Best Engine

[Budliner]

buchmann + proto 2000 = happy (easy warranty)
kato + rivarossi = sad (crap or no warranty)


POW

B -

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ben13

Rivarossi is the best there has ever been and ever will be. Period.

I owned the earlier Northern, Challenger & Mallet. All problematic

I now own the New Almighty-Most Powerful Beast of the East, and the recent released
FEF-4-C Northern(Two).

I suspect the P2Ks are top notch but I don't own any as yet. Had my eye on the Berkshire but
it sold off the shelf at my LHS.

[Anonymous]

Hi
there has been a lot of comment on brand.
Which I won't comment on having been away from small scale for quite a while
But what I will say is a small to medium sized general purpose locomotive
that can switch run freight or passangers all in the one package
you will get good use out of that type of loco as apposed to the giants of the railway world.
But more important look for reliabilaty followed by reliabilaty you can allways add, remove or change type of details as apropriate at a later date
regards John

[Anonymous]

Hi!
I fix lots of old engines.
Kato is the best. You get what you pay for in engines. I got a huge pile of engines that had been stored for 20 years. The 2 katos ran like new, as soon as I put them on the track. Smooth and steady. They have great detail also.
The Atlas engines were not so good. They didn't store well.
The athearns were ok, but they are easy to get into, clean and maintain. They aren't a bunch of wires and circuit boards. The prices on them are good for what you get.
Motorpurrr

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester

I just saw a Proto 2000 Heritage Kanawha 2-8-4. I have never heard anything so quiet before, It ran very well at dead slow, anyone else buy one of these?

Well, I've got six, does that count? [:D]

The new P2K Berkshires (to us NKP fans) are overall great engines. Some of the detailing is off slightly, and the drivers are ugly as sin, but it's overall a fantastic engine, and the best 2-8-4 model ever produced, brass included. (although the upcoming Division Point brass Berks should win that slot when they come out).

Unfortunately, many modelers are experiencing problems with DCC and these engines. I haven't put a decoder in any of mine yet (too busy building the layout!), but the fix would be pretty straightforward, IF you could get the engine apart! If you run DCC, be prepared for a problem child engine, and no simple solution. There have been a few brave sould on various Yahoogroups who have taken the engine apart and fixed the problem, so I'd suggest hunting those threads down.

[ben13]

Rivarossi is the best there has ever been and ever will be. Period.

[Anonymous]

I haven't actually run any trains since I moved from my previous residence in 2000, my locos are all languishing in boxes until I finish my new layout (track at least). But I remember my Kato SD40s and Stewart F7's being the smoothest runners; very quiet and reliable. The P2K geeps usually ran well, but needed an occassional nudge. As for my Spectrum GP30s, they started "showing their age" after about 6 months and I avoided running them when visitors were present.

BTW, I too have an old bluebox Athearn SD9 that's as reliable as it is loud. I used it for switching service in my steel mill, and will probably continue using it on my new layout.

[Fergmiester]

I just saw a Proto 2000 Heritage Kanawha 2-8-4. I have never heard anything so quiet before, It ran very well at dead slow, anyone else buy one of these?

[lyctus]

I am almost reluctant to post as I don't have a layout in operation yet, but I do have a bunch of Spectrum steam locos and I think they are great. I have test run them and they perform flawlessly. How they will go in revenue service I don't know, but I'm optimistic that they will go as well as they look. I have Athearn F diesels and they suit me fine - bang for the buck formula. My Spectrum diesels go well too.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: [i]I ordered an Atlas Dash 8-32BHW Amtrak locomotive. It arrived, and my jaw dropped. It is incredibly detailed, and although I can't figure out how to get it open to plug in a decoder, i

In my opinion, Atlas is about the most bang for the buck.

Do you mean , Atlas is about the most bang for the most buck?

Remove all the long hood & nose handrails to prevent breaking.
Referring to the exploded diagram, remove the fuel tanks & airfilter at the rear of the tank
Unseat the tabs in the tank area with a small flat head screwdriver .
Squeeze the rear of the shell to unseat the rear tabs and the rest should follow.

[Anonymous]

Until this Monday, the only locomotives I had were Athearns (I'm not counting the cheap Life-Like ones that came in a train set). The Athearn locos ran excedingly well, although they do make a lot of noise. On a side note, no two of my Athearn locos ever made the same noise. Each one makes a distinctive "growl."

The only problems I had with the Athearns is when I tried to convert them to DCC. Now I am lucky to get even one of them running. After weeks of being frustrated, I ordered an Atlas Dash 8-32BHW Amtrak locomotive. It arrived, and my jaw dropped. It is incredibly detailed, and although I can't figure out how to get it open to plug in a decoder, it runs great (I put together a short analog test track).

In my opinion, Atlas is about the most bang for the buck.

[Anonymous]

The fellow name Gordon sumed it best Athern is the best bang for your buck,my other choice is LLP2K I have a few of those which do run smooth enough for me.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

Yes! Very true..The BEST bang for the buck is the Athearn locomotives..They last for years with very little maintenance.And like that rabbit on TV they keep going,going,going.

Maintenance??? Oh..........You mean you're supposed to do something besides RUN them????[:0].........[(-D].......[:D][;)]

[BRAKIE]

Yes! Very true..The BEST bang for the buck is the Athearn locomotives..They last for years with very little maintenance.And like that rabbit on TV they keep going,going,going.

[Roadtrp]

I've got to second Greenriver's statement. I've had very good luck with my N scale Life Like engines. They are quiet, have good low speed operation and pull well. My GP38-2 is pulling 9 cars as easily as it pulled four. I'm quite certain it could pull 15-20 without a problem.

[Anonymous]

Atlas is fine if one likes to run their train at 222 miles per hour (N Scale engines) They are dependable. I've never been able to afford a Kato. Personally I like Life-Like. They will trottle down to a crawl and pull good too. Back in the 1950s-60s I was in HO. Had a Mantua 0-4-0 that ran and ran and ran and ran. Ole Greenriver.

[michealfarley]

I received my new Proto 1000 RS-11's last week, and I think they, along with my Atlas C-424's are the smoothest, quietest, and most detailed from the box. The newer P1K & P2K are coming with nickel-silver wheelsets to counter the conductivity (my first-run GP18's suffer from this also).

I have had several P2K locomotives, both my own and those a MRR Club owns, develop a grind/squeal/screech that will go in and out. When the sound occurrs, it affects the speed of the locomotive. I for the life of me can't find a problem. Anyone else come across this?

P. S. Real locomotives growl, so I also have a large Athearn arsenal

[Anonymous]

I have a fleet of 8 Proto 2000 E's, 1 SD9 and 3 Proto 1000 F's and all look and run great. In the mix I have 2 Atlas SD-35's that look super but do not run as well. . On the less expensive side I do have about 3 or 4 Athearns of which my RI SW1500 is a little workhorse. There are about 5 or six average F units and 1 GP38 that are all decent. On the Ban for the Buck side I have 2 Model Power units thare are cheap and do track cleaning really well.

Bachman??? I have a doodlebug that is very under powered but looks great. It will pull it's add on coach but not well up grade. 2 0-6-0 swithcers that run good and look ok The Spectrum 8-40c leaves a lot to be desired runs so so.

And the runner is a Mantua tank engine that just keeps running despite its age and history.

RMax

[AntonioFP45]

For HO Scale diesels:

High end: The "KAPS" Group - KATO, ATLAS, P2K, STEWART(also referred to as the FOUR TOPS)

Middle of the road, good value: Athearn Blue Box, Athearn Genesis, P1K, Spectrum.

Every single one of my Athearns, old and new emit the "infamous" growl. I will be making time this summer during my vacation to go through every one of them mechanically and quiet them down. They do, however, run very smoothly. My best running Athearn is also my loudest "growler". A Milwaukee Road SD9 that I purchased new in 1978! I've never modified or even lubed her (Yes, shame on me) [:0].
She'll crawl like an Atlas. [;)]

I have been impressed with the Broadway Limited locomotives but have read reports that some of the steamers and even the GG1s have had mechanical related problems. It's good to know though that Broadway is making the effort to correct them. [;)][:)]

10-4![;)][:D][8D][:)][:p][swg][tup]

[Anonymous]

I own 3 kato BNSF SD70MAC's and I think that thay look and run very niceiy.oh I can't wait till I get my BNSF GE AC44CW's.mrlove.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bill mathewson

Not much was mentioned about Bachmann Spectrum steam - I'm about to purchase both their 2-10-0 and 2-8-0 . Also, I am contemplating getting Athearn Genesis 2-8-2 and 4-6-2. Any opinions? Has anyone even seen Spectrum's new 2-6-6-2?

After six years in this hobby I finally bot a Spectrum. I had to try it out for myself since there were so many-many negative comments about Botchman. I settled for the new HW Mountain 2-8-2 and
have no regrets. Would I buy it again?, Yes.

See MR Aug 01 for the Athearn Genesis light pacific, 4-6-2, weighs in at 12.75 OZ
See MR Dec 99 for the Athearn Genesis light mikad, 2-8-2, weighs in at 13.00 OZ
I can mail you a copy of each if you wish.

Both are very affordable but because of their light weight suffer from a traction imbalance
problem.

If weight can be added it should be balanced over the middle of the driving wheelbase
to get maximum adhesion.

[DonaldAgne]

Can't add very much here, because I've only got N gauge and only Kato, Tomix, and Micro-Ace. Of those brands' steam, generally Kato is best. I can't imagine any diesel running better than my Kato Dash-9! I love it[:D]

[Anonymous]

Not much was mentioned about Bachmann Spectrum steam - I'm about to purchase both their 2-10-0 and 2-8-0 . Also, I am contemplating getting Athearn Genesis 2-8-2 and 4-6-2. Any opinions? Has anyone even seen Spectrum's new 2-6-6-2?

[Roadtrp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CP5415

There's different opinions on what are the "best" locomotives.
I myself have a lot of Athearn "Blue Box" locomotives. While they are not quiet nor as detailed as Kato, Atlas, Proto or even Athearn RTR, I still find they are the best bang for the buck.

Gordon

I agree with the bang for the buck concept 100%. Sure, to have the 'best' would be really great. I would love to drive a Mercedes or BMW. I would love to drink fine wines costing $100+ per bottle. I would love to wear nothing but $1,000+ hand tailored Italian suits. I would love to run nothing but Kato on my layout.

But I can't do any of that stuff, and that's OK. There are decent options available in all price ranges of MR equipment, just like anything else.

Are some of those options equal to the 'best'? Probably not, but do you buy the 'best' in all other areas of your life? If not, why do you feel compelled to have the 'best' in MR equipment?

I am convinced that this DOES NOT have to be a rich man's hobby. There is stuff available in all price ranges that will help you experience the "World's Greatest Hobby". Buy the best you can for your budget and have fun!! [:)][:)]

[AggroJones]

BLI and LL Proto make the best steam.

BLI all run pretty good, especially the last few releases. Detail is like lower-level brass. The sound is a nice feature, but after a while it bugs you. Prices range $190-$500.

LL's Heritage are just as smooth cruising as BLI, but dead silent. No gear noise. Detailing is the best of any plastic steam. $200-$375.

The prices may be too steep for some.

[CP5415]

Having read all about Kato, Atlas & Proto on this forum, in the magazines & else where online, I make no arguements on the quality of these manufacturers. They are extremely nice running & looking locomotives as well as their rolling stock for that matter.
I myself have 2 Proto 1000 RDC's. I have 2 Proto 2000 PA's on order that are due in August. The PA's I expect to pay around $140 CAN ea. Walthers suggested list is $100 US. These will be the most expensive power on my layout when I get them.
My Athearn RTR VIA P42 is just as nicely detailed & runs as quiet as my friends Kato AC4400 he just got 2 weeks ago. I paid $110 for the Athearn, I believe he paid $150 each for the Kato's.
As soon as I get my Athearn RTR AC4400, my RR buddy & I are going to compare the Kato & the Athearn side by side. I want to compare the detail & how they run.

The best locomotive is what YOU think is the best locomotive. What YOU can afford. How YOU want to model.

Take everyone's opinion & use those opinions to determine yours Mike.

I doubt you will go wrong.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

[Anonymous]

For steam HO I'd say BLI or Rivarossi. (P2K looks excellent, too)

For diesel HO, Kato or Atlas.

[Anonymous]

The Walthers HO catalog lists over 15 loco manufacturers and like cjm said
we do have lemons. In a nut shell it's what is under the shell that counts.

Post your intentions before you buy. I think we all can save you some $bucks
and grief.

[Anonymous]

Except for the "Athearn Growl", Genesis engines are good if you can afford them. Don't buy Bachmann or IHC diesels, they're poor quality from what I gather on other threads, and also be careful on those two companie's steamers, as well. This is truly a "you get what you pay for" hobby. Life Like Proto series engines are also good runners, the Proto 1000 line is now getting plastic, separate grab irons. I've also heard Stewart engines are very smooth runners. Other threads heve warned getting a locomotive that is under $80 is wasting your money, although I suspect that depends on the company. I have no experience with Atlas or Kato diesels, or anything in N scale. If you see an engine you want at a train show or LHS, ask if you can see the model run before you buy, even high quality manufacturers sometimes let a real lemon slip by factory inspection.
Glad to help another beginner, Mike.