Best of the Best?

[Anonymous]

What do you think is the best all-around model company judging by their products, service, quality, etc.? Mine would be InterMountain and Red Caboose, as their products are made in the U.S, and they offer such accurate and high-quality cars.

[Anonymous]

Intermountain hardly provides any kits anymore, which is a must for me. For box cars, I love Branchline, both the Blueprint and Yardmaster. However, overall my vote goes to Accurail. I still like blue box Athearn and kit MDC. Any company building kits will get my business!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, not too many large train companies offer kits anymore, which is a shame as the 1st part of the hobby I really enjoyed was building a trio of Burlington wood reefers.
Hopefully car kit building doesn't go the way of scratch building and custom painting, to become a forgotten part of model railroading that gives a lot of enjoyment, as well as save a little cash.
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CB&Q rules!!!![;)]
Wabash RR, too![;)]
EVERYWHERE WEST/WAY of the ZEPHYRS!!!![8D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

I'm going to go with ATLAS on this one.

First, they make QUALITY products for all 3 major scales. Their track products are really the industry standard, though there are other fine manufacturers, there are very few model railroaders that have not used their track at one time or another.

Regardless of scale, their locomotives always rank among the smoothest running, and best detailed for the money. Add to that structures, rolling stock and electrical controls, and can see why I feel that this is the best company in the our hobby.

Do you own anything made by ATLAS?

[Anonymous]

No, I can't say I own anything Atlas, although their new wood reefers may change that soon. And when it comes time for me to build my first layout, you bet I am going to use Atlas track. No other brand compares in number of track products or quality.

[Anonymous]

I have all atlas code 100 track and Customline turnouts. I have one Atlas International Caboose for BN and one Atlas 34 foot two bay hopper. However, as I have stated, ready to run is not the direction I am headed in this hobby.

[AggroJones]

Bachmann. They make products for every major scale, don't they?

Plus they crank out some pretty impressive HO steam that is relatively "cheap" compared to other manufactures.

[Anonymous]

Rivarossi, Spectrum, P2K/P1K, BLI, and Atlas get my votes. Best thing around in HO scale. And Rivarossi's and Spectrum's steamers are supurb.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Do you own anything made by ATLAS?

All my track controllers are good ol-fashion Atlas block controllers, as I said in a previous post, my layout is State of the Art...for 1960!

[orsonroy]

I actually prefer Bowser for overall service, product and variety. They're a great company to deal with, they almost always have what you need in stock, and they can quickly answer any questions you might have. I've never had to try out their return policy, because I've never had a defective part from them! And I've got to support them, since they're only one of two steam kit manufacturers left in the USA!

[DSchmitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

Bachmann. They make products for every major scale, don't they?

Plus they crank out some pretty impressive HO steam that is relatively "cheap" compared to other manufactures.

Bachmann has improved tremendously in recent years, but they still produce a lot of junk in addition to their good stuff. They earned the name "Botchman" over many years, and it will take awhile to live it down.

To be fair their 1960/70's N scale freight cars were as good as any at that time and I have no quams about using them today.

[Anonymous]

Athearn is my favorite company, mostly because it is what I bought growing up. (I'm 17 and grown up now[;)]) I will probably buy Atlas in the future because it is better quality, and all my track is Atlas.

[IRONROOSTER]

S Helper's Showcase Line. They have scale wheelsets included and predrilled mounting pads for KD couplers.
Enjoy
Paul

[ClinchValleySD40]

Atlas - hands down, not even close. Cars and locos out distance any other maker (although Kato is close on locos) and excellent track products.

[CP5415]

What ever fits my layout idea is the best of the best for me.
Whether it be Athearn BB, RTR, Genesis, Atlas, Proto, Lifelike, Walthers, MDC, IHC, Rivarossi or Kato. It's ALL GOOOD! [;)]

Just my [2c]

Gordon [:)]

[Anonymous]

I'm like a railroad merger , A little of this & a little of that , What realy counts is does it work out on my layout ? If not then my next step is to use it as scenery for the scrap yard. Or else it's liquidation time. Hello ebay...................