Spectrum range

[Anonymous]

I did find a Locomotive comparison chart in "HO railroading net." I was surprised to see how low rating the Spectrum range got. In the same range as Mehano. Not as good as Athearn but more expensive. Any opinions?

[Anonymous]

IN MY OPINION ........The Spectrum Steam line is a quality product. The people that I know who have them belong to RR clubs, run the bajeebers out of them, and haven't had any problems with them. The Dielsels, I have only one, the 44-tonner. It has two motors in it whick I replaced THREE times.(complements of Bachmann) Third time was a charm and I now have many hour on this engine with no further problems. I don't know anyone else who has a Spectrum diesel. Spectrum is the higher end of Bachmann Products, which is known for it's not real quility toy train products of the past. I started out as a kid with any Bachmann engines that for being low quality, mine all still run. Spectrum series was brouight out to bring out higher quality locos to compete with the newer market. Did they succede? I feel they still have a ways to come. Would I buy there product? Yes I would, But on a limited bassis. I wouldn't hasitate to buy a steam loco and I'd prbably buy a diesel if it was one not available buy a higher quality company, i.e. Atlas or Kato, and I like Atherns too. That's my opinion, hope it's what you were looking for......Jmaie

[Anonymous]

I got some diesels.The C40'S set to high i sold them cheep.The wide cab verson sets ok will keep unless somebody makes one better.The walthers 8 40 B sucks.Thank you ATLAS for doing a better 8 40 B.

[Anonymous]

That's about right. The best, in order, IMHO:

1. Atlas Master
2. Kato
3. Life-like P2K
4. Athearn Genesis
5. Stewart
6. Atlas Classic
7. Athearn
8. Life-like P1K
9. Walthers
10. Bachmann Spectrum

(I do have at least one of each of these, except the P1K. That I based on what I've heard others say.)


- IMRL 393

[Anonymous]

For what it's worth, here's my list:

1. Atlas Master
2. Kato
3. Proto 2000
4. Athearn Genesis
5. Bachmann Spectrum (steam)
6. Stewart / Atlas Classic
8. Proto 1000 (Best Value for the $$, IMHO)
9 Athearn
10.(tie) Trainline / Spectrum (old diesels)

My # 10 rating for Walthers Trainline is based
on the erratic QC on most of the early models,
which closely resembles the poor QC on early
Spectrums. They're great when they work, but
whe they don't... UGH!

[Anonymous]

I got the message. I can, if I am lucky, get new Athearn models for $14-20. Spectrum for $20-35.
Many Athearn, or a few Atlas, that's the choice.

[BRAKIE]

I use what I call the big 3. I will not buy anything else.1,Atlas,2,Athearn,(blue box),3,P2K.I do have 2 Walthers GP15s.IMHO These are the top of the line for trouble free operation.Why settle for anything less? Or the wanna bes?

[Anonymous]

Hi my name is Ted. Iam from Ohio. Mind if I ask you some questions since you are familar with all these trains? First what is Atlas Master? Second is Kato really better than the old Atlas or "Classic" What makes them so good? Third I just got a Stewart Hobbies C628. Runs great. Every bit as good as my one Atlas. How does the Stewart hold up with use? Is Athrean Genesis really a big improvement over the older Athrean's? Is it worth 2 or 3 times the price? I hope I haven't botherd you. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hi Ted! To answer your questions...
- "Atlas Master" are the more recent HO locos
released by Atlas, featuring outstanding
details (better than P2K and Kato), great
performance and an on-board DCC decoder
- Kato is, indeed, that good. Kato performance
long has been among the finest available,
period. Their detailing is not quite as good
as the most recent Atlas, but it's still good.
- Stewarts hold up quite well over time, as far
as I know (I have two F units, including an
older Kato-powered one).
- Re. Athearn Genesis: yes! yes! yes! The Genesis
line is a great improvement over older Athearns.
Are they worth the price? Well, I think very few
locos are worth their suggested retail price,
and I think the MSRP of the Genesis line is a
bit steep IMHO, but you can get some of these
at considerable discount at shows and online.
By the way, your queries are no bother at all!
I'm sure you'll get as many different opinions
as there are people in this forum, but that's
part of the fun. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Hi Ted!

Atlas has two "types", the Atlas Master Series is their top-of-the-line model, with superb detail and a great motor/drive system (I'll just say "motor" from here). It is also about the only loco that comes with a decoder in HO (Broadway says that their new models will, too - AND sound. But that's only limited steam models, so far). MY BN Atlas Master loco is a honey!

The "Classic" series has less detail (but still a good motor).

Kato (except for their SD40-2) has a better motor and better detail than the "Classic". I think he Atlas Master series has surpassed them, IMHO.The Kato SD40-2 has a poor electrical pickup which causes grief - avoid! My IMRL SD40, however is a great loco !!!

Athearn Genesis is rapidly approaching the Atlas Master/Kato level - on par with Life-like P2k - some think their better! Anyhoo, they are MUCH better than the regular "blue box" Athearns (which are still nice locos, and can be "superdetailed" by buying better detailed parts from several makers.

Stewart makes a very good loco - great drive, and detail approaching P2K. I have only had one of my Stewarts for about a year, and the others are more recent, so I can't say about how they hold up - but I have heard that Stewart is very good about fixing any problem.

P2K has a limited warrenty for life, of course.

If you model one particular road, you will wind up buying from all of the above, as no one makes all the models you will want! I model the Rock Island, and so far have (in RI) 6 P2Ks, 3 Atlas (2 Classic and 1 Master), 3 Stewarts, 1 Athearn Genesis, 3 Athearn, and 1 Bachmann. This "mix" has given me a good selection of the locos the RI ran.

Is the extra price of the Atlas Master, Katos, P2Ks, Athearn Genesis and Stewarts worth it? Hard to say. It's up to you to decide the level of detail, the quality of the motor system, and if you need a particular model locomotive for your road.

As you usually get what you pay for (if you do your homework and buy from a respected maker), for me the answer is "yes".

- IMRL 393

[Anonymous]

I have a fare collection of mass produced plastic steam locomotives , P2k (Roco), Rivarossi, Genesis steam, Concor, Kato, even Marklin, in HO and N scale and I can tell for the price that us modelers pay for these models Spectrum Line offers the most detailed, smooth running, and nice looking locomotives that are being massed produced today. I have just about evrything that has been produced in this line and, except the J-class which haults once in a while, they all peform flawlessly. The funny part about the list that you mentioned I happened to look at is that they placed Rivarossi engines, which are the biggest waste of money, a head these locos
For what is worth this my 2-cents about this and can't wait for the C&O Heavy Mountain to come later this summer!

[Anonymous]

With the Spectrum lime, I think it varies by model. I've heard a fair amount of negatives about their earlier issues,butbut their more recent models are exceelent.I run several of their 2-8-0's and 4-8-2's and am very satisfied with them. Good low speed performance, good pulling power with some extra weight added, and easy to detail to match a prototype. I'm also very pleased with my Stewart FT's. They are very good runners. The loco I'm not real happy with is my Athern Light Mike. Despite adding weight, trimmin the sleeve of the decoder tail, checking guage very carefully on all wheels, etc. it still likes to derail the lead drivers, particularly on the inner leg of a #6 1/2 curved turnout. Any suggestions?

[BRAKIE]

Ted,Here is a list of the locomotives I use and why.Others have their choice of brands.This is mine.
Atlas,All,These are good running locomtives.Some of the classic line lacks the details of the master lines.
Athearn.I use the "blue box"(what ever that means)line of locomotives.These are good running locomtives.All one has to do is add details if one chooses.These locomotives will last a life time with normal maintenace.These locomotives need not take a back seat to any other brand.
Lifelike P2K. These are among the best of the best.IMHO they are better detailed from the box then most standard Atlas or classic line of locomotives.
Walthers.I own only 2 of their locomotives,both GP15s.These are smooth runners.IMHO these locomotives is a grade or 2 above the average "train set" locomotives.One needs to add details.BTW the shell is a scale 4" to high.This does not bother me,after all these are the only non brass GP15s.
Now,as far as Kato,Stewart,genesis or other brands that I do not use I will let the other guys answer.I am very happy with the choice of brand of locomotives I used.They have given me hours of trouble free operation enjoyment.On a sour note,I did have a pick up wire come lose on one of my Atlas GP7s.This was easy to fix.BTW I also live in Ohio.

[Anonymous]

These are why I like the manufacters in this
order. Old Atlas with the Kato Drive. Runs well
all the time, never have had any problems.
Proto2000 runs fine, better detail than a lot of
more costly manufacters. Proto1000 have several
of these engines for 4 years and run them a lot
and have had no problems at all.
Athearn blue box. With some lubing the run great
all the time, lack some details that should be on
the engines.
Bachmann Spectrum Steam. I have several of the
newer engines and they do fine some need to have
weight added to them. Detailing is very good for
the price, compared to more expensive engines that
need a lot more added.
Bachmann Spectrum Diesel I have not had any
trouble these engines seem to run fine.
My thinking is that buy what you like. If you buy
something and you don't like the brand don't buy
anymore. But the problem is getting the engines
that you need for the railroad that you are
modeling. Some of the engines you might need to
work with in any brand to get them running right
and to look more like the real thing. I just try
to have fun. Model Railroading will keep you
young.

[Anonymous]

Juan, IMRL 393, and Larry thanks for replying. They were helpful. Does the Atlas Mater seris say "Atlas Master" or are they what they make today. I have an Atlas Alco S3(S something) that my Dad gave me along with all his train stuff when he lost interest in the hobby. It is PRR and made in Austria. Has to 15 years old at least. This I assume is Atlas "Classic". I recently (this weekend) bought a Atlas U36C from Trainworld. It seems more detailed but is made in China. Is it Atlas "Master"?

Larry great your from Ohio. Best State in the Union :) Just my opinion :) I live in N. Baltimore, Ohio.

Some tidbits follow. I recently tried to remotor two Athrean trains to Proto Power West engines. Now they make a lot of noise from the drive shafts. One was a GP9 the other an F7. The drive shafts seem to be at angles. Since they didn't run before I didn't lose much.

I don't have a lot of engines. I only have a 4 by 8 layout. Most are my Dad's old engines. Many don't work well and my kids have managed to bend, spindle and mutilate a couple. The list is 8 Athrean diesels (a couple not great), 3 Tyco deisels(one runs), 1 Riv deisel(Doesn't work much, 3 Model Power diesels, 3 Bachman Diesels(A joke), 3 Bachman Steam (One new 4-6-2), 2 Atlas diesels, 4 Life LIke Pre Proto diesels(one is dead), 1 P2K E8 (Powerful), and 1 American Flyer NYC 4-6-4(2?). The American Flyer smoked up until a month ago. I over filled it and immediatly tried to clean it out, but it won't smoke.

[Anonymous]

I have 2 Spectrum deisels. One is a Dash 8-40CW and the female u-joints are cracked which causes it to squeal as the shaft turns in the joint. The other is an SD-45 that runs as good as my P2K E6A. I also have a P2K GP-7 that doesn't seem to have a lot of speed, but that may be the geering. I just sold an Athearn BN U30C that was one of my best Athearn blue box deisels, but not as good as my Spectrum SD-45. I guess with any manufacturer you get some bad with the good.

Terry