Favorite model railroad company

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Curmudgeon
.......................................

For metre gauge in 1:22.5, they're great.
If I was modeling euro lines, I'd probably be in the market.
Prior to deciding on US 3' narrow, I looked at all the possibilities.

I'd guess 1/4 of my rolling stock is LGB, 4 locos out of 17 are LGB, so that's about 1/4 there.
Yes, they are reliable.
But:
Every one has had the motors change at least once.
To their credit, they have parts readily available.

Every manufacturer has their plusses and minuses (like some only do 1:29, which I challenge you to find a way to work in 4' 8-1/2" gauge for), some have nebulous scale fidelity, some have engines in 1:20, but rolling stock in 1:22.5, some have many locomotives, most it seems built on flatcars.

Dave,

On the 1:22.5 scale.... yes, don't I wish LGB would know what IIm means!![}:)][:)][:)]. Some of the stuff is so out of scale it can't even be used for bashing.
But since they are a TOY company - slowly, slowly morphing into a quasi scale mfg - there is plenty of room to improve and a lot more time to do "LGB bashing" (the method of taking an LGB item and by chopping, slicing, splicing and glueing making it into a scale item. What did you think "LGB bashing" meant?? [;)][}:)][}:)][;)] ).
Gone are the days when LGB actually mentioned "scale" in a direct fashion in their catalogue. I guess there were enough of us who really questioned that practice as being "false advertising". [:)][8D][:)]

[jasher817]

Had to go with the Aristo Craft, primarily for the "Prime Mover" innovation.[8D] I think there should have been the " Heinz 57 "[;)][:0] option because all of the have there Pluses & Minis[}:)][}:)]

[FJ and G]

I'd have to say MTH. They make a kick-a DCS for use in O, G and even HO (I think). Plus, Mike's such a swell guy. [:D]

[Curmudgeon]

" Plus, Mike's such a swell guy."

Plus, a genius. If you don't believe that, just ask him, he'll tell ya.

[markperr]

I think this roller coaster is about to go over the first hill. Everybody hang on, it's gonna be a fun ride. My personal favorite? AritsoCraft. But that's me. Every time I look at my profile in the mirror, I realize that I am a little larger that scale size. I have that in common with AritsoCraft, since their a little oversized. Yep, me and AritsoCraft. Oversized.

Mark

[piercedan]

I voted for LGB as I have found they have great support for broken/missnig items, great running locos, and very robust cars that will survive being mishandled. I am very pleased with LGB's support of older/used equipment that I have had to get parts for.

[grandpopswalt]

I love Bachmann. No question the best value out there. True to scale, quite reliable and very reasonably priced, in other words a good value.

Walt

[Anonymous]

Aristocraft for me, nice sales if a person is willing to wait at times.

mikadousrp

[grandpopswalt]

Matt,

Have you considered bashing a B'mann coach up to 1:20.3 dimensions? Mine is almost finished and in my opinion is going to look pretty good. If it turns out decent I'll take the time to figure out how to post photos and let you take a look.

Walt

[Gary Crawley]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandpopswalt

I love Bachmann. No question the best value out there. True to scale, quite reliable and very reasonably priced, in other words a good value.

Walt

I totally agree Walt

I also voted Bachmann

Just received my 2-8-0 connie in 1:20.3 , what a fantastic loco, I couldn't believe how large it actually is.

Regards
Gary.

[Anonymous]

With little experience of buying anything related to garden railways I will have to put my vote for IP Engineering.

Who? Well, if you mentaly just asked that question then why not check out their website at http://www.ipengineering.co.uk/

This may be a familiar company to many but nevertheless...they deserve a mention.

I got two kits for Christmas, a deluxe chassis (from my lovely wife) and a closed goods wagon (from my brother in the UK). The kits are very well presented with all the hard work done for you. That makes a change! These are mainly for 16mm (SM32) as they are a bit on the large side.

Regards, Matthew.

[Anonymous]

I voted LGB, for two reasons: quality and availability. No other brand is as widely available over here as LGB, and importing per mail order is extremely expensive.