what to buy?

[blt]

I have a small layout 2'X4'. the curves are 11" radius. What Steam engine would be a good choice for trouble free operation?
Thanks for any help!

[skipgear]

For 11" Minimum, pick up the Spectrum 2-8-0, Standard line 4-6-0, or maybe even the 2-6-0 when it arrives. Also the 0-6-0 standard line will run well with a little updating.

Both Mountains, the 2-6-6-2's and 2-10-2's will also run on 11" but the smaller engines will be more reliable. The 4-8-4's can be a bit stiff on 11".

[railtwister]

For 11" Minimum, pick up the Spectrum 2-8-0, Standard line 4-6-0, or maybe even the 2-6-0 when it arrives. Also the 0-6-0 standard line will run well with a little updating.

Both Mountains, the 2-6-6-2's and 2-10-2's will also run on 11" but the smaller engines will be more reliable. The 4-8-4's can be a bit stiff on 11".

Hi blt,

Skipgear has given good choices for available new Bachmann locos (this is a Bachmann list, after all), but he omitted the Bachmann old time 4-4-0, newer versions of which can run pretty well. There are also other locos that will work on that radius, some are not currently in production but may be found at train shows or as new "old stock" in some hobby shops. When buying either new or used locos, be sure to see them test run first, to make sure they operate smoothly and quietly. Kato has (had?) a Mikado 2-8-2, Con-Cor has offered Hudson 4-6-4 locos from both Japan (Sekisui/Kato) and Mexico, and Model Power has offered Pacifics (4-6-2), Mikados (2-8-2), and Atlantics (4-4-2). The old Minitrix line is a little dated, but their 0-6-0 and 2-10-0 ran pretty well, although they looked a bit funky. Both Atlas & Athearn have had tender drive small old-timer, locos too, and, if you can manage to find one, there's also the Atlas N scale Shay.

Bill in FtL