whats ur favorite brand of steamer

[SpaceMouse]

I have a 2-8-0 and 3-truck Shay Bachman and both run well. For smalller steamers, my MDC 2-6-0's run really well. I have an IHC 4-4-0 (20th Century model) that runs great--better in fact than any other steamer I have.

[Berk-fan284]

Rivarossi 2 Big Boys (late production run- can motors,RP25 flanges,traction tires, smooth quiet,strong pullers) 4-8-8-4, Challenger 4-6-6-4, Allegheny 2-6-6-6, Berkshire 2-8-4, Heavy Mikado 2-8-2, 2 Y6b N&W 2-8-8-2 (one early large flanged rear mounted motor, one late production)1 Yellowstone 2-8-8-4 (large flange rear mounted motor) all good runners often outpull their higher priced competition. I also have 4 Bachmann Spectrums (2 4-8-2 Heavy Mountains, 2-6-6-2 USRA, 2-10-0 Decapod) all well detailed strong pullers, moderate price. 1 Lifelike Proto 2000 steamer 2-8-4 Berkshire great detail, a litlle light on the pulling front. Athearn Genisis 1 Challenger, 1 Light USRA Mikado- both well detailed, the Challenger is a good puller, the Mikado is a bit light for pulling. Trix Big Boy, Lionel Challenger both expensive , well detailed strong runners. I favor the Rivarossi from the obvious volume I have, but they all have their charms for me. I also have several different older brass locos of various companies and decrepitude off of my Ebay "addiction" to alternately please/infuriate/confound me in equal measures.

[PennsyHoosier]

My Life Like 2-8-4 Pere Marquette is a wonderful engine. I love my BLI M1b. But my favorites are the Bowser kits I've assembled. Pennsy L-1, I-1, and, soon, T-1.

[pushnshove]

The level of detail on the Spectrum Shay and 2-6-6-2 are mind boggling. I really can't say how they run because my "layout" consists of a 5 ft long test track.

[oleirish]

I just got an IHC 2-6-0 mogel that has real good detail,including in side the cab(boiler head and all the valives and things,Plus it runs good! It my be cheap but looks good to me,right down to the air hoses on the frount.[^][8D][2c]
JIM

[Anonymous]

Here's what I have:
two Lionel UP Challengers (great locomotives, but a little sticky at the slowest speeds)
one Athearn Genesis Challenger (runs a little smoother than the Lionels, but the sound is not as good)
two Rivarossi UP 4-8-4s (decent runners, decent detail, excellent value)
one Bachmann Spectrum 3 truck Shay (I just got it, but I like it a lot)
one IHC Premier 4-6-4 (fair runner, so-so non-prototypical detail, reasonably good value for the price)
one IHC Premier 0-8-0 (same qualities as IHC 4-6-4)
one early, non-Premier IHC 4-6-2 (similar qualities to IHC 4-6-4, but somewhat less detail)
one early Rivarossi 4-8-8-4 Big Boy (fair runner, reasonable detail, but not on par with newer offerings from other companies)

I think that's it for the steam that I have, so that's about all I can add to this discussion. If money's a concern, the Bachmann Spectrum models seem to be about the best value, while IHC is basically the cheapest. If you're not too concerned about cost, then step up to Athearn Genesis, BLI, Trix/Marklin or Proto Heritage, because they seem to have the best detail and generally run well. Depending on what you are looking for, there are also some fine offerings in brass and some of the Lionel Challenger units may still be available.

That's my experience in a nutshell. Decide more specifically what type of locomotive you're in the market for and post that on this forum, and you'll get some even better replies.

I hope this helps.
-Joe

[Anonymous]

I'm not big in steam
A pair of P2K Berks @ $250.00 a piece, a pair of Riv FEF-3 @$130.00 each, The Riv Allegheny @$307.00 and the Athearn Challenger @ $259.00.

All good performers and so far no operating problems. I can't complain.

[Virginian]

Depends strictly on the specific prototype steam engine in question. Examples:
N&W Class J - Neither is perfect. BLI is a better engine, Bachmann Spectrum is a better deal.
USRA Lite Mike - BLI is more expensive, has sound. Genesis is a great little engine but no sound.
2-8-4 The P2K engines are beautiful and run great. Rivarossi's are a lot whole cheaper.
4-6-6-4s - Everyone has their favorite.

[Tracklayer]

I personally am an N scaler, but I have a buddy that has money to burn, and he always just buys what ever catches his eye - though he's kind of leery of Bachmann because he's had a couple that looked good, but turned out to be junk.

Trial and error is sometimes the only way we can learn these things...

Tracklayer

[ereimer]

i'll say bachmann spectrum because it's all i own . i have a shay and a 4-6-0 . i don't think anyone else makes dcc ready small steam . i've put sound decoders in both and the 4-6-0 was plug and play , the shay is a bit more work because of where the speaker goes

[Darth Santa Fe]

Bowser because they make the best steam engines that I've had experience with. Smooth running and well detailed if assembled correctly.

[selector]

For detail, LL Heritage. Don't expect them to pull as much as others. Otherwise, very good runners.

For bells and whistles, BLI seems to be my favourite, but they are not the best in detailing...middle of the road at best. Good runners.

For the 2-8-0, if you want one, I have heard that Spectrum does a bang-up job on theirs. Nothing but praise from the members here.

I hope that helps.

[dr.bones]

i was wondering which brand do you recomend the most in HO for steamers and why