Which brand of locos are the best??

[Sunset Limited]

I would say, (Through my experience)
In HO
1) Athearn- Blue Box. Basic, simple and affordable. Comes with 'add on metal handrails'. Great to fix up, dress up, modify. I like to take these apart modify them, paint them, add details to them. Good runners.
2) Life Like P2K- Excellent details, great runners. I have 6 E-units with the Mars light, beautiful to watch. Also a decent price on these units.
3) Bachmann Spectrum- I have the SP GS-4 Daylight, good runner also. Just needed to paint the wheels and added some details to them.
4) BLI- I dont have one. But this great salesman at Caboose Hobbies in Denver set one up on a test track. It was a SP E-9 A-B. WOW I WAS IMPRESSED! The Mars light and sound! I can't really afford one, but it's on my wish list! goal for the new year!

In N Scale
1) Atlas- I have a few of them, RS-11's, GP-40, GP-9. Great runners.
2) Life Like P2K- Great runners. The SW-8 switcher is excellent!!!! I'm impressed with the detail and the slow speed performance!
3) Kato- Excellent smooth runners. Bottom Line! Their Katos!

[Virginian]

I wouldn't go with brand so much as specific models. I can only speak to steam. The BLI Class A and Heavy 2-8-2, the P2K 2-8-8-2, 0-8-0, and 2-8-4 (2nd run on), the Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2 Heavy and Class J, and the Athearn Genesis 2-8-2 and 4-6-2 all have been excellent for me.
The Athearns do need some weight added, and the Spectrum J needs the drawbar modified, but after that they run beautifully and are priced right.

[Anonymous]

I'm in N:

Kato
Atlas
Athearn
Life-Like
Intermountain
some Micro-Trains

-Matt

[Wdlgln005]

For Nscalers, the Atlas Shay makes it the best
Kato is a very close second.

Lifelike diesels good, but no steamers
Bachmann Connie steamer, no diesel
MDC/Athearn steamers very good, new runs with some detail
improvements, better trucks/couplers.
Model Power ? when released?
MT & IM FT's good diesels

Athearn diesels: 2nd unit coming out, work in progress?

[CP5415]

Athearn are a good locomotive. They now have 3 different types of models available.
Blue Box, which are a bit noisey, not detailed but are a decent hauler! I pulled 20 cars up a 3% curved grade with one SD40-2 on Sunday.
Athearn RTR ( ready to roll ) have the same basic drivetrain as Blue box but are better detailed then the Blue Box version.
I would recommend either of these two.
I haven't had any personal experieence with Genesis so I can't commemt on them.
Proto 1000 & 2000 are locomotives that i have a couple of each.
Releatively quiet, great runners, can haul almost anything & are nicely deatiled for the money.

Atlas & Kato models are ones which I don't own any but have seen some in use on layouts. They're nice, but not ones I would want around a 3 year old!

Just my thoughts on your question.
I hops this helps

Gordon

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bnsf6733
...also, if you subscribe to MR, look in the "train world" adds. i saw a genisis SD70 for $60. AGAIN, I SAW LOTS OF P2K LOCOMOTIVES FOR REAL CHEAP (an Alco S1 for $30!!!!!!!!!) IN THE TRAIN WORLD MR ADDS!!!!!

Jon,

I can vouche for the S1. Cost me $29.99 - plus 6.95 S&H. (Reg. $110) Sweet runner and it looks great! Here's a pic:

http://www.railimages.com/albums/tomstage/aae.jpg

The steamer is an Athearn 2-8-2 Mike. I've been farily happy with it. I would like to get a BLI 2-8-2 someday. Workin' on it...

Tom

[Anonymous]

i have two athearns. they run well enough and have good enough detail for my layout (4 by 8). if you have the money, i been hearing lots of praise for the athearn genisis, BLI, and P2K locomotives. also, if you subscribe to MR, look in the "train world" adds. i saw a genisis SD70 for $60. AGAIN, I SAW LOTS OF P2K LOCOMOTIVES FOR REAL CHEAP (an Alco S1 for $30!!!!!!!!!) IN THE TRAIN WORLD MR ADDS!!!!! Also, again, subscribe to MR (modelrailroader) if you havn't-if you are new (<2 years) to the hobby that is.

[Anonymous]

If you are running DC, BLI is the living end. If your running DCC, BLI is just the beginning. Either way buy a BLI and find out what you've missed.

All of my P2K are great runners and look good. I have a couple of Atlases but I'm not into the "U" boats but the price was right. I have at least one of every Genesis Warbonnet "F" unit and they are probably the best "cheap" loco. I've installed DH163AO, or the same Soundtraxx in them.

Bob

[Anonymous]

The Atlas Master Series is VERY good. I am amazed by the level of detail and it runs smooth too. Mine do not have sound... but that is what BLI is for...

[Favrefan04]

I have a Proto 2K, and I am happy with it. Detailing's nice and runs well.

[Anonymous]

Kato, Proto 2000

[gvdobler]

I have gathered from the threads :

Athearn are durable.
Kato has paint and railing issues but run good.
Atlas are good.
Life-like have mixed reviews.

I am modeling Union Pacific because I can run modern equipment and still run passenger excursion trains so as to have steam (Challenger) and early diesel (E9) in prototypical operation on my layout. I have ordered the Athearn Genesis 4-6-6-4 and I have the Life-Like E8/9 but from here I not sure what brands to choose. I don't have any old stuff so everything will be new.

Jon - Las Vegas