Brand of locomotive

[grandpopswalt]

I own six Bachmann engines (4-6-0's). Most were bought on sale. I have rebuilt the running gear on two of them using bronze axel bearings, 24VDC gear motors and a chain drive. The parts cost me about $25 and 10 hours work but the engines now run great and are very reliable.

Walt

[Anonymous]

Bachmann for bashing

Accucraft for fidelity

[TheJoat]

I only have four locomotives. One of them is a Stainz that came with an LGB starter set back in the 80's. Current purchases have all been Bachmann. I just need to figure out how to get a better looking 1:20 cab on the Annie...

[Anonymous]

I buy whatever engines and rolling stock that i can get on sale. the lowest i've paid is 15 $ for a used 2 axle caboose at a train show . The most I paid was 275$ for a CN engine and caboose set new from a store. for me it has to be cheap. I pay full price for nothing I buy.

[mkblk]

Darn computer! Just lost my repy! I'll try again...

My first loco purchase was an Accucraft Ruby because I REALLY wanted live steam. I am very pleased with my Ruby but am somewhat intimidated by personalizing it with new cab, extended chassis, etc. My second loco, found in a flea market, is a Bachmann 4-6-0 (No. 49) which is really nice looking and very suitable for kitbashing (low cost, even when new) and painting. Plus I've been VERY pleased with Bachmann's quality on their 1:20 offerings. And finally, found at a yard sale... a battery powered Toy State (New Bright?) Christmas set, complete with track, in excellent condition for... 5 bucks! Fun value? Priceless! So now while I'm waiting for the pressure to build in my Ruby's boiler, I can watch the little New Bright go round 'n round. Merry Christmas! [:D]

MK

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by HOBEYONE

WHY DO THE MFG. OF G SCALE NOT COME UP WITH A STANDARD COULPLER LIKE HO, N AND Z. IT MAKES YOU BUY ONE BRAND OR ANOTHER SO YOU CAN RUN YOUR TRAINS.

They do,

Its the hook and loop coupler that is standard on all LGB product and usually comes packaged seperately with all cars. That is the original large scale coupler and is the defact "universal" coupler. If you want to run anything with everything thats the simpliest (and cheapest) way to do so.

The trouble is that some people who want thier trains to look "scale" (like me) hate the hook and loop, and hate the uncoupling quirks that come with it, so we modify all our cars to use one brand of coupler that looks more prototypical. I use Bachmann, others prefer Kadee, Aristo, or USA couplers, but some cars convert easier than others.

[Anonymous]

WHY DO THE MFG. OF G SCALE NOT COME UP WITH A STANDARD COULPLER LIKE HO, N AND Z. IT MAKES YOU BUY ONE BRAND OR ANOTHER SO YOU CAN RUN YOUR TRAINS.

[Anonymous]

I have 6 loco's. Two are Aristocraft and four are USA's. I got the USA A-B-A set of F-3's and a GP-38-2 . They seem to run great all day long and are real quiet.The Aristo's are a Dash-9 and a SD45 .These are a bit noiser but run equally well . The Aristo's also have beauitfuf detail and look great .I haven't posted in a while but I finally got my railroad running and am having a ball ! With the help of a friend I will post some pictures soon.

[jtrost]

Like some others, Bachmann for price, but also for scale. Trying to do 1:20.3 pretty much limits me to Bachmann, unless I want to spend $3000 to $4000 for a locomotive. "Museum quality" brass is nice but not likely to ever set foot, er, wheel in my garden. So far my 3 Bachmann engines have performed well and look good.

[Anonymous]

I have yet to see my Bachmann run outside in our garden. Ran it once Christmas day and it ran fantastic. Construction still continues.

[Anonymous]

For actual locomotives, I have the most of LGB. But Brand name isn't as important as what it is I want to run. I have an Aristocraft BUDD car because they make one as well as an Accucraft live steam shay, because Accucraft makes one. I'm not brand loyal I just run what I like.[:D]

[Anonymous]

I have had Bachman, USA, Aristocraft, and LGB. I have narrowed my collection to just the LGB , because of quality and service. My LGB locomotives run great. When I first started in Garden Railroading, I thought all were equal, and I bought by price. Learned my lesson though, and now buy quality. I run my trains a lot at open houses and club exhibits, and appreciate the dependability of LGB locomotives. Recently purchased the MTH Challenger. So far it runs great.
Richard

[hobbyfossi201]

I still have just LGB locos in my roster, because quality, spareparts, assistance, service and so on are really the best I´ve seen yet.

[Anonymous]

I use mostly Bachmann due to price issues, LGB is my second choice followed by Aristo-Craft.

[Anonymous]

I only run LGB and for several reasons i can only run LGB whether I like it or not. ie control system and tight curves.

I have 4 loco's, Mallet, Stainz, Track cleaning and an Ice Train, which actually has two engines working as a double header in reverse directions and it is alot of fun. But it just doesn't do enough. I bought it early on for reason of price and wish i hadn't. Just doesn't do enough and I have upgraded it and if I go for another upgrade it will be a Dining Car with a sound system in it.

Rgs Ian

[Anonymous]

I am very new to the hobby and my only train is a Bachmann. I bought the whole thing for $160.00. It came with a 4-6-0 loco, a wood hauling car for fuel, a box car, and a caboose. I must say that price was the most influential. I saw cheaper sets, but I refused to do a Christmas set. Gota go, the layout is not going to build itself.

[Anonymous]

Out of my ten locos eight are Bachmann and two are LGB.
I bought the LGB locos only because the price was right and they looked like they would be good for "bashing" into 7/8 scale. One of them ended up on the TOON TOWN TRAIN and the other is still a stock LGB unit.

OLD DAD

[Anonymous]

Hi Rene
Most of my locomotives are LGB because it is readily avalable makes small enough locomotives
And I was able to pick them up second hand at very reasonable prices
I only have one large locomotive and that was picked up at fire sale price because
the owner put a fire sale price on it to get rid of it I bought it because it is the only large locomotive that looks right on R1 curves
A couple of others Ithink would be OK are not readily avalable in Aus most other brand small stuff seems to be hard to find.
regards John

[Anonymous]

I had to vote for USA Trains because that is what I mainly own. 2 x GP 38-2 units , a GP9 . I like the fine detail on them but that said due care in handling is a must I also have one of the MTH Challengers. First manufacturer to a 20's, ish USRA Consolodation gets my vote as well. Whomever that may be.

[vsmith]

My roster is so mixed I had to add up my engines....Its a tie between my LGB Porters and MDC Hustlers at 5 each, with HLW Macks and Bachmann Porters in second place at 3 each.[:D]

My reasons? Price 1st, Size 2nd, and then opportunity, I got 4 of the LGB engines at the Marshall's X-mas blow-out. Never pass up what looks like a great deal.

[Curmudgeon]

If you want bullet-proof (sometimes) it's lgb.
But if you want detail and conformity to scale and follow the upgrades posted on the Bachmann site by that idiot Goodson on how to keep them running, Bachmanns are great.
Can't beat the cost, adherence to scale (in the 1:20 stuff), ability to cut and glue, all good.
We just finsihed a weekly ops session, I think one USA NW-2, one LGB 2085 (americanized), the rest were all Bachmann (2-8-0's, 4-6-0's, Shays, Climaxes, Heislers)
For steam narrow gauge, it seems to be the locomotive of choice.
TOC

[Anonymous]

I buy mostly Bachmann, but there is some Leahmann toy ntrain stuff, Hartland, Asito Craft, and a cuople of Accucrafts

[Rene Schweitzer]

[:I] Bachmann should definately be on the list! I've added them.

[cacole]

Bachmann isn't on your list, or I would have picked it. I own only a Bachmann Consolidation and a Hartland Doozie railbus, and don't have plans to purchase more.

[Anonymous]

most of mine are aristo craft , and the cars are different company's. ben

[Anonymous]

switchers, and of course the HIGH dollar Mallets ect.....
Im pretty sure i wont see the them on my line, unless someone brings one over to run.

keep them on the rails

Jeff

[Anonymous]

"If you happen to buy one particular manufacturer's product, why--price, quality, ability to kitbash easily?"

Tony has a point, and to answer your question, B-mann wins. However at this point all I have is LGB

[TonyWalsham]

I can't vote for Bachmann because they are not listed.

Tony Walsham.

[Anonymous]

Hi Rene,
Another senior moment! I picked 'I don't buy one particular brand name' and I've got 2 USA & 1 Bachmann. It's Friday, 33 minutes to work and all I can see is a pint of Thwaites Lancaster Bomber sitting on the bar. Apologies for getting it wrong!!
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]
A wonderful weekend to all.