Which rolling stock brand do you think is the best? (HO)

[electrolove]

Just curious which rolling stock brand is the most used in this great hobby.

[RoyalOaker]

I chose other because I like most every brand that comes in a Kit.

[twhite]

I went for "other" also--I think most of the brands available these days (with a few exceptions) are pretty darned good. They seem to be weighted properly for the most part, with good to superb detail. If I tend to lean toward one brand, I'd say it's Accurail, mainly since they have such a good representation of the period I'm modeling ('40's').
Tom [:D]

[rockisland4309]

This is a very tough question. Because each of the manufacturers make excellent models. I would Red Caboose has some of the best not to say Athearn Genesis and Intermountain aren't bad either. I have three of Red Caboose's coil cars and they have the quality of a brass model.

[howmus]

While there are several on the list that are very good, I voted for Accurail. They are just about the only one offering USRA period cars that are USRA period cars (ie: not rebuilt in the 1940's). I have an Athearn flatcar carrying two new from the factory Waterloo Boy (John Deere) Tractors dated 1929....... (The Waterloo Boy ceased production in 1924 I believe). Sometime or other I will get out the Q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol and blur the date. Even the Walthers USRA Heavywieght Passenger cars are Rebuilts from the 30's & 40's...............

[Anonymous]

Branchline is the best bang for the buck for a good kit with details.

[Anonymous]

I would agree with Tom that Accurail has wonderful rolling stock kits, I'm modeling the
late 1920's and early 1930's and they have plenty of kits from that era to choose from.
Having said that I just started to build a Branchline Blueprint Series kit and it is highly
detailed,sharp printing, a nice kit and here again they have lots of kits in my time period,
but they are spendy but I guess I would rather spend $15 bucks on one nice kit then
$7.50 on a couple of junk ones.
"The Harven"

[orsonroy]

Most used? Athearn.

Best? Any of the resin manufacturers (with Sunshine at the top), but you have to put a LOT of your own work in the kits to make them truly exceptional.

Best plastic? Intermountain. While I really prefer Red Caboose kits over IM, the new Intermountain SK-Q stock cars have raised the bar for plastic kits.

Favorite? Accurail. I just wi***hey had more car body styles to choose from!

[Fergmiester]

I really like the Atlas Line as they are heavy and sturdy. But I would have to agree with the comments made by others regarding Accurail. Accurail is a good inexpensive but well detailed product, which I've used to replace the void created by the demise of Athearn Blue Box kits. I have to admit I prefer the Accurail.

Fergie

[Anonymous]

I voted Athearn. The Blue Boxes are fun to build and last forever, and the RTR's have great detail.

[cbq9911a]

Athearn blue box - it's reliable and robust and good looking.

For "takes a licking and keeps on ticking" it's Model Power's "Heavyweights" made from the old Marx HO tooling.

[Anonymous]

Intermountain is the best but I buy virtually all Walthers, Athearn RTR, or upgraded Athearn blue box.

[trainnut57]

I voted for Branchline. Their kits are very nicely detailed, you can work them to your own detailing specs, and the price is REASONABLE and fair.

[Anonymous]

Kit - Branchline
RTR- Kadee

John
Austin, Texas

[Anonymous]

I say Athearn. From the blue boxes, to the RTR, and Genisis Its a shame they sold out to Horizion!!!!

[nickinwestwales]

Well,Im probably sticking my neck on the block here,but of the limited selection I have in the U.K.,Model Power are reliable,look good enough for me(I dont know any better)will run on any track and best of all,I can afford them...regards,nick

[cheese3]

Athearn...their kits are easy to build, look good, and are the right price.

[CP5415]

Hard decision here as well.

While I voted for Athearn, I especially love;
Accurail for their Grain hoppers,
Roundhouse for their Bulkend flats,
Walthers for their pulpwood cars, centerbeam cars, & Thrall boxcars &
Proto for their Thrall boxcars & newsprint boxcars.

Gordon [:D]

[ckape]

Since I'm a modern modeller, I've found that Walthers is a good choice. Unfortunately, they seem to have given up on selling kits, which is a big blow. I also thought the Intermountain covered hopper kit I got a while back was pretty good, but they seem to have given up on kits, too.

[ClinchValleySD40]

Atlas hands down.

Kits - Accurail.

[lyctus]

With the limited exposure I've had due to simple availability at LHS and my specific interest, I've built many Athearn Blue Boxes which are fine,and I have built a string of Bowser kits which are OK by me and I'm impressed with P2000 kits which I have recently obtained. So, don't ask such simple questions ! It's hard to answer with a single "dot".

[Anonymous]

I choose Accurail. I have several of their box cars and coal cars which I was able to select in data only versions. The kits were fairly straight forward and look nice. They could be a higher level of detail but the bang for your buck is great.

Trevor [:)]

[AggroJones]

Athearn blue box kits comprise somthing like 90% of my fleet. They used to be a great value. But now Horizon is selling them assembled for twice as much.
Accurail is a little better than Athearn, but the selection ain't as wide.
Walthers RTR are sweet.

I dislike those P2k super-fragile kits with dozens of tiny parts that I keep damaging. To me, these are NOT 'fun' kits.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everyone that says they like almost everything that comes in a kit. I like the old Roundhouse stuff when I can find it.

[espeefoamer]

I chose Atlas,with Bachmann Spectrum and P2K close behind.I have one Athearn Genisis unit and it is very sensitive to loose rail joiners.it will stop until I press the rail ends closer together.I don't have this problem with Athearn RTR or any other brand of loco.Athearn RTR locos are great,but a little noisy.