Good Locomotives

[Anonymous]

I am building a small layout, and I am looking for some good locomotives. I don't need anything too expensive, but definately a step up from Athearn. I am looking for something like a GP40-2 and an Amtrak loco to compliment it, such as the DASH 8-32BHW that Atlas offers. Can anyone suggest engines I could buy, keeping in mind that I don't want to spend much more than $100. Any help would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

My father got me a Kato C44-9W about 4 maybe more years ago and it still runs significantly better than proto locos I bought a year ago. Keeping in mind I dont know how or have ever maintenanced these locos. So I would buy Kato again but they dont have a great selection of locos in the era im modelling. (the c44-9 doesnt go with the era Im modelling either but I just really like it, gotta love that hummmmmm)

[Anonymous]

Kato

[Anonymous]

I own the Atlas Dash 8-32BHW and rate it as excellent. Kato is up there too but I have more respect
for Atlas because of their creditibility.

P2K & P1K also deserves consideration.

[BRAKIE]

If you simply want the best forget Kato and go with ATLAS!

[nfmisso]

Atlas; if you want rtr diesels, or if you want the challenge of a kit: Tiger Valley http://www.lynnet.com/~tigervalley/ or Hobbytown http://bearlocomo.zoovy.com/.

For steam: Spectrum http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/index.html, or for kits Bowserhttp://www.bowser-trains.com/holocos/holocos.htm

[CP5415]

You'll get various opinions on what are "good locomotives".
Some say Atlas, Kato, Proto or Athearn etc etc etc.
The best way to say is what is a good locomotive is decide on a budget for what you want to spend on a locomotive.
You can find ones as cheap as $10 or as expensive as several thousand each.
Athearn is the best for about $50 US & up.
Proto, Atlas & Kato around $100 US & up.
& brass takes off from there.
Go check out the couple of topics on what people have on there roster.
That may or may not give you an idea on what is a good locomotive.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

Remarkably I have some Walthers Trainline locos that are cheap and still run pretty good. I bought a couple at my LHS for like $30 or $40. They don't have much detail but those can be added. I hope this helps.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. I will probably purchase Atlas and/or Kato. There is a nice CP Rail loco sitting under the counter at my local hobby shop that would look good on my layout.

[CP5415]

Anything CPR looks good on a layout!! [;)]

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I took a trip to Canada a couple years ago and I instantly fell in love with the color sceme. And Canada too.

[AntonioFP45]

Train-Master,

If you want to buy quality Locomotives without going over $100, go to www.traintrack.net and check out their selection. The name of this company is TRAIN TRACK. Telephone is: (727) -712-0926. Patrick Martin does attend train shows and is customer friendly. He is a discount internet dealer. I've been loyal to my LHS for about 2 decades, but I've decided to purchase several H.O units from Train Tracks in the "4 TOPS group (Kato, Atlas, Proto, Stewart). Even with shipping and handling, the money savings can be significant and you can pick up high quality locomotives and passenger cars that fit your budget range. Good Prices!

On another note, you'll get many opinions on which brand is better. I too have my preferences but the "4 TOPS" group is still just like comparing: Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mazda. All good car lines with their positive and negative points. Individuals are going to have a choice.


Hope this helps! God Bless!

[Anonymous]

"Good Locomotives" are the ones that work [:D] Atlas works for me.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train-Master

Thanks for the replies. I will probably purchase Atlas and/or Kato. There is a nice CP Rail loco sitting under the counter at my local hobby shop that would look good on my layout.

Just made sure it's not one of those Kato SD40-2, a problem model.

[AntonioFP45]

locomotive3

[:0][:0]WHAT'S are the problems with the KATO SD40-2?

[;)] I would appreciate knowing as I was planning on purchasing one.

Any of you modelers own one? Is it something that Kato is taking care of?

Thanks!

[ClinchValleySD40]

I believe the best running HO scale loco out there has to be the Atlas GP38. Smooth as silk and very quiet. For a small layout it would be perfect.