DAVID FORTNEYAlthough i have been into trains for a long time and have dabbled in ho but now there seems to be so many great manufacters like Atlas, BLi, Mth, Scale trains , etc. is one better than the other. Who has the best sound, detail, quality, etc. Dave
Well, I don't do sound or DCC, so I can't offer any advice on that.
However, I started in HO in the mid-'50s, and the only constant "best" for me, from that time up to present day, is Kadee couplers.
For everything else, I pick and choose, and mix or match, as suits my tastes and budget. I use track from five different manufacturers, rolling stock from dozens of manufacturers (from pre-mid-'50s to current day), and likewise for locomotives. Scenery products might be commercially available or from "found" sources, and while many of my structures are from Walthers, most have been modified. I pick what I want, and build, from scratch, what I need.
I have modified the older stuff enough that it doesn't look terribly out-of-place with the better-detailed newer items, because that's one of the things I enjoy doing. Standardisation is good for some things on your layout, but can be limiting, too. There's enough information available nowadays to permit you to sort through what is suitable for your needs and preferences, and what is not.
Wayne
ATLANTIC CENTRAL You are correct that each piece should be evaluated separately. The problem with saying that Rapido is "better" than Bachmann is that "better" is subjective.
You are correct that each piece should be evaluated separately. The problem with saying that Rapido is "better" than Bachmann is that "better" is subjective.
Well I supose I should have worded the differently...
My experience with Bachmann is mixed, I have one engine (an HO 70 tonner) that causes me nothing but trouble. I though Bachmann was no good. Then recently I got another engine (an N scale Doodlebug) that has thus far performed fine. And both of them are older models. I've next to no evperience with more recent Bachmann, though when I see their adds I feel the detail does not match the price as other manufacturers do...
Rapido on the other hand seams to have a consistently high level of detail and quality from what I've seen. I can't however comment on there motor performance and such as I have never actually had one.
For that reason perhaps that comparison was not great. Anyway my intended point was that there are definate brands/lines with better quality. Perhaps Athearn Roundhouse VS Athearn Genesis is a better comparison, even Athearn would agree Genesis is higher!
Still as many others have said it's all perspective and experience. That is why there are so many different ways people do things in the hobby. Going back to the OP's question you can't only use one brand, and some brands are better than others in some areas, it just depends what you want in your models!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
I perfer Atlas Classic,Atlas /Kato,the older LL P2K and Athearn RTR. I have Athearn BB SW1500s,GP38-2/40-2,GP7 and a lone SW7. I also have a Bachmann Alco S4 with DCC/Sound, a Scale Trains SD40-2 and a BLI SW7 with DCC/sound. Of course I have Atlas/Roco S4s.
I also have some repowers a Gen/Kato GP7 and two Athearn/Kato GP40-2s
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
DAVID FORTNEYAlthough i have been into trains for a long time and have dabbled in ho but now there seems to be so many great manufacters like Atlas, BLi, Mth, Scale trains , etc. is one better than the other. Who has the best sound, detail, quality, etc.
Whoever makes the loco you want is the best. :)
There's no reason not to buy from several manufacturers... the only downside is that mixing brands may make them hard to run locomotives together, until you master the dark magic of speed matching.
Bear in mind that most manufacturers buy in their sound decoders, so you'll likely find the same decoders in different brands. My Bachmann Sound Value FA-2s (don't laugh!) seem to have the same sound decoder as the Walthers Mainline PAs.
The problem with this is that two identical sound decoders sound, well, the same. Three of my FAs have sound, but together they sound like one loud locomotive. I thought I read that some manufacturers have a "phase shift" feature to avoid this but I haven't found it.
One way to avoid this is use a decoded that allows you to upload sound sets (Digitrax, ESU) and use different sound sets. Or mix and match decoders or prime movers. Or, for matched locos, save some $$ and run some with sound and some without.
For my money ESU LokSound sounds the best, but mostly because of the way the horn works -- you can get a shorter "short" blast than with Digitrax, for a nice Honk-honk-honk before backing up.
Aaron
ATLANTIC CENTRALAnd the GRAVELY/ARIENS lawn mower factory makes the snow blowers for those supposedly "better" John Deere tractors.........
When I managed the department that sold snowblowers for Sears Canada in Peterborough, Ontario many years ago, the snowblowers were designed and built in the southeastern states. I'm not sure where they tested them. They did work quite well, but we never told the customers where they came from.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I will put my in to this discussion. I have a bit of everything when it comes to maker. I have mostly Athearn BBs but I also have some pre-Walthers P2K locos (2 18s and a SW1200), a pair of very old AMH U25Cs, a Walthers SW1 switcher, and quite a few that I have kitbashed. (A GP30 and a fleet of GP20s on modified Athearn BB GP35 drives.). Don't limit yourself to one manufacturer. Depending on your budget or prototype, you never know what manufacturer will have what you need. (The two AMHs are a good example. I needed early 70s BN coal engines and I couldn't afford Rivarossi's new ones.)
FRRYKid(The two AMHs are a good example. I needed early 70s BN coal engines and I couldn't afford Rivarossi's new ones.
Have you looked on eBay? There is a seller called VRCHobbies who is unloading the DCC-ready version for $75 plus $12-or-so shipping. He still has a couple left in SCL:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_sac=1&_ssn=vrchobbies&_armrs=1&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.A0.H0.Xrivarossi+u25c.TRS1&_nkw=rivarossi+u25c&_sacat=0
These are amazing locomotives, they run smoothly, weight a ton and will pull the moon out of orbit. I have three in PC (two with sound) and love them. I have an extra (L&N) I bought for a chassis swap that has an ESU decoder installed. I'm waiting for VRC to sell out so I can unload it at a halfway decent price. :)
EDIT: Oops, you said you needed BN. Rivarossi did make U28Cs in BN and U25Cs in Burlington. Well worth the money if you can find them.
They are NP sublettered BN. I don't run DCC either. Most of the time I don't spend that much in a month. They may be old but they run wonderfully.
SPSOT fan ATLANTIC CENTRAL You are correct that each piece should be evaluated separately. The problem with saying that Rapido is "better" than Bachmann is that "better" is subjective. Well I supose I should have worded the differently... My experience with Bachmann is mixed, I have one engine (an HO 70 tonner) that causes me nothing but trouble. I though Bachmann was no good. Then recently I got another engine (an N scale Doodlebug) that has thus far performed fine. And both of them are older models. I've next to no evperience with more recent Bachmann, though when I see their adds I feel the detail does not match the price as other manufacturers do... Rapido on the other hand seams to have a consistently high level of detail and quality from what I've seen. I can't however comment on there motor performance and such as I have never actually had one. For that reason perhaps that comparison was not great. Anyway my intended point was that there are definate brands/lines with better quality. Perhaps Athearn Roundhouse VS Athearn Genesis is a better comparison, even Athearn would agree Genesis is higher! Still as many others have said it's all perspective and experience. That is why there are so many different ways people do things in the hobby. Going back to the OP's question you can't only use one brand, and some brands are better than others in some areas, it just depends what you want in your models!
Keep these facts in mind when thinking about Bachmann:
They make entry level, mid grade and high end models, where as Rapido is only making top line high end suff. You do have to learn and decide which Bachmann models are acceptable to you.
You cannot pay attention to published retail prices, Rapido will only be discounted about 20%, Bachmann will be discounted 40% or more, making the "real" prices much lower.
Just 10-15 years ago Bachmann had a WIDE selection of highly detailed models in their Spectrum line, especially steam locos. Nearly all of these are well detailed and good runners, and they can still be found. Today those offering are a little slimmer, but items like their new Streamlined K4 are very nicely done.
Disclaimer - I run DC, I don't use DCC or onboard sound, none of my locos have decoders, if they came with decoders, they are gone now.
That said, if I listed my fleet of locos and the prices I paid, you might be amazed how "affordable" my fleet of 140 locos has been, the two most strongly represented brands are pre Walthers Proto2000 and Bachmann (mostly Spectrum steam).
I am more than happy with the running qualities of all these models.
Sheldon
SPSOT fanGoing back to the OP's question you can't only use one brand, and some brands are better than others in some areas, it just depends what you want in your models!
Isaac,I used only BB engines for years and in the last time I as in N Scale I use only Atlas engine so,yes,it's possible to use one brand of engines..
Limiting yourself to one brand is like eating one type of food all the time. I choose my models based on what my layout needs (I'm modern era and like to model what I see when I railfan, so that guides me on the types of trains I should or shouldn't buy). I have a couple of brands I generally avoid, but I'm open-minded enough to accept if a certain manufacturer I usually don't like has done a good job on a model.
BRAKIE,I used only BB engines for years
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Back in the Athearn days there were many model railroaders that had only Athearn equipment on their layouts. It was reliable, available, looked good, was affordable, and had enough variety to meet their needs.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I remember from back in the day visiting a hobby shop where they kept two open locomotives on display. One Athearn One Tyco so that everyone could see the difference in quality. Guess which locomotives he would not sell
Joe Staten Island West