Which brand of model locomotive is your favorite?

[Anonymous]

Recently got a couple of RoundHouse Products N scale 2-8-0 Consolidations. They run nicely, but don't like their MDC couplers (Mighty Damn Compatible according to RHP). I think the 'C' would better stand for another word...

[Anonymous]

Recently got a couple of RoundHouse Products N scale 2-8-0 Consolidations. They run nicely, but don't like their MDC couplers (Mighty Damn Compatible according to RHP). I think the 'C' would better stand for another word...

[Wdlgln005]

True. The MDC couplers should be sent to your scrap dealer. Their cars are ok with MT trucks/couplers. N scalers need a plastic coupler as good as & compatible with MT. Accumates by Atlas seem to be getting better, but need improvement.

[Wdlgln005]

True. The MDC couplers should be sent to your scrap dealer. Their cars are ok with MT trucks/couplers. N scalers need a plastic coupler as good as & compatible with MT. Accumates by Atlas seem to be getting better, but need improvement.

[Anonymous]

for n gauge , kato is a clear winner with atlas a close second. you get what you pay for!

[Anonymous]

for n gauge , kato is a clear winner with atlas a close second. you get what you pay for!

[Anonymous]

I prefer Athearn because I can work on them.But I will admit that Atlas and Kato are superior as I own all three brands.

[Anonymous]

I prefer Athearn because I can work on them.But I will admit that Atlas and Kato are superior as I own all three brands.

[Anonymous]

HO Scale Diesel:
Athearn blue box. Easy to repair, price is affordable, very rugged and reliable.
I accidently left on in its box on top of a pinball mechine. When I moved the pinball machine the box with the engine inside came crashing down to the ceramic tile floor. When it hit it landed on the end of the box, nose first. I open the box afraid of what I will find. A bent hand rail and some chipped paint! The only other problem was that the motor was knocked out of its socket. Motor reseated and the engine runs fine. (and later converted to dcc). I straightened the hand rail and did not repair the paint chips (they looked ok with the weathering!). I do not think any other manufacturer could sustain the impact with that little damage! Sure there are quieter and smoother engines out there but Athearn is hard to beat. My Kato, Atlas, P2K,and Walthers engines are great also.

[Anonymous]

HO Scale Diesel:
Athearn blue box. Easy to repair, price is affordable, very rugged and reliable.
I accidently left on in its box on top of a pinball mechine. When I moved the pinball machine the box with the engine inside came crashing down to the ceramic tile floor. When it hit it landed on the end of the box, nose first. I open the box afraid of what I will find. A bent hand rail and some chipped paint! The only other problem was that the motor was knocked out of its socket. Motor reseated and the engine runs fine. (and later converted to dcc). I straightened the hand rail and did not repair the paint chips (they looked ok with the weathering!). I do not think any other manufacturer could sustain the impact with that little damage! Sure there are quieter and smoother engines out there but Athearn is hard to beat. My Kato, Atlas, P2K,and Walthers engines are great also.

[CP5415]

Athearn, I've been buying these since 1997, I've never had a problem with one yet.

Gordon

[CP5415]

Athearn, I've been buying these since 1997, I've never had a problem with one yet.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I like Athern for the way that you can work on and add detail parts can afford it .Have a strong liking to P2K from Life -Like have about 5 of them smooth running no problems.The other half are Athern thode are my favorites

[Anonymous]

I like Athern for the way that you can work on and add detail parts can afford it .Have a strong liking to P2K from Life -Like have about 5 of them smooth running no problems.The other half are Athern thode are my favorites

[Anonymous]

Mine has to be Roco with Brawa a close second. American models I've bought just don't have the smooth take of like the Austrian and German models.

[Anonymous]

Mine has to be Roco with Brawa a close second. American models I've bought just don't have the smooth take of like the Austrian and German models.

[emdgp92]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rocky451

HO Scale Diesel:
Athearn blue box. Easy to repair, price is affordable, very rugged and reliable.
I accidently left on in its box on top of a pinball mechine. When I moved the pinball machine the box with the engine inside came crashing down to the ceramic tile floor. When it hit it landed on the end of the box, nose first. I open the box afraid of what I will find. A bent hand rail and some chipped paint! The only other problem was that the motor was knocked out of its socket. Motor reseated and the engine runs fine. (and later converted to dcc). I straightened the hand rail and did not repair the paint chips (they looked ok with the weathering!). I do not think any other manufacturer could sustain the impact with that little damage!

I thought it was just me that did that. One of my Athearn F7s derailed a few months back, and landed on the floor. Only damage was a bent handrail or two and a broken coupler. The motor in my unit came loose just like yours did. After I put the motor back in place and straightened the handrail, it still ran great. As to the floor, well, it's over 100 years old...and now has a dent in it!

[emdgp92]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rocky451

HO Scale Diesel:
Athearn blue box. Easy to repair, price is affordable, very rugged and reliable.
I accidently left on in its box on top of a pinball mechine. When I moved the pinball machine the box with the engine inside came crashing down to the ceramic tile floor. When it hit it landed on the end of the box, nose first. I open the box afraid of what I will find. A bent hand rail and some chipped paint! The only other problem was that the motor was knocked out of its socket. Motor reseated and the engine runs fine. (and later converted to dcc). I straightened the hand rail and did not repair the paint chips (they looked ok with the weathering!). I do not think any other manufacturer could sustain the impact with that little damage!

I thought it was just me that did that. One of my Athearn F7s derailed a few months back, and landed on the floor. Only damage was a bent handrail or two and a broken coupler. The motor in my unit came loose just like yours did. After I put the motor back in place and straightened the handrail, it still ran great. As to the floor, well, it's over 100 years old...and now has a dent in it!

[Anonymous]

I run proto 2000 that i think for the money they are good running and reliable
i also athearn genesis F units that i think are some of the best running loco i
have seen

[Anonymous]

I run proto 2000 that i think for the money they are good running and reliable
i also athearn genesis F units that i think are some of the best running loco i
have seen

[Anonymous]

HO - Proto 2000, nothing else comes close. by the time I've got an Athearn loco and bought all the bits to superdetail it the cost is about the same, but the proto 2000 runs better

[Anonymous]

HO - Proto 2000, nothing else comes close. by the time I've got an Athearn loco and bought all the bits to superdetail it the cost is about the same, but the proto 2000 runs better

[Anonymous]

I operate "O" gauge only and my favorite is lionel.

[Anonymous]

I operate "O" gauge only and my favorite is lionel.

[n2mopac]

As an N scaler, Atlas and Kato make the best around. Life-Like are plentiful, and a few run well, but overall are not as good. Having run some Athern HO scale loco's in the past, I am excited to see what their new N scale line produces in coming years.
Ron

[n2mopac]

As an N scaler, Atlas and Kato make the best around. Life-Like are plentiful, and a few run well, but overall are not as good. Having run some Athern HO scale loco's in the past, I am excited to see what their new N scale line produces in coming years.
Ron

[claycts]

Most of what I have Is Broadway Limited and Rivarossi. We git a coulple of Spectrum. Have not run any of them yet. In the OLD DAYS I used AHM and Balboa only.

[claycts]

Most of what I have Is Broadway Limited and Rivarossi. We git a coulple of Spectrum. Have not run any of them yet. In the OLD DAYS I used AHM and Balboa only.

[Anonymous]

I run mainly H. O steam,
Proto 2000 is excellent (have the 0-8-0 and the 2-8-8-2). Bachmann's shays are also excellent (Have 3). Not quite as good marks for the consolidations (Bachmann), but at around $50.00 (EBAY) still a great deal. Next purchase will be the BLI cab forward. Have run their Hudson...another great running and looking model. I think now is the golden age of model railroad steam power, the new plastic stuff rivals the detail of brass and you can actually get great slow speed operation out of them right out of the box.

[Anonymous]

I run mainly H. O steam,
Proto 2000 is excellent (have the 0-8-0 and the 2-8-8-2). Bachmann's shays are also excellent (Have 3). Not quite as good marks for the consolidations (Bachmann), but at around $50.00 (EBAY) still a great deal. Next purchase will be the BLI cab forward. Have run their Hudson...another great running and looking model. I think now is the golden age of model railroad steam power, the new plastic stuff rivals the detail of brass and you can actually get great slow speed operation out of them right out of the box.