The best brand

[Anonymous]

While it is not hard to find two garden railroaders that like the same brand, it is hard to pick a universally favorite brand amongst garden railroaders. For me the best brand out there is undoubtedly Aristo-Craft. I also like USA Trains. Whilst LGB is a dead last for me.

[Tom The Brat]

You tryin' a start a fight or sumpin'[:-,]

One says "I'll never buy anything but X"

Another says, "X is nothing but &((*% and I'd never buy one of them."

Another says, "All Y's are worthless because," while most us have never seen a Y with that problem.

[Anonymous]

I can see where you are coming from and no, I am not trying to start a fight. LOL!

[ttrigg]

PennFan

QUOTE: Originally posted by PennFan

While it is not hard to find two garden railroaders that like the same brand, it is hard to pick a universally favorite brand amongst garden railroaders. For me the best brand out there is undoubtedly Aristo-Craft. I also like USA Trains. Whilst LGB is a dead last for me.

Normally around here asking who likes what is most often taken as a deceleration of war.

For me the "Best Brand" is what ever is in my basket as I approach the checkout. I buy what ever I think will look good going around my pond. I have a mix of "Light Bright" (Wal~Mart $39 Xmas Set), "LGB", and "Bachman", for cars. Motive power includes (plus three named) Aristo-Craft. Structures on my GRR include, PetSmart, Wal~Mart, PetCo, Aristo, Hallmark, Sears, Michaels, (lots of Michaels) and a few others. I'm not a fanatic about anything other than having FUN. If it ain't fun, Why do it?

[folkestonekeith]

For me LGB, is my "preferred" brand - well built models, good strong runners and plenty of European Narrow Gauge (Swiss RhB, German Harz, Rugen and Saxon systems) models - my main modelleing interest. LGB US-outline interests me - I've got the Union Pacific F7 (or whatever model it's supposed to be) and some freight cars - but (referring back to another thread!!) it would be nice to know the scale used for these models.

For Logging Locos Bachmann is my preferred brand - I've got the Heisler and Shay (fitted with LGB MTS decoders and Pheonix Sound System) and am waiting for them to do an updated run of the Climax!!

My next preferrred brand is USA Trains - started with a Boston & Maine GP9 plus some New England freight cars - all bought in Boston on a visit to see my cousin and a Union Pacific PA/PB set plus four passenger cars. Again both locos fitted with LGB MTS decoders and Pheonix sound systems!! Quality of the locos is good but somehow they don't have that "LGB feel"!!!. What I think is wierd is the name of "USA Trains" when everything seems to be made in China!!

Have not had any experience of Aristocraft - but this may change after they introduce the model of the Cl.66 UK-outline diesel (built by GM in the US!) later this year - this may also be followed by some UK-outline rolling stock to go with the loco..... Today at a G-Scale Open Day I saw the Aristocraft Live Steam Mikado......and boy,was I impressed - easy to light up, minimal fiddling around to get-up steam and a very controllable model...it just crawled away. Sound effects though were a let-down. Now, how can I justify a Mikado on my layout....... all for about the same cost as an LGB Harz 2-10-2T!!

.....so after all the blurb above what am I trying to say.....there is no "best" brand...... there are "preferred" brands based upon one's own collecting themes. Mix and match and enjoy!!

[RhB_HJ]

The best brand for me is whoever makes the closest to scale items that will fit my theme (RhB Albula line 1969-75) and which fits my hobby budget.

[Anonymous]

I have always bought USA and Aristo equipment. I have had LGB over the years, but I never did like it. Most all LGB I bought was dirt cheap (but still in excellent condition) and traded off after only a few weeks on my roster.

[kstrong]

These are okay,


but these are better...


[:D]

Later,

K

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kstrong

These are okay,


but these are better...


[:D]

Later,

K

Not cattle brands!

[Tom The Brat]

Hey, I'm supposed to be the wiseguy around here!

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I thought I would stay away from this one, but I got sucked in!

I think K has the best answer to an unanswerable question!

Each manufacturer has its strengths and weaknesses and what might be best for one situation is not necessarily the best for another's needs.

I can well understand a newbie asking such a question in the frame of not wanting to waste money buying junk that won't do the job he wants done, however, the question is inappropriately phrased.

It should have said something like I want equipment that will do thus and so and withstand this and that; which brand do people think would be best to buy to meet those parameters? A lot of information must go into something like this like, location, local climate, amount of run time per session, kids handling?, skill level, personal expertise, amount of space available, and on, and on and on!

For those reasons I found the question to be an exercise in futility!

[Anonymous]

I am not a "newbie". I have been in the hobby of for about two years. I made this topic becuase I was curious to see what everybody liked to use, not to criticise.

[kstrong]

Sorry, PennFan. Had to be done. [;)] Questions about one's favorite manufacturers invariably bring ardent supporters of each one to the front, and often degrades into something less than civil. (Think "Ford vs. Chevy," etc.) That is why most respones to this question thusfar have been a bit on the flippant side--just trying to "dodge" what we know will likely be coming.

But to give a serious spin back to the original question, my preferences lie towards Bachmann and Accucraft/AMS, simply because they're the ones making 1:20.3 equipment. LGB ranks third, because some of their equipment works in that scale. That--beyond anything else--is my primary consideration for purchases.

BTW, what's a guy with the handle "PennFan" doing modeling the UP? --and from your bio, congrats on the trap shooting awards.

Later,

K

[Anonymous]

Long story, remind me in a few months and I'll let you know.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

And again, K's answer illustrates the veracity of mine! Many things enter into the decision of which is best and for what reason they are best. You will have one set of criteria, his is what is available in his chosen scale, mine might be overall looks, and somebody else may make the judgement on robustness of the product. It' s a matter of whose ox is getting gored!

I'm not trying to put you down or berate you and your opinions, I'm just saying that without a lot of background information your original question is really impossible to answer intellegently! You know, the old different strokes for different folks thing!

[Anonymous]

All right? Which would be the best for a dusty, humid climate? Becuase my garden railroad is a western desert theme.

[tangerine-jack]

I think that any brand on the market today (not counting the clearly toy offerings from Wally World) makes good equipment that will withstand years of use. I cannot in good faith recommend one over the other, each has a plus or minus. Some are strong on price value, others are costly but will last a lifetime. Each has it's merits.

My personal "best" is whatever is on sale, or I can score on evilbay for a decent price. It is truly the unanswerable question.

[Anonymous]

As long as it is Aristo-Craft or USA trains.

[gvdobler]

Ay the last club run I ask that question.

Most people said they liked what they had.

They also added that LGB was too expensive. I take that to mean if LGB was more in line price-wise, they would prefer LGB.

[Anonymous]

The problem in determining the 'best' is prioritising what you think is most critical.

I had an LGB Stainz and then bought the LGB Mogul. I run on a temporary indoor layout and both engines would pu***hrough LGB switches without derailing when coming into a trailing point switch incorrectly aligned.

Imagine my dismay when I found out the next engine, an HLW American, couldn't pu***hrough without derailing. The lead truck was not heavy enough or had insufficient spring tension to keep the wheels on the rail. This problem curtailed using it when the 'little ones' were at the throttle because they just wouldn't remember to throw the switch before the engine got to it.

And again disaster struck with the next engine, a Bachman Annie. It could pu***hrough an electric switch coming down the diverging route but would derail coming through the straight route. And a manual switch was a guaranteed derailer.

So it appears that if I want smooth sailing, my options are extremely limited.

I grew up with Lionel O Gauge, not the 027 stuff. The O guage switches would align themselves when the engine came to a trailing point switch. 3 rail does have some advantages!!!

Art

[Tom The Brat]

I have mostly Aristo and like them all. However, my one non-Aristo loco is mighty nice and gets lots of run time. It's a Bachmann Annie.

[markperr]

I own two LGB's and four Aristo's and I'm happy with both. I lean toward modern mainline diesel so I don't have too much use for most LGB, Bachmann, Accucraft. My tendencies lean toward Aristo and USA in that sense. LGB has some good offerings for rolling stock but it seems like I can get comparable equipment from usa and aristo.

Mark

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gvdobler

Ay the last club run I ask that question.

Most people said they liked what they had.

They also added that LGB was too expensive. I take that to mean if LGB was more in line price-wise, they would prefer LGB.

It could also mean that LGB isn't good enough value when compared to the other makes i.e. overpriced when one compares feature by feature what the other guys offer.
And yes, it can also mean that an item that is more expensive than LGB is a better value, because all the features are above what LGB offers.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

HJ, There you go again! Obfuscate the issue for the poor kid! (Like I didn't already do that).

No matter that I agree with your viewpoint!

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Bob Johnson

HJ, There you go again! Obfuscate the issue for the poor kid! (Like I didn't already do that).

No matter that I agree with your viewpoint!

Say WHAT????[?][?][?][;)][;)][:)]

All kidding aside, I believe value is the measure and since we all have our own "value systems" it gets a bit tricky.

Of course there are collectors who thought that LGB would hold its "value", but the laments have been noticeable of late. Prices are coming down, relatively speaking, and since most of those "collector items" are/were mass produced Mr.Joe Average Modelrailroader asks himself why he should pay $ 900 if he can get the same for $450.

QUOTE: #8221;What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing.#8221; -- Oscar Wilde.

Which then makes me ask, where is the value in that $ 900 item?

The example is not arbitrary, I bought one of those "collector items" for $450. It took me about 4 years to get one, but I was not going to pay the "collector price". Firstly because I'm most certainly not a collector, secondly that item isn't worth $ 900 to me.

On that "obfuscation" issue: here in the Great White North we had a current affairs program - round table debate - which was called "counterSpin". Since the forum gets occasional visits from spin doctor(s) it seems fitting to twirl "things" the opposite way. Makes for better balance. [;)][}:)][;)][:)][:D]
Yep, I used to watch "counterSpin", sure brought the nitty-gritty to the surface regardless of how furious the "doctors" would spin things. [:p][:p]

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Maybe a better way to explain value is with a gallon of Scotch. You could be selling it for $2.00 and I wouldn't buy it because I quit drinking over 40 years ago. $ 2 a gallon Scotch is of no value to me! Now, back in my drinking days I would have been quite happy to give $100.00 a gallon, and $2.00 Scotch would have been quite a value.

Something on sale is not a bargin if you have no use for the product being sold; no matter how cheaply you can get it! (reselling qualifies as a use)

[Anonymous]

The best blurfl huh? [:D]

I’m pretty new to this hobby. My only motive power at the moment is a USA Hudson. I just have a temporary indoor loop to run it on. I can tell you it’s the coolest to see operating. It hums along like a watch. I love it. If USA had any other locomotive models available in that cast metal series, I’d buy every one of them as soon as I could afford to do so.

I’ll also add a USA diesel to the roster for test runs on my new layout. I don’t know which yet, but one of the era the Hudson ran in, if possible. FWIW we had a Paul Busse constructed railroad at the Atlanta Botanical Center in operation from April thru December last year. Most of the motive power was USA diesel. They ran 8 - 9 hours a day for nine months with just routine maintenance.

I also have USA rolling stock, but not too much yet. I bought it because of coupler compatibility mainly and the metal wheels some cars are equipped with.. I also have just one Aristo car, but will have more. I think they represent a great value and swapping out the plastic for metal wheels isn’t a big deal. I know there’s a workable compatibility solution for the couplers, although I’m still not sure exactly what it is yet. The detailing on both Aristo and USA cars looks about equal. As far as prototypical fidelity, I’m too ignorant to know better, so it isn’t a huge concern, at the moment anyway.

LGB makes good equipment but I’m not a huge fan mainly because of price and scale obfuscation. Also, if I’m spending $700+ for a steam locomotive, I don’t want plastic drive rods. I’m not a rivet counter, but I’d like my rolling stock to be in the same scale as my motive power. I’m not taking a ruler and calculator along when I shop, so LGB doesn’t hold much promise for joining my roster at the moment.

[vsmith]

To me its all relative..the best brand is which ever I can afford at any given point in time.
Now why I dont doubt that USA and Aristo are great products, I dont have any USA trains and only 2 aristos ( a 2-4-2 REA Rogers and a AC 0-4-0 switcher), one of which has been scrapped (the 0-4-0) Why, because I model narrow gauge and A/C and USA are Standard Gauge oriented. So I use mostly Bachmann, HLW, LGB, and MDC. LGB's toytrain line locos make up a sizable portion of my roster, as do HLW Mack's MDC Hustlers, and Bachmann Porters. For me they are all terrific in there own right.

[Anonymous]

"one of which has been scrapped (the 0-4-0) Why, because I model narrow gauge " -- Why not just put a different cab on the 0-4-0 (I used a combination of the side panels off the B'mann "Indie" and the original cab-but the cab off an Ariso c-16 would also work)...It won't be "scale" but it will look plausible. I also made a "steam dummy" for my daughter out of one and a B'mann coach. The 0-4-0s pull too good to sit on a shelf [;)] Just keep an eye on the bell, I've managed to lose all mine. [:(]

BTW I personally run mostly smaller LGB/Lehmann Toytrain stuff because I have R-1 curves and they are basically bulletproof (and somewhat idiotproof [:o)] )

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ElMik

"one of which has been scrapped (the 0-4-0) Why, because I model narrow gauge " -- Why not just put a different cab on the 0-4-0 (I used a combination of the side panels off the B'mann "Indie" and the original cab-but the cab off an Ariso c-16 would also work)...It won't be "scale" but it will look plausible. I also made a "steam dummy" for my daughter out of one and a B'mann coach. The 0-4-0s pull too good to sit on a shelf [;)] Just keep an eye on the bell, I've managed to lose all mine. [:(]

BTW I personally run mostly smaller LGB/Lehmann Toytrain stuff because I have R-1 curves and they are basically bulletproof (and somewhat idiotproof [:o)] )

Same here...[;)] the AC came with a disclosed defect from ebay, it had been dropped. The siderods on one side jambed up, I replaced them but it continued, so I scrapped it to the bare frame with plans to use it for a future bashing project TBD, I have several ideas though.[:D]