I am unsure of mine. It's either my Walthers Trainline Great Northern ALCO FA1 A-B-A Set, My CB&Q Bachmann EMD E7, or my Bachmann Green GE 45 Tonner.
My ALCO FA1 Set work excellent and look quite nice despite the low detail and 50 year old tooling. I plan on using it on my layout
The E7 works nicely and is easily the smoothest. It also is the best looking. I got it as a stand in for an E5 since I didn't have a Hallmark E5 yet and when the E5 was purchased the plan was to sell the E7 or gut it for parts. but ultimately I was able to upgrade my layout to feature two trains. So the E7 is here to stay
The Bachmann 45 Tonner was a personal favorite of mine. It was part of a group of switchers my father gave to me as my first fleet. But it's not needed anymore and is currently sitting on a shelf
I grew up in El Paso TX in the early 1950s and the Southern Pacific northbound line was two blocks west of our house. The SP articulateds were common all day long pulling close to 100 cars north and southbound.I fell in love with the SP articulateds as a teen and finally bought a Rivarossi Cab Forward in 1993. It is my favorite locomotive, runs great and with a Soundtraxx sound decoder sounds terrific. 4294 will always be my favorite locomotive.I really enjoy restoring old HO locomotives and in the last 20 years I have restored 15 clunker Rivarossi Cab Forwards to like new or better than new condition.
I Kitbashed four Cab Forwards into SP AC9s, there were more AC9s on the northbound tracks in the early 1950s than Cab Forwards. My AC9 3805 is a close second to 4294.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California Turned 84 in July, aging is definitely not for wimps.
A difficult question! I'll name three:
1. Climax B (two truck)
2. CN Northern 4-8-4
3. CP Royal Hudson
So many more though!
Simon
My favourite locomotives are Class 52s and Class 55s.
My Father was in The 9th Queen's Royal Lancers Regiment
I have a Class 52 D1027 Western Lancer
There were 22 Class 55s built numbered 55001 to 55022, so I named one 9th Queen's Royal Lancers with the number 55023.
Both locomotives are the pride of the layout.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
The Buffalo and Pittsburg Railroad pulled a coal drag in front of my vitamin store pretty much every day when I lived in PA.
I got a model made by Atlas and I brought it to our local club and other local (within a 2 hour drive) layouts I operated in. It's in a little disrepair right now.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
My Con Cor N scale U50B's. I have five of them all DCC equipped. They run very quietly and smoothly. When tested each pulled fourteen ounces (fifteen fifty foot cars) up a three percent grade at half throttle like they had nothing behing them. Ran out of grade so I could not tell the full pulling power of the units.
Very difficult to answer as I love them all! Probably have to be my Sunset N&W J-1 unstreamlined 4-8-4 with my KEY Virginian BA 2-8-4 and Pro Custom Hobbies Western Maryland J-1 4-8-4 thrown in. For diesels I'd have to say my KEY Western Maryland FA-2/FA-2 set.
oldline1
Current favorite loco for me is tied between my Sunset brass H9s and Hallmark brass ATSF 2507 class ex KM&O 2-8-0. Both were obtained for cheap and much work was done to restore.
PRR H9s:
ATSF 2507 class:
I decided to document my restoration work for once and wrote a VERY detailed article on the forums here describing 2522:
>> http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/289165.aspx <<
My favorite locos tend to be brass not because theyre expensive but rather because they tend to require a lot of work. The more you work in an engine the more you become attached, so that's why I enjoy mine so much!
Cheers!
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
I have an Alco RSC-3. It's in Milwaukee colors. It's a Proto-1000 model. I weathered it lightly and installed my first sound decoder in it. The clanking sound of an old Allco engine just can't be beat.
The RSC-3 is a special adaptation for light trackage. It has 6 axles on two trucks, which helps spread the weight.
This engine showed up when I was searching for GP9s to replace my old BB models. I ended up with a pair of those, too. Thank you, M.B. Klein.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
The set of Bowser C430 locomotives I have in Western NY &Pennsylvania paint. This line runs ex-Erie RR trackage through my area, and I got a cab ride in one of their C424m units before.
These 3 units run like champs, and are very well done models.
(And I see Spacemouse likes the B&P, also from this area.... Small world!)
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Have to say hands down my Key D&RGW L-105
WhatsApp Image 2020-06-21 at 10.24.45 by Watson Wilde, on Flickr
0756300101 by Watson Wilde, on Flickr
And my Challenger Imports C&O F-19
06913603 by Watson Wilde, on Flickr
As far as diesels go I still go for Kato running quality wise.
1- Atlas Alco S-2. Hands down my favorite
2- Atlas Alco RS-1
3- Walthers Mainline ML-8. It's so cute!
4- Atlas GP-7
5- BLI 2-8-0
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
ONE: My Roundhouse 2 truck Shay
( I actually have built three of these, and I don't care what any of the naysayers think .... I love them all! )
TWO: my Athern bb SD40-T2 decorated for the SP.
THREE: My 3 Athern bb SD 9s decorated for my Demon's Hollow & Pacific.
FOUR: My 3 Stewart AS 616's.
2 decorated for the T& N O. One decorated for my Wylers Gulch & Western.
And, coming in at # 5: my Halmark AS 616 decorated for the T & N O.
Rust...... It's a good thing !
Great Northern R-2:
It is (so far) the finest running steam engine I've got, and it'll pull 50 cars--maybe more--never tried.
Plus: My Mom gave it to me as a college graduation present.
Ed
MDC Boxcab Diesel. Bought it back in the early 70's shortly after I got started in the hobby.
Paul
Hard to pick a favorite when several seem to be equally top performers.
Possibly an Atlas AEM-7 (this one is painted in a fake "Milwaukee Road" scheme). Probably because I spent more time on them than on any other engine, and one with Amtrak paint just wouldn't look right pulling freight trains...
Other candidates: Atlas Alco c425 (painted PC), two Atlas GP40's (PC & CR), Rivarossi U25c (PC, the model runs better than the big ones ever did), and two Bowser c430's (PC & CR). Also a Walthers Proto SD9 and an old Proto 2000 GP9.
Criteria was that they all run great, fast, slow, or at medium speeds.
"Favorite" does not mean best running, best looking, or even the one that gets the most use.
My favorite is my first brass locomotive, a Tenshodo 0-8-0.
I painted it probably 20 years ago, and it still is not lettered for the STRATTON AND GILLETTE!
Plus, it was given to me by a good friend, so that makes it even more of a favorite.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I have a hodge podge of locomotives from about six different roads. I only get locomotives that appeal to me strongly. So, I am at a loss to provide an answer. I am very fond of my Lionel HO Union Pacific Challenger, about the third loco I purchased years ago. It's heavy, nicely painted, extremely reliable, even with a 17 year old QSI decoder, and pulls a good long string of cars. I love the lines of my BLI original Paragon New York Central S1b Niagara.......so much so that I purchased a P2 version as well. Finally, the brass Hybrid Q2, UP 4-12-2, UP 2-10-2, and the brutish PCM (BLI) Y6b 2-8-8-2 are all marvels, extremely reliable so far, track and run well, sound great, pull well....they're all joys to own. I'll have to will them to my grand sons because I have no intention of getting rid of them any time soon.
My favourite locomotives are my InterMountain FP7As and Bs and my FP9As in Canadian Pacific maroon and grey. I installed Loksound decoders in them and they are the nicest running locomotives that I have.
I also have a Rapido FP9A which runs very nicely, but I don't think it runs as well as my InterMountains. The Rapido starts too quickly compared to the InterMountains. To be fair, I haven't done any tuning to the Rapido unit so that can probably be corrected, but I didn't have to do any tuning at all to any of the InterMountain engines.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I don't have a particular favorite but I'll pick a steamer and diesel from my NYC roster that I enjoy:
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
My favorite will always be the old Life Like F7 in Santa Fe warbonnet paint that came in my first train set. The kind with the old pancake motor sitting directly on the one truck it powers. Sadly, in all the wisdom of a teenager, I painted over the factory paint with a homebrewed road idea I had that never went anywhere. I've often thought about buying another off ebay just like it, but it wouldn't be the same.
If any locomotive I have has a chance to supplant that as favorite, it would be my BLI Niagara with a TCS WOW Sound decoder. I just need a bit larger layout. My modest size layout makes for small trains and it looks a little silly pulling an 8 car freight or a 5 car passenger train around.
Mike
My 2 favorites are at oppositte ends of the spectrum. First is my 4 Model 40 critters. I have 2 of them permanently coupled and wired together. I even modified the wiring so the headlights come on according to the direction of travel. I haven't done anything yet with the other two.
The other is the one I acquired this past Saturday at a train show in Beatrice, NE. It's the Trix version of Big Boy #4013. It has not turned a wheel yet while in my possesion. I will run it sometime this week but it is destined to become a shelf queen. I have wanted a Big Boy since i was about 15 years old and learned what they are. That was 50 years ago. Dream fulfilled.
Life is simple - eat, drink, play with trains!
Go Big Red!
PA&ERR "If you think you are doing something stupid, you're probably right!"
Nice Favorites!
This one is easy for me. It's my Spirit of 76 Seaboard Coast U36B my grandfather gave to me for my 11th birthday.
I've kept her all these years and she sits front and center on the fireplace mantel.
She doesn't work anymore because a young kid is prone to see how fast anything goes and I beat her up badly
You have no idea how many times I watched that thing bounce off the walls and tumble across the floor. Man that thing was fast! And I had lots of glue back then
Must be my favorite! Who needs one replacement when they can find three over the years? And all kept on the custom shelving where I can see them amongst the layout in the living room of course
Hey! ...I have my priorities straight here, dontcha think?
TF
I was a teen when AHM introduced and advertised the Rivarossi-made N&W Y6b 2-8-8-2. I wanted that engine so badly (so did my best friend - both of us were pretty new to HO after having had Lionel) and I got it for Christmas. It came lettered PRR which was OK because that is the railroad I modeled (in the sense that my locomotives were lettered PRR). The Pennsy did have some N&W 2-8-8-2s briefly but they were Y3s with very different tenders than the Rivarossi model. I did not care.
While I do not run the engine and quite possibly never will again, there has never been a locomotive that I wanted more since that one, at least not with that same intensity. The only one that came close is when LifeLike Proto 2000 came out with the very C&NW switcher right down to the number that my best friend (the same one who also wanted a Y6b) would see switching our home town. By that time I was working, had discretionary money and it was simply a matter of seeing one, wanting it, and buying it. Somehow that lacks the emotional punch of opening that Christmas present years and years earlier and seeing exactly what I had wanted so much.
Dave Nelson
That's hard to narrow down but I'll try:
1) Athearn BB GP38-2 in NS colors - given to me by my late grandparents. First quality engine I owned.
2) Rivarossi Big Boy #4006 - given to me by my parents for Christmas.
3) Tie - N&W SD45 (run long nose forward, of course!) and a N&W Class J 611, first steam engine I ever saw in action.
Most of them have sentimental attachments in some way or another.
Of the seven diesels on my switching layout my favorite engine is the Scale Trains Rivet Counter SD45 Road Switcher, six traction axels, 2 power capacitors, white, green & red class lights, LOK sound decoder W 2 suger cube speakers, front truck lights, Santa FE has a rotating beacon, it looks, pulls, & sounds like a beast. Bayway Terminal NJ
I'll give two answers:
The favorite locomotive I've ever owned is the Atlas HO Minnesota Commercial C424 #62 that I just received on thursday 10/21.
The best made model locomotives I've ever owned are the 5 ScaleTrains BNSF ES44C4 and ET44C4 units that I have on hand. They are virtually perfect in every way with great lights and great sound.
However, despite the beautiful orange and black BNSF paint, I found myself longing for Alco Century series diesels, and so I had to order the Minnesota Commercial C424. I also don't have to have the newest/latest/greatest thing anymore. The Scale Trains engines are marvelous, but I just can't 100% accept widecab diesels...they will get sold off.
There's just something that will always appeal to me about the Alco Century series diesels, going back to my childhood. I like the C424 and C425 probably the best of all of them, currently. To me everything else just comes up short visually, regardless of how excellent and how well detailed other models like those now made by ST may be.
John
Have to say I've had a lot of favorites - all ATSF and a couple ICs.
For diesel, it has to be the PA ABBA consist in the warbonnet livery. Gotta be one of the most beautiful sets ever made.
For steam, the BLI ATSF 4-8-4 is the winner!
Ha, both of these units are in a sealed display case, along with some others I kept after selling off most all my HO stuff.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
After my teenage years, I got back into the hobby seriously back in 2003, wanting to run a modern shortline.
The only locomotive I've ever really wanted to fit the theme was a GP15. Only now, in 2021, is there a proper GP15 with LED headlights and ditchlights. (I'm neither skilled or patient enough to have installed tiny ditchlights into the existing GP15 models of the day...Proto/ Walthers Trainline).
I'd have to say my Athearn Genesis GP15s with T2 sound are my favorites.
We'll see if the new Atlas MP15s with ditchights due to arrive in December compare. They may be my favorites.
After about 20 years of seriously being in the hobby, only now am I finding the two types of locomotives that I've really wanted all along.
My past favorites are favorites no more and are probably not going to be in my possession long term.
- Douglas
My CN U2g Northern is my favourite. I like the balance and clean lines plus the vandy tender. The model is by True Line Trains. They had some QC issues and I returned the first 2 as they ran poorly. I did get one near the end of the run and it runs great. Second would be my K5a Hudson, a brass one by Samhongsa.
CN Charlie