Which brand of model locomotive is your favorite?

[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

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

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

[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 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

[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]

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.

[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

[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]

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.

[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]

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!

[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]

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...

[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.

[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?!

[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 )