I've had one for over 10 years and it still runs great.  Lubrication and basic maintenance is the key.

Jim

A friend put my 6" radius layout on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqkRB5Wo1Pc

Not a problem with Porters and a gas mechanical.  The trains were controlled with DCC.

Jim

Since you are not using DCC you might want to consider a 470 ohm resistor.  It will give you a slightly brighter light at lower voltages yet still handle full power.  I used a 5 mm golden white LED on a 2-6-0 with great success.  The after market LED is much brighter than the Bachmann LED's.  It is also less yellow but has no blue tint like white LED's.

Jim Pipkin

I agree with you Jester!

David,

Are you are aware that the cab is smaller because the 4-6-0 is 1:22.5 scale rather than 1:20.3?

Jim

Jeff,

The later production Porter 0-4-0's and 0-4-2's have identical running gear.  There is no difference in the running characteristics.  If an 0-4-0 has side rods attached with slotted head screws, a plated bell and no builder's plates, it is the older, less desirable version.

Jim

I can't comment on the color, but I have seen light shining through the walls of the yellow cars and this wasn't in the dark.  The cars were being run on DCC powered rails and receiving max voltage.

I run the green C&S cars with additional lights and reduced voltage.  No problems with light showing through the walls and the light is spread more proportionally throughout the car.

Jim

Glad I could help.

Early Porter 0-4-0's have screws holding the side rods to the wheels, a plated bell and no builder's plate.   The later production models don't have screw heads on the side rod bolts,  have builder' s plates and painted bells. 

Jim

A small 0-4-4 would be nice!

Probably very unlikely since Bachmann is now specializing in 1:20.3 for all new products. 

A 2-4-4 bashed into a 0-4-4 is still a large Forney.

Like a small 0-4-4 Forney.

Wow, C.S.R.R. Manager, I didn't think about posting my Youtube video.  This was taken a couple years ago by a friend of mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqkRB5Wo1Pc

Two trains at once on a 6 radius inch pizza layout.  I used Bachmann E-Z Command with Bachmann decoders in the Porters.

Jim

I have gotten a 0-4-2 to run on 6 inch radius by modifying the rear truck.  Staying coupled even to a small four wheel car is another story.  However a 0-4-0 will run fine with small cars on a 6 inch radius.