The best of the best of the best in HO

[Anonymous]

I bought a Bachman train set for my son a few years back and we enjoyed it while the set lasted. Now we are moving into a bigger house which will have a "train room" (woot!) and want to do bigger and better things. But this time I want to go with higher quality trains.

Which HO train manufacturers do you guys think are the top three?

Thanks for your input....can't wait to build my (cough) our layout!

[Virginian]

Are you talking steam or diesel? Do you have a prototype road and era in mind?
For steam, I'd rate Life like P2K Heritage, Bachmann Spectrum, BLI, and Athearn (out of production, but available) at the top. There are some models better than others within the same manufacturer's line. Rivarossi and IHC look okay and work pretty well. Some brass is great stuff, some ain't.
I'm not a diesel guy, but if anyone out there makes anything, on a consistent basis, better than Atlas, I haven't seen it. Kato, Athearn Genesis, P2K, are also pretty good, and I have seen some beautiful stuff from Overland, but quite pricey.

[nfmisso]

Overland, Division Point, Sunset

You are barking up the wrong tree, just like a similar question concerning automobiles might be answered: Rolls Royce, Maybach and Bentley; or Lamborghini, Ferrari and Porsche.

Buy models of the prototype you are interested in.

For track, Peco works the best and is most reliable, though Micro Engineering, and some others look better.

For switch motors: Tortise.

Freights cars: Kadee, Red Caboose and InterMountain; but that they do not offer models for everything. I also have Athearn, Atlas, Accurail, Bachmann, Fliecshmann, BLI, and others.

What are you goals for your model railroad, decide that first, then select the models to fit.

For example, my focus is the Norfolk & Western Railway of 1950 to 1955.

[Eriediamond]

OK, this like asking which is better, Ford or Chevy. Depends on who owns what. Also depends on what you want too. General rules are you get what you pay for. I personally like Athearn, Rivarossi, Bachmann, Atlas. Now with that said, I don't neccsarily buy buy brand. If I want or see an item and Bubba's Hobo shop makes it, I'll buy it. Also sometimes I'll purchase a lower quality piece and up grade it to my standards. I've not had any real problems with the Bachmann Spectrum or Athearn Genesis series. Also because I'm on a limited (real limited) budget, I've not had experience with some of the higher end models.

[boomer5344]

Overall by maker: The best of the best of the best in HO is unquestionably Fleischmann HO from Germany. Absolutely magnificent machines. Detail is beyond brass. Cons-Very expensive.No American prototypes. I would rank Marklin/Trix HO tied with HAG of Switzerland second followed closely by KATO whose products I consider a fantastic
bargain. I'm also pretty impressed by the offerings of BLI.

[Anonymous]

First [#welcome] to the forum.

As it's been mentioned above, you should decide on an era to model. Then plan it and visit you local hobby store (LBS).

Lastly enjoy the journey and have fun with your son building your empire.

[Anonymous]

OK OK OK...my eagerness got the best of me. I'm thinking about current diesels (ex:EMDs). And really, it's just the engines only that I'm concerned about. All accessories, track, etc, I'll probably pick up most anywhere. I just want good quality engines. Of course the cars are important too. Thanks for any help!

[Anonymous]

And I might add that I want to prototype Norfolk and Southern and CSX.

[Anonymous]

Overland, Kato and Atlas.

Mac

[Anonymous]

Broadway Limited, Rivarossi, Overland (Lionel if they had more models.

[jsoderq]

I don't think people are being particularly helpful here. Broadway engines are sound equipped, run best on DCC and priced accordingly- definitely not for just starting out. Overland only makes brass and well the price is just *****. Rivarossi is out of business althought there is still some stuff around . Lionel once again is out of the ho business.Quality is all over the place as people who have been around for years will tell you. Kato and Atlas are both very good, priced ok (better on the Atlas). For value, Athearns are very good, run for years and years. Detail varies depending on when they were made, but they will run forever and are easily repaired, unlike some others. Lifelike Protos are also good but more limited selection.
For rolling stock, the more high priced models are great looking but not nearly as durable on the layout and may cost several times as much as the regular models.

[JohnWPowell]

I totally agree with jsoderq

[BRAKIE]

IMHO for NS and CSX.
Atlas
Athearn
Kato
Life Like(P2K)
These are IMHO the top brands unless you want the high dollar Brass locomotives...but,I refuse to pay high prices of brass when I can get all the locomotives I need from the above companies for less then $100.00 at discount prices..

[Anonymous]

I also agree with jsoderg.

I personally am very loyal to Broadway Limited as I witnessed the ability of these steam models in pulling 15+ cars up 3% grades on a friend's layout without much fuss" I do try to keep them "serviced" as lack of care will damage these fine models.

Desiels I also have but mainly athearn and bachmann spectrum. I do have a Proto 2000 FA A-B-B-A set that is all powered however they are expensive and I managed to get them for a good price.

Athearn engines are "easy-fix!" and run forever. I wanted to write a essay about how a child may want bigger and better things than a train set but upon reflecton decided that anyone who has tasted Model Railroads know this anyway.

Walthers created the "Trainline" series and Model Power at one time had what was called the "Metal train" series alot of the rolling stock such as Atlas, Athearn and Intermountain can get expensive. Some of the really top dollar RTR rolling stock have details that will break and get damaged if handled wrong.

Here is also a golden oppertunity to decide how you want to equip your rolling stock.. Metal Wheels? Kaydee Couplers? possibly specific sets of freight and passenger cars that brings you and your family satisfaction?

Engines have improved greatly over the last 10 years or so. DCC and Sound are the two things that really is causing a "Revolution" within the hobby. I suspect that there is a great demand for all things to create sound as they go down the track however...

For example cattle cars. Broadway Limited has equipped them with sound of livestock which is said to change from contented mooing at rest to frantic mooing if shaken too hard when coupling. I cannot bring myself to pay 100- per car for say.. 10 units to have for the layout. They are nice but not that nice.

Sometimes too much sound can drown out converstation in the train room with all the activity going on.

I am sorry if I focused on rolling stock and such while you are primarly interested in Motive power... they are nice but you can consider what to pull with them too.

Best of luck and good luck with your search of that perfect train for your layout.

Lee

[cspmo]

Steam Proto 2000
Broadway limited

Diesel Atlas
Proto 2000
Genesis
Athearn RTR?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ymichael

OK OK OK...my eagerness got the best of me. I'm thinking about current diesels (ex:EMDs). And really, it's just the engines only that I'm concerned about. All accessories, track, etc, I'll probably pick up most anywhere. I just want good quality engines. Of course the cars are important too. Thanks for any help!

You could spend thousands on brass,or by the best of the best but if you buy junk track and accessories it won't matter. Atlas,kato,Atheren Gen,
P2k,and if Bli "s new entry sd40-2 performs as well as it's steamers i think it will get it's fair share of the market.Kadee cars, intermountain ,atheren Gen ,Red caboose and P2K all make very good rolling stock.If you plan on hauling coal on your modern RR, E&C and i believe LJF make a very good line of Johnstown coal porters.But you will be the judge of what is the best of the best depending on your personel taste ,and what runs the best on your layout.

[mikebonellisr]

Railguyho has it right.It's not going to matter if you have the best of the best motive power if you don't have a good power system and quality track and turnouts as a foundation.
Your son and you will very quickly get frustrated if and when your motive power keeps stalling or derailing.IT's like building a house-You have to start with a good foundation.Good luck on your new adventure,keep us posted on your progress and experiences.

[Cox 47]

I don"t think You'll find much out there thats not good, A few years ago some lines were pretty bad but those guys are turning out some great stuff . Buy what you like run the heck out of it and most important HAVE FUN!!!

[raynbecky]

I have over 200 engines including Overland and other brass makers as well as Kato/Atlas/Athearn/Proto, etc... I also have a few steamers too, thanks honey! :>

For diesels my favorites are a tie, Atlas and Kato. The one Kato I would put in the exception category is the SD40-2 and the SD40-2 snoot. The model has serious electrical problems but everything else they sell runs like a fine Swiss watch. I have about 27 Kato units and love them. The detail isn't as fine as other manufacturers but I'll take it for the quality motors and gears. Atlas has terrific detail and also great motors and gears. I have had some problems with the 40-50 or so I own. Most have been easy fixes, just run them. ;> On one I had to put a washer between the worm gears so the unit wouldn't buffet down-hill. Most of the newer stuff is DCC ready on the Kato side and the newer Atlas all has DCC ready/DCC and some sound equipped units too!

My next favorite is Athearn. For overall reliability you can't beat these things! I have Athearns that are 30+ years old and actually run better than they did when I bought them. If you have kids these are probably the best value. They'll take a licking and keep ticking. The detail is pretty bare but they can be detailed easily or left alone for the kiddos too. (Non-Genesis units) Their Genesis line of loco's compare to Atlas and Kato. Their new release SD40-2 (old shell/new motor and drive shaft) runs as well as any Kato or Atlas unit and can be had for under $50.00! Some of their stuff is DCC ready. All of the Genesis stuff is DCC ready. Some of it, the Challenger for example, has a DCC unit and sound. (I have 2 of these babies!) :>

Proto 2000 - Great detail and Athearn quality motors and gears. I like these guys too and have about 40-50 of these too. They are overall pretty good units. Almost all of them, (early runs excluded) are DCC ready. Their most recent releases have sound and dcc. Their newest run of GP9 ph I units are outstanding! The sound and running qualities are fantastic. Some of the earlier runs had gear cracking problems. I had to fix about 10 units. I bought a lot of the early stuff at close-out prices though, under $30.00 each so I can't complain.

Bachmann and others - Some of this stuff is nice but I would take it on a case-by-case basis. For example: The Walthers Trainline GP15-1 has a terrific motor and is an outstanding runner, but the detail isn't that fine. A lot of this stuff isn't dcc ready and doesn't have sound. Most of it you would have to re-wire for dcc.

Brass - Overland is the king of brass diesels, especially anything made after 1996. They are expensive, but you can get some stuff in the $250-400 range. If you are looking for some more of the more rare model types they are the way to go. I have several units and actually run them and they are outstanding models. Unfortunately most of it is not DCC or sound ready. You get to do wiring to make it work with DCC. I have DCC and enjoy sound so I have to do wiring on these units. If you need a rare prototype though this is your only choice.

Some of the late Alco products stuff works great too, but a lot of the early brass is junk. It's best to make them dummies or re-power them.

I hope you find this information useful and remember, this is my personal opinion.

[Anonymous]

I like Athearn locomotives.The newer units with the hexed flywheels run excellent and mostly quiet.You cant beat Atlas for detail.Kato has the best motor and gearing on the market.Just depends on what you want to accomplish.I am just as happy operating my 25.00 Athearns as I am my 100.00 Katos.Dan

[Anonymous]

For starting out, P2K diesels are a good value, they look great out of the box, and can be had for relatively low prices at train shows or through mail order.

Keep us updated,
Alvie.

[trolleyboy]

[#welcome] first off hello and welcome. My feelings on diesel loco's will preety much match everyone elses. My favorites and best list would be as such P2K, Atlas,Kato,Athearn. on thing you will want to do is make sure you have the room for the loco's you choose,most of these companies will make nice big 6 axle loco's in your favorite roads but the larger kato's P2k's and alike run best on 22plus inch radiuses if you have a small layout room 4 axle BB's will probably be your best bets and give you the best bang for your buck's also do ask at your LHS and get yourself some quality track and power equipment definatly have fun and keep us posted. Rob

[ericsp]

Do you want to spend at least $100 per locomotive and $25 per car? That is what many of the above recommendations cost, plus many of the details are fragile. I don't think I would recommend these for a layout with children, unless they are more mature than most.

I have seen Athearn listed here. All of my locomotives are Athearns, they run from about $30 to $60. Athearn RTR locomotives probably run about $60 to $105. However, it does seem that model railroading stuff is on sell more often at national hobby shop chains and on the internet. I have only seen a sell in a local hobby shop once (with the exception of going out of business sells).

I have Athearn, Athearn RTR, Athearn Genesis, Model Die Casting/Roundhouse, Walthers, LBF Company, Branchline Trains, Eel River Models, Atlas, and probably other manufacturers' cars. The above kits usually will be from about $10 to $15 with assembled ones from $15 to $30.

[RMax1]

I like the Proto 2000/1000 line. Proto 1000 F3 for under $25 are a bargain. They run well and are quiet. My favorites are the Proto 2000 E units. I have 8 of them and all run very well. You can get really good stuff without spending a ton of money. I've bought E units for under $40. I also like the Atlas and Athearn lines. The Atlas is nicely detailed but the 2 SD-35's I own are loud. The Athearns are not very well detailed but they are real workhorses. It may come down to most bang for the buck . Sure you can drop $2000 into a brass loco if you want but is it worth the money to you. OR Is a great running less expensive unit better.

RMax

[DSL-trains]

Stumbled across this posts from 2004 and wondered what peoples views were 3 years later. A year ago I decided to get back into trains but decided to go O instead of HO but I am not happy with the layout in my 10x12 room, so I am thinking of switching to HO. What are people views on the best manufacturers of locos and track these days? I would like DCC with Sound and like both Steam and Diesels...

Regards,
Derek 

[Gandy Dancer]

Stumbled across this posts from 2004 and wondered what peoples views were 3 years later. ... What are people views on the best manufacturers of locos and track these days? I would like DCC with Sound and like both Steam and Diesels.

After reading the thread I would say they haven't changed much.  I would not have even noticed the thread was that old had you not said anything.  The difference might be the specification of DCC and Sound.  The Genesis might be great locomotives but the electronics Athearn is putting in them are junk, so they aren't on my list.

For Sound & DCC I don't think you can go wrong with:
Trix - have LocSound
Atlas - have QSI sound
BLI - have QSI sound (I got an F unit with a Nathan horn but the sound in it is Wabco).
PCM - have LocSound (but watch out for the paint schemes)
Proto2000 - have QSI sound
Bachmann Spectrum Steamers - have Soundtraxx sound.

[Don Gibson]

Something better than Bachmann? - That's easy.

To date, only their 'Spectrum' Steam has distinguished it'self.

Opinions can vary, but 'reputations' are indellible. They are difficult to erase.

Sorry Bachmann - or do I have that backwards?

 

 

 

[DSL-trains]

I think the comment about the Kato SD40-2 having 'serious' eletrical problems is a bit of a misnomer....it can be fixed by soldering feeds directly to the trucks....a 2 minute jobbie, then you have an amazing model.

Also, also BLI units are now WAY down on my list.  I have had way too many customers with BLI problems.  They have serious quality control issues.

Also, I love Stewart units for their 'odd' balls.

David B

 

Good to hear about Kato as I have had some N sclae stuff in the past and have been happy with them but bummer about BL & Athern (As mentioend above).  I guess I should have mentioend I am into American Diesels and Steam. Union Pacific in particular.   I was thinking BLI and Athern were my best choices for Steam with sound and DCC but apparentley not. I would love to hear more comments and thoughts, please!

Thanks much,
Derek 

[dhy4buva1]

In my opinion, BLI's new BlueLine products are breaking the mold. They have all of the detail of the high-end Paragon Series, but they are priced like traditional sound-less units.

Customers have been happy with the ones they've gotten and the quality has been outstanding. Sound system is powerful and every sound effect is adjustable--and there are tons of sounds.

Check them out at: http://www.broadway-limited.com/BlueLine-c3479.html

They are the cheapest sound-equipped models you can get on the market and they have outstanding sound and detail. BLI's MSRP's don't reflect what you can get these things for on the market. Dealers are getting extended discounts from Broadway and they are passing them along to the customer.