Personally, I would consider the Walthers Trainline ALCO FA1, it's an absolute tank. My trio has taken a pretty bad dive to a hard floor and still works perfectly.
I cant say for diesels as they all seem to have great long lasting mechanisms, but for HO steam, Id have to say IHC/Mehano steam. Very cheap, high quality mechanisms, and low levels of detail designed for rough handling! Bachmann locos these days also have pretty good mechanisms, but theyre kind of overpriced for what they are.
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
For steam, I would say the Bachmann Durango and Silverton set, with the 2-8-0 engine. It's a sweet little engine that is above toy train quality.
Simon
Agree with the Bachmann 2-8-0
Any of the Athearn RTR, Walthers Mainline, or Atlas Trainman series. Pretty decent power train and chassis for a not too high price. Might lack some "high end" options and details, but very good value.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
What scale are you in? It might make a difference.
I do mostly HO with a little bit of G.
For an HO Starter Set, I think the GP38/39-2 is good if you're doing local runs or switching maneuvers. (An F7 is good, but doesn't have any rearward visability)
My G Scale set had a Green/Red/Black 0-4-0 "Stainz", as a kid, I thought it was pretty neat.
I think the best "set" is buying your locomotive, rolling stock, and power supply individually rather than in one box. It's amazing the deals that you can find on eBay on NOS with a proven track record that are much better than what you'll find in a box set.
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 the best "set" is buying your locomotive, rolling stock, and power supply individually rather than in one box. It's amazing the deals that you can find on eBay on NOS with a proven track record that are much better than what you'll find in a box set. Tom
Trainman440 ... for HO steam, Id have to say IHC/Mehano steam. Very cheap, high quality mechanisms, and low levels of detail designed for rough handling! Charles
Ditto! I have the 2-6-0 and 4-4-0 and they're good, durable locomotives.
Jim
I'm not aware of any Mehano train sets available these days for a North American prototype. Some steamers were sold in Canada under the PC label - they pop up on Ebay from time to time. They are not DCC ready, but the conversion is not that hard.
Bachmann also sells some sets with the 0-6-0 engine. It's not a bad engine. I would not hesitate to buy one for a youngster. It is not an easy conversion to DCC though...
Did someone say DCC was a requirement?
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
Jumijo Did someone say DCC was a requirement?
No, the requirements are as follows:
Durable Design with minimal separate pieces
Affordable cost, Less than $100
Easy to repair and replace
Good Durable Mechanism
And Must be able to do 18'' Radius Curves without issue
I would classify the Bachmann 2-8-0 as rather delicate. Dont get me wrong, its one of the BEST valued steam locos out there, but it has lots of seperately applied detail that proves to be fragile. Still, if you want a set, I agree you cant beat Bachmann's D&S set if you want value for money.
Great Northern Fan 54No, the requirements are as follows: Durable Design with minimal separate pieces Affordable cost, Less than $100 Easy to repair and replace Good Durable Mechanism And Must be able to do 18'' Radius Curves without issue
With the above as your criteria, I would go with a Stewart F-unit. Durable enough and the drives are among the best around. It doesn't come in a set though. As mentioned, I'd rather buy a train "set" piecemeal to ensure the best affordable quality.
Great Northern Fan 54Durable Design with minimal separate pieces Affordable cost Less than $100 Easy to repair and replace Good Durable Mechanism Must be able to do 18'' Radius Curves without issue
Affordable cost
Less than $100
Must be able to do 18'' Radius Curves without issue
Great Northern Fan 54Personally, I would consider the Walthers Trainline ALCO FA1, it's an absolute tank.
I have a pair of the Walthers Trainline FAs, and they are top-notch for the requirements you listed.
The Stewart/Kato F units are also great, but it has been 20 years since they were manufactured.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
YoHo1975Isn't the Kato F7...and really all the Kato HO F-units the exact same mold as the Stewart/Kato F's? I was under the impression that there was no effective difference.
I am not aware of an HO scale F unit marketed as a Kato model. Every one I have seen has been in a Stewart package, hence the Stewart/Kato designation.
Kato did market an F unit in N scale under their own name.
If Kato did offer an HO scale F unit under there own name, I would love to find out about it. Maybe it would be the same model as the Stewart branded product, but maybe it would be better.
Has anyone considered the Proto 1000 EMD F3?
ricktrains4824 Any of the Athearn RTR, Walthers Mainline, or Atlas Trainman series. Pretty decent power train and chassis for a not too high price. Might lack some "high end" options and details, but very good value.
I would throw in Walthers Trainline. They are really sturdy and have great mechanisms
Great Northern Fan 54 No, the requirements are as follows: Durable Design with minimal separate pieces Affordable cost, Less than $100 Easy to repair and replace Good Durable Mechanism And Must be able to do 18'' Radius Curves without issue
SeeYou190 YoHo1975 Isn't the Kato F7...and really all the Kato HO F-units the exact same mold as the Stewart/Kato F's? I was under the impression that there was no effective difference. I am not aware of an HO scale F unit marketed as a Kato model. Every one I have seen has been in a Stewart package, hence the Stewart/Kato designation. Kato did market an F unit in N scale under their own name. If Kato did offer an HO scale F unit under there own name, I would love to find out about it. Maybe it would be the same model as the Stewart branded product, but maybe it would be better. -Kevin
YoHo1975 Isn't the Kato F7...and really all the Kato HO F-units the exact same mold as the Stewart/Kato F's? I was under the impression that there was no effective difference.
My Dad got me a Kato F9 in the late 90s. And I could have sworn it was in a Kato box with no Stewart name on it.
snjroy Great Northern Fan 54 No, the requirements are as follows: Durable Design with minimal separate pieces Affordable cost, Less than $100 Easy to repair and replace Good Durable Mechanism And Must be able to do 18'' Radius Curves without issue Ok, well that's useful. Most sets suggested here are out of range in terms of price, looking at two major distributors online. Unless you look for something on sale, it's mostly Bachmann stuff, which are OK for what you pay for. Steamers are out of range, except for Thomas the train sets. I have a Thomas that I have for younger audiences. It's actually a pretty good mechanism, although it is light on its feet. Simon
Ok, well that's useful. Most sets suggested here are out of range in terms of price, looking at two major distributors online. Unless you look for something on sale, it's mostly Bachmann stuff, which are OK for what you pay for. Steamers are out of range, except for Thomas the train sets. I have a Thomas that I have for younger audiences. It's actually a pretty good mechanism, although it is light on its feet.
Well this is referring to an individual locomotive. Not a Train Set
Great Northern Fan 54 snjroy Great Northern Fan 54 No, the requirements are as follows: Durable Design with minimal separate pieces Affordable cost, Less than $100 Easy to repair and replace Good Durable Mechanism And Must be able to do 18'' Radius Curves without issue Ok, well that's useful. Most sets suggested here are out of range in terms of price, looking at two major distributors online. Unless you look for something on sale, it's mostly Bachmann stuff, which are OK for what you pay for. Steamers are out of range, except for Thomas the train sets. I have a Thomas that I have for younger audiences. It's actually a pretty good mechanism, although it is light on its feet. Simon Well this is referring to an individual locomotive. Not a Train Set
https://www.trainsetsonly.com/bachmann-thomas-with-annie-and-clarabel-set-ho-00642.html
YoHo1975My Dad got me a Kato F9 in the late 90s. And I could have sworn it was in a Kato box with no Stewart name on it.
I don't doubt it, it is just something I have never seen.
I have a large population of Stewart/Kato F units, and these make up the largest plurality of my locomotive types. I look for good models new in box to have a few spare mechanisms on hand. If they were sold with just the Kato name, that would give me something else to look for.
So far, none have failed, but if I run my trains as much as I intend to, something will break eventually.
The Triang F7 unit. I had two and they ran well although perhaps not as detailed as one might want.
Ulrich The Triang F7 unit. I had two and they ran well although perhaps not as detailed as one might want.
That thing keeps me up at night