Which brand of locos are the best??

[AggroJones]

Best steam locomotive in terms of quality, regardless of price goes like this....

1. Proto Heritage-- totally sweet, but too expensive. They need to make more prototypes I want.
2. New Rivarossi-- They've got heft. Run smooth and silent.
3. Bachmann Spectrum-- most bang for the buck. Better detailing than some BLI.
4. Athearn Genesis-- run very smooth, pretty quiet. Them USRA were too light though.
5. Broadway Limited Imports--they run noisy foward, and even noiser in reverse. I guess the mechanisms aren't well balanced. Detailing isn't as high as you'd expect from that price tag.
6. Mantua--sure they last forever, but all the ones I see run like wounded ducks.

[2c]

[ac4400fan]

jon i have just required a e8 santa fe ,proto 2000 and i love it ,instaying with mostly atherns and proto 2000 my self

carl")

[Don Gibson]

OPINION'S? I'll give you Opinions!...

The BEST are (surprise) also the most expensive, and trouble free..(All 1st rate)
Intermountain
Stewart
Atlas .
Kato
LL 'Heritage

Genesis - Jury's still out.
Broadway Ltd. - new kid on the block but looking good.

The cheapest "good" ones are:
LL 'Proto 2000'
Athearn RTR
Bachmann's 'Spectrum'

More than 'adequate' are:
Proto 1000
Athearn 'Blue Box

Sadly, 'Newbies' want to know "what is best", but then buy the cheapest. - You?

[AntonioFP45]

Lots of good but varying answers here.

Don, your list IMHO is the most realistic.

[Anonymous]

Atlas and P2K, the P2K sound is equal to BLI's, and you get the P2K detailing with it.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by slashsplat

The Atlas Master Series is VERY good. I am amazed by the level of detail and it runs smooth too. Mine do not have sound... but that is what BLI is for...

[
[?] I like the Atlas locos and they are smooth but what is a BLI...bacon, lettuce and ?

[METRO]

I'd rank them like this:

1st: Tie between BLI (Broadway Limited Imports) and Kato (Kato-powered Stewarts included in this)

2nd: Tie between Life Like Proto Series (P1Ks need some detail sometimes but are cheaper) and Atlas (by the way they work well together in lashups too)

3rd: Stewarts I'll second the thought that their Baldwin switchers are great little engines, I find them a bit overpriced though

4th: All things Athearn (Blue Box need some detail work but that motor is as durable as anything on the market)

5th: Walthers Trainline (great motor for the money, needs detail)

6th: Bachman Spectrum (hit-or-miss quality, I've had both jewels and lemons)

Also, when buying the more expensive locomotives look for deals, I picked up a Stewart VO-660 for $30 once (regularly $110)

And please for the love of all that is good, stay far far away from IHC diesels and Model Power. Yes they are cheap but they are horrible models that need lots of advanced work to make par.

~METRO

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainwreck100

Atlas and P2K, the P2K sound is equal to BLI's, and you get the P2K detailing with it.

Yep! Both are QSI sound systems. I admit, I very much like the detailing that P2K locomotives come with. I hope that LL produces the P2K E7 again!

[Anonymous]

[bow]ATLAS Master Series. Runs Smooth as Glass and has nice detail. Made in Japan vs China[%-)] I don't know if that makes the difference or not, but that's my [2c]

Trevor

[gvdobler]

Thanks for all the great input.

I have to date:

4 PK2 E8/9 A, and 2 PK2 E8/9 B
1 Rivarossi 4-8-4 #844 UP
1 Athern Genesis 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3985 UP (on order)

The modern stuff will probably be Atlas, Kato.

I think the motive power should be the most you can afford, as the train will only follow the engine, it won't push it.

I'm trying not to load up yet on equipment as I'm planning a layout for a new location, about 900-1100 sq ft. My original idea was UP so I could run modern equipment and steam and it was pointed out by gwallace54 that the UP excursion equipment could show up anywhere, so I probably will do something west coasty.

Jon - Las vegas [:D]

[underworld]

Any of the ones that I own!!!!! [:p][:p][:p][:p][:p]
I'd have to say I have preference for Athearn, Bachman Spectrum, Marklin, Trix, Liliput, Roco, Brawa, Rivarossi, and old AHM.

underworld

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