It is a toss-up, for me, between my Lionel Challenger in HO and the Trix Mikado. I agree with the poster who feels that his P2K 0-6-0 is a little gem. I would bet that the P2K Heritage series are all excellent runners and are especially finely detailed. The smaller one are light, though, and I have heard similar complaints about the larger engines in that series...they don't rank among the best pullers.
So, I find that, for availability, service, and for overall quality, it is a generally safe bet with the Broadway Limted Imports model trains. They can be had for bargain prices well below the MSRP, so they are competitive against other manufacturers in that regard. I have been happy with BLI generally, although my first loco, the J1 Hudson still has its original QSI decoder where the chuff rate maxes out at about a scale speed of 35-40 mph, and is long since out of synch.
Finally, it would not be right to leave Bachmann Spectrum steamers out of the discussion because at least one of them is a marvelous item, and that is their 2-8-0 Consolidation. Not getting into fidelity across railroads (I wouldn't know anyway), they look great and run great...lots of fans. I suspect their 2-6-6-2 is good as well, and perhaps their Mountain.
You have to find what appeals to you, go for the higher end stuff to be sure of better performance (on a sliding scale), and count on good repair or replacement service from all of them. Not Lionel, though, they are out of HO production.
I have several Bachmann 4-8-4s with self-installed sound decoders, both Soundtraxx and MRC. All of them perform well and you can't beat the price.
I also have a couple of Bachmann Spectrum locos, a 4-8-4 and a 2-6-2. Both with self-installed Soundtraxx sound decoders. They are smooth and quiet. The pulling power of the 2-6-2 could be better.
I have one Athearn 4-6-6-4 Challenger with factory installed sound. A good, smooth loco that pulls a ton. The sound could be better but it is adequate for my needs.
I have two BLI steamers with Quantum Sound decoders in them. A 2-8-2 Mikado and a 4-6-4 Hudson. Both were purchased at bargain prices from Trainworld. For my money you can't beat the sound or the performance of the BLI locos. They start smoothly, run quietly (if desired) an pull quite well.
My BRVRR is just a 4x10 so there are a few 18" radius curves and snap switches. All of my steam locos negotiate the curves and switches without problems at any speed.
Good luck with whatever loco(s) you decide upon. Choice of manufacturer, sound quality and performance are a matter of taste and personal preference. My vote goes to the BLI steamers. Great sound, good performance and, if you shop around, generally priced right.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
The Walthers/Proto 0-6-0 with DCC sound turned me from a diesel man to a steam junkie. This is a beautifully-detailed little engine, with great sound, too. It runs well, and handles sharp small-layout radius curves and snap-switches, too. That one gets my #1 vote.
Then I've got a BLI Hudson, also with DCC and sound. It's a bigger engine, and I don't think the sound is as good, but it also runs well, and also handles my 18-inch curves just fine. I got this great engine for only $130 from Trainworld. If part of the rating system is price, then this one scores big on that line.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
What is the best HO steamer on the? It has to have DCC and/or Sound.
- Luke
Modeling the Southern Pacific in the 1960's-1980's