Popular N Gauge Steam Locomotives

N scale steam locomotives, or any other scale model railroad train engine for that matter, are the most interesting and necessary pieces of equipment on any model railroad layout. N gauge locomotives are 1:160th of the real-life locos seen on today's railroads. These, like their full sized cousins will be moving goods and people around your model train layout.

Today, model railroaders have many train engines from which to choose. If you prefer a more nostalgic model railroad layout, there are many steam model train locomotives on the market to satisfy your needs. Some of the more common steam engines available are:

• 0-4-0 Locomotive Switcher:  These steam engines were used for switching purposes and were introduced in the 1830s.

• 0-6-0 Switcher:  The 0-6-0 was another great switching engine, and these six wheel switcher steam locomotive were at one point the most common type of yard engine. Bachmann 0-6-0 switcher engines are quite popular among today's N scale model railroader fans. They are available in decorated and undecorated versions, and you can buy them with or without a coal tender.

• N Scale 0-8-0 Switcher:  The 0-8-0 switching engine was larger and more powerful than the 0-6-0, and was typically utilized in switching jobs that were too heavy and strenuous for the smaller loco. These larger switchers were introduced in 1900.

• 2-6-0 Mogul:  The mogul was introduced in 1863 during the days of the American Civil War. It was primarily used as a freight locomotive. The last Mogul was built in 1910.

• 2-8-0 Consolidation:  In its heyday, the Consolidation steam engine became one of the most popular steam locomotive designs in America. These heavy-duty steam engines were introduced in 1866.

• 2-8-2 Mikado:  The Mikado freight steam engine, one of my personal favorites, was produced from about 1903 to 1930. During their 27 year production run more than 10,000 Mikado’s were produced.

• 2-8-4 Berkshire:  The Berkshire was introduced as a freight engine in 1925. A unique feature of this steam locomotive was its larger firebox. The larger firebox enabled the locomotive to produce more steam, thus enabling it to pull heavier loads at higher speeds.

• 4-4-0 American:  This popular steam engine was introduced into service in 1840. The American was a dual purpose locomotive and was tasked with carrying both passengers and freight. By 1900 the 4-4-0 was obsolete.

• 4-4-2 Atlantic:  Like the 2-8-4 Berkshire and the 4-6-4 Hudson, the 4-4-2 Atlantic had a larger firebox which enabled it to haul heavier loads. These popular steam locomotives were produced from 1896 to 1937.

• 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler:  These engines were built from 1847 up until the 1920’s, and like the American 4-4-0 were general-purpose engines used for carrying passengers and freight alike.

• 4-6-2 Pacific:  This was a very popular passenger engine and was produced until about 1935. These locos could be seen on the American railway systems until the popular diesel engines hit the scene. In addition to providing passenger services, the Pacific was used to pull freight on some roads.

• 4-6-4 Hudson:  The Hudson showed up on the American railroad in 1927. It replaced the popular 4-6-2 Pacific and serviced passenger needs.

• 4-6-6-4 Challenger:  The Challenger was introduced in 1936 as a freight engine. In its day, the Challenger was considered a very fast engine and could reach speeds up to 60 mph.

• 4-8-2 Mountain:  These powerful locomotives were introduced in 1911, just three short years before the outbreak of World War I. They were primarily designed for passenger service in mountainous regions, but were also used for freight purposes as well.

• 4-8-4 Northern:  The Northern serviced America's passenger and freight needs and was intended for use on fast passenger and freight trains. These popular locomotives were introduced to the American railway system in 1927.

This list is by no means intended to be an exhaustive listing of available N scale model locomotives. It is only intended to provide the model railroader with a small sampling of some of the more popular steam engines available. There are many others including: 4-8-8-4 Big Boy, 2-6-6-4, 4-8-8-2 and many more.

Check our listings to find just the right N scale locomotive steam engine for your model railroad layout.

1913 Baldwin 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler