Newbie needs help, pt. 6

[Anonymous]

I don't think there is any one "best" line out there. Athearn, LifeLife, Atlas, Kato, BLI, Stewart, Bachmann (standard and spectrum) etc. all have their place depending on a person's price point. Some folks like running 5 engines per train, but don't want to spend alot, other want smooth as silk running, others want high levels of detail. I've seen people have $1000 brass engines pulling a string of Model Power cars because they like engines and could care less about the cars they were pulling. The only advice I think I can give is to read the various posts here about different products, read the reviews in the magazines, go look at (and hopefully test run) different items at either an LHS, club, friend and then make your own decision.

My own preferences are Athearn Blue Box and Proto engines (although I have a couple of Stewart units and two Atlas diesels) and Athearn Blue Box, Proto and MDC rolling stock.

[IRONROOSTER]

I find American Models, S Helper, and Pacific Rail Shops to be the best.
All S scale of course.[:D][:D]
enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

i have a couple of genesis, they run great and have mind boggling detail, but they have some truck problems. not really a good engine for a begginner if you ask me.

[Anonymous]

If you got the money, try an Atlas, or Kato. They are a big step up fro Athearn Blue box in detail and quality. All of the Athearns I've had run terribly noisy, but Joe is right, they are nearly indestructible. I am using an Atlas, 2 Katos, a P2K, and a Broadway Limited, each with excellent detail and smoothe quiet drive trains. I understand Athearn Genesis is another good alternative, but haven't used any myself.

[Anonymous]

"the best" is a relative term. the best for the money would be just an athearn blue box. they pull good, have reasonably good detail, run well, theyre almost impossible to break (had one fall 7 feet off my shelf layout one time. pieced it back together and had it running again in 30 minutes). plus they only cost about $40 depending on what you buy. cant go wrong with athearn.

[Razorclaw]

Hello, Can ya'll tell me what brand of trains are the best? For example, i've heard that life-like is kinda like wet cardboard when dealing with wear and tear. thanks, stephen P. S. We Texans still ride our horses on certain holidays and the only outhouses that we have are the ones we steal[:)] from our Okie neighbors.[:D]