Hello all,
I am looking for a smallish steam lokie that will fit these parameters:
U.S. prototype (my preference is narrow gauge, but that’s not particularly important)
Reliable
Can negotiate r1 curves (the only way I can run it at home)
Room for installing R/C gear
can pull at least 6 standard cars on level track (more pulling power is better, but for a small loco I don’t expect much)
What steam locos would you all know of that might fit these parameters?
Thank y’all for your input.
The LGB Mogul comes to mind.
You are pretty much in LGB land with R1 curves… of course fidelity to scale goes out the window. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)
Greg, I had figured that might be the case. Scale is not a huge deal for me. The scale of the loco can change with the scale of the engineer I decide to stick in the cab. By the way, I am interested in a smaller loco not only out of functionality around my track at home, but also aesthetically to pull a train of 6 four wheel flatcars.
I’d go with LGB’s 0-4-0 Porter. It’d look great with a string of 4-wheel flats behind it. Trainworld has them new for $250 (DCC-equipped version), but if you keep your eyes open, you can find the older analog versions pretty cheap. Of course, if you’re looking to go battery R/C, you can use the DCC version and just add an Airwire Convertr receiver to drive it. I put a TCS WowSound decoder and Airwire Convertr receiver in the boiler of mine, with the battery in the cab, hidden in a coal bin along side the cab. You could also build a tender to go behind it to hold everything. That’s a very common–and prototypical–“kitbash” for small Porters.
You could also look at Bachmann’s 0-4-0, which would likewise look good with 4-wheel cars behind it.
Other suggestions would be LGB’s Forney and Mogul, but they’re a bit bigger and may not look “ideal” on 2’ radius.
Later,
K
You did say you wanted a “steam” loco ? A Roundhouse Sammie ? It should do R1’s and can have R/C fitted (Regulator only, it’s got slip eccentric valve gear). And, of course you can use it indoors.
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I would go with the LGB 2-4-0, (LGB 20230/20232) smaller than the Mogul, bigger than the porter. Plenty of room in the tender for a good size speaker, runs on R1 curves, will pull 6 cars.
Some room in engine for electronics, mine has a digital decoder in the boiler, speaker in tender.
Bachmann Annie, 0-4-0 sidetanker & saddletanker, 2-4-2 Lyn, the Lil Big Hauler 0-4-0s.
HLW Mack is a great little engine
LGB 0-4-0 Porter, the 2-4-0 mentioned above, the 2-6-0, they also have a 4 wheel and 6 wheel switcher.
Piko 0-6-0, 2-6-0 & 25-ton switcher.
All match your criteria. I’m not listening others like Aristocraft or other HLW engines as tho they are still available but are no longer in production.
That’s the ones I have Vic and they are all dependable!
The Lil Big Haulers are a great little platform to start with in my opinion. Cheap enough to not feel too bad about cutting up and bashing. I have several and need to get back to making my little logger.
You need to get that gem of a Mogul running
OP’s requirement is to pull at least 6 standard cars.
Little big hauler is out…
Greg
Little big hauler is out…
As is the Bachmann 2-4-2
My Heartland locomotives are good pullers, and they are small locomotives that can handle small curves.
A great choice for pulling more than 6 cars is the LGB 2017 which is the American style Stainz plus a powered tender.
This combo can pull over 6 of the 4 axle American cars or over 12 of the 2 axle cars!! And use the power cable between the engine and tender for great power pickup from the track.
I know I was looking for an American engine, but I have heard that the old Stainz are stump pullers. Perhaps with some light kitbashing, it could be turned into a more American style loco.
Take a look at how many cars this Stainz pulls!
I am impressed to say the least!
yep, these were all 2010,2020, or 2015 at 1 time or another 
Great runners
LGB made the Stains in both European and American styles.
European had 4 pipes in the front iied to the steam chest.
American version did not have pipes in the front but did have a longer cab and open rear for installing a walking platform to the tender for the coal shoveler (fireman).
I’m now leaning toward either the mogul or the 2-4-0. I believe both will have enough room for a small battery, receiver and speaker. Price will be a major factor in what I chose to get, particularly on the mogul. Maybe if I’m lucky I can score something cheap at ECLSTS. I like the Stainz but I think it would be too much work and time to make it look American this time around (even the American version), and in addition I’d need to buy a tender separately.
For small curves, the 2-4-0 would be better a it is a 2 axle motor block. Mogul will run on 4 foot diameter but is a 3 axle motor block.
Also 2-4-0 has shorter engine and tender!! Note that both of these engines have the same type motor and same size wheels.
