New Steam Engine

[Bfagan]

I'm thinking about getting my first steam engine.  It must have DCC.  I'm not to crazy about Bachman.  Any suggestions?  I model the western US area.

[MVW]

First, I must ask: Have you run any of Bachmann's more recent entries in the steam market? I picked up one of their heavy Mountains with DCC onboard last winter, and was thoroughly impressed. Smooth runner and strong puller.

Second, are you familiar with Spookshow's N scale locomotive encyclopedia? He's reviewed just about every N scale loco ever built. Everything is subjective, of course, but the encyclopedia is a great resource for deciding which engines may (or may not) be worth your hard-earned dollars. Hasn't steered me wrong yet.

If you need a link, let me know.

Jim

[Flagler]

Kato GS4

[Flagler]

or you can pray for a FEF from kato ,soon.

[Bfagan]

Just ordered the Kato Gs4 Freedom Train.  I think I'll be happy.

[Flagler]

You will be happy and its the eaziest decoder install .Best puller for the bucks

[peteski]

You should be very happy with the GS-4 but a word of warning: Treat it like a fine and delicate model and it'll give you great service. Treat it like a child's toy and it will not work so well.

It is a fine model but it is delicate.  If you look around the Web, you'll find GS-4 horror stories. Most are self-inflicted (due to no fault of the model) by the heavy-handed owners.  Especially do not slide it unpowered on the track.  That is a sure way to pop off its traction tires.