Well I model N scale but I recently made some HO purchases:

PFM/United Union Pacific 2-8-0 unpainted

Tenshodo Big Boy born in 1977 like me.  It will need remotoring and regearing but I posted a message here and I got so much help it should be no problem.
I will also be converting it to DCC once and only after I get it to run smooth.

Well I certainly got two locos that come to mind that run like humdingers.

Both of these are old locomotives that I purchased recently.

The first one is an Atlas RP that I bought for 30 dollars at the LHS and man it's small compared to just about any other diesel but it pulls like a mule and fast as hell.

The second one is an old Kato U-boat N scale that I bought on Ebay.  Loud as heck but man it can pull another loco running on the opposite direction.

Those are my two humdingers.

Thank you guys.

I checked out all those sites and it looks like I got my fix for motors for a long time coming.

Those sites are really awesome.  I have to spend a lot of time in each one to absorb all the info. 

I will report my progress once I decide which motor to purchase.

It looks like I'll be in this hobby for the rest of my life and there's no rush

Well as far as two sounda cams, yeah that would be the way to do it

I couldn't find a site for Bower's.

Wow Northwest Short Line!!  That's a serious website. 
I like the bender tool.  I'm working on a hand-made brass tender and I need that tool.

thanks guys

Congratulations on the successful operation soldier!!

What the heck is humdinger?

Hi guys,

I model N-Scale but I just bought an HO brass Tenshodo Big Boy and it needs a motor.  I am hoping you guys can help me pick a good quality motor.

It was built in 1977 just like me but I want a modern motor.

Also here's another question. 

Is there enough space in an HO Big Boy to put two motors?
I was thinking it would be cool if I could put a motor for each truck with a sound decoder each and I could make the chuff sound more accurate.

I think this kit may be for your loco

http://www.charlestondigitaltrains.com/thumbnail.asp?offset=0&deep=2&cid=86

72866

GE 7FDL16, 16 cylinders turbo charged, dynamic brakes, Nathan 3chime air horn for Dash 7, B30-7, B36-7, Dash-8, B36-8, B39-8, Dash8-40, Dash8-44, Super 7, C30-7, C36-7, Dash9-40, Dash9-44, AC4400CW, P23, P42. Headlight, Bell, Horn, Coupler/coupler crash, Mars Light, Dynamic Brake, Detector, Shunting mode, Extended Mute, Rail joint sound, Short air let off, Short Signal.

For N Scale locos!

Hello N-Railer,

Sound decoders come in both versions.  You can get decoders that do sound only as well as decoders that do sound and motion.  You can also get mobile decoders without sound which is what you have.

Personally I think a decoder that does both is the way to go as far as installation time and space in your loco. 

The only reason why I think someone would get a separate decoder for each function is if they have limited space and would like to add a sound "only" decoder on the tender of a steamer or on another loco running a consist.

Here are a few links that have good prices and lots of decoders.  It seems like "Loksound" decoders come as a kit for specific locos.  So rather than having to do the work of figuring out which decoder and speaker combo would work for you these guys sell kits for specific locos.  I haven't used them but they have lots of different kits. 

Once I find which decoder I want I put the item number in google to find the best prices.

http://www.charlestondigitaltrains.com/
http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/StoreFront?sfs=2af835e3

That should be enough space for a nice layout.
Go to Atlas and download their layout program for free.  Play around with that and see what you can come up with.  I will look for a link to some layouts that have already been designed that may fit into that space.

Guys,

I found out that they only N-scale production is such tender is in brass which is hard to find and ridiculously expensive.

I am making it out of Brass.  So far so good but I need to know the length.
I have tried googling it but have had no luck.

If anyone knows the lenght of the real one or the length of the model I would appreciate it if you helped me out.

Thanks

I have purchased 5 Athearn engines 2 had to go back.

I have purchased 4 Atlas engines 2 had to go back.

I have purchased 6 Kato engines 0 had to go back.

I have purchased about 20 Bachmann Spectrum engines 5 had to go back.

In my book Kato rates the best but it almost seems like Spectrum is 2nd.

Not by what I read from seasoned modelers but from my fleet, you can rest assure that if you buy Spectrum you are buying as good as engine as the competitors. 

I only have to 4-8-4 northerners from their standard line.  One of them is from the white cardboard box generation which actually runs better than the other one which is the latets generation in the clear plastic box.  They're both poor runners and it's a pick-up issue.  I like them a lot so when I get a chance I will convert their tenders to pick up as well. 
It's funny but spookshow's rating describes it spot on.  The cardboard box generation is actually the best runner. 

Stay away from their standard line unless you like to tinker with stuff is what I read in the forums.

David has a very scientific theory and I like it.

I have done a lot of experimentation on this matter because I have not yet switched to DCC.

But what I've found is that if there is a huge discrepancy between speeds one loco begins to skid.  I don't know if that would damage anything but I don't like it.  So if there is a huge discrepancy I do not run them together.

Otherwise I run the faster one infront because when it's behind a slower one it pushes the coupler around and one time this damaged the coupler.

Welcome to N scale.  We almost lost you to the dark side there he he.
Well tell us a bit more about the space you got in your house.

The army had a bunch of 2-8-0's.

I like 2-8-0's and Bachmann makes the best (in my opinion) 2-8-0 currently on the market.

If you get the undecorated version or whichever version and just change the loco number to whatever Army picture 2-8-0 you find you will be set.

It is an extremely good engine.  I find them on ebay for around $60 all the time.  Thefavoritespot is an online retailer who I buy from all the time.  If there is ever a problem he will exchange for you.