The Blackstone HOn3 K-27, outside frame mike with Tsunami sound is my entry. Hard to beat this little guy for out of box detail, operation and user adjusted sound in a steamer. Monkey motion is eye catching and mesmerizing. It can crawl like a snail and smoothly, too. Never had an engine like it in my 54 years as a model rail. That's why I bought 6 of 'em.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
My favorite of all would be the Stewart / Kato F units. I am currently in the middle of building a pair. My second would be the early 90's run, Walthers H10-44. Very heavy and will pull a bunch.
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
Mine is the Athearn Genesis 4-8-4 UP 844 of course!
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Well, my fave is still the good ol' Athearn Bluebox; easy to detail, paint and maintain...
I'm a hardcore EMD fan but this little unit has tugged at my heart strings and well my ti"N"y project layout and my 4' x 6' are being built a certain time and local for it and it's soon to be brethren.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
My best running engines are my Broadway Limited Big Boys,and I never saw a steam engine I didn't like,but my favorite models are my Santa Fe steam engines. The weathered steamers in this picture are all brass,and all of them are waiting for sound and DCC. I love all of 'em,but my favorite model,and prototype,has to be the later classes of Santa Fe's 4-8-4s,such as the 3778-an early Pacific Fast Mail model.
Mike
I really like my BS 4-4-0. Having it chug along at 25 or 30 MPH as it would have in real life, brings extra relaxation to me while I'm working on the layout. And moving that slow makes my little layout seem that much bigger.
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Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
My Athearn RTR GP35. It's my oldest diesel and has required the most care. I've had to take it apart so many times that I have to love it. Currently it is running well - but for how long?
Joe
Our kitbashed/scratchbuilt--SD90Mac-H Uses a Kato motor.
Rastafarr Even if it's currently on sick leave, I love my Proto 2000 0-8-0. Great little peanut of an engine. Stu
Even if it's currently on sick leave, I love my Proto 2000 0-8-0. Great little peanut of an engine.
Stu
That IS a great little engine, Stu. I really enjoy mine.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
How can I answer that? It's like choosing which of your children you love best.
The RSC-3 with it's clanking Alco motor? The 0-6-0, my first steamer? My lightly-weathered GP-9s, descendents of the models that powered my teenage layout, or even one of the original Geeps from that era, now neutered but still contributing as a sound dummy? Can I not love my subway motors, given the affection I had for subways as a boy? The S1 switcher, crawling through the yard with its Loksound decoder?
Nope, can't do it. I love 'em all.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Burlington Route E5
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Tough call. It'd either be:
1. My 2 modified Athearn Genesis F45s, which are consisted to 2 P2K SD45s. All have digitrax DH163s for motor (sound is MRC), working beacons, and detailing to match prototypes. I've actually ran out of cars to see how much they will pull together.
2. My Genesis GP15-1. Also modified. I've ironed out it's motor control enough that many club members think I have a lenz for motor control.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
My "new" Bachmann NKP Berkshire with a LokSound Select Sound Decoder. There's something about steam engines that just draws me. (Even though they totally don't fit my era.)
Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA
Hard question since I have several..
This would be the one I would keep if I had to sell my other locomotives.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!
I'm not sure if I have a favorite favorite. I like all of my locomotives for various and sundry reasons and I'll run a particular one around the layout depending on what mood I'm in. If it says "New York Central" on the shell then it's my favorite.
If I "had" to pick one though, it would probably be my Walthers SW1 switcher. I've invested the most time into that one; converting it to DCC, installing a decoder and rear headlight, replacing the gears and drive shaft, and re-lubing it. It will now do 0.33 sMPH on speed step 001.
I love watching it "ooze" around my layout pulling a load of coal and sand to the servicing track or empty hoppers to the yard.
That's a hard one,,,But I guess,my RS-3s Santa Fe,three in consist,with the,zstripe, paint scheme...DC,OF COURSE....
Cheers,
Frank
Can someone explain the Stewart/Bowser connection?
The short story is Stewart was an upstart company who made a new F unit line, made them and a few other models for a number of years and then sold out to Bowser who continued to use the Stewart name to identify those products.
Like any product it evolved a little both before and after the Bowser ownership. Great running units, but they are sold with dummy B units and you have to buy a separate power chassis to power the B units leaving you left with the dummy chassis. I don't run any dummy units. No hand rails or such come with the basic original versions, Bowser does of course sell a detail kit.
As F units go, I prefer Intermountian or Athearn Genesis. If you want an undecorated unit to paint and detail, the Highliner body kits fit both Genesis and Intermountain drives and one kit will built ANY phase of F unit you want and is by far the best detailed in view. The Intermountain shells are also right up there with the Highliner kit, but you must select which grill and pilot type you want in advance. Also the Intermountain body kit only builds an F7, the Highliner will build F3's and "F5's".
Favorite loco - that's tough to say, but my Intermoutain and Athearn F units would be near the top of the list.
I too have an ABA set of Athearn Blue Box F units that I did full detail thing to years ago - GSB interiors, American Limited close coupling and diaphragms, all the grab irons, re-motored with can motors - they run good too.
Other locos high on my "favorites" list would be:
My nine Spectrum USRA Heavy Mountains - look good, pull good, run good. Eight of them are ATLANTIC CENTRAL, three different sub classes with different tenders and other details. One is C&O.
My two ABBA lash ups of Proto2000 ALCO FA1/FB1's.
My four Spectrum 2-6-6-2's - two in ATLANTIC CENTRAL, now with Delta trailing trucks and long Vandy tenders, two in C&O, one H-5, one H-4.
My Intermountain EMD FP7's - just a great running and detailed an their F7's, and another reason to choose Intermoutain F units in general.
My five kit bashed/freelanced LIMA Heavy Mikado's (the ATLANTIC CENTRAL calls them MacArthur's) built from Bachmann Berkshires by replacing the trailing trucks with brass kits from PSC, and buy actually swapping around cabs and pilot details from the various versions to get unique versions, as well as some with long vandy tenders - three different sub classes are represented.
Sheldon
NP2626 Right now, I really like my Bachmann 3 truck Climax, It is so slow and fun to watch drive through the yard.
Right now, I really like my Bachmann 3 truck Climax, It is so slow and fun to watch drive through the yard.
My Bachmann Spectrum C&O 2-6-6-2 for the same reason as yours.
Watching that brute pulling a string of loaded coal hoppers at slow speeds with that yellow headlight on is something to behold.
Next up is the Athearn Genesis Santa Fe Warbonnet F7ABBA hauling the Super Chief consist at top speeds.
Rich
Alton Junction
I never run it any more, but loved my club engine a B&P GP38 #2000. Part of that was the fact that the real GP38 used to run past my door when I owned a store.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Gidday, Tough question.
I' think, for sentimental reasons, I'll stick with my "old" Rivarossi "Cab forward" as it was not only my first steamer , but also my first articulated. 3 pole round motor and all, I still get a kick out of watching its motion.
I believe that Bowser acquired Stewart Hobbies back 2004
.Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
While I can answer that question, it ain't all that simple................
The BLI ATSF 4-8-4 Paragon (w/sound) is my favorite. However, all of my other 40 something locos each have their own appeal. Frankly, if they didn't, Ebay would have another auction.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Right now, I really like my Bachmann 3 truck Climax, It is so slow and fun to watch drive through the yard. However, I get the biggest boost in excitement watching my Blue Box Athearn F-7 A-B-A set correctly repainted for the Northern Pacific. These loco are very heavy for their size and almost seem to rumble as they go by. I would love to have more N.P. F units. Painting and super detailing the Athearn Blue Box set I have took a lot of effort. It was worth it; but, I think I'd like to try another manufacturers Fs next, maybe Stewart. Can someone explain the Stewart/Bowser connection?
Anyway, what is your favorite model locomotive.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/