If there were only one Loco manufacturer left....................

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gmcrail

Unfortuanately, your list left out the two best loco manufacturers: Bowser and Model Die Casting/Roundhouse. I would go with Bowser. They cover steam, and even the fine-quality diesels (Stewart). Everybody seems to be into instant gratification these days - nobody wants to work for their locomotives - just yank 'em from the box, plunk 'em on the track, and run 'em. Where's the fun in that? Of course, if they don't run right, you can always blame the manufacturer... But then, you don't learn anything, either...

I just got through building a Bowser USRA Light Pacific. Runs as smoothly as any of the Chinese plastic, quiet as a mouse, and will pull a much longer train than the prototype. And I built it! Not some slave laborer in darkest Asia - Me! And I built it from components made right here in the USA. Definitely the way to go.

MDC has been bought out by Horizon Hobbies. Many of its products are now Athearn products. To the best of my knowledge, it remains to be seen what will happen with the locomotives.

It does not look like the MDC website has been updated since the announcement of the buyout.

[trolleyboy]

I'll take P2K. Both steam and deisel. I've not had any problems with them cracked gears or otherwise.Better amount of detailing and definatly better paint than anyone else other than atlas. Rob

[Train 284]

Bachmann would be my choice!

[UPJohn]

I cannot decide ask me later

[Anonymous]

Athearn No question

[C):-)] DRew [C):-)]]

[twhite]

Ooh, I think I'll throw in a monkey-wrench, yuk-yuk. AKANE. Yup, Akane, a Japanese manufacturer from the '60's that put out some of the best-running brass I've ever owned. I've got 2 Yellowstones, a USRA 2-6-6-2, an AC-8 Cab-Forward 4-8-8-2 and a USRA Heavy Pacific, and they're incredible locos, with good to great detail, great pulling power and VERY smooth running. One of the Yellowstones, and the 2-6-6-2 still have their original low-geared Japanese open-frame motors, which show absolutely NO signs of wearing out, the others have been retro-fitted with NWSL cans for better slow-speed operation, and I couldn't be a happier camper if I tried.
However, if I had to pick and choose between todays' manufacturers, I'd say BLI without blinking twice. Beautiful looking, running and sounding locos. They just keep getting better as you run them.
Tom [:P][:P][:P]

[Anonymous]

Kato cant beat athrean prices. Broadway imports cant beat bachmann specrtrum
prices, & I ain't rich. I'd also go for rivrossi steam if they were still manufactuing.

[Anonymous]

For smooth running, precision mechanisms, I like the pre-1964 Varney offerings. For prototype detail, I think many, if not most, of the current high end manufacturers score well. You asked for my 2 cents worth, you've got it.

Steam started it all.

Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brothaslide

Most of the locos are made in China today. It would be interesting to find out if the same compny in China was making locos for all the different manufacturers - perhaps there is only one company making locos these days. . .

Which is why I'm afraid if we get into a snit with China over Taiwan, they've got all the molds, and we're gonna have a heck of a time getting them back!

[ClinchValleySD40]

In HO scale at this point, Atlas hands down.