looking for a new loco

It depends on what you want, more specific than just wheel arrangement.  Do you prefer a particular brand (Lionel, MTH, etc)?  What is your budget?  Do you prefer a particular road name?  Do you want command control and sound or do you prefer conventional?  If you are in the lower budget range I would recommend a Lionel Lionchief Plus locomotive.  They can be found for between $300 and $400 and are available as a 4-6-2, 2-8-2 or 4-6-4.  Each wheel arrangement has 4 road names with eastern and western road names.  They have good sound, great smoke, are very smooth runners and strong pullers, and have remote couplers along with some other features, all of which are controlled from the included remote.  You can also run it with a conventional transformer if you like.

My budget is about 250. I have never owned an MTH but would try it out. Brand is not important. I run conventional but can a conventional engines have sounds? except mighty sound of steam.

There's also Williams by Bachmann. Ignore the MSRPs quoted in their catalogs--they're typically set high so that dealers have more latitude to offer discounts. You won't get much in the way of sound, but their locomotives are widely regarded as pretty close to "bulletproof".

 

---PCJ

Look at some of our sponsor's adds. You can get a Williams diesel with a simple horn and bell for around $99 depending on the model plus shipping. They run much more smooth and quiet with 2 can motors than anything Lionel made in the 50's!

Try an mth railking proto 1. There are really good deals on eBay. I see mth premier proto 1 diesels go for $200 on the bay. Too bad I won't be getting one...

Patrick,

If you shop around and do not get in a hurry quite a few of the smaller Hudson type will fit your budget .

I may have what you  are looking for email sent

I am selling my Railking Protosound 1 New York Central Hudson on eBay.  I put in a BCR and it runs well.  

I added a video of it running. 

The WBB Baldwin 10 wheeler is a really good running, durable 4-6-0 and you can usually find it for under under $250.

I wish to second the LionChief Plus recommendation.  4-6-2 or 4-6-4, both are great runners and great value with the remote, smoke, remote couplers, speed control.   They can co-exist with any other command control as well as conventional.  -Ken

I run conventional. Can I use the remote still? & how does that work? Do I need a specific power system?

Patrick, with the LionChief PLus you can use your conventional control, there is a switch under the cab.  

 

To use the remote, leave the loco  in remote mode, just set the power on high (don't need full power), and then use the remote to run the loco.   That is what I am doing.   I have two locos and trains running off of a CW-80.   I just push the level to vertical and that is plenty of power to run a lighted passenger and a freight with lighted caboose.

You can't go wrong with a MTH Railking 2-8-0 with PS2.  They're sturdy, run well, and look nice.

 

There's a couple on E-Bay (Buy it now) for under $200 plus a bunch up for bid.

If you have the budget, a Lionchief Plus, absolutely.  But I doubt you can find that in the $250 range mentioned earlier.  There, I still think the WBB Baldwin is a good deal.  

 

But I'd recommend finding the additional money for the LC+ they can be found for only a bit over $300, and worth a lot more, in my opinion.

Beautiful loco. 

LionChief plus. You get sound, remote, conventional running all in one locomotive.

Does lionChief run on tight corners?

My PRR LC+ Mikado does fine on O36, awaiting the LC+ PRR RS3s.

Ok thank you! & you're a part of the NJ Hi Railers? Isn't that the largest o gauge layout in the country?

I know it is big, and not the biggest "O Scale 3 Rail", it is right up there!