Got my first steam engine

[BestSnowman]

I got my first steam* today (A Berkshire 2-8-4 http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1953) and I have to say its quite a different experience compared to diesel model trains. The detail and intricasy of a good steam engine is far beyond that of a diesel but boy are they picky about track.

I kept getting shorts on the turnout that provided access to the siding for my passenger station while at low speeds that was caused by one of the inner rails was just a tiny bit out of guage. When a diesel or piece of rolling stock derails its not much of an incident but boy when this 2-8-4 leaves the rails (only happened once so far) it is quite an ordeal.


*Strictly speaking, second. Yesterday the Hogwarts Express arrived that i found online for my wife and it didn't run the greatest (but not really too bad) and things went downhill quickly when I tried installing a 1-amp digital decoder. To make up for "disabling" the Hogwarts 4-6-0 I got her the 2-8-4 as a replacement steam engine (as it is the only DCC steam engine I could find locally).

[boomertom]

Snowman,

A Pere Marquette berkshire was the last steam engine I saw running on the C&O in about 1954-1956, several decades later there were steam specials using both a Reading T-1 and C&O Greenbrier.

Although the PM had been merged into them C&O a lot of engines were never re lettered due to equipment trusts.

Have fun with your steamer and thanks to both you and Bachmann for refreshing the memories of a 10-12 year old.

Tom B

[BestSnowman]

A Pere Marquette berkshire was the last steam engine I saw running on the C&O in about 1954-1956, several decades later there were steam specials using both a Reading T-1 and C&O Greenbrier.

Although the PM had been merged into them C&O a lot of engines were never re lettered due to equipment trusts.

Have fun with your steamer and thanks to both you and Bachmann for refreshing the memories of a 10-12 year old.

I hadn't researched PM at all yet, it was literally the only DCC engine I could find locally. Now thanks to your story I am quite interested.

[uncbob]

The PRR museum in Strasberg PA has a NP Berk on display outside
Unfortunately the weather and the birds are not kind to it

[jdvass]

Welcome to steam!

I bought my first steam engine about a month or so ago at our local train show. I picked up a mint Spectrum 4-6-0 in HO lettered for Canadian Pacific. It was used but in mint shape and I got it for $85.00 and this included a DH123 decoder! 

I got it home, put it on the layout with all my diesels. I kind of liked all the details, and all the moving bits and pieces looked cool. My wife thought it was cute.

One month, 5 more steamers, a planned addition for a steam service facility, and, a Walthers 130 foot turntable later, my wife doesnt think it's cute anymore  . But I'm hooked. Steam and diesels get along just fine!

But now I'm off to buy some jewelery.  Gotta keep the peace you know.

YAY STEAM! 

[moosemose]

Long Live Steam!!! My Father was a Conductor for the NP out of Ft. Wayne & in the summer (school out) I would get to "Fire" one on the way to Chicago running freight between Ohio & Ill.. In Ft. Wayne, the PRR yard & NP are side by side out by New Haven & we had PRR friends as well. I loved to sit up in the Cupola, play cards & cook on the wood burning stove whenever I got the chance. My Father ended up here in Tucson as a Corp. Commission Inspector over SP & PFE in state. He later opened his own "Private Agency" Inspecting Railway Accidents. He last inspected an Experimental Steam/Diesel Engine using special Injectors processing Coal Dust, Lime & Water in a "Slurry" that gave off No Pollution & almost 40%  more power than the same Diesel on Petroleum !!! The only "By-Product" was Steam!!! So, Yes they can work together well.   John

[The Chaz Storm]

Congrats on getting that model!  I'll never forget my first HO steam engine.  I got it years ago, it was an 0-4-0 tender engine (forgot the prototype).  It sure is a great memory one modeler will never forget.  That one engine you got in particular amazes me.  I'm really impressed.  It's a shame that engines like that though while on display don't get the best treatment from birds and weather from what uncbob said earlier.   

I do plan on getting more steam engines, one I really want in particular is the Southern Pacific #4449 and then maybe the Union Pacific #844.  Those two are great together double heading, wouldn't you say?

Long Live Steam! 

[Daylight4449]

mine ironicaly was a hogwsarts express engine set. i was young so i broke 3 of them but now my roster is a nj transit f40 an sy 2-8-2 a 0-6-0 and 2 russian decapods. I love the moving parts. they look awesome.

[BestSnowman]

It is a shame to see a great steam engine in that condition.

As for breaking 3 hogwarts locos, I'm really not suprised. The one I found was new in box from the original bachmann set. It didn't run well out of the box, and I had nothing but troubles with a decoder hooked up (just because of the way it was constructed it didn't sit right on the wheels). I finally got it back to DC but if you know where to look there are a few details that have suffered.

I actually found the Berk 2-8-4 at my local hobby lobby marked at 149 and I snagged it on a week of a 40% off email coupon so I think I got a pretty good deal.

[SteamGene]

AFAIK, the C&O relettered the PM Berkshires to Chesapeake & Ohio, but left then numbered as per PM.  Then any Mikado that had a conflicting number was retired/put in reserve.  About the only visible difference between the PM Berks and the C&O Kanawhas was the placement of the headlight and the pony itself.  The infamous placement of the C&O donut on tenders of Kanawhas came from one PM Berk that had it painted on. 
Gene

[Pacific Northern]

Welcome to steam!

I bought my first steam engine about a month or so ago at our local train show. I picked up a mint Spectrum 4-6-0 in HO lettered for Canadian Pacific. It was used but in mint shape and I got it for $85.00 and this included a DH123 decoder! 

I got it home, put it on the layout with all my diesels. I kind of liked all the details, and all the moving bits and pieces looked cool. My wife thought it was cute.

One month, 5 more steamers, a planned addition for a steam service facility, and, a Walthers 130 foot turntable later, my wife doesnt think it's cute anymore  . But I'm hooked. Steam and diesels get along just fine!

But now I'm off to buy some jewelery.  Gotta keep the peace you know.

YAY STEAM! 

I noticed in a magazine ad some time ago that Bev Bel has painted a number of Spectrum steam engines in Canadian roadnames. Last ad was for the Shay decorated with CPR markings. At least that is to prototype as CP had a Shay stationed in Nelson BC for a few years.

You do know that the Spectrum 4-6-0 is available in both a 57" and a 63" drivers version? They are super little engines I have a couple of each and am facinated just watching the valve gear move.  The best puller of all of the Spectrum is their 2-8-0 another great little engine.

[Michigan Railfan]

Up north in Michigan, in a small town, (I forgot the name), I've seen the real live 1225 Berkshire they used in the movie The Polar Express. It still had the name Polar Express on the tender. They said on weekends, if the boss was in a good mood, they ran the train around the small town, carrying passengers in passenger coaches. But, I was there on a weekday, and all I got to do was ring the bell. But, also, I got to see an Allegheney at the Henry Ford Museum, and got to go in the cab.

[BestSnowman]

That would make an interesting trip if I ever make it up to Michigan, too bad they don't have a schedule other than when the boss is in a good mood on weekends. My son would love a ride on a steam engine, especially if daddy has the one "just like it"

[jbsmith]

Welcome aboard!
  We got us another new steamer amongst us!
The Pere Marquette,,,nice locos,,great detail and the price is right!
I got the 1218 too. And the 1225,,I could not resist it, had to have both,
the plus the fact the PM actually had a line into the town where I live..
Kinda cool to have a steamer or two that may have actually Been in my city!

Runs Great.
One thing i learned is that this loco does NOT like atlas true track
switches.  It can go through the straight way part just fine, no problems,
BUT, going through the turn out curve,,forget it, derails everytime.
What baffles me is that my Overland Union Pacific 4-8-4 Niagra, which is
a larger loco can go through the same switches just fine. Go figure.
I can confirm that the Berk can navigate 18inch curves just fine.

Here BE a website link that is all about the Pere Marquette RR!

http://www.pmhistsoc.org/

from the same site as above,,a map of the PM routes

http://www.pmhistsoc.org/maxpmmap.shtml

[CNE Runner]

Wow...the fourteenth poster on a very popular thread!

My first steam engine arrived in 1947 and was a Lionel 224E. I think I abused that engine for years - finally trading it for some HO stuff (all of which has been discarded in history's dustbin). Currently the Newburgh, Dutchess & Connecticut RR operates with two Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0s that are absolute jewels. One of the Americans still needs a voice and my plans are to send it up to Tony's Train Exchange for decoder/speaker installation. About the only criticism I have for the engines is that power pickup is on the tender wheels only. This could be a problem on a short wheelbased locomotive as the 4-4-0...luckily I have Peco Electrofrog turnouts.

I am eagerly awaiting a Bachmann Spectrum Mogul...in late 19th century style. Mr. Bach Man, how about a version of the Richmond 4-4-0 with an oil-fired headlamp, and no steam generator (+ the wooden cab of course)? It would seem to be a relatively easy request to fulfill - and I can live with the slightly larger boiler and modern reversing mechanism. BTW: If you could ever figure out how to get DCC and sound into one of your woodburners I would do flips (well...one flip as I am 64 and not as agile as I used to be).

Out of the thread, but my favorite diesel (that I own at least), is the Atlas MP15DC. This is a smooth running engine with excellent sound and great pulling capacity. Unfortunately diesel power was quite rare in 1889. If it weren't, there is a GP38-2 (with DCC + sound) that would be lettered for the N.D.& C.

Cheers,
Ray