Your favorite models, and why?

[trainboyH16-44]

I'd just like to hear what your favorite models are, and maybe a brief review of them.
Thanks,
Trainboy

[SpaceMouse]

What kind of models? Everything is models?

[trainboyH16-44]

Sorry, model engines. All scales and manufacturers.
Trainboy

[tstage]

Well...so far...I'd have to say my P2K Alco S1 switcher. She is VERY nicely detailed. And, when it comes to crawling, snails are known for leaving tire tracks next to her. A killer of a deal from Trainword makes the S1 70% off list price. Nuff said.

My Stewart EMD VO-660 switcher is a very close second. Purrs like a kitten.

Tom

[DrummingTrainfan]

I'll have to go with my Kato Alaska RR SD70MAC. It's beautifully detailed (even more so when I actually add the detail parts[:I]), the paint is great and it runs like a dream.

[Anonymous]

The Atlas N Scale Dash 8-40B's I have BNSF, SSW and UP and they are pretty sharp on detail straight out of the box, paint is sharp, and they run at crawl speeds without a hitch, even over un-powered frogs. Hoping the new MP15's are as smooth of runners.

[SpaceMouse]

I ditto Tom on the S1, but I've grown to like My Atlas Master GP-38 more.

[Anonymous]

I'll take Any Kato or Proto 2000 SD45s in CNW anyone doesn't want....

[ProtoWeathering]

I'm more old school.

Cheryl Tiegs is my favorite.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dthurman

The Atlas N Scale Dash 8-40B's I have BNSF, SSW and UP and they are pretty sharp on detail straight out of the box, paint is sharp, and they run at crawl speeds without a hitch, even over un-powered frogs. Hoping the new MP15's are as smooth of runners.

Ditto, except in HO scale, and the Susquehanna patched for CSX one's.

uspscsx

[Anonymous]

I like the Shays, Heislers and Climaxes. Cause they can out pull anything in their weight class, and bunches of things heavier.

[loathar]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Neutrino

I'm more old school.

Cheryl Tiegs is my favorite.

Yea, No dought. Heidi Klume and Cindi Crawford. Do you Really have to ask WHY??[8D][8D][8D]

[ARTHILL]

I vote for the Shay. I have an old PFM three truck that doesn't run as good as the new ones, but I love it.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Neutrino

I'm more old school.

Cheryl Tiegs is my favorite.

Wow! You got her autograph? I would hang on to that, never know when it will be worth something.[:p]

[Anonymous]

My favorite and best overall runners that are pretty good in the looks department are my collection of Stewart F-units. I have FTs, F3's, F7s, and a F9 set on the way that I just won on eBay. But for overall looks, I have to say that the Proto 2k GP7s are really nice, and the recent Atlas H16-44s are pretty good looking too.

[Anonymous]

mine is my ho scale life-like gp30's very ncie runners

[Piedsou]

It's a hard choice, but probably one of my Atlas RS-1's and 3's. They are really smooth running, which is the main reason for my choice.

The following is a photo of my freelanced Piedmont Southern RS-1 on the turntable at Blue Ridge, Va.

[fiatfan]

P2K GP9.

Edit: I overlooked the "why"

It's a heavily weather GP9 in GN colors that runs well, looks great, pulls very well, and makes a calender look like a fast clock. GP9's have alwas been my favorite style of engine.

Tom

[Anonymous]

I have what I call my favorite 4. The first is my Rivarossi Big Boy, just looking at that envisions the power the original must have had.
Next is my Bachmann Shay. This is a finely detailed little locomotive and a pleasure to watch in action.
My last 2 are a Brawa 2-8-4 and a Roco 4-6-0. I just love the attention to detail you get from Austrian and German models.

[bogp40]

My favorite would have to be my Stewart/Kato F3 B&O ABBA. These have been always run as a single unit. I believe they are some of the smoothest and most quiet drive I've seen, and the drawbar pull is incredible. The Stewart shells come very plain and considerable detailing is needed. To some all the work may be too much for some, especially w/ the Genesis RTR (superb Highliner shell). Super detailing to the prototype is what I enjoy most about the hobby.
Bob K.

[aloco]

For me, Life-Like GM switchers run the best (I have about a dozen of them), and for looks I like Alco switchers (I have 15 Atlas units and 5 Life-Like units). Over half my locomotive fleet consists of yard switchers. Most of the money I spend on my hobby goes into locomotives, so my interests are quite narrow compared to many other model railroaders. I do have a very small layout that I run idiot loops on at home, and the model railroad club I belong to has a modular layout that allows for both switching and running idiot loops.

[twhite]

My favorite is my 1964 Akane M-4 Yellowstone 2-8-8-4. Relatively well detailed for its age, a very smooth runner and a POWERFUL puller! Always has been trouble-free. Last year I put in a large NWSL can motor, re-did the articulated drive mechanism between the two driver sets, and popped some Cal-Scale castings to replace the original Akane castings (front pumps, converted the Worthington FWH to an Elesco, stuff like that). Numbered it in the never-was Rio Grande 3900 series (Rio Grande borrowed the Missabe originals during WWII). Like it so well, I got it a friend a couple of years ago, same model, same year, same manufacturer. Just got some PSC castings for THAT one, and that's my next project down the line. If I ever find any more at shows or swap meets, I will grab them and run like crazy. Marvelous locomotives!
Tom [:P][:P]

[davekelly]

My favorite? The little Tyco 2-6-2 steamer and the Tyco bicentennial diesel. Why? They were the engines that my dad always had running on his layout when I was a kid. Also my old 2-4-2 O gauge steamer (Marx?) . . . .my very first engine. Those were big time fun times and were responsible for me enjoying this great hobby today.

[bbrant]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Neutrino

I'm more old school.

Cheryl Tiegs is my favorite.

How comes I never see this model at the local hobby shop?!?

[Anonymous]

Lynda Lusardi [bow]... you guys don't know what you missed... Am I getting old? [%-)]
Hey! They can never take away your memories![:D]

[Anonymous]

I'm attached to my Athearn RTR SD50 in Conrail Quality. Great puller and very detailed. My fav.

[Virginian]

THE favorite would be my brass custom painted N&W Class J. Next would be my VGN 2-8-4, probably because I waited 30 years for it in non-brass. But keep this to yourself, because I still love all the rest too.

[wctransfer]

Probably my Proto 2000 WC SD45's. Then id have to say my KATO WC SD45. But i love all of my engines, but my 2 proto's are my favorite.

Alec

[Anonymous]

I just gotta date myself. My all-time favorite locomotive is the pre-1963 Varney diecast Berkshire (2-8-4) locomotive. It was not particularly well detailed even for its time, but the mechanism leaves even the best offerings today in the lurch. Varney machined square ends on the driver axles with precision square holes in the driver centers. There was never a problem with getting drivers quartered so they did not bind. Years ago I purchased many of these locomotives that were in need of repair and have used them as a source of drivers, even rebuilding some of them to represent Ann Arbor H-8 locomotives. Lots of effort, lots of detailing, but ultra reliable and smooth running. And they will pull the paint off a wall at 300 feet..

My second choice would be the super ugly Mantua Mike from the mid '50's, the one with the split frame. They are extremely sure footed and can be made into very nice looking locomotives using the Cary replacement boiler and bags of detail parts.

Old fart? You better believe it!

Tom

[CP5415]

Too many to list but here's my top 3

1 P2K D&H PA - I love the operating MARS light.
2 Athearn RTR AC4400
3 Toss up of my Athearn RTR SOO SD60 & my P2K CSX SD50.

The bigger the locomotive the better!

Gordon