Best 0-4-0

[jettrainfan]

I have 3 0-4-0 repaint projects(might be 4 still thinking...) and want the best model for pickup, moter, etc.
what is my best choice? here is the 3 steamies i might do!
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=226812&nseq=21
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=230581&nseq=5
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=147009&nseq=1
all are nice looking locomotives, i just need to know the best model to use, I only have experience with life like. Thanks for the help!

[Stephen D. Richards]

I actually took a cab ride in the Flagg #75.  A great little locomotive.  I'm going to do that one myself.  Stephen

[jerryl]

  An old mantua would be a great place to start.  They are mostly metal & pull well for the size & they run forever. All 0-4-0s have pickup problems because of the small wheelbase & only 4 wheels on the track.

[pdlethbridge]

Or bowser

[CNE Runner]

I am just starting the process of constructing  a copy of the Inglenook Switching Puzzle for use in my volunteering work (ie. train shows, group homes, assisted living, etc.). Part of the process was to find a very small locomotive that could pull a maximum of 3 or 4 - 40' box cars on a level surface. I looked at the Bachmann Plymouth and Model Power Porters and all of them seemed to be too lightweight. A friend had a Mantua tank engine (I forgot the stock # - but can get it if needed) and I was amazed at the heft of this little engine. Needless to say I ordered one immediately (note: these come in DC flavor only and may not be DCC-friendly).

My point is that small switching locomotives have the same problems their prototype cousins had on the big railroads...they had very little weight on the driving wheels - which limited their usefulness. This was especially true of the 0-4-0 arrangement (which has little application except as an industrial locomotive). In model railroading, we are lucky enough to have little locomotives that come equipped with traction tires (or we can apply Bullfrog Snot)...the 1:1 guys had to rely on sand. From what I've seen, I would say Jerry's suggestion of a Mantua product is a good one...although I am not conversant with the entire Mantua line.

Ray

[Michigan Railfan]

Model Powers 0-4-0 is the best I've seen so far. It goes faster than most of my engines, and pulled, I think either 14 or 15 cars before it stalled, but with a little push, it gets going again. Great engine.

[jettrainfan]

than you do any of you know where i could find/buy any of those 0-4-0s mentioned other than model power? I know a hobby show selling them cheap!

[pdlethbridge]

Try Bowser.

[Frisco]

I have a old AMH one, a little noisey, but other then that a great little runner, I've put 12 cars behind it on a 1% grade, and it took them right up, it'll go pretty slow. I've taken it through trackwork that even tender equiped engines have a tough ime on, and it plowed right on through. And best off they can be picked up for very reasonable prices.

[jettrainfan]

well after comparing... the parts are off by a bit, .....$59.95...... it looks good..... heres the site http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pawstrains.com/452.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pawstrains.com/ho__dockside_040_steam_locomo.htm&usg=__9hb2YpcqLsIYQo8mIqlKmhCfW4c=&h=168&w=410&sz=16&hl=en&start=17&um=1&tbnid=iZTeAe21dZjOuM:&tbnh=51&tbnw=125&prev=/images%3Fq%3DBowser%2B0-4-0%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
(long link!) i would go with it.

Looking at undercoated, what do you think?

[CNE Runner]

I just ordered (won) that Mantua tank engine on eBay. I paid $45 and saved $4 over the next best price I could find (Discount Toy Trains). If you go this route you probably should hold out for a more recent production model of this locomotive. The older ones come equipped with X2F (Hook/Horn) couplers whilst the newer versions are equipped with magnetic couplers. Just a suggestion.

Ray

[Johnson Bar Jeff]

I just ordered (won) that Mantua tank engine on eBay. I paid $45 and saved $4 over the next best price I could find (Discount Toy Trains). If you go this route you probably should hold out for a more recent production model of this locomotive. The older ones come equipped with X2F (Hook/Horn) couplers whilst the newer versions are equipped with magnetic couplers. Just a suggestion.

Ray

Those couplers are a pretty easy swap, however.

But yep, if you get ahold of one of the older Mantua 0-4-0Ts (with the side tanks), where the whole superstructure of the model is one piece of cast metal--those things will pull anything!    You can find old models on eBay all the time.

I'm referring, of course, to the "real" Mantua models, not the Model Power "Mantua Classics" engines. Come to think of it, I don't know whether Model Power has issued an 0-4-0T in the "Mantua Classics" line.  I've seen the 0-6-0T, but I don't know about an 0-4-0T.