Looking for loco opinions...

[J Campbell]

How many times have you said, "I wish I knew then what I know now..."?

Yeah, well, I'm trying to avoid that as much as possible.

I'm looking for opinions on what manufacturer offers the best bang for your buck.  I'm currently planning a present day, pacific northwest-based shortline in HO, and looking at GP35's, or similar, motive power.

I have a few Genesis SD70's and would like to find something with similar levels of detail.  However, I have also heard that they may not be the smoothest running locos (the Genesis series, I mean).

I guess my questions would be the following: 

1.  What manufacturer would you recommend to a rookie for a good running loco with a level of detail comparable to the Genesis line?

2.  Would a SD45 look out of place on a modern short line, or should I just generally stick with 4 axle power as a good rule of thumb?

 

[selector]

Proto 2000 from Walthers would be a good bet.  The Company is very good at getting customer support services to you if you should get a less than satisfactory one.

The SD-15 (or whatever it is) from BLI should also be good and dependable, and that company is also very good with customer support.

Last, but by no means least...and I mean it...is Atlas.  If you look through their site for something you'd need, they make an excellent product.

I am not a diesel user per se, but I would expect to see an SD-45 as much as I'd expect a GP-38, which I see here on Vancouver Island all the time.

[btransue]

As far as locos go - I have Atlas Silver and Gold that are smooth runners.  Some Stewarts (now Bowser) that have really good slow speed response.  That is with Digitrax 163 series and/or NCE 13 or 14 series decoders.  Well  -the Atlas Gold are QSI sound - with good slow speed response also.

As for SD-45s being out of place on a short line - I would guess that the Reading and Northern might be classified a short line and they have SD-38, SD-40-2 and SD-50's in their roster.

http://www.readingnorthern.com/roster.shtml

[J Campbell]

Thanks Guys!

I guess I should also mention that I am just as interested in sound and DCC performance as I am the level of detail and performance.

[tstage]

Proto 2000 makes very nice locomotives - both steam and diesel.  I have a couple of their GP38-2s.  They're heavy and I'd expect them to pull quite a bit.  Here's a link to some good prices on locomotives:

M.B. Klein

Tom

[jktrains]

Thanks Guys!

I guess I should also mention that I am just as interested in sound and DCC performance as I am the level of detail and performance.

I would stick mainly with 4 axle diesels.  If you have a yearning for 6 axle power then go with SD7/SD9 engines.  They were frequently used in branch line service due to their lower per axle loading than some GPs of the day.  As far GP35s go, Kato makes an excellent GP35.  I have not tried a new Athearn RTR GP35 with the improved shell.  Neither come factory equipped with sound.  P2K made sound equipped GP7 and GP9.  BLI has sound equipped SW engines.  Rememebr that a short line typically ran older locos that had already seen years of service on a Class 1 before being sold to the short.  So even though you might model a more modern time period you could still use 1st and 2nd gen diesels.

[WSOR 3801]

The Atlas GP38-40 series would be the way to go.  Run great, good detail, and now sound has been announced. 

Some of the P2K engines have quirks, in the wiring and gear ratios.  The SD45s are geared to go quite quickly, while the SD7s go slow.  Walthers says all new engines will get a 14:1 gearset.

SD40-2s are popular engines, many smaller roads are picking them up. 

[aloco]

I. myself, would not buy anything with the name 'Walthers' on it except for their structure kits.  Good locos comparable to Athearn Genesis are the DCC ready Athearn RTR series, any Kato-built or newer Atlas locos that can be gotten cheaply, and any Life-Like Proto series locos that are DCC ready.

[twcenterprises]

I. myself, would not buy anything with the name 'Walthers' on it except for their structure kits.

I'm afraid I must respectfully disagree with you on that.  I have some Walthers "Trainline" loco's, and I'm quite satisfied with them.  Especially since I could not find another affordable SW1.....

Brad 

[johncolley]

First off, my opinion on locos is that every train should have at least one, eh? Actually a lot depends on your type of railroading, and the topography. A branch or short line will buy anything that it can get second or maybe fourth hand if the price is right. In a pinch they might even sign a lease for what is available. Check out hilly lines such as the NWP or California Northern, or CORP in Oregon. I am sure there are many examples in the east and central states. Lastly, get what appeals to you! Enjoy, jc5729 John Colley, Port Townsend, WA 

[da_kraut]

Hi,

this is an issue that there are many opinions ranging all over the map.  In my collection of motive  power there are Athearn-blue box and rtr, P2K, Atlas and Kato.  When looking at the collection I would advise to purchase Kato and Atlas only.  This is because both manufacturers make well detailed smooth running locomotives that are very consistent in their high quality.  Being someone that has not yet changed to DCC it is important that the speeds from the engines match each other.   I have run many trains on previous layouts where both Kato and Atlas engines were mixed into the consists in a MU'd fashion without issues.  

As for the Blue box Athearn, they are wonderful engines but in detail and running charcteristics greatly lag Kato and Atlas.  The Athearn RTR equipment is up a couple of steps in improvements from the Blue Box versions with great detail but again need improvement in the drivetrain department.  

P2K make wonderful engines that are very nicely detailed but it is difficult to have say a gp30 and a sd45 run together in DC due to the fact that the gear ratios are like the flavour of the month that were used.  Also please consider the cracked gear issues that this manufacturer had.  

As for the other makes I am not certain and therefore can not comment.

Hope it helps

Frank 

[J Campbell]

Good to know.  Looks like Proto and Atlas are the most favored brand...at least in this exercise.

Thanks.

[BRAKIE]

1.  What manufacturer would you recommend to a rookie for a good running loco with a level of detail comparable to the Genesis line?

 For the locos you ask about that will be the Kato GP35/SD45.Atlas is my choice but,Atlas doesn't produce GP35 or SD45.

2.  Would a SD45 look out of place on a modern short line, or should I just generally stick with 4 axle power as a good rule of thumb?

That would depend on the short lines motive power needs..There are some short lines that use SD units..

The Nebraska Central comes to mind since they have/had SD45s.

 

As far as the Walthers P2K locomotives be aware that many suffer from "gear ratio of the month" and may not be able to mu with other P2K units since the gear ratio varied from production run of different locomotives.

While the P2K locomotives are highly detailed some have  running issues and detail inaccuracies.

[jacon12]

My first choice

Atlas

my second choice is Atlas

my third choice... let's see.. I think would be Atlas

Ok, you get the idea I like Atlas.  I have about 13 locomotives, all DCC Ho scale and 3 or 4 of them are Atlas.  I've never had one lick of problem with any of them (Knockin' on my head here).  They run great right out of the box, just like they should.  One or two I converted to dcc myself, a couple have sound and it's good sound too.

I have several Proto 2000 units and they're good too.

I have a couple of Bachmann Spectrum locos, a little 4-4-0 and a 2-8-0 consolidated and they're both good runners.  The Consolidated has a Tsunami sound decoder and , to me, has the best sound of ANY of my locos.  As an added bonus it was also one of my least expensive engines also.

I consistently have more problems with Broadway Limited and Precision Craft Models, but I do have a BLI SD-40-2 that's a good runner.

So!  To me the best bang for the dollar in diesels has got to be Atlas with P2K very close to it.

OH... I forgot to mention the one Kato I own.  Now theres a good runnin' engine!

Jarrell

[dinwitty]

First off, my opinion on locos is that every train should have at least one, eh? Actually a lot depends on your type of railroading, and the topography. A branch or short line will buy anything that it can get second or maybe fourth hand if the price is right. In a pinch they might even sign a lease for what is available. Check out hilly lines such as the NWP or California Northern, or CORP in Oregon. I am sure there are many examples in the east and central states. Lastly, get what appeals to you! Enjoy, jc5729 John Colley, Port Townsend, WA 

 

Your train is too long when you can't even put a locomotive on it.

 

 http://www.explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=394

locoless railroad, gravity railroad 

[J Campbell]

Is there any particular moniker that I should look for when considering a Proto or Atlas loco?  (Like how the Athearn Genesis is superior to their RTR line?)  I'm assuming the "Gold" series is Proto's "Genesis" equivalent, but what about Atlas?  From what I can tell, Atlas is pretty well straightforward, as long as you stay away from the "Trainline" designation.

[jktrains]

I think you may some things confused.  I think its Atlas that uses the Silver and Gold designation.  IIRC, currently Silver is DCC ready, but not equipped while Gold is DCC equipped, and maybe even factory sound.  On older issue Atlas the Silver designation meant DCC equipped.

Don't rule out Kato units.  They are excellent in quality and detail.  Here's a shot a GP35 with the radiator fans highlighted. 

Keep in mind that before Kato started marketing their own line of locos they built the drive mechanisms for some Atlas and some Stewart units. 

I'd first figure out what types of motive power I wanted and then see what is available that meets your detail standards or could easily be detailed to bring it up to your standards.  The Athearn RTR line has improved details, not the level of a Genesis, but with a little effort they can be brought up to that level.

[J Campbell]

I think you may some things confused.  I think its Atlas that uses the Silver and Gold designation.

Oops.  I knew it was one of those, anyway. Thanks for plumbing me up on that.

I'll take a peek at the Katos, as well.  Thanks.

[Budliner]

kato is a nice unit but dont try to get service. last time I read there website I crindged

atlas is good and not too bad to deal with

BUT......

proto 2000 is in the Guinness Book of World Records

 

and you can take that to the bank

 

 

K

[METRO]

I've got a pair of the Athearn RTR GP35s and I really like them, very simple, very easy to maintain and the level of detail is good. 

Currently the majority of my power is split between Proto and Athearn, both work well together and are very good at their jobs.  Lately I've been buying more Atlas and Kato engines though and have to say that their level of mechanical performance is higher but they also come with a higher price tag, except for the Atlas Classic line, which is very good as well.

It would probably be easier to list brands to stay away from rather than the good ones currently, which is a great thing.  Bachman's GP35 isn't worth a look when the one from Athearn is so close in price (but I do like their Spectrum-series steamers.)  Also stay away from the IHC diesels and anything by Model Power for locomotives (their structures and vehicles are nice though.) 

IMHO, the current list from best to worst of the truly good product lines would be as follows, although all of them are good choices and I use them all on my layout:

Kato

Atlas

Athearn Genesis

Proto

Athearn RTR

 

Cheers!

~METRO 

[Gandy Dancer]

I'm currently looking at GP35's, or similar, motive power. ... What manufacturer would you recommend to a rookie for a good running loco with a level of detail comparable to the Genesis line?

Different Genesis locomotives have different level of detail.  Had you specified the "F" units the only competitor with the Highliners is the latest run from Proto-2000.  Equivalent with the SD70s, as the others have said, is about any high end unit on the market: Proto-2000, Atlas Master, Kato, Intermountain, Tower-55.  Adding the sound element takes it to Proto-2000, Atlas Master, and Tower-55.  Unfortunately Tower-55 doesn't make any GP units (or anything for a short line).  If you don't mind backing down a bit from the quality of details requirement the options open up a bit.  I've got an Athearn BB GP35 that has been running nicely for decades....  Nothing says you can't add your own detail.

Would a SD45 look out of place on a modern short line,

I don't know if it would look out of place several had (have) them, but it would certain suck up all the short line's profits into its fuel tank.  That is the main reason a lot of the real railroads prefered the less powerful SD40-2.

[J Campbell]

You guys are a wealth of information and help.  Thanks so much.

...and by all means, keep it coming.