Hi all,
I'm looking for recommendations on a steam locomotive to use with a 2 or 3 car '40's passenger train. I'd like an Atlantic but don't know which manufacturer makes the best runner. I'll do the conversion to sound so a straight DC loco would be great.
Any suggestions???
Thanks,
Bill
Hi Bill, welcome to the club. It's a tough crowd
All the other helpful comments aside, it really depends on what is driving your question...you obviously have an image of what you're looking for.
Generally, the Atlantic is really not a "forties" engine, it's an early 20th century fast passenger type that got displaced by heavier (if not necessarily faster) power rather quickly. That's not to say they didn't last into the forties; Santa Fe had some 75" and 79" drivered beauties that ended up their life on short local trains in California. They could out-accelerate just about anything, given a light load. With a heavier train, not so much. There are other examples, the Pennsy being just one. The modern Milwaukee 4-4-2's were a bit of an aberration, imho, and they were quickly replaced by the amazing and heavier 84" drivered Hudson type 4-6-4's. Awesome locomotives for fast, heavy trains.
There isn't anything like what you're looking for available in N scale, and it takes skill and time and patience to cut down Pacifics or modify other locos. I'd suggest that if you're looking for a forties era branch line or local passenger power, a light Pacific, or a Mogul, both of which which are available would do just fine.
Fun stuff, enjoy it!
Otto K.
