If there were only one Loco manufacturer left....................

[ksax73]

I have only had experience with Atlas, Athearn, Bachmann Spectrum and Walthers Locomotives. So my vote is based on those.

Looking forward to the responses!

This is my first poll and do not expect many from me. I know a number of people have expressed their frustration with polls and so I will not try to add to that too much.

[Anonymous]

Atlas is very strong on Desiels but I picked BLI for the steam.

[ArcadeAttica]

Ive used athern, atlas, lifelike, and spectrum.
Spectrum has just been the best, but athearn is definately in second

[soumodeler]

Atlas because of their quality and detail. They are good runners and great detail and yet cost only $100-140. My [2c]

soumodeler
-----------------
The Southern Serves the South!
http://www.trainweb.org/mgr

[Anonymous]

Those are all great choices. The 3 rail bug caught me a few years back and I haven't been collecting much HO DC equipment. aI have no exprience with Broadway. Limited products. However, I have seen them in operation. If I had to go back to HO. I know wouldn't have to give up the quality and sounds of a diecast steam locomotive.

[simon1966]

RE: If there were only one Loco manufacturer left....................

.........they would be sued by MTH...

[Virginian]

Keep in mind this vote is based on where I am right now and what I still need/want. Since all I have on order is a BLI 'J', I voted BLI. If I had just gotten my A's I would have voted P2K. If I was into diesels it would be totally different. I suspect everyone else is in a similar situation.
I'm just glad there ain't just one.

[Anonymous]

All of lifes opinions are based upon experiences.

I like several manufacturers, but based on my experience I voted for Altas, specifically Master Series.

Trevor

[orsonroy]

BLI: proto-specific steam, with factory-installed DC/DCC sound, at prices less than brass (heck, for a lot of their engines, less than plastic and the parts to instal DCC sound on your own!)

Either that or Bachmann Spectrum: inexpensive, nicely detailed, good running steam, that's NOT built as "limited runs only"

[Adelie]

Since I'm in N-scale, I voted for Kato. I could live with Atlas, particularly if they standardize on DCC-ready frames.

[cspmo]

Tyco.

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cspmo

Tyco.

What brand of crack are you smoking?

[rexhea]

Atlas -The Foundation of HO
BLI - Innovation
Proto- Dependable Quality

REX

[Anonymous]

LGB - almost indestructible and capable of pulling the paper off the walls!

[Anonymous]

BLI for steam, Kato for diesel.

[Anonymous]

Atlas by far!

[soumodeler]

What if you had to take away one of the above manufacturers of locos, who would it be?
I would say Overland because of the price of the locos.

soumodeler
-----------------
The Southern Serves the South!
http://www.trainweb.org/mgr

[Anonymous]

personally I don't have a preferance at this point in my MRRing because I only hae 4 Loco's to work with.... 3 bachmann 4-4-0's and a Life Like F7A (non proto series)

[CP5415]

Me, mostly likely Athearn.

Gordon

[selector]

Lots of votes for engines I don't (yet) have, but I am persuaded by the numbers for Atlas and Athearn.

Still, I am a steam fan, and I am very pleased with my P2K 0-6-0 (very quiet, smooth and detailed, if a bit too light). Also, my only other loco is a BLI Hudson. It is also very nice, runs well, but has a noisy drivetrain in reverse. QSI sound rates about an 8/10, but the deficit could just be the acoustics related to speakers, whether their design or placement.

Had two Marklins 40+ years ago, and my recollection is that they were real gems. Had smoke devices back then, and it added greatly to our enjoyment.

[Anonymous]

Athearn, no question about it.

[ksax73]

If I could choose two I would say Spectrum and Atlas because they are coming out with the Amtrak Electrics that I've been wanting. Atlas stepped up and produced the AEM7 while Bachmann stepped up to produce the Acela Express and soon to be released HHP-8. The reason why I picked Atlas over Spectrum is because Atlas' locomotives start up more smoothly from what I've noticed. I think that is due to the fact that Spectrum locos take more current or so I was told.

[BRAKIE]

Athearn hands down..If not Athearn then Atlas..I would rather see old line companies survived then the Johnny-come-lately company and that includes P2K-unless they got that crack gear problem fixed.

[brothaslide]

Most of the locos are made in China today. It would be interesting to find out if the same compny in China was making locos for all the different manufacturers - perhaps there is only one company making locos these days. . .

[underworld]

Probably Marklin or Fleischman. I've got several of each from prewar that still run great!

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[mustanggt]

IHC. No just kidding. Probably what Brakie said, Athearn, then Atlas. Especially atlas, because they seem to have been going on a Guilford streak in the past few years. I still need to scratch up dough for an SD26[:D]

[Bikerdad]

As an N scaler, I have to say Kato.

[csxns]

Kato rules Atlas drules really i will take Kato and Atlas over anything Genesis next Proto after that Athearn RTR last BLI.

[ericsp]

Athearn (Blue Box)

[gmcrail]

Unfortuanately, your list left out the two best loco manufacturers: Bowser and Model Die Casting/Roundhouse. I would go with Bowser. They cover steam, and even the fine-quality diesels (Stewart). Everybody seems to be into instant gratification these days - nobody wants to work for their locomotives - just yank 'em from the box, plunk 'em on the track, and run 'em. Where's the fun in that? Of course, if they don't run right, you can always blame the manufacturer... But then, you don't learn anything, either...

I just got through building a Bowser USRA Light Pacific. Runs as smoothly as any of the Chinese plastic, quiet as a mouse, and will pull a much longer train than the prototype. And I built it! Not some slave laborer in darkest Asia - Me! And I built it from components made right here in the USA. Definitely the way to go.