Wither the small steam locomotive? - Model Railroader Magazine

hornblower

When Bachmann introduced their Spectrum line 2-6-0 Mogul, I purchased three at low introductory prices.  These have been little gems.

Was this model ever made in HO scale standard gauge?

I have only seen it in On30.

BEAUSABRE

It probably costs just as much to make the tooling and set up production of a small locomotive as a large one. Probably as much for labor as well. The cost of materials is the smallest percentage of the manufacturing cost. Then add in overhead costs like utilities and leasing/owning factory space, taxes, etc that are identical no matter what the size of the locomotive. BUT, the customers will expect it to be less expensive ("It's smaller, man"),and you can see why huge late steam is what predominates.

That is excactly it right there. If it costs X to produce a model, and you can sell a 2-8-2 or a 4-8-2 for 1.75(X), why would you make a 2-6-0 or 4-4-2 that will only sell for 1.3(X)?

I remember while I was in high school (1981-1985) reading that small brass models of steam locomotives were going away for this same reason. They cost the same to manufacture, but the customers expect them to be less expensive because they are smaller.

It is very common in the secondary marketplaces for small brass steam locomotives to sell for way more than some mikados or berkshires. It is hard to find a brass model of a small steam locomotive imported after the early 1980s.

snjroy

my old Rivarossi Heisler still gets mileage on my layout.

Mine too. I used it as a switcher in the "Spare Bedroom" layout, and plan to continue use it.

dehusman

But the real problem is not just the engines, its the cars too.

Another great point. Even in the transition era, it can be difficult to find the appropriate models to make a suitably varied fleet of freight cars.

Thankfully, we have Westerfield, Funaro & Camerlengo, Sunshine, Yarmouth, and a few brass models to fill in the blanks. In plastic everything looks very generic.

selector

Not to mention that the larger models can pull more, which is always a bug-bear for we modelers. 

Not for me! As the OP posted, smaller home layouts are becoming the normal way to enjoy this hobby. Pulling power should become less of a consideration.

-Kevin