TYCO!!
There's a loaded question! lol How is "best" actually defined? If you are asking about highest quality, IMHO I would probably have to say Atlas or Kato in no particular order.
Tim
loathar wrote: TYCO!!
Only the Tyco/Mehano ones!
Seriously, there are good and bad from several different manufacturers. Atlas, Kato, Stewart are generally all good. Life-Like, Bachmann, IHC can be good, but mostly only in the higher end products, such as Life-Like Proto series, and Bachmann Spectrum series.
Pretty much best to stay away from the "toy grade" models from Life-Like, Bachmann, AHM, and, ahem, Tyco.
Rotor
Jake: How often does the train go by? Elwood: So often you won't even notice ...
OH COME ON - AHM!!!!
I started with Tyco 36 years ago and stil have fond memories of it.
These days I buy mostly S Helper, but pick up a few American Models, Pacific Rails and Lehigh Valley also.
Enjoy
Paul
bandoman wrote: There's a loaded question! lol How is "best" actually defined?
There's a loaded question! lol How is "best" actually defined?
Beyond that, in what scale?
I mean, it's not really fair to compare a wonderfully made Z scale Marklin locomotive with one of Aster Hobby's stunning live steamers. (Click the links to see what I mean.)
They're both works of art in their own right, but hardly comparable.
lvanhen wrote: loathar wrote: TYCO!!OH COME ON - AHM!!!!
I say Tyco for a reason. It got me interested in HO and got me away from my Marx/Lionel O gauge stuff. That's when I REALLY started to get interested in "model railroading" as opposed to "playing with trains". So for that reason alone, I still say Tyco was the best. ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY POWER TOURQUE!!
trainlover38,In an effort to give you a serious answer, I would rank Atlas as the "best" manufacturer.
These are things that Atlas does (in no particular order):1). Great running Quality2). High model Accuracy3). Frequent new models4). Cover all eras5). Cover HO, N, and O6). Runs own web forum for free7). Displays at several train shows a year, and not just the NMRA National Convention8). Releases a full color quarterly catalog9). Makes low cost models and high end models10). Makes sound or no-sound locos11). Makes their own operating signal systemAnd so on...Sure, there are other manufacturers that make a better drive (Kato), those that make more steam (BLI, Bachmann), and there are those that make cheaper and more plentiful models (Athearn). But IMHO, no one company does so much so well as Atlas.
Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
I want you to know that I am in absolute and unequivocal agreement with your profound insight regarding the high quality of model railroad equipment! I could not agree with you more if I had any idea what in the aitch you were talking about!
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
trainlover38 wrote:Who do you think is the best manufacturer of model trains?
Some of it depends on what you want.
Not ALL manufacturers make ALL models. If you want a particular model, that may determine who you buy from.
That or wait until your favorite manufacturer comes out with the model you want.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.