I don't know.. Model Power sells a 2-6-0 and a 4-4-0 that are rather small. (I believe Ajin makes them) so I think that motor could be made to fit a decapod.  I know I would buy at least 3 or 4 if they were available. I'm also hoping for a ten wheeler. (I just like early 1900's steam , I guess..)

Don't get me wrong, the LL will pull 20-25 cars, it's just that I was hoping to run a 50 car string of hoppers behind an articulated....
On the other hand there are The Model Power steamers - good looking models , but won't pull squat. I have a 4-6-2 that will not pull 4 heavyweights up a 1% grade. I replaced to stock trucks on the HW's with MT buckeye trucks, but that did not help much. I understand they sell them with traction tires now.

You're welcome.
If you run on a flat layout, you really should have no problems. I have 2 of the 2-6-6-2's and my steepest grade is 1% on the mainline. LifeLike (now Walthers) also makes a beautiful 2-8-8-2 which does not pull quite as well as it should....

No, these locos do not have traction tires. T 4-8-4 pulls quite well, unfortunately the same cannot be said of the 2-6-6-2. While it is a beautifully detailed and well-running engine, it is a poor puller. So yes it certainly can use traction tires, unfortunately unless you have the equipment and skill to machine grooves in tne drivers to hold the tires, you can not install any.
To learn more than you ever really wanted to know about any N-scale engine, try this web site: http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/locos.html

HTH

Franz T

Edward!

What you have on your various brands are "rapido" type couplers; also fondly referred as "crapidos".(Horn hook type couplers are/were the standard for HorriblyOversized scale, i.e. 1:87.1) Until quite recently, rapidos were the de facto standars for N-scale and their redeeming social quality was that they made cars of all manufacturers compatible. MicroTrains made a knuckle type magnetic coupler under their patent. Since the patent expired, many manufacturers (but not Bachmann) are starting to use them or their clones on their equipment. Some, including Bachmann are using so called "dummy couplers" which will couple with MT's and their clones but will not uncouple magnetically. So basically, you have three types: rapidos which are compatible only with each other; Magnetic knuckle couplers , wich are fully compatible with each other and partially compatible with the third type, the dummy coupler.
Now that I have thoroughly confused you, I am going to tell you that most serious modelers use the magnetic knuckle couplers and that in a few years they will be the new standard for ALL manufacturers.

This might work: Find an OLD car from the early 70's (you know, one of those with the pizza cutter flanges.. )- or maybe a truck from a Mehano Diesel....
Spread the Smooth -It between the rails and when it starts to set, run the truck along the section of track to cut nice, deep flangeways. Wait until the Smooth-it has dried, then take 150 grit sandpaper and sand the top smooth and then take a fresh sheet of sandpaper and run the edge in the flangeway with the grit toward the rail ...

Replacing the 2-8-0's tender trucks with M-Ts isn't a good idea.  The M-T trucks have no provision for electrical pickup.

Mike
[/quote]

Nobody advocated replacing the 2-8-0's tender trucks. The #2004 is a coupler, not a truck. (The Spectrum 2-8-0 uses a body mount coupler on the tender). Trucks on cars don't need any pickup unless they are on lighted passenger cars...

The Spectrum 2-8-0 takes a Micro-Trains #2004, you will have to snap off the old coupler box and drill/tap a hole to mount the new coupler. The whole thing takes less than 10 minutes. Easiest way to convert cars is to purchase MT trucks with couplers attached and simply replace the existing trucks. With Bachmann you will need to ream out the hole in the truck so it fits eaily over the mounting post on the car and then simply replace the screws holding the trucks in place. Bachmann knuckle couplers-also called dummy couplers- will work (after a fashion) with MT couplers but will not allow magnetic uncoupling. I make it a rule to install Micro-Trains on all my rolling stock..

Are you body mounting the couplers or are you using truck mounted? For truck mounted, the easy solution is to use M-T trucks with couplers. Igf you are body mounting, get yourself a coupler gage from MicroTrains and use the shims supplied with the couplers to set the draft gear box at the correct level..

The glue is just easier to apply when you dilute it. Basically, here is how I ballast my track: After I spread and groom the ballast (I used Woodland Scenics), I take a spray bottle (those empty manual hairspray bottles you can find at Wal-Mart for 97cents are perfect) filled with water and a bit of alcohol and wet the ballast THOROUGHLY. I start spraying from a good distance to avoid disturbing the ballast and as it gets wet, I approach closer with my spray bottle. Next I have an empty 8 oz Elmers Glue bottle (I like the tip for dispensing the solution) which I fill about half full with water - precise measurement is absolutely NOT critical here!! - add a bit of alcohol (93% iso is perfect) and fill to the top with white glue. Shake well and go to town.
I start by flowing the glue LIBERALLY  between the rails -to the top of the rails is fine. and then soak the sides. The trick is to use as much as possible. It will all soak into the ballast, trust me.
BTW, I use TiteBond White Glue, wich run me about 10 bucks a gallon at my local Lowes. Between gluing down roadbed, track, ballast and scenery, I have gone thru 3 gallons so far..

A mechanical stoker used an "auger". Cab forwards were oil-fired, as were most western steam locomotives. The fireman was still needed, however, to maintain the water level in the boiler among other things (very nasty things can happen if the water level drops too low...very, very nasty things.......)

Keep in mind this was in the early era of dieselization. There was a lot of experimenting going on.Some experiments were successful, some were not. The centipede obviously belongs in the latter group. Also, EMD, being part of GM, adopted the automobile standard model approach. (Here's what we make, how many do you want? ) which resulted in the benefits of standardization of parts.
Baldwin, and also Alco, on the other hand, build diesels the same way they build steam - to customer specs. the results were some interesting oddball locomotives, poor parts interchangeability and maintenance headaches for the railroads.
The reasons for more powerful single-unit diesels were simple: Labor unions. If you couple four GP's together, the unions could demand four crews.. The first F-units were permanently drawbar connected for precisely this reason. Remember, for the longest time, Union Rules called for a stoker on diesels....

You may want to dilute the Elmers 50/50 with water. I also add a few drops of alcohol to the glue/water mixture.
Never really cared for dish soap, so I wet my water with 93% alcohol as well

Your mileage may vary.....

Franz T

I like transition and 1st generation diesels. (E-Units, FA's, PA's, BL2's, Sharknoses - I'm waiting for someone to make a Centipede ) Bunch of Steamers - Consols, Light Montains, Pacifics, Articulated.. Mostly Eastern Roads..
No, it doesn't take long to accumulate a collection. Most of the steam is Spectrum, a few Model Powers and Proto Heritage. And of course a Two Truck Shay from Atlas..Don't really have any place to run it, but I had to have one

They (Rapidos) were de-facto standard for a long time. MicroTrains held the patent on magnetic knuckle couplers, when that patent expired, the MT clones started to appear (Accumate, etc.) In the last few years most,but not all, manufacturers have changed to MT's or their clones.Some, like Bachmann, have gone to so-called "dummy couplers", which will mate with MT's, but will not uncouple magnetically...
I started converting my existing fleet about 8 years ago, and from then on, any new purchase got changed over before it went on the test track. It can be a major expense (I have approx 120 locos and 400+ cars) You can buy 10 packs of truck with couplers for about 30 bucks. Or you can keep your existing trucks; merely trim off the old coupler and its pocket and body mount 1015's. Body mounting gives you better performance, especially when backing. Plus you can buy a 10pair bulk pack of 1015's for about 10 bucks. (MT for some strange reason has changed their catalog numbers, I don't know what the new number is, since I bought about 20packs when a Hobby Store in Atlanta closed, so I haven't had to look for them in the last few years  but everybody still calls them 1015's.
Be advised, the 10pack is in kit form, Micro Trains sell aan assembly jig which is helpful in retaining your sanity; at this point I can assemble a coupler in about 3 minutes and I found I actually enjoy it

HTH

Franz T

PS, there are some specialized applications, for example the Spectrum 2-8-0 takes a 2004 and most other Bachmann a 1032 or 1033, which comes complete with a coupler pocket to snap in place of the original.