Venture to the dark side....what steam loco should I buy

[D1042 Western Princess]

I think you should go lock yourself in a dark room until you come to your senses!


That is all

I totally agree - why should ANYONE want a 'steamer' on a layout, even a real one made in Swindon??         

But if you must then perhaps a Castle or Hall would be good options as there are several preserved and were largely 'go anywhere' locos.   

[Kris]

If you want western region and preserved you want to be looking at the Dapol Hall or Manor (there are no Granges preserved, so that rules them out). Farish do the King but this is woefully dated as was their previous model of the Castle. When they eventually bring out the new Castle's these would be a contender.
Something you could consider would be a Farish Merchant Navy class. Used in very late BR steam specials and several preserved and used on private specials since.

[d-a-n]

I'd recommend anything modern and Farish with the new coreless motor - I have no experience of the Dapol locos so I can't comment on these although I saw a Hall (or manor or grange or whatever it was) running an oval in Gaugemaster and it looked and sounded great (i.e. quiet)

[sparky]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.... I think it will be a dapol hall.....my birthday is the end of Jan and hints to the missus are under way