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

[ClinchValleySD40]

In HO scale at this point, Atlas hands down.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 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. . .

Which is why I'm afraid if we get into a snit with China over Taiwan, they've got all the molds, and we're gonna have a heck of a time getting them back!

[Anonymous]

For smooth running, precision mechanisms, I like the pre-1964 Varney offerings. For prototype detail, I think many, if not most, of the current high end manufacturers score well. You asked for my 2 cents worth, you've got it.

Steam started it all.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Kato cant beat athrean prices. Broadway imports cant beat bachmann specrtrum
prices, & I ain't rich. I'd also go for rivrossi steam if they were still manufactuing.

[twhite]

Ooh, I think I'll throw in a monkey-wrench, yuk-yuk. AKANE. Yup, Akane, a Japanese manufacturer from the '60's that put out some of the best-running brass I've ever owned. I've got 2 Yellowstones, a USRA 2-6-6-2, an AC-8 Cab-Forward 4-8-8-2 and a USRA Heavy Pacific, and they're incredible locos, with good to great detail, great pulling power and VERY smooth running. One of the Yellowstones, and the 2-6-6-2 still have their original low-geared Japanese open-frame motors, which show absolutely NO signs of wearing out, the others have been retro-fitted with NWSL cans for better slow-speed operation, and I couldn't be a happier camper if I tried.
However, if I had to pick and choose between todays' manufacturers, I'd say BLI without blinking twice. Beautiful looking, running and sounding locos. They just keep getting better as you run them.
Tom [:P][:P][:P]

[Anonymous]

Athearn No question

[C):-)] DRew [C):-)]]

[UPJohn]

I cannot decide ask me later

[Train 284]

Bachmann would be my choice!

[trolleyboy]

I'll take P2K. Both steam and deisel. I've not had any problems with them cracked gears or otherwise.Better amount of detailing and definatly better paint than anyone else other than atlas. Rob

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 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.

MDC has been bought out by Horizon Hobbies. Many of its products are now Athearn products. To the best of my knowledge, it remains to be seen what will happen with the locomotives.

It does not look like the MDC website has been updated since the announcement of the buyout.

[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.

[ericsp]

Athearn (Blue Box)

[csxns]

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

[Bikerdad]

As an N scaler, I have to say Kato.

[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]

[underworld]

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

underworld

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

[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. . .

[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.

[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.

[Anonymous]

Athearn, no question about it.

[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.

[CP5415]

Me, mostly likely Athearn.

Gordon

[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)

[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]

Atlas by far!

[Anonymous]

BLI for steam, Kato for diesel.

[Anonymous]

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

[rexhea]

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

REX

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cspmo

Tyco.

What brand of crack are you smoking?