Engines and rolling stock

[Anonymous]

Can anyone out there give me a little advice as to which companies offer the better quality products? I know of atlas, wlathers, but what about life like and proto-2000? what companies should i stay away from especially when considering engines? Also are there any other aspects or factors i should take into consideration when purchasing engines and rolling stock other than their appearance?
Thanks
Dan

[Anonymous]

Hi Dan, The list that I am goung to give you is ABOUT the most popular oppinion for a majority of modelers on the locomotives starting at the top of the line and most expencive and working down
Atlas and Kato
Proto -made by Life-Like
Genisis/Athern/Walthers - made by Athern
Spectrum Steam Made by Bachmann
The others.......
Spectrums steam engines are very good and I've heard good about Genisis steam also.
Diesels are a bit more maintnance friendly. Athern is a good middle of the road diesel. Realiable and long lasting for an average of $35-$40. Kato and Atlas are about $75 on average, but the quility shows in appearance and performace and smooth slow speeds with no jerking. I feel it's worth spending the extra for the quality engine but I would not headitate to buy the Atherns if the pppppocket book calls for it. For roading stock, "I" feel Atherns kits are the best for "MY" money. About $6-$7 for the average kit and easy to assembly. Maybe 15 minutes to put together if you stop to us the JOHN once. Yes, the more expencive cars are a bit nicer and don't need assembly........well you try it and find out for yourself. Kaydee couplers are the way to go. #5's are the standard couplers for most cars, but thaey do have a full line of other couplers for those odd cars that come about once in a blue moon. The size of your locos and rolling stock will depend on the size of your layout. If you have a 4 x 8 layout with sharp curves, a large/long loco or long cars might give you problem. Wouldn't go more than a 50ft car with maybe a GP-38 (2 axles per truck on loco) An engine with 3 axles per truck may also give you problems on sharper curves. This is why I say it depends on the size of the layout.Hope I helped enlighten you a bit. If you have any other questions, don't be afrais to ask and HAPPY TOOTING (the horn)........Jamie

[Anonymous]

Talking HO?,Diesel?, Steam?
Jamie's reply is a good recap of the qualities.
There's 15+ loco model manufacturers listed in the Walthers reference book and in a nut shell, it's what's under that shell that counts.

HO radius curves are also a factor. Some larger 3 axle loco trucks(6 axle diesel) require 22" radius
and some 11" long passenger cars require up to 24"

HO Steam engines require a little more homework since range is from $70.00 to $400.00 + and the
weight of the steam engine 12.75oz. on up makes a big difference in how good it performs.

Warranties vary from Kato(60 days) to Lifelike (life) Check them out.

If you deceide to do business thru a mail order, trainworld, standard etc know the shipping expenses, return policy and restocking fees.

We can share our success stories and failures with you before you buy, so come back with more questions.

[BRAKIE]

While James and Charles give you excellant advice,I will add a little more to it.I will tell you what I found works well for me.You judge for yourself if this is the way you want to go.For locomomotives I perfer Atlas,Athearn and P2K.I do have 3 Walters GP15s.These are the only brands of engines I buy as I found that they will still up to harsh 2 times a week club operations that last 4-6 hours.There are other good brands,such as Kato and Stewart.I will state that My Athearns average age is 10 years with alot of hard running( I have 1 GP9 that I got back in 75 it still runs like new).They have stood the test with normal maintenance.
For my cars,I use the followinbrands.Atlas,Athearn,Model Die Casting (MDC),Accu-Rail,and some Walthers. I hope this helps you in some way.

[Anonymous]

For motive power, I like Atlas and Kato and some Proto 2000. For rolling stock Accurail in HO and Atlas and Micro trains in N scale is the way to go.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone...I am actually working with a very small layout 4x6 because space is my greatest problem. Therefore my mainline will be all 18" with some 15" on the passing rails. My local hobby shop is running what seems to be a good deal on Proto 2000 engines. He is selling a large selection of these engines for $55. The original prices vary from $75-180. Does this seems like a good deal. Also where can I get my hands on one of those books that lists the value of engines so I can spot good deals?

thanks again
Dan

[Anonymous]

If He is selling them for $55, I think that's a pretty good deal for the proto 2000. ISince your layout is so small (mine too) I would recomend smaller engines. SW-8 though SW-1500, GP-7 0r GP-9, or a GP-30 for Deisels. Maybe a Spectrum 2-8-0 or an IHC 2-8-0 or 2-6-0 for steam. 40 foot cars would probably work out best, 50 footers OK too. And the most imporatant thing to remember is simply to have fun........Jamie