 which did pull some passenger trains on the B&O. Excellently reviewed by Mark.

I’m sure we’ll disagree, but in my opinion it’s a stretch to call an EM-1 a passenger locomotive just because it pulled an occasional passenger train (and most likely limited to “extras” such as troop trains.)

Jim

[Jimbo]

After years of following TRW, it seems to me that most folks agree Mikado is the best N scale steam locomotive.

I know, "best" is subjective, but I am  thinking in terms of run quality, dependability and no need to tinker with it out of the box.

In my opinion, if that’s the criteria, then the Kato Mikado is NOT the best N scale steam locomotive!  Have you ever tried upgrading one to DCC?

The Kato Mike is a wonderful model, don’t get me wrong.  But it’s a 25+ year old design, before DCC became mainstream.

Jim

[squirrelhunter]

The best options for out of the box generic/customizable steam passenger right now are one of the later run MRC/Model Power 4-4-0's, the BLI USRA light 4-6-2, or one of the more recent Bachmann USRA light 4-8-2 runs.

The Bachmann 4-6-0's stock tender is too big, but with a tender swap it is a viable option too.

[eja]

I guess I should have noted that I am not looking for one the "Big Engine" locos.   I don't have room for the required radius to run them.

Thanks for all the replies so far.....

[nickelplate759]

I guess I should have noted that I am not looking for one the "Big Engines" locos.   I don't have room for the required radius to run them.

Thanks for all the replies so far.....

I'd go for a BLI Heavy or Light Pacific, unless you are doing PRR (Bachmann K4s).