If your modeling craft skills are up to it, you might consider a kit-bash.  The old Bachmann 2-8-0 is a decent representation of a Reading I-10 loco.  I might be possible to mate the old superstructure to the new mechanism.  This is not for the feint-hearted, but worth considering.

Jonathon:  That's really shaping up!  I agree with the concept, at least for eastern railroading, of trains dipping in and out of the forest. 

Minor correction - the most common trolley power was 600 volts DC, not AC.  Most all city systems used 600VDC back in the day.  Higher voltages and AC power were generally limited to interurbans and heavy electric roads. 

I agree that the Bachmann On30 equipment is intended to run on the tight 18" EZ Track, and therefore needs to be short and compact.  The most likely candidate among the EBT locos is 2-6-2 No. 11.  Imagine Mike No. 12 cut down one less driver set.  She was sold off the EBT during WWII, destination unknown, and hadn't been in operation for a number of years before that. 

I  remember seeing one of the original I-R locos at the I-R factory. It was certainly on its last legs but was still operable doing switching on-site.  I probably took a pic of it out the bus window on an NMRA regional convention fan tour.  Buried somewhere in the shoeboxes full of yellow slide boxes. 

I agree with jward - A 4-4-0 taking 7 cars up 4% is just fine.  I suspect the prototype couldn't do much better.  It would kinda interesting to see what the real "York" could do on a grade like that, but the old Northern Central line it runs on has maybe a 0.5% grade in the southbound direction.

Can't help with the 2-truck, but my 3-truck had similar symptoms, which required replacing all 3 trucks with new ones with metal gears.  Last I looked, the trucks were available for about $32.00 each.

RAM:  In context, B/O is short for Best Offer.  Sometimes written as OBO - or best offer.  B.O. Plenty is/was a continuing character in the Dick Tracy comic strip.

Trainman - Yes, the 2-8-0 was the most common wheel arrangement in the U.S.  but my observations on overseas railroads seem to indicate that the wheel arrangement was not as popular over there.  As noted in this thread, tank engines seem to have been quite common even for main line work back in early 20th century.

I might note that one of those South African Garretts has made its way to the US.  It is on a private estate somewhere in Texas and does operate occasionally.

Jonathon:  Looks real good.  Keep up the great work. 

Would be really, really nice if Bachmann would do one of these little Garretts in On30.  I would think there might be a world-wide audience for one.

OK, thanks for the help.  I'll give it a look.

I just picked up a couple of the new old-time passenger cars.  I want to put some seats and people inside and repaint the bodies.  Anyone taken one of them apart?  If so, any hints?  I looked in the Parts section of the home page and didn't see anything there for rolling stock, and there was no info in the boxes.

It's highly likely that Allen Models can provide names of folks willing to build one of their locos for you, if they don't offer that service direct.   Also, if you want to ride behind, you need to have the models be at least 3/4" to the foot, and preferably one inch to the foot scale.  And, you're looking at a very sizable financial outlay not only for the loco, but rolling stock, track, and a large enough lot to accommodate it all.