best engines in N scale

[Anonymous]

Back into N scale after about 15 years and need some advice on the best bang for the buck on modern diesels and any era steams locos , road names not important..reliable running across switches in a large yard and running quality are main considerations..thanks for any advice you can give me.

[Anonymous]

Back into N scale after about 15 years and need some advice on the best bang for the buck on modern diesels and any era steams locos , road names not important..reliable running across switches in a large yard and running quality are main considerations..thanks for any advice you can give me.

[loucad]

I have had good luck with the more recent Altals models: RS series, FM series as well as GPs and switchers. They perform well and can be purchased for reasonable prices through the adds in magazines or from dealers at some of the bigger train shows. Next to good track work, a good engine is important to a layout.

[loucad]

I have had good luck with the more recent Altals models: RS series, FM series as well as GPs and switchers. They perform well and can be purchased for reasonable prices through the adds in magazines or from dealers at some of the bigger train shows. Next to good track work, a good engine is important to a layout.

[Anonymous]

Quick and easy answer, any modern diesel in Atlas or Kato.

Anything after and including Life Like's SW9/12 - I'm not talking era here, but when the actual model was built. Pre- SW9/12's, most of LL was garbage (there are a couple of models we could debate - but you're talking quality here).

Steam
Bachmann's Consolidation that came out about year and a half ago, maybe a little more. Make sure you run it, as there are some bad runner's in the lot, but the goods one are ... well... good. This is considered the most detail, great looking plastic steam loco in N.

Kato's Mikado's.

This next one is debatable - I'd make sure I owned the first two before I bought this, but Model Power's Pacific (again test run to make sure it runs well) from their SECOND batch. The big negative on this loco is this puppy is loud.

There are other good runner's out there, but if you follow the above - you won't have problems.

And don't forget the used market. I just helped a guy at my LHS buy his first quality engine (it was used) from Atlas. It was a "sweet" runner and he fell in love with during the "first" test run. His other stuff was junk from "early" Bachmann's (this stuff isn't worthy of capitalizing the companies name).

There was an early Life Like in the cabinet (used) and we ran that versus three different Atlas's and a Kato. Needless to say, the early Life Like ran like crap, the Kato was wonderful and the Atlas's ran, good and good, and great ("sweet"). He didn't have the bucks for the Kato so he went with the sweet running Atlas. Saved himself some money, since it was used, but it ran great and will last a lifetime probably.

[Anonymous]

Quick and easy answer, any modern diesel in Atlas or Kato.

Anything after and including Life Like's SW9/12 - I'm not talking era here, but when the actual model was built. Pre- SW9/12's, most of LL was garbage (there are a couple of models we could debate - but you're talking quality here).

Steam
Bachmann's Consolidation that came out about year and a half ago, maybe a little more. Make sure you run it, as there are some bad runner's in the lot, but the goods one are ... well... good. This is considered the most detail, great looking plastic steam loco in N.

Kato's Mikado's.

This next one is debatable - I'd make sure I owned the first two before I bought this, but Model Power's Pacific (again test run to make sure it runs well) from their SECOND batch. The big negative on this loco is this puppy is loud.

There are other good runner's out there, but if you follow the above - you won't have problems.

And don't forget the used market. I just helped a guy at my LHS buy his first quality engine (it was used) from Atlas. It was a "sweet" runner and he fell in love with during the "first" test run. His other stuff was junk from "early" Bachmann's (this stuff isn't worthy of capitalizing the companies name).

There was an early Life Like in the cabinet (used) and we ran that versus three different Atlas's and a Kato. Needless to say, the early Life Like ran like crap, the Kato was wonderful and the Atlas's ran, good and good, and great ("sweet"). He didn't have the bucks for the Kato so he went with the sweet running Atlas. Saved himself some money, since it was used, but it ran great and will last a lifetime probably.

[Anonymous]

Atlas and Kato without a doubt!

[Anonymous]

Atlas and Kato without a doubt!

[Anonymous]

ALL KATO MODELS RUN SUPERBLY, WITH ATLAS IN SECOND PLACE

[Anonymous]

ALL KATO MODELS RUN SUPERBLY, WITH ATLAS IN SECOND PLACE

[Anonymous]

If you are on a budget I have found the Life-Like F7A (I powered my dummy B units with motors from A's) run really well at a crawl. This is amazing because they don't have flywheels. Bachman Spectrum engines with 6 wheel trucks, have flywheels, are geared for a more realistic top speed, run really well at a crawl, but are noisy. Maybe it's those high ratio gears. I watched a Kato Mikada new out of the box spinning it's wheels pulling 4 auto racks. My point is this, try anything before you buy. Some of those expensive engines may be a ripoff.

[Anonymous]

If you are on a budget I have found the Life-Like F7A (I powered my dummy B units with motors from A's) run really well at a crawl. This is amazing because they don't have flywheels. Bachman Spectrum engines with 6 wheel trucks, have flywheels, are geared for a more realistic top speed, run really well at a crawl, but are noisy. Maybe it's those high ratio gears. I watched a Kato Mikada new out of the box spinning it's wheels pulling 4 auto racks. My point is this, try anything before you buy. Some of those expensive engines may be a ripoff.

[MAbruce]

You really can't go wrong with anything that Atlas or Kato has put out over the past 15 years. Be prepared to pay more for Kato, as you will tend to find better deals with Atlas.

LifeLike makes a nice loco too, but they are not DCC ready. But if you run block DC and want to find a loco at a good price, LL can't be beat. Just stay away from their older models. I have an SD7 and a couple GP20's. They are every bit as good runners (the GP20 in particular) as my Atlas SD35's.

I don't own a Kato, and probably won't as I just can't justify the price (Not MSRP, but the best price you can find them for). Maybe someday I'll find one at a decent price on ebay??

[MAbruce]

You really can't go wrong with anything that Atlas or Kato has put out over the past 15 years. Be prepared to pay more for Kato, as you will tend to find better deals with Atlas.

LifeLike makes a nice loco too, but they are not DCC ready. But if you run block DC and want to find a loco at a good price, LL can't be beat. Just stay away from their older models. I have an SD7 and a couple GP20's. They are every bit as good runners (the GP20 in particular) as my Atlas SD35's.

I don't own a Kato, and probably won't as I just can't justify the price (Not MSRP, but the best price you can find them for). Maybe someday I'll find one at a decent price on ebay??

[Wdlgln005]

Atlas compare products released 2003 with other brands!
Trainmaster, VO1000, H15-44, C-628
Kato modern P42 ,SD70, no F3 since 1995? falling behind in selection
Lifelike GP-20 & newer!

[Wdlgln005]

Atlas compare products released 2003 with other brands!
Trainmaster, VO1000, H15-44, C-628
Kato modern P42 ,SD70, no F3 since 1995? falling behind in selection
Lifelike GP-20 & newer!

[Anonymous]

As far as far as big steam goes, the LL 2-8-8-2 is possibly the best N scale steamer to be had--especially once LL gets their traction tires on the market. It's smooth, quiet, great looking and if you run DCC the install is very easy.

The Alco C628 has been announced by Atlas as a December release, it hasn't hit the streets yet--hopefully it will make an appearance on time.

[Anonymous]

As far as far as big steam goes, the LL 2-8-8-2 is possibly the best N scale steamer to be had--especially once LL gets their traction tires on the market. It's smooth, quiet, great looking and if you run DCC the install is very easy.

The Alco C628 has been announced by Atlas as a December release, it hasn't hit the streets yet--hopefully it will make an appearance on time.