Best N Scale Steam loco?

Kato Mikado. And there is an optional driver set with a traction tire available to make it pull better, but mine do OK without them. Beautiful locomotive. Good parts availability. Great company.

-John

Kato Mikado. And there is an optional driver set with a traction tire available to make it pull better, but mine do OK without them. Beautiful locomotive. Good parts availability. Great company.

-John

Is it such a cut and dry decision any more? The LifeLike 2-8-8-2 is also a superb engine (though it could use some traction tire drivers), the Model Power Pacifics are also smooth running and a portent of things to come. B-mann - gotta get their QC up to par then they could also be a contender. Val

I actually forgot about that one; I might still get one but the price goes over my self-imposed limit of $100 per locomotive. I've never seen one run but I hear good things about it.

-John

"Max Coynes" wrote in news:eRaAb.748$ snipped-for-privacy@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net:

Micro-Ace.

Just what is the deal with this American prototype Mogul they put out? Is it still available? I heard it was a VERY short run and it's all gone. Did they do any more?

-John

This was discussed on the Early Rail email group....

Atlas are going to do it in 2004. The same model and drive.

Go to

Then "New N products"

Scroll down to "October 2, 2003" and click on "NEW! N 2-6-0 MOGUL STEAM LOCOMOTIVE"

The Micro-Ace engine is Japanese narrow gauge (AFAIR 3'6") scaled to run on 9mm track (1:130?), and is based on a preserved Porter 4-4-0.

But it's a small locomotive - compare the preserved 3ft gauge Eureka with the standard gauge Inyo. It makes a fairly good approximation to a standard gauge engine in N-gauge.

I don't know how accurate the result is though, for the road names - the V&T's number 20 had a parallel boiler, not wagon-top. It is preserved at Strasburg PA.

But the model is still very pretty.

It's a Porter narrow gauge prototype that was scaled down by Porter for them to fit the Japanese specs from a standard gauge loco they made for use here. MicroAce scaled it back up to fit the 9mm gauge... so it's come back full circle!

Don't despair... Atlas is going to be importing it in US paint! They were showing it at the (Las Vegas?) hobby show. Someone on the Yahoo N Scale list posted photos from the show a while back - sorry, I don't have the URL any more.

BTW, Atlas is _also_ doing an N scale 2 truck Shay! (same photos!)

snipped-for-privacy@aol.com (Pacific95) wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@mb-m13.aol.com:

Micro-Ace does limited runs of just about anything -- if you see anything on their to-be-produced lists you want, order *now* rather than next week - they'll produce to order plus some extra for the distributors, and generally, they *do* *not* rerun stuff.

IIRC N Scale Supply may have some - else, you can try Ebay (yuck) or some of the Japanese stores.

The Micro-Ace steamers that I have are excellent runners and have finer detail than Kato or Model Power. I do have two comments:

1. That fine detail is delicate - just picking it up can break something.
2. I have found no source for replacement parts.

I got m> Micro-Ace does limited runs of just about anything -- if you see

I have both the (latest release) Kato Mikado and LL 2-8-8-2 which have been converted to DCC. The LL has a load compensated decoder and it pulls 35+ cars with ease on my layout. The Kato only pulls 13-15 cars now that its lost a little weight for the decoder....

Terry Bickle

I've always had problems with the Kato Mikado (had two.. both pooped out on me... need to repair the one i have, and see if i can sell it).

The two locos that i consistently run at the moment, are the 2882 and the 2-8-0 by spectrum. The 280 was my first dcc conversion, at all. the only other DCC Loco i have is an atlas diesel, which was DCC equipped already. So this was my first project. everything went without a hitch. The 2882 has yet to be converted, but WILL be converted, mark my words. I have the TCS M1 decoder for it, so i need to take the time.

both of the two run beautifully. the 280 is low-geared in my opinion, so it runs a bit slow, but did NOT slip with my 50 car train. the 2882 also pulls the train, so either way, i'm glad.

Mike

Mike:

I'm not as lucky as you with my Spectrum 2-8-0. It's DCC equipped but is no where as smooth a runner or as dependable as the LL 2882. I had the decoder installed for me in the 2-8-0 and they added a flashing firebox option (which is really pretty cool in low light). This addition did reduce the weight and did affect the performance however.

Terry