I wouldn't mind having a full scale steam engine for my perimeter track. It's approximately 042 give or take a couple of degrees. I bent the Gargraves around my stomach and hot water heater during the build. My full scale *Williams* GG1s round the curves just fine, except for one curve that's borderline tight. Good smoke, whistle and pulling power are most important, along with PRR or NYC road names. It doesn't have to be high tech.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks - Ponz
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The Lionel 12-wheel-tender non-streamlined NYC J3a Hudson is an 054 loco. I have a couple.
I say non-streamlined because some later versions come with the longer PT tender; not sure about the diameter there. Not a good tender on smaller layouts, anyway.
All this can be checked on eBay (when they list the requirements/show the box) or Lionel's website. There are a couple on eBay right now in the $700 range. Not sure what you mean by "inexpensive".
Can't do better than a NYC Hudson, and a Hudson is a big, burly locomotive, but not one that overwhelms a smaller layout. They are not really much longer than a large-tendered modern Pacific.
K-line Berkshire. Not great smoke but are super nice engines for the price. They made #1 a Lima Demo engine. 
Don
You didn't name livery. The best $$ I found on eBay is a MTH PRR 4-4-2 Atlantic with PS-2. Scale, good sounds & smoke, speed control, and rated for 031 minimum. For the same $$ there is a Lionel TMCC West Side Lumber Shay rated for 054 minimum.
Check Ebay for Williams brass engines. I just saw some for under $350 but they are conventional.
Bob Delbridge posted:Check Ebay for Williams brass engines. I just saw some for under $350 but they are conventional.
I saw that one too. There's a N&W 611J, but it's 072 minimum. Great deal, though.
Dollar for dollar, I think that K-Line made some of the best scale locomotives. For the PRR, they made a great Mikado and K-4. I had both of these, and only sold them because I sold all of my PRR stuff to focus on the B&O and Reading. I did replace them with two B&O K-Line Mikados. Purchase them both with TMCC for $350 (like new) and $375 (new). Bought one here on the For Sale forum and the other on eBay.
Jim
Bob mentioned the Williams brass engines. I forgot that I had a Willams NYC Hudson away. It's scale size, but not the detail of some of the newer engines, like the K-Line Hudsons. I have a conventional one that I only ran one time and I damaged the linkage on one side as the shell wasn't on right. Other then the aesthetics, the engine run great. I'll let this go for only $125, plus shipping, if you are interested. I think the linkage can be repaired by someone with soldering skills.
Jim
Those are good tips. I was hoping to find something in the $500 range. Wishful thinking, huh?
What do you think about an MTH 4-6-4 Hudson with proto sound? Would that be the original Proto sound subject to some quirks?
Ponz
There is a lot of scale size A-5 switcher locomotives on eBay right now in price range, but I think you wanted something bigger!!
Almost ANY switcher by Lionel or MTH.
BTW - Something much bigger than a switcher. I have several Pecos River freight cars as well as some heavyweight passenger cars.
Ponz
Ponz posted:Those are good tips. I was hoping to find something in the $500 range. Wishful thinking, huh?
What do you think about an MTH 4-6-4 Hudson with proto sound? Would that be the original Proto sound subject to some quirks?
Ponz
Hard to beat the K-Line scale hudson. Can be had for under 500 bucks with TMCC.
There is one on the bay now for 400. TMCC versions end with S or CC and conventional versions end with W.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kline...b:g:LcgAAOSwTAZdAlf~
Pete
Norton posted:Ponz posted:Those are good tips. I was hoping to find something in the $500 range. Wishful thinking, huh?
What do you think about an MTH 4-6-4 Hudson with proto sound? Would that be the original Proto sound subject to some quirks?
Ponz
Hard to beat the K-Line scale hudson. Can be had for under 500 bucks with TMCC.
There is one on the bay now for 400. TMCC versions end with S or CC and conventional versions end with W.
Pete
Pete - I'm running conventional with an original ZW, so what features will it have or not have?
Ponz
It will have whistle, bell, and chuff sounds in conventional. In command you would also get tower com, coupler clank, and background steamsounds like air compressor. Electronics are common Lionel modular. All electronic parts still available from Lionel or use aftermarket alternatives from ERR.
Pete
I just posted something on the for sale forum that you may be interested in.
Oman posted:I just posted something on the for sale forum that you may be interested in.
Keith - is that full scale?
Ponz
Yes
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