What are the best engines & cars?

[Anonymous]

I was in a local very small train shop in my town a couple of months ago and the owner (whom has been MR for the last 51 years & retired) told me he did not sell junk and it seemed the only thing he sold was what he considered top quality stuff, engines at $100 to $150 a piece & up, cars at $25 to $35 a piece etc.

Another hobby shop which I go to in a neighboring town sells all of those & more such as Life Like engines for $22.00 each & up, cars for as little as $2.00 each etc. very affordable.

The one thing I have experienced so far is that Athearn & Atlas engines (which I have a few of) are obviously of much better quality than say Tyco, Life Like or Model Power.

My question is what is the best out there? and what brand or brands do you purchase or avoid & why, for other words what makes you buy what you buy?

I got back into MR after a 20 + year absence when recently I noticed my 3 year old my son become excited when ever he saw a train. At our next trip to my parents home we dug up my old Tyco set in the closet and now were both hooked and cannot get enough of it. Were in the planning stages of building a big layout but don't know where to start, I would like to start with modern cars and buildings, etc. but need advice.

I have been looking for a board like this and found it several days ago and now i'm bitten even more. It's great! Thanks again.

Brian

[Anonymous]

I was in a local very small train shop in my town a couple of months ago and the owner (whom has been MR for the last 51 years & retired) told me he did not sell junk and it seemed the only thing he sold was what he considered top quality stuff, engines at $100 to $150 a piece & up, cars at $25 to $35 a piece etc.

Another hobby shop which I go to in a neighboring town sells all of those & more such as Life Like engines for $22.00 each & up, cars for as little as $2.00 each etc. very affordable.

The one thing I have experienced so far is that Athearn & Atlas engines (which I have a few of) are obviously of much better quality than say Tyco, Life Like or Model Power.

My question is what is the best out there? and what brand or brands do you purchase or avoid & why, for other words what makes you buy what you buy?

I got back into MR after a 20 + year absence when recently I noticed my 3 year old my son become excited when ever he saw a train. At our next trip to my parents home we dug up my old Tyco set in the closet and now were both hooked and cannot get enough of it. Were in the planning stages of building a big layout but don't know where to start, I would like to start with modern cars and buildings, etc. but need advice.

I have been looking for a board like this and found it several days ago and now i'm bitten even more. It's great! Thanks again.

Brian

[Anonymous]

Brian;

The key is balance. Some of the lesser priced items may be dressed up and look and operate great. Then add some of the favorites, those special items that warrant the extra. Look at it like a wardrobe, start with the basics and build on it. You will find your comfort level and niche as you progress. It is a great hobby and one that is better when shared with your children. Don't let some retailers and others sour you. Modelers, like all, are a bell curve of options, seek those that will help your enjoyment of the hobby.

[Anonymous]

Brian;

The key is balance. Some of the lesser priced items may be dressed up and look and operate great. Then add some of the favorites, those special items that warrant the extra. Look at it like a wardrobe, start with the basics and build on it. You will find your comfort level and niche as you progress. It is a great hobby and one that is better when shared with your children. Don't let some retailers and others sour you. Modelers, like all, are a bell curve of options, seek those that will help your enjoyment of the hobby.

[Anonymous]

Greetings,

I suggest Athearn, Atlas, Spectrum, Proto2000. These are the better brands.

Rivarossi for steam locomotives. Although I have a Bachmann 2-8-0 which is great.

The Tyco, Lifelike, Model Power and such is not as well made.

I also have returned to model railroading after 20 some years and boy have things changed, mainly the prices. LOL :)

I am so thankful I have many fine quality locomotives from Atlas, Athearn, Rivarossi.

For freight cars and such Athearn and Roundhouse is good.

Prices go up form there. E-Bay is a great place to start shopping and you find some great deals.

Enjoy,

Mark in Texas

[Anonymous]

Greetings,

I suggest Athearn, Atlas, Spectrum, Proto2000. These are the better brands.

Rivarossi for steam locomotives. Although I have a Bachmann 2-8-0 which is great.

The Tyco, Lifelike, Model Power and such is not as well made.

I also have returned to model railroading after 20 some years and boy have things changed, mainly the prices. LOL :)

I am so thankful I have many fine quality locomotives from Atlas, Athearn, Rivarossi.

For freight cars and such Athearn and Roundhouse is good.

Prices go up form there. E-Bay is a great place to start shopping and you find some great deals.

Enjoy,

Mark in Texas

[CP5415]

Athearn makes the best locomotive for the buck.
Proto, Atlas & Kato are supposed to be better but I only have 1 locomotive from the previous three manufacturers combined.
As for freight cars, Athearn blue box., Roundhouse, Accurail are good. Walthers makes some good quality. Athearn RTR & Genesis, Atlas, Kato are nicer models but I wouldn't recommend them for around children. My 2 year old daughter can vouch for that.

Just my 2 cents.

Gordon

[CP5415]

Athearn makes the best locomotive for the buck.
Proto, Atlas & Kato are supposed to be better but I only have 1 locomotive from the previous three manufacturers combined.
As for freight cars, Athearn blue box., Roundhouse, Accurail are good. Walthers makes some good quality. Athearn RTR & Genesis, Atlas, Kato are nicer models but I wouldn't recommend them for around children. My 2 year old daughter can vouch for that.

Just my 2 cents.

Gordon

[Wdlgln005]

This is obviously an HO scale poll. I would suggest you chack out Atlas, Kato Athearn, Lifelike P2000 and Bachmann Spectrum.
Standard Lifelike Bachmann ModelPower are not as good I doubt if you can find any current production Tyco.
Athearn's entry into N scale has had mixed results. The trucks are great. The commuter cars may be some of the best made in any scale. Their F59 engine is a too-fast speedster. I hope Athearn can correct the speed range then follow with a quality F40. They could easily become the N scale cowl leader.
To be considered state of the art these days, 1: HO scale locos operate in close to prototype speed ranges, pulling a house in relation to their weight. 2 Body mount KD style couplers. No horn-hooks allowed. 3 DCC ready if not equipped. 4. Paint/ body as close to prototype as possible. No dream schemes allowed.

[Wdlgln005]

This is obviously an HO scale poll. I would suggest you chack out Atlas, Kato Athearn, Lifelike P2000 and Bachmann Spectrum.
Standard Lifelike Bachmann ModelPower are not as good I doubt if you can find any current production Tyco.
Athearn's entry into N scale has had mixed results. The trucks are great. The commuter cars may be some of the best made in any scale. Their F59 engine is a too-fast speedster. I hope Athearn can correct the speed range then follow with a quality F40. They could easily become the N scale cowl leader.
To be considered state of the art these days, 1: HO scale locos operate in close to prototype speed ranges, pulling a house in relation to their weight. 2 Body mount KD style couplers. No horn-hooks allowed. 3 DCC ready if not equipped. 4. Paint/ body as close to prototype as possible. No dream schemes allowed.

[Anonymous]

I'll throw my two cents in on this, for what its worth.
I have only two types of locomotives running on my layout. P2K and Atlas. Thats it. I have tried Athearn, Life Like, Model power in the past and and have either given them all away or tossed them as junk. Yes P2K and Atlas are more expensive but I have gotten some excellent deals on E-Bay. I have been able to buy two P2K engines for the price of one at a hobby shop. Brand new in the box, never been opened. So shop around. It can be done.
Just my two cents.
John

[Anonymous]

I'll throw my two cents in on this, for what its worth.
I have only two types of locomotives running on my layout. P2K and Atlas. Thats it. I have tried Athearn, Life Like, Model power in the past and and have either given them all away or tossed them as junk. Yes P2K and Atlas are more expensive but I have gotten some excellent deals on E-Bay. I have been able to buy two P2K engines for the price of one at a hobby shop. Brand new in the box, never been opened. So shop around. It can be done.
Just my two cents.
John

[Anonymous]

I use Athearn, Accurail, Intermountain some kato and walthers for my Freight cars. I pick the best steamers such as the 0-6-0 from Proto(Life Like) and the Bachmann Heavy Mountain. Riverossi are ok too. (Any one wanna sell a Allengheny? lol) I carefully examine the models for suitibility of my era '40-55' and occasionally there will be a limited run car from the 60's sneaking around. Diesals pretty much run well just make sure they have flywheels, all wheel pickup and power to all the wheels. (And of course capability to upgrade to DCC)

You pretty much detailed the lower end of modeling gared towards kids (Tyco, model power etc)

Track is atlas code 83 nickel silver. And I use metal wheel sets in place of the wobbly plastic ones. (Cleaner on track too)

Good Luck Lee

[Anonymous]

I use Athearn, Accurail, Intermountain some kato and walthers for my Freight cars. I pick the best steamers such as the 0-6-0 from Proto(Life Like) and the Bachmann Heavy Mountain. Riverossi are ok too. (Any one wanna sell a Allengheny? lol) I carefully examine the models for suitibility of my era '40-55' and occasionally there will be a limited run car from the 60's sneaking around. Diesals pretty much run well just make sure they have flywheels, all wheel pickup and power to all the wheels. (And of course capability to upgrade to DCC)

You pretty much detailed the lower end of modeling gared towards kids (Tyco, model power etc)

Track is atlas code 83 nickel silver. And I use metal wheel sets in place of the wobbly plastic ones. (Cleaner on track too)

Good Luck Lee

[Anonymous]

Here's my 2 cents worth. I use Athearn, P2000 & Spectrum steam and diesel. I have mostly Athearn freight and passenger. Replacing plactic wheels with metal from Kadee. For track Atlas code 100 and Peco points. Best of luck and welcome back to MR.
Keith

[Anonymous]

Here's my 2 cents worth. I use Athearn, P2000 & Spectrum steam and diesel. I have mostly Athearn freight and passenger. Replacing plactic wheels with metal from Kadee. For track Atlas code 100 and Peco points. Best of luck and welcome back to MR.
Keith

[Anonymous]

I like Brian have been away from MR for some years too. I my self have come to the point that with all the diffrent options out there I'm going to start small. Very small. With track options as 83 or 100 code. I plan on starting with a simple 2 oval track with a few turn outs. One being code 100 and the other inside being code 83.I will also use a few diffrent manfatures of turn outs too. This way I can make my own mind up of what I like and what works best for me. I do have a very cheep IHC figure 8 set up now that has been set up on a few card tables and have had much fun with. Now I want more but unsure what I want. Sure I would love to run out and buy a Big Boy and a ton of cheep rolling stock ! But what fun would that be spending more time tending to derailments and not running what I want to ? What is best for one person is not always best for you.I have much to learn, And there is no clubs near me. ebay here I come. (smile) This hobby is not one to learn over night. My only hope is to have a wonderful lay out done before I die (big smile) you vet's know what I mean.

[Anonymous]

I like Brian have been away from MR for some years too. I my self have come to the point that with all the diffrent options out there I'm going to start small. Very small. With track options as 83 or 100 code. I plan on starting with a simple 2 oval track with a few turn outs. One being code 100 and the other inside being code 83.I will also use a few diffrent manfatures of turn outs too. This way I can make my own mind up of what I like and what works best for me. I do have a very cheep IHC figure 8 set up now that has been set up on a few card tables and have had much fun with. Now I want more but unsure what I want. Sure I would love to run out and buy a Big Boy and a ton of cheep rolling stock ! But what fun would that be spending more time tending to derailments and not running what I want to ? What is best for one person is not always best for you.I have much to learn, And there is no clubs near me. ebay here I come. (smile) This hobby is not one to learn over night. My only hope is to have a wonderful lay out done before I die (big smile) you vet's know what I mean.

[JoeUmp]

Here's the two cents from another recent returnee. Twenty some years ago my equipment consisted of mostly "new" Tyco. Now my motive power consists of a mix of Athearn, Genesis, Walthers and a Spectrum diesel. My Athearn Genesis 2-8-2 is a very good steam loco. As far as rolling stock, it's mostly Athearn, Roundhouse and Walthers. I have no complaints with the quality of any of my purchases. Although I will admit that I am looking forward to checking out some of the other brands out there.

[JoeUmp]

Here's the two cents from another recent returnee. Twenty some years ago my equipment consisted of mostly "new" Tyco. Now my motive power consists of a mix of Athearn, Genesis, Walthers and a Spectrum diesel. My Athearn Genesis 2-8-2 is a very good steam loco. As far as rolling stock, it's mostly Athearn, Roundhouse and Walthers. I have no complaints with the quality of any of my purchases. Although I will admit that I am looking forward to checking out some of the other brands out there.

[Anonymous]

It all depends on what you are looking for.






the only thing I would advise is to stay away from the cheap stuff. It can be very discouraging to set some up only to have it derail or not to perform right. The track must be right also. Also if you are going to have a tight radius, stay away from the six axle locomotives. I was turned off of Lifelike for years until I discovered their Proto line.

[Anonymous]

It all depends on what you are looking for.






the only thing I would advise is to stay away from the cheap stuff. It can be very discouraging to set some up only to have it derail or not to perform right. The track must be right also. Also if you are going to have a tight radius, stay away from the six axle locomotives. I was turned off of Lifelike for years until I discovered their Proto line.

[Anonymous]

Freight cars: look for Athearn, MDC Roundhouse, Accurail, Walthers (after the wheels are changed out for Intermountain). Those are what I have experience with. Make sure to use Intermountain or P2K metal wheels and Kadee no. 5 or 58 couplers.
Steam engines: Spectrum 2-8-0 is about the best they have made; light 4-8-2 is okay, but is prob. too big for a 4x8 layout. IHC Premier series 2-8-0 is very nice as well, coupler on front, Kadee very easily, flywheel drive. It's the old Tyco Chattanooga Choo-Choo engine, but throughly revised.
Diesel engines: I prefer P2K GPs, goes around most any curve, pulls great. For max pulling, P2K SD60. I have 2, took 90-car ore train up 4+% grade around 30" curve on my dad's layout. For switchers, Atlas Alcos pull great, also Walthers FMs. Might be hard to find these days. P2K SD7s and 9s are really picky on trackwork. Athearns can be detailed to match P2K, weighted to pull almost as much. Atlas most anything from the last 20 yrs is good. The old GP40s and 38s, and Con-Cor GP 38-40, stay away from. Bad coupler mounts and bad fuel tank, with screwdriver slot in middle. Kato is okay, but doesn't pull as well as P2K. I stay away from Spectrum diesels, just don't run right.

These are just my experiences, your results may vary...

[Anonymous]

Freight cars: look for Athearn, MDC Roundhouse, Accurail, Walthers (after the wheels are changed out for Intermountain). Those are what I have experience with. Make sure to use Intermountain or P2K metal wheels and Kadee no. 5 or 58 couplers.
Steam engines: Spectrum 2-8-0 is about the best they have made; light 4-8-2 is okay, but is prob. too big for a 4x8 layout. IHC Premier series 2-8-0 is very nice as well, coupler on front, Kadee very easily, flywheel drive. It's the old Tyco Chattanooga Choo-Choo engine, but throughly revised.
Diesel engines: I prefer P2K GPs, goes around most any curve, pulls great. For max pulling, P2K SD60. I have 2, took 90-car ore train up 4+% grade around 30" curve on my dad's layout. For switchers, Atlas Alcos pull great, also Walthers FMs. Might be hard to find these days. P2K SD7s and 9s are really picky on trackwork. Athearns can be detailed to match P2K, weighted to pull almost as much. Atlas most anything from the last 20 yrs is good. The old GP40s and 38s, and Con-Cor GP 38-40, stay away from. Bad coupler mounts and bad fuel tank, with screwdriver slot in middle. Kato is okay, but doesn't pull as well as P2K. I stay away from Spectrum diesels, just don't run right.

These are just my experiences, your results may vary...

[Anonymous]

LCandMRR,

I am sorry to see that you did not fare well with the spectrum diesals. However some of your experiences are dead on the money. I have a pair of Baby trainmasters from Spectrum and they run well together hauling slow drags. They require coddling but I am happy with them. I did find the 44 tonners a bit like a child stuffed with choclate chip cookies all jump and play.

Best of luck a remember to add a little bit at a time.

Lee

[Anonymous]

LCandMRR,

I am sorry to see that you did not fare well with the spectrum diesals. However some of your experiences are dead on the money. I have a pair of Baby trainmasters from Spectrum and they run well together hauling slow drags. They require coddling but I am happy with them. I did find the 44 tonners a bit like a child stuffed with choclate chip cookies all jump and play.

Best of luck a remember to add a little bit at a time.

Lee

[Anonymous]

Lee (HighIron2003ar) [:)]

Congratulations on your new star. [:)]

I wish you many more. [:)]

I have also sent you an email.

[Anonymous]

Lee (HighIron2003ar) [:)]

Congratulations on your new star. [:)]

I wish you many more. [:)]

I have also sent you an email.

[BRAKIE]

Brian,How much $$$ do you want to spend? Of course you do not need the top of the line $150.00 engines and $30.00 cars..Athearn is the best of the economy line and they last for years with normal maintenance.

Athearn,Accurail,Branch line Yardmaster series makes cars for less then $10.00.

Also,You can save money by buying on the net and through mail order.Just be sure to buy enough to justify the postage..

[BRAKIE]

Brian,How much $$$ do you want to spend? Of course you do not need the top of the line $150.00 engines and $30.00 cars..Athearn is the best of the economy line and they last for years with normal maintenance.

Athearn,Accurail,Branch line Yardmaster series makes cars for less then $10.00.

Also,You can save money by buying on the net and through mail order.Just be sure to buy enough to justify the postage..