What is your favorite brand of G scale trains? Engines, cars, track, ETC......

[LGBtrains1963]

My favorite brand as you can tell is LGB, The engines run very well, cars are well made and very strong, the track is the best of any brand out there... But if I was to have to pick another brand out there I would say MTH G scale... it has all the items a railroader could want!!!  But these are my brands, What are yours and why?

[scottychaos]

I like the Bachmann Spectrum engines, very nicely detailed 1/20.3 scale models. probably my favorite LS locomotive is the Spectrum Mogul:

http://gold.mylargescale.com/Scottychaos/SHmogul2.jpg

2nd favorite is USA trains 1/29 scale Diesels...I have a set of 1/29 scale Lehigh Valley Alco PAs, they are fabulous! :) 

 

http://gold.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/LVPA05.jpg

Never been a big fan of LGB..even though their operating quality is excellent, I have never cared for how they scrunch everything and dont build anything to scale..

My least favorite is MTH, because their "O-scale toy-train" design philosphy has carried over into their large scale line..there is absolutely nothing worse IMO than a diesel who's pilot moves with the trucks! ugh..hideous.  And MTH chose 1/32 scale, which was a mistake IMO since USA Trains and Aristocraft are well entrenched in 1/29. (yes I know 1/32 is "correct"..doesnt matter..I would rather have an nice scale 1/29 USA Trains diesel than a 1/32 scale MTH toy with swinging pilots.)  MTH being 1/32 is a drawback for me, not a bonus.

(actually, I just looked at some MTH pics, and it seems not all of their LS diesels have swinging pilots anymore! some are fixed-pilots..good to know!)

Scot

 

[CPT Stryker]

For me, it would have to be LGB as I am into modeling the railways of Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Captain Stryker 

[GearDrivenSteam]

I recently aquired an older (correct grey/yellow) D&RGW #50 Caterpillar engine. It was run a little over an hour when bought new in the late 80s and put in the original box and forgotten about. I have to say it is the smoothest running anything that I own right now. Nice detail, too. So right now, I'd have to say LGB.

[Coogler Rail Line]

So far it has been LGB.  My local hobby shop turned me on to LGB since that was all they carried in G scale at that time.   My wife is German, so our goal have a German rail line.  All of my LGB locos run very well.  I wish that all of their cars would come standard with metal wheels though. 

I have a MTH flat car with a CAT geneator that pleased with.  It has greater detail than the LGB version of the same car.

My only exposure to Bachman was a Suwanee River Special that I ordered off of Ebay.  The 10 wheeler loco was dead on arrival and did seem to have been cheaper quality construction over all. I think that it is on of Bachmann's lower end  so its hard for me to judge Bachman on all their products on this one experience.

 

[Rastun]

Favorite for me really has to be Accucraft, the detailing is amazing. Unfortunately so is the price and I can't afford any of them. Bachmann's spectrum line interests me a lot and I do like the Mogul and the American in that line. Now to reality, I scratch build most of my trains, so I guess Avalanche Creek Locomotive works are my favorite ones.

Jack 

[Snoq. Pass RR]

Bachmann all the way followed closely by LGB.  Love the Bachmann, never failed on me yet (even my version one 4-6-0 Big Hauler, which still works and hauls).

[vsmith]

If I can afford 'em, I like 'em.

[scottychaos]

My only exposure to Bachman was a Suwanee River Special that I ordered off of Ebay.  The 10 wheeler loco was dead on arrival and did seem to have been cheaper quality construction over all. I think that it is on of Bachmann's lower end  so its hard for me to judge Bachman on all their products on this one experience.

 

there are many different variations of the Bachmann Big Hauler 4-6-0, yours sounds fairly old.

the first was battery-powered going back to 1990.

then it has steadly evolved, and today's "10 anniversary edition" Big Hauler is a fabulous engine! the 10th anniversary edition is nicknamed the "annie" and can be easily distinguished because it has all metal main rods, side rods and valve gear..while earlier versions of the Big Hauler had plastic rods..

The annie is IMO the best value in Large Scale..you can pick them up new for $150, sometimes $125.. great price for a great engine!

Scot

[scottychaos]

As a reference, here is a page I made a few years ago that lists every Large Scale engine available:

http://gold.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/MLS-kitbashing-guide.html

(I see I need to a fix a few dead photo links..I will work on that.)

Scot 

 

[Coogler Rail Line]

"then it has steadly evolved, and today's "10 anniversary edition" Big Hauler is a fabulous engine! the 10th anniversary edition is nicknamed the "annie" and can be easily distinguished because it has all metal main rods, side rods and valve gear..while earlier versions of the Big Hauler had plastic rods.."


Hey Scott,

Thanks, I will have to check out one of the improved models. I saw that a couple online retailers had the sets for $200 or so but had the annies for $150 or so. I wondered what the difference was.

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

If I can afford 'em, I like 'em.

 Thats me, but before I like em, I gota mod em.

 

[BudSteinhoff]

Definitely Bachman Spectrum for detail and interesting reasonable  priced locos.

Second would be MTH locos for the DCS control system and sound that can not be beat.

My LGB are parked, I have moved on.

Bud

[Bucksco]

LGB or Piko, Piko or LGB- can't decide !

One things for sure - my LGB are never "parked" - still the most reliable .

[on30francisco]

I only have the LGB Porter and the Bachmann side tank Porter. They are both excellent runners and will negotiate my tight curves.The LGB is sturdily built and has many customizing potentials. I scratchbuild my rolling stock from stripwood (I model indoors). The ease of scratchbuilding, handling, and the incredible detail possible are the main things that made me switch from On30 to Large Scale.

[Marty Cozad]

ARISTO CRAFT TRAINS 1:29th ,,then USAT 1:29th, I just have a hard time buying any girly engines that have no pulling power.

Mainly 1:29th scale.

Some LGB cars go great with the above. 

 

Disclaimer: for those who can't afford much I fully understand. I work many weekends for extra $$ for the hobby.  

[Mike Dorsch CJ&M r.r.]

I like USA stuff first then Aristocraft a close second . I'm into the modern American railroads and these two companys make what I see in the real world . I do have one MTH engine , their "challenger" that is a lot of fun to run .

[zakowitz]

Hi folks,

  I like anything that fits the 10 foot rule. So far I have 8 Locos. 5 LGb, 1 Hartland, and a couple of Buddy L's (for my grand kids). I have been in this hobby for 7 months. My god, somebody stop me! I like my reliable LGB trains the best of course, but they all look good at 10 feet.

                                             Regards,

 

                                             Zak

                                            

[vgn432]

I really enjoy my Aristocraft and USA Trains 1:29th stuff and anything I can find a deal on at the shows.

[dwbeckett]

I really enjoy my Aristocraft and USA Trains 1:29th stuff and anything I can find a deal on at the shows.

WELCOME  LS And I agree plus add my MDC two bay hoppers.

[DennisB]

I enjoy LGB for their reliability. I also have an Aristocraft Mikado, but unfortunately it's size is too large for my layout.

[Don H]

There are other trains beside LGB? Don't care if they are odd size, you can not find anything that runs as good. Plus the service is tops.

[LGBtrains1963]

Don, I agree with you 1000%... LGB is the best and they look good to me also. I have big collection of LGB and out of my engines my favorite is the Limited Coca-Cola Alco Diesel..  But I will say me and my wife also collect coke products...  

[kstrong]

It's difficult, if not impossible to specify a favorite. Each manufacturer has really settled down into its own niche in the hobby, so "favorite" isn't really based on brand loyalty (such as it would with beer, cars, etc.) but on what each individual likes to pursue within the hobby. If you're into scale narrow gauge (as I am), then most of the stuff on your shelf is going to be from Bachmann and Accucraft. If you're doing US standard gauge, then USA and Aristo will dominate. LGB has its niche as the "Lionel" of large scale. It was the force that started most of us down this large scale road. They're not "scale models," and aren't intended to be. Like Lionel, LGB enjoys a very strong following in its own right--people who enjoy the trains for exactly what they are.

I tend to stay away from "what's your favorite" type of discussions, because they invariably degrade into manufacturer bashing. (Thankfully this one hasn't gone there--yet.) Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and the consumer gets the task of making his/her choice based on how those strengths and weaknesses play into what he/she wants to get out of the hobby. Would I like "brand X's" reputation for durability in "brand Y's" locomotives? Yes, but not at the expense of brand Y's scale fidelity. Do I think "brand X" could sell more trains if it relied on a more accurate scale rule? Sure, but then it runs the risk of abandoning those who like X's products for what they are.

My "favorite?" Whoever makes something that appeals to me.

Later,

K

[LGBtrains1963]

Most G scale people play together good, but every now and then someone will toss a rock at somebody.. it's just the hobby and we all are into our own scales and brands but I think G scale people are the best around.............

[gbbari]

IMHO LGB established itself as the dominant brand for durable, highly detailed model European narrow gauge trains. LGB's foray into modern American standard gauge outline has had some successes and some questionable results; but their Euro line's popularity overseas is legendary.

I like the whimsical, "fantasy" aspect of LGB Euro narrow gauge - as it represents a style of railroading that is unfamiliar to most Americans. Small, short lines that wind through mountains and valleys serving small villages and towns - kind of like what some parts of America had in the 19th and very early 20th century until our nation became mesmerized by the automobile. The short steam or electric engines and 2-axle cars negotiate tight curves without complaint and still look "appropriate". Personally, I can't think of a better brand for a G-gauge Christmas garden or narrow radius outdoor garden layout than LGB.

AL

[piercedan]

I like LGB the most of what I have, nothing breaks off and engines run very smooth.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Rather like a question of GM vs Ford vs Chrysler isn't it??? Different strokes for different folks, and one must recognize the fact the you can't quantify a best.   Other than a general steer in a certain direction because you prefer modelling a given segment of the railroad spectrum, these discussions are pointless and a waste of space!

[climaxpwr]

I will be my different self, I have a thing for Lionel GP20's and GP9's.  The smaller size suits my tight curves better than the larger USA Trains model.  And the swinging pilot, ala O scale 3 rail trains, makes pulling cars on those tight curves without derailing possible.  Now that MTH is doing 1:32nd stuff, I can get some decent cars to pull with them.  I am hopping for some center flow grain hoppers soon.  I need several to paint into the Cargil paint scheme.  The short line I plan to model ran unit trains of them from Kokomo Grain south past my folks house to Tipton, IN most of my teenage years. LGB is nice, I have had many models from them and prefer thier track.   Cheers   Mike