What kind of engines do you buy & why?

[Anonymous]

I usually get Atherns. I really like their handrails & I can detail how I want. You can modify Atherns so they run just as good as Kato's & they are alot cheaper then Kato's or Bachmanns. What do you think?

[lupo]

i like Genesis, and was impressed by the looks of the intermountain FA set I got,
for steamers (the big stuff) RIVAROSSI[2c]

[Anonymous]

Well, right now I've got some Spectrum steamers and they're great. In the future I plan to get Rivarossi, P2K, P1K, Kato, and others.

[AntonioFP45]

In H.O:
Atlas and Stewart: Top of the line!

In most cases my 1st priority is if it's a specific locomotive that I want. Then I see who the manufacturer is. As long as it's one of the "4 Tops" (Kato, Atlas, Proto, Stewart - or KAPS ) I'll buy it without a second thought. However, if it's an Athearn or Spectrum, then I have the unit checked out "thoroughly" at the hobby shop.

No offense to Athearn fans, but with my last "brand new" Athearn purchase (yes, an FP45) the unit has a sharp "clicking" in the front truck that causes "jerking" at low speed. I now have to disassemble it. Hopefully it's a "quick fix".

[Anonymous]

My locos are all steam. Mostly I buy Roco, I just think the Austrian have the best models on the market.

[Anonymous]

If i have the money Kato othewise i buy P2K

[Anonymous]

When I buy, I plan to buy Broadway Limted Imports' Santa Fe 4-8-4 and Athearn's Genesis F7A-B units. Both because of the accuracy to prototype and detail.

[jeep35]

Atlas, Stewart, Kato, or Proto 2000. Those models really work well.

[orsonroy]

It all depends on what I'm looking for. I'm trying to model a specific time and place, and so only (generally) buy engines that ran in and around Peoria, Illinois, circa 1949-1950. Steam, of course, rules the rails, so I've got a lot of that, but I do own a few diesels too. No matter what my purchasing choices are, they all depend on the quality and accuracy of the model, and the best bang for my buck (if I'm only going to use an engine once in awhile, like my F-3 sets, I'll buy Proto 1000, which are nice, over Genesis or Highliner, which are even nicer but 4x the price)

I've bought steam and/or diesels from the following manufacturers (in no particular order):

Athearn Blue Box
Athearn Genesis
Bachmann Spectrum
Like Like Proto 2000
Life Like Proto 1000
Broadway Limited Imports
MDC Roundhouse
Bowser
Mantua
MRC/Roco
Rivarossi
Atlas
DJH
Penn Line
Varney
Overland
Oriental
United
Division Point
Nickel Plate Products

[csxns]

Kato because they have more of todays railroading locomotives and they run great.

[Anonymous]

At this time I am focusing on locomotives that are specific to the Northern Pacific, or capible of being kit-bashed into N.P. locos. I have Athearn, Bachmann, Life Like Proto 2000, IHC, PFM, Rivarossi and MDC Roundhouse.

[Hawks05]

I have 2 Proto 2000 and 2 Atlas. the Atlas i buy because the guy who i buy from adds a lot of detail. the P2K i bought because they were on ebay and they were what i was looking for.

[nfmisso]

I am have a similar list to Ray's. My current inventory includes models from:

Alco
Atlas
Athearn Genesis
Bachmann Spectrum
Bowser
Broadway Limited Imports
Front Range
Like Like Proto 2000
LMB
Mantua
Model Power
Oriental
Rivarossi
Stewart

In addtion, in the past I have had:
GSB
Kato
Lima
MDC-Roundhouse
Overland
Sunset
Tyco
Westside Models

[Martin4]

Such a poll means nothing if we can make only one choice. Nobody I know buys only one brand.
I have locos from Atlas, Kato, Genesis, Proto 2000, Proto 1000, Athearn, Stewart, Spectrum, Front Range ; I'm happy with each of them and would buy each of them again.

Martin
Québec City

[Morpar]

My list is rather varied also, but some of the stuff is just a little (or a lot) modified! It includes:

Athearn
Atlas
Bachmann
Broadway Limited
Mantua
Tyco
Rivarossi
AHM
IHC
Bowser
Athearn Genesis
MDC/ Roundhouse
Marx

There are also a few others that I have no clue what they are! The vast majority of my collection is the Athearn Blue Box, originally from the Undecorated Railroad (my favorite line to buy!), but I have a fair amount of the others too.

[Anonymous]

I have 3 Proto 1000 locos - would have more but for cost and difficulty in finding the units I want! The bulk of my fleet is Athearn - have just finished an SD40T-2 which turns out to have the newer drive system - seems a bit quieter, need to get some Kadee #37s to finish it now before I can run it. Hoping to pick up a set tomorrow when I go shopping... Also planning to buy some "Blue box" car kits as I've not built any recently!

I also have one Walthers F40PH - this seems the equal of Proto 1000 locos in running qualities - quiet, smooth, powerful. Need another one (or maybe two?) to complete my Amtrak Superliner train.

[IRONROOSTER]

Diesels are from Showcase Line - bought them because I wanted an SW1 and SW9, they're also coming out out with NW2's which I'll also buy.
GG1 is from American Models - only ones who make it, runs well.
2-6-0 is a Rex kit. - only non brass steam kit on the market when I bought it.
2-8-0 is a BTS kit, Ma&Pa 43, my favorite RR.
Enjoy
Paul

[AggroJones]

It doesn't matter who manufactured it. As long as it meets my criteria (prototype, weight, detailing, electrical pick-up, accuracy) and is affordable, then I'll attempt to own it.

[mikebonellisr]

Brass steamers [when & if I can afford them]... because of the beautiful detail
Bachmann,LL heritage, BLI... because of the workmanship,fine running a pretty good deal for the $.

[Anonymous]

I cast my vote in memory of Athearn. Most of my engines are Athearns.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CNWfan5525

If i have the money Kato othewise i buy P2K

fogot to say i alos have lot's of athreans.[:I][8)]

[Anonymous]

PROTO 2000 has offered lots of diesels that I wanted and I happily stepped up to buy. Of course, reputations for quality and reliability are most important. I've got Spectrum models which I really enjoy and some Rivarossi.

[fiatfan]

Martin has a valid point about limited selection and the fact that we have multiple brands on our layouts. However, it has generated some interesting discussions. Since returning to the hobby last summer, I have tried Athearn, P1K, P2K, and Bachman Spectrum. The Athearns are decent for the price, the P1K and P2K are very good, with nice detail and quiet mechanisms. The Bachman left me less than impressed. Maybe it needs to be broken in. I'm still laying track so it hasn't had much running time. I do plan to try the Kato that many people seem impressed with.. When I dug out my old stuff (never could bear to part with it) the only engine that ran was an Atlas so I will try another one.

[Anonymous]

In HO scale it is usually ATHEARN .....Kato if i can afford it

for N Scale which i am currently doing due to space constraints it is ATLAS/KATO all the way because simply put in this scale most all other loco builders SUCK!!

regards

Larry

[Catt]

I buy the brand that makes the loco I'm looking for.

Most of mine are ATLAS ,followed closely by KATO ,then LifeLike ,or Bachmann.

I have no brand loyalty because no one company makes all the locos I want or need.

[tomwatkins]

Spectrum Lt Mountains and Consolidations
Genesis Lt Mikados
BLI Heavy Mikados
IHC Heavy Mountain
P2K 0-8-0 switcher
Stewart F-3's and F-7's
P2k GP-7's and FA-2's
Genesis F-3's

Now if BLI will just do an accurate Southern Ps-4 I could be done with
acquiring my locomotive roster.
It never hurts to hope
Tom Watkins

[Fergmiester]

Newer Rivarossi's: Excellent detailing and lots of pull
Spectrum: Excellent Detailing (I have K4 Pacific it has no pull and derails easily)
IHC: Good, dependable, but lacks detailing
Athearn Genisis: Excellent Detailing and good running
Brass: Two steamers Excellent detail and Very Good Running

I started off with anything I could afford on short notice, which was mostly IHC. As I run steam engines detail does go a far way and it is very easy to tell low end from high end. The big difference I see with Steam engines is the way the rods move. You can see a big differnce between low and high end. Expensive engines are precise.

[CP5415]

I buy what fits my layout. Most of my locomotives are Athearn.
I have bought Proto 1000 & Walthers & do have both Proto D&H PA's on order, but I prefer to stick with Athearn. Still the best buy for the buck.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I've got a few Athearns and the are ok but no where near the Proto's. Even the Proto 1000's beat them. I do have an Athearn switcher that is really good. I have 2 Bachman steam engines.. A Spectrum Doodlebug and a Dash8 that are ok but pull poorly. My favorite the Proto 2000 E Units.

RMax

[PistolPete]

Currently all Athearns but am now looking to get a P2K or Atlas for yard work.