Doughless ggnlars My test results show that Kato & Atlas china score highest overall and have the least variation model to model. Kato HO choices are limited. That's my opinion also. They both run magnificently and each loco is very consistent from model to model. You know what you're going to get every time you open the box. The other producers seem to have more inconsistency with their design of different models and how each individual loco within a particular model might run.
ggnlars My test results show that Kato & Atlas china score highest overall and have the least variation model to model. Kato HO choices are limited.
My test results show that Kato & Atlas china score highest overall and have the least variation model to model. Kato HO choices are limited.
That's my opinion also. They both run magnificently and each loco is very consistent from model to model. You know what you're going to get every time you open the box.
The other producers seem to have more inconsistency with their design of different models and how each individual loco within a particular model might run.
For reliabilty it's Atlas and Kato (HO scale) take the prize for first place. Intermountain's not bad and the Genesis line from Athearn is also, especially when it gets into detail on the diesels. But for smooth, quiet running.. the quality I personally like best, it's Atlas and Kato.
PRR8259 Once again you completely misunderstand me and my intentions. The market is actually being driven by the loudest and most vocal 10 percent or less who are loudly clamoring for what they think the rest of us need. Read some posts on other forums like the Atlas Rescue Forum if you dont believe me. They are not posting flattering words about older Proto engines. And yes it is factually true that many in this hobby accumulate but never build the layout. That includes my friends who are now dead and gone, including another one just recently. I was by more than 15 years the youngest member of the group... I am merely telling it like it is. If you dont like it, fine, we need to agree to disagee. This battle of words is getting a bit old, no????
Once again you completely misunderstand me and my intentions.
The market is actually being driven by the loudest and most vocal 10 percent or less who are loudly clamoring for what they think the rest of us need. Read some posts on other forums like the Atlas Rescue Forum if you dont believe me. They are not posting flattering words about older Proto engines.
And yes it is factually true that many in this hobby accumulate but never build the layout. That includes my friends who are now dead and gone, including another one just recently. I was by more than 15 years the youngest member of the group...
I am merely telling it like it is. If you dont like it, fine, we need to agree to disagee. This battle of words is getting a bit old, no????
The market is driven by what sells, just look at the changes in the Bachmann line in the 5 years - moving away from high end. And Athearn still doing well selling 50 year old tooling with new paint jobs and metal wheels.
The market is also driven by what manufacturers will or will not take a chance on - that's why we have too many Big Boys and not enough variety.
Why are you so invested in what others say, do or think? What difference does it make who buys what and whether or not they build a layout?
Why would I care what someone on the Atlas Rescue forum says about older Proto locos? I have 40 of them and 25 years experiance with them, they all run great and look great. I have fun with them. My self esteem is not invested in the opinions of others about the model trains I own.
Happy to march to my own drum, don't need to be part of a "group". Trust me, you are not going to "save" anyone from themselves.........
Sheldon
The point is the manufacturers are paying close attention to the folks on the Atlas Rescue Forum. Their track record of clamoring for certain engines and rolling stock to be produced over the last couple years at Genesis detail levels is actually astounding. While I might not need those items, both Athearn, and the guys who left Athearn (ScaleTrains), along with Rapido in particular have been serving up a plethora of new models that were hot discussion topics over on that forum.
One could easily argue that the vast majority of the buying public maybe doesn't need or want some of those items, but they are getting made, including yet another SD-40-2...Though relatively few in numbers, the forum members have made strong enough arguments. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease".
Never mind.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
PRR8259 The point is the manufacturers are paying close attention to the folks on the Atlas Rescue Forum. Their track record of clamoring for certain engines and rolling stock to be produced over the last couple years at Genesis detail levels is actually astounding. While I might not need those items, both Athearn, and the guys who left Athearn (ScaleTrains), along with Rapido in particular have been serving up a plethora of new models that were hot discussion topics over on that forum. One could easily argue that the vast majority of the buying public maybe doesn't need or want some of those items, but they are getting made, including yet another SD-40-2...Though relatively few in numbers, the forum members have made strong enough arguments. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease".
Actually it takes far more then a few forum members to get models done. Does Face Book ring a bell? There's a mighty voice there that grabs the manufacturers attention both good and bad.
So,that " squeaky wheel" is far larger then the few tiny voices on ARF. ARF is just a small tooth on that rather large "squeaky wheel".
Also recall some fellas said on the old Atlas forum a GP10 will never get produce because of the variants between locomotives and all the while there was a larger clamour for a GP10.
IM listen to that clamour for a GP10 and now we have one with a GP16 in the works. Then we can't forget the Athearn/Genesis GP7u.
We still don't have that often ARF requested Genesis level older GE locomotive. Maybe some day when that larger "squeaky wheel" raises enough clamour to get the manufacturer's attention.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
So what? If they sell great, if not those companies will not last. I don't own anything from Rapido or Scale Trains - don't plan to at this point. The RDC is the only product they have made that is even on my radar - and while I understand its price, I'm not motivated to spend that kind of money on that item.
Scale Trains - I wish them luck, but they started off with a very "collector" or specialized group of product, hope it works out......
Still having fun with all my "pedestrian" model trains.......
I don't have time for the Atlas Rescue Forum, I barely have time for this one.....and I really don't care what they think about my old Proto locos. If they came to my layout and talked like that I would show them the door......
Again, why do you care so much what that group of people says?
ATLANTIC CENTRALWhen I was young and had less money, I had less trains.
.
This is so true.
I the past 5 years all three daughters have moved out, I have been moved to a regional manager position, my wife has excelled at hear job, and we have paid off all the credit cards.
The train population is growing, and the quality if definitely improving.
Only 2 painted STRATTON & GILLETTE locomotives were saved from the previous running roster. All steam locomotives have been replaced.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
cuyama Never mind.
Your Hemingwayish spare use of words to express a feeling of increasing ennui is a bold counter statement to the prevailing modern trend of flogging a deceased equine until it becomes one with the soil, Byron. Bravo. Bravo, indeed.
Andre
I think that would be the proverbial deceased equine, Andre. Nonetheless, I'm willing to let it rest.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage I think that would be the proverbial deceased equine, Andre. Nonetheless, I'm willing to let it rest. Tom
And a relieved populace thanks you for that choice, Tom.
Have insomnia?
Read this thread!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
I have Athearn Genesis F3/F7 locomotives, one Atlas RS-3, a Roundhouse 2-6-0, four overland cars, some Walthers passenger cars, transition era freight cars, a good handful of different HO cabooses and I'm planning on getting some Walthers Superliners in the IV scheme if I can find some.
So far My Athearn Genesis units run real quiet and smooth, I know some of you don't like Athearn, but I'm happy with my units and locomotive roster.
I plan on getting a Bachmann GP7 or RS-3 as I heard they run good and don't suffer from cracked gears like the older Proto 2000 engines had.
On my railroad, any roadname, named train, caboose, or a certain locomotive is game as long as enough votes are revcieved. I do the transition era with a little bit of the present day.
Now, what road shall I add next?
ATSFGuySo far My Athearn Genesis units run real quiet and smooth, I know some of you don't like Athearn, but I'm happy with my units and locomotive roster.
So does my Genesis SCL GP9 since I had it gutted,remotored and rewired and that was after I replaced the burned out builbs with LEDs..
I still like Athearn but,their questionable QA/QC throws up approach with caution signals. I've had two Athearn RTR engines flywheels to come loose-a easy fix and bought FMC boxcars with stirrups laying in the car's tray.
To be fair I will state my other Athearn RTR cars and locomotives has given me no problems and is a vast improvement over my older BB cars and locomotives..
I still favor Atlas/Kato,Atlas Classic and my Atlas/Roco Alco switchers and P2K locomotives.My IM GP10 is very nicely done and a very smooth runner.
Of my two Bachmanns my DCC/Sound Alco S4 is still going strong while my GE70 Tonner had cracked gears.
Im still curious about what problems the OP is having with his BLI six axle locomotives.
Athearn's light bulbs are highly irritating. This is 2017, technology has advanced significantly, and we now have these wonderful Light Emitting Diodes. Get with the program Athearn..
Not really on topic, but I had an athearn RTR covered hopper completely disintegrate on me. Pulled the entire end off of the car...
Athearn's so called incandescent light bulbs look like the real ones because the lens are clear, this is not possible with Atlas models.
I guess I'm just getting lucky regarding Athearn. A guy at the local train store said those bulbs will last me quite a while and since I only go to about 4-5 train shows year with my club, burnout takes longer to happen.