Atlas, Kato, or Athearn

[Anonymous]

The big advantage to Atlas over Kato, at least in Nscale, is in the availability of parts for older models. Recently, I have resurrected several 15 year-old plus engines due to the availability of inexpensive parts. I am heart broken with my Kato Mikado. I can't get the part (drawbar) to keep it running. Atlas offers more engines that I like. Kato makes a fantastic engine. Years from now, if you need parts, you too may be heart-broken. In an ideal world, the only thing you would replace might be the brushes. In the real world, where stuff happens, you might need other parts. One example, is when your little nephew runs one at warp speed and it goes off into the stratosphere. Another one, your cat gets overly excited. Or, you accidentally knock one off or you need a new gear in the truck. For us normal guys, stuff happens. Unless you are one of the perfect people who never does anything less-than-brilliant and who never has stuff happen, you may need a new part or two down the line. When you buy a loco, fifteen years seems like an eternity. If you are a train addict, fifteen years passes quickly. I never used to think about replacement parts, for example 15 years ago, but now that I am older, fifteen years doesn't seem so long now. Now, if you think that you'll just buy another when this one quits...well when you need/want a replacement of a particular engine...it may be hard to find. They call it limited run for a reason. Just some thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Understand that there are different "levels" of quality within most of these makers:

My "take", in order of "best" (in HO, and for diesels, not steamers)

Top tier

1. Atlas Masters (now Silver and Gold) - best overall, detail, paint, drive, DCC
2. Kato - better drive than Atlas (esp if you run them everyday, all day like the MSI, but who does that ???), some problems with paint color, must install handgrabs, avoid the SD40-2s (electrical problem).
3. Life-like Proto 2000 (P2K) - not as good a drive, great detail
4. Athearn Genesis - the first ones had probems (esp the SD70M "kits"), but are doing better now.

Middle tier

5. Stewarts - great drive (almost Kato quality), not as good detail as P2K
6. Atlas Classic - good drives, not as detailed as the Masters
7. Some Athearn RTRs (those with improved drives)

Lower tier

8. Life-like Proto 1000 (good runners, less detail)
9. The "non-improved" Athearn RTRs and Blue box kits

Unknown: BLI diesels (the SD40-2 was poor, detail-wise, but their recent switcher was well received. They BETTER improve, now that Atlas and P2K locos have sound !!!)

10. Bachmann Spectrum diesels (less quality detail and drive than found in any of the above)


Avoid:

Bachmann non- spectrum (worse than Spectrum!)
Generic Life-like (buy for kids)
Model Power (don't even buy for kids!)

As far as steamers go, the best are:

1. BLI
2. P2K
3. Bachmann (why they make good steamers but poor diesels is a major mystery!)

Avoid Athearn steamers (repair issues, running problems - I know this the hard way!)

BTW - with the exception of BLI, generic LL and Model Power, I have recent (within the last five years) locos from all of these makers - makes it easier to compare !
Older locos (over 5-10 years old) can not be fairly compaired to more recent ones !!

In reality, you will buy from several companies, as only certain locos and/or roads are made by certain makers (why else would I have a diesel Bachmann ??!!). But hopefully the above will help you decide when you have a choice !!!

Good luck and happy shopping !!!!!!!!

[Don Gibson]

The best 'DEAL'

will be the one the one that makes you the 'HAPPIEST' over the long run - whether that is running quality, looks, or one you got the biggest discount on.

[Anonymous]

Welcome, I'm also new to these forums and getting reacquanted with a life long love.

I have a couple of Atlas engines that are about 10 years old and they run great. I also have some older Athearn Engines, I think they run well also, not quite like Atlas, but the cost is nearly half that of an Atlas engine. I am sometimes willing to trade off a little performance to save a lot of money. It's very subjective, it comes down to the individual.

[Todd McWilliam]

If the Athearn is rtr 40.00 is agood price. I would not pay that for a blue box athearn, you can get them on ebay for around 25.00. I would go with the Atlas.

[skerber]

I have 6 atlas locomotives. 4 are from the mid to late 1980's. They still run well. I bought two Atlas locomotives in the last two years. They are both fine locomotives.

I have a Kato SD80MAC in NS. I love it!!!

I think I like both equally--I usually will stick with Atlas because Atlas has more NS locomotives than Kato. Also, Atlas has most of its parts already on the locomotive. With my Kato, it took me many hours to put on all the detail parts!!

I also have a Proto 2000 SD60 in NS. It runs almost as well as the Atlas and Kato. I had to oil the wheels to get rid of some noise when I first ran it. I do like the detailing on the locomotive--it looks very sharp.

I have some old blue box Athearns also, but most are retired due to a lot of use. I do not own a RTR locomotive or Genesis, so I cannot offer my opinion on modern Athearns.

I hope this is helpful.

Steve

[Anonymous]

In HO, a Kato drive in an Atlas unit. The best of both worlds.
At the Chgo Museum of Science & Industry, the Katos just run & run & run.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the forum BN U30C. I own a couple of Katos and a couple of Atlas' and they're both great brands. However, Atlas engines are a lot more detailed. As for rules, there really aren't any. A lot of people would rather you not talk about anything but trains, but talk about what ever you'd like. We'll let you know if we don't approve...

trainluver1

[jeffshultz]

I've got two engines on my layout.

Both are Atlas.

By December I hope to have three engines.

All three will be Atlas.

In HO, Kato is a sweet runner, but some find the details lacking. Athearn Genesis is nice...for a price. Atlas just seems to please most everyone.

Pleases me enough that I'm gonna shell out $220 for an MP15DC with sound.

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BN U30C

........Which do you think is a better deal? ........

The one that best matches your modeling preferences.

[Anonymous]

Atlas, hands down.

[tigerstripe]

First off, Welcome.[#welcome]
Rule #1 no talking about train club.
Rule #2 BN modelers get preferred treatment.

as far as your question all 3 are great engines.

you can also find Atlas U boats & C30-7's in the $45 range.
the Proto 2000 SD60's are excellent in my opinion and are available in 3 different #'s for Oakway Leasing. I have seen some that have problems with broken gear/axles, but mine have given me 4 years of trouble free service.

[Bikerdad]

What scale? If we're talking N (which is what the prices look like), then its a toss up between the Kato and the Atlas. The Atlas may be a slightly better price relative to normal, but the SD70MACs are schweeeeet locos. I have 4 of the MACs, no Uboats, but that has as more to do with my preference for modern wide cabs than anything else. If you're going to be doing tight, i.e., less than 12", radius, go with the Uboat IF its a 4 axle loco. If you'll have 12" or greater, go with the MAC. The MAC will handle 9.75' radiuses, but it some cars are mighty picky about following it around.

Notice I haven't mentioned the Athearn....

[BN U30C]

Hi, this is my first post and I'm kind of new in the hobby. Which do you think is a better deal? Also, are there any special "rules" around this forum?

Atlas Uboat for $50
Kato SD70MAC for $70
Athearn for $40