Which brand of model locomotive is your favorite?

[Anonymous]

Which if any brand of model locomotive (i.e. Athearn, Atlas, Bachmann, Kato, Life-Like, Rivarossi, etc.) regardless of scale, do you prefer to buy? Consider all the factors that go into one's decision on purchasing a model locomotive (i.e. price, realism, running characteristics, realiability, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Which if any brand of model locomotive (i.e. Athearn, Atlas, Bachmann, Kato, Life-Like, Rivarossi, etc.) regardless of scale, do you prefer to buy? Consider all the factors that go into one's decision on purchasing a model locomotive (i.e. price, realism, running characteristics, realiability, etc.).

[Anonymous]

N scale - Kato. Smooth running and reasonable price, but Mikado tender pickup wires can heat and melt into plastic if it straddles improperly polarized blocks and conducts several amps through these wires. Have Bachman but shell detail is poor and looks 'plastic'. Have Atlas but had to modify power pickup to get smooth running. Had old Lifelike but it fell apart and could not be resurrected.

Z scale - Micro-Trains F-7. VERY reasonably priced, terrific traction, but have to add wiper contacts to the wheels to get them to run without stalling.

[Anonymous]

N scale - Kato. Smooth running and reasonable price, but Mikado tender pickup wires can heat and melt into plastic if it straddles improperly polarized blocks and conducts several amps through these wires. Have Bachman but shell detail is poor and looks 'plastic'. Have Atlas but had to modify power pickup to get smooth running. Had old Lifelike but it fell apart and could not be resurrected.

Z scale - Micro-Trains F-7. VERY reasonably priced, terrific traction, but have to add wiper contacts to the wheels to get them to run without stalling.

[ironhorseman]

I find IHC and Athearn have pretty smooth operation. Most of my early day locos came from LifeLike. The rubber on the tractive wheels tends to dry up, crack, and fall off. I was a kid when I got these locos and not knowing how to properly take care of them they have since fallen into disrepair. Probably all that's needed is a good cleaning and lub and oil, but it'll have to wait til I get my layout set up again.

[ironhorseman]

I find IHC and Athearn have pretty smooth operation. Most of my early day locos came from LifeLike. The rubber on the tractive wheels tends to dry up, crack, and fall off. I was a kid when I got these locos and not knowing how to properly take care of them they have since fallen into disrepair. Probably all that's needed is a good cleaning and lub and oil, but it'll have to wait til I get my layout set up again.

[Anonymous]

Kato. Never let me down yet.

My GHQ/Kato mike is the best locomotive I've done.

Alvie.

[Anonymous]

Kato. Never let me down yet.

My GHQ/Kato mike is the best locomotive I've done.

Alvie.

[Anonymous]

Atlas would have to be my favorite. Athearn, Stewart and Kato make
great running locomotives also.
harry

[Anonymous]

Atlas would have to be my favorite. Athearn, Stewart and Kato make
great running locomotives also.
harry

[Anonymous]

Thats kind of like asking which of my kids is my favorite.
I have an Atlas and a Proto 2000 diesel, ,I have Bachmann steam, Proto2000 steam, and an IHC hybred steamer, and a BLI Hudson, all run and look great, thats why I still have them. If they dont run well, and I cant tweak them to good reliable performance, they are sold or traded. But I could never pick a favorite of the ones I have kept

[Anonymous]

Thats kind of like asking which of my kids is my favorite.
I have an Atlas and a Proto 2000 diesel, ,I have Bachmann steam, Proto2000 steam, and an IHC hybred steamer, and a BLI Hudson, all run and look great, thats why I still have them. If they dont run well, and I cant tweak them to good reliable performance, they are sold or traded. But I could never pick a favorite of the ones I have kept

[Anonymous]

atlas of course! smooth running and good details

[Anonymous]

atlas of course! smooth running and good details

[Anonymous]

I recently aquired a Walthers dash 8-40b used for $15 and was very impressed by its power and low speed gearing. I use to think Atlas and Athern were best diesels in HO, but the Walthers' unit changed my mind. I have a hard time wanting to force myself to buy a Bachmann or LifeLike from past experiences with their toy units. I am not the forgiving type.

[Anonymous]

I recently aquired a Walthers dash 8-40b used for $15 and was very impressed by its power and low speed gearing. I use to think Atlas and Athern were best diesels in HO, but the Walthers' unit changed my mind. I have a hard time wanting to force myself to buy a Bachmann or LifeLike from past experiences with their toy units. I am not the forgiving type.

[Anonymous]

I can only speak of N scale, as I last had an HO layout 20 years ago. Anyway, I always wanted a Kato locomotive, but for a while I thought they were too expensive. Then I saw one on sale at a train show, and said I'd try one. Now I will rarely consider anything else. I have three Atlas engines. One is an excellent runner, the other two are good when they finally get contact. I have to make sure the track is recently clean and the wheels have just been cleaned or else these won't start without me nudging them. The recent life-like products are excellent runners and reasonably priced. I wi***hey were a plug and play DCC conversion, though, so that limits my choice of Lif-Like. To sum it up, you can't go wrong with a Kato.

[Anonymous]

I can only speak of N scale, as I last had an HO layout 20 years ago. Anyway, I always wanted a Kato locomotive, but for a while I thought they were too expensive. Then I saw one on sale at a train show, and said I'd try one. Now I will rarely consider anything else. I have three Atlas engines. One is an excellent runner, the other two are good when they finally get contact. I have to make sure the track is recently clean and the wheels have just been cleaned or else these won't start without me nudging them. The recent life-like products are excellent runners and reasonably priced. I wi***hey were a plug and play DCC conversion, though, so that limits my choice of Lif-Like. To sum it up, you can't go wrong with a Kato.

[Anonymous]

I have really enjoy my Athearn Locos. I have never had any problems with my SW7 or F7 and they are used constantly. I keep the locos and the track clean at all times because I firmly believe this contributes greatly to the loco's reliability and longevity.

[Anonymous]

I have really enjoy my Athearn Locos. I have never had any problems with my SW7 or F7 and they are used constantly. I keep the locos and the track clean at all times because I firmly believe this contributes greatly to the loco's reliability and longevity.

[emdgp92]

My roster contains about 75% Athearn. The only problem I've had to date.. is dirty wheels! They run well, and are pretty straightforward to work on if they need repairs.

[emdgp92]

My roster contains about 75% Athearn. The only problem I've had to date.. is dirty wheels! They run well, and are pretty straightforward to work on if they need repairs.

[tankertoad70]

I really like the Athearn Blue Box offerings. They are inexpensive, easy to kitbash with, have a reliable mechanism, and I can troubleshoot the puppies with ease compared to the Katos and Atlas's.[:D]
BTW - I also own some Kato and Atlas offerings, but dread the day I'll hafta troubleshoot 'em.[8]
I'm really happy with the wide range of HO lokies we have from the various producers.[^]

[tankertoad70]

I really like the Athearn Blue Box offerings. They are inexpensive, easy to kitbash with, have a reliable mechanism, and I can troubleshoot the puppies with ease compared to the Katos and Atlas's.[:D]
BTW - I also own some Kato and Atlas offerings, but dread the day I'll hafta troubleshoot 'em.[8]
I'm really happy with the wide range of HO lokies we have from the various producers.[^]

[Wdlgln005]

In N scale, I'd rate the loco brands this way:
1) Atlas for transition era equipment (about 1990)
2) Kato modern era equipment
3) split frame Life Like (GP20, SW,)
4) MDC steam 2-8-0
5) Intermountain & MicroTrains FT
6) Athearn N needs better speed range next time
7) Bachmann 2-8-0 only Funit average
8) old Trix units
9) Model Power
10) Send Mehano (Yugo units back to scrap )

[Wdlgln005]

In N scale, I'd rate the loco brands this way:
1) Atlas for transition era equipment (about 1990)
2) Kato modern era equipment
3) split frame Life Like (GP20, SW,)
4) MDC steam 2-8-0
5) Intermountain & MicroTrains FT
6) Athearn N needs better speed range next time
7) Bachmann 2-8-0 only Funit average
8) old Trix units
9) Model Power
10) Send Mehano (Yugo units back to scrap )

[Anonymous]

For me its Athearn hands down, i only have 1 locomotive thats not an Athearn (a Walthers trainline GP9M) which i am pleased with as well, but Athearns have absolutely great details for a plastic model, they run great ( the older ones make noise while runnin good, but i like that, I think it almost sounds like a real diesel) and best of all; they are very affordable! The one and only down side: almost all EMDs! I would like to see some more Athearn ALCo.s!!! Common who is with me?!

[Anonymous]

For me its Athearn hands down, i only have 1 locomotive thats not an Athearn (a Walthers trainline GP9M) which i am pleased with as well, but Athearns have absolutely great details for a plastic model, they run great ( the older ones make noise while runnin good, but i like that, I think it almost sounds like a real diesel) and best of all; they are very affordable! The one and only down side: almost all EMDs! I would like to see some more Athearn ALCo.s!!! Common who is with me?!

[Anonymous]

I have am fond of the Atlas Classic line of locos. For me they offer a great blend of economy, realism and operation. When I have more money and they are offering a model I like Kato engines are a great choice as well.

[Anonymous]

I have am fond of the Atlas Classic line of locos. For me they offer a great blend of economy, realism and operation. When I have more money and they are offering a model I like Kato engines are a great choice as well.