What are the best engines & cars?

[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'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

[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.

[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

[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

[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]

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