Who makes the best HO Steam Engine?

[Anonymous]

This is a hard one as quality has improved exponentially over the past five years.
I'm impressed with the new Rivarossi engines

[Anonymous]

BLI, easily. Brass-level quality.

[michaelstevens]

I clicked on Bachmann because of their Limited Edition A4 Pacific ("Dwight D Eisenhower") which beats Branchline, Lima and Hornby "hands down" for detail, smooth performance, power etc.
But I had overlooked my one and only US steam engine -- a Bowser GS4 -- I should have clicked on Bowser.

[Anonymous]

Depends upon your tax bracket

[Anonymous]

I can't vote for just one. There are several excellent manufacturers.
Bachmann Spectrum, Life Like Proto 2000, Broadway Limited Imports are just a few I recommend.

Dale B.

[CP5415]

I agree with locomotive3.
I can't afford brass, new Rivarossi or even Athearn's Steam locomotives.
I have several Rivarossi, an AHM 4-4-0 & an IHC 4-6-2.
The Rivarossi & the AHM are nice looking models, considering that they were bought by my dad over 30 years ago.
The IHC isn't detaled like some would like them to be, but they are within my price range & they are quiet running.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I love Rivarossi, but the Trix big boy just catches my eye. I've seen one in action and was truly impressed.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CP5415

I

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

And that's taxable !

I waited ten months before I bot the Allegheny. On sale plus additional 15% off. Haven't
seen one cheaper.

Have an IHC 4-8-2 light mountain that I double head with the new bachmann spectrum 4-8-2
heavy mountain both of which I'm happy with.

I can't stretch any more bucks for the New Athearn, Broadway, Lifelife or Trix(OUCH)

[Anonymous]

I waited ten months before I bot the Allegheny. On sale plus additional 15% off. Haven't
seen one cheaper.

[AggroJones]

Lifelike's Proto Heritage Series. The detailing is just as high as any Spectrum or BLI steamer, but they run much quieter and smoother than them. No wobble. No whining at higher speeds. Every one a jem, especially that Berk.

[Hawks05]

i voted Life Like for the Proto 2000 line. nothing can beat these locomotives. they are easy to assemble for the most part and they run and look great.

[Anonymous]

The two I would nominate are Brawa and Roco. Their attention to detail is outstanding.

[randybc2003]

I voted for Riv.: I have a preference for little woodburning American Standards.
I have more of theirs than any others. Still have a little AHM Pocher 4-4-0 from late '60s. Have & like Bachman's Spectrum Consolidation. IHC-Mehano not too bad either. Have an 30+ year brass unit from Japan - still runs like a top.

[Anonymous]

BLI Middle of the tax chart with very few rivets to count. [:)] In other words, middle-of-the-road prices, well built with good detail.

[Anonymous]

I can't choose just one, so I'll have to say Bachmann and Hornby. Both produce decent models at reasonable prices (in the UK at least). Trix, Fleischmann et al make some very nice models but they're more than a little expensive!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hawks05

i voted Life Like for the Proto 2000 line. nothing can beat these locomotives. they are easy to assemble for the most part and they run and look great.

I didn't know you modeled steam locomotives, Hawks05.

[Anonymous]

Of the nicely detailed engines that I own, two are old brass engines, several Lifelike's Proto Heritage engines as well as some of the Spectrum series and like them very much, but the best performer that I have is the Trix Big Boy. The detail is great, and drives very well. I've installed a DCC chip and it easily does a scale 3mph as well as any Diesels I've seen run. It has pulled everything that I had on a level plain very smoothly. If you have the layout for it and the budget (I think it is a bit pricey) it would be a nice addition. I've been so pleased with the Trix Big Boy that I plan to buy the newly released Trix big Boy as well as the Alco PA-1 and the Mikado next year as soon as the budget will allow.

[AggroJones]

I've seen a Trix BigBoy run at a train show and was unimpressed. [V] It kept stopping abruptly and uncoupling from its cars. No other locomotives stopped in the area of track were the 4-8-8-4 died. Mabey its wheel were dirty, or somthing was wrong with that particular unit. Also, it kept juming in speed with no one controlling it. Cruising...cruising...highballing! That made for a negative experience watching this locomotive preform. [:(]

[NevinW]

LL P2K 0-6-0 is about as stunning a plastic engine as I have seen- it rivals brass. The newer Rivarossi engines are impressive- especially the Allegheny. There are lots of plastic engines that are really nice these days. The Athearn 2-8-2 seems almost undetailed compared to the newest generation. - Nevin

[AggroJones]

The 2 new Rivarossi super locomotives, FEF-3 and H-8, can rival anything else in detailing. But the FEF apparently runs a little off.

[lupo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

I've seen a Trix BigBoy run at a train show and was unimpressed. [V]

you saw good I think, I think Trix is a bit overrated and much overpriced, because it is made in Germany does not mean it has the same qualities as german cars like Mercedes and BMW, and because it is made in germany and costs lots of $$$$ does not mean it is better, but maybe they are trying to get to the same people bying those cars: "look at me I can afford a @#%%% dollar car!!!"

I saw lots of TRIX and Marklin US railroad stuff on swapmeets and trade shows (in europe these brands are top off the bill ), but I still think the Rivarossi steamlocomotives look better as do the P2K and Intermountain US diesels. and for their freight cars . .
don't think I mean that Trix an Marklin are bad, that is not true, the stuff looks good but not good enough to justify the prices they are charging.

BTW I voted Rivarossi, got 9 of them, my 3 Bachman Spectum locs look as nice to me, but my IHC camelback did not impress me much, just a bit over "toy-train"

[Anonymous]

i clicked roundhouse but i meant rivaossi

[Anonymous]

I have one BLI loco and like it very much. I am also impressed with Spectrum. LL Heritage and feel IHC is the best bang for the buck. The new Rivarossis are nice locos also, however somewhat difficult to disassemble. I love MDC locos and Bowser, since they are the only kit steam locos available anymore. Bowser is heavy into Pennsy stuff, which limits my attraction. I'd like to ask this, however; Rivarossi, Bowser, Lionel and now Athearn all offer 4-6-6-4 Challangers in U.P. design. Why do we need 4 manufacturer's vying for the limited amount of modelers which can make use of this locomotive?

[Anonymous]

I voted Hornby. I have a few Hornby steamers that are excellent - a J94 0-6-0 tank loco and a 2721 class 0-6-0 tank loco - an open-cab GWR pannier tank. The latter is intended as a starter loc, but having added a crew, some extra paint, more weight, and real coal in the bunker, it now looks a lot better. It also crawls along at very low speeds. The J94 can do the same and has a very low gear ratio - looks superb with a train of coal hoppers. I hear their newer tender locos are also very good runners, though I wi***hey'd fit flywheels!

[mikebonellisr]

Life Like, Bachmann,& BLI all have lately produced great, smooth running steam locos.I also have a few Bowser kits,that when super detailed and repowered[helix humper motors],look and run as good,if not better,than some of my brass.

[CBQ_Guy]

What, no Atlas or Stewart?! Atlas would have been my 1st choice followed by Kato, Stewart, Proto 1 and 2K.

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CBQ_Guy

What, no Atlas or Stewart?! Atlas would have been my 1st choice followed by Kato, Stewart, Proto 1 and 2K.

Atlas, Stewart, Kato and P1K do not make steam engines.

Because of this, I own very little Atlas and P1K, and no Stewart and Kato!

[Budliner]

I LIKE MY BIG BOY 4 8 8 2

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BUDLINER

I LIKE MY BIG BOY 4 8 8 2

Do you mean Big Boy 4-8-8-4? Or Cabforward 4-8-8-2? [:)]

[Anonymous]

NO question, Broadway Limited My J1e Hudson runs and sounds great. Can't wait until I can buy another one from Broadway Limited.