Who makes the best HO Steam Engine?

[Anonymous]

BLI hands down!!!![tup]
Exceptional quality, plus sound!
The bean counters be damned! [:0] I'm gonna get me some!
Just as soon as they make something reasonably close to to a Western Maryland steamer!!! (please,please,please??)

[Anonymous]

I voted for Life Like Heritage. Their engines have in some cases better detail than brass(Sunset Models). Next time I see a P2K 0-6-0 in the $175-185 range, IT'S MINE!!!![:-,][:P]

[Budliner]

I voted for buchmann
ok I got the 4-4-0
I also have the 4-8-8-2 but just receved my 2-6-6-2 from the factory and it has to go back looks like the packing is tricky for the packers to get use too
ops one driver limps like a dog but my baldwin 2-8-0 works awsome just like the cabfoward must have been when it was new (I got mine used for too much)
looks like buchmann is going for the moder market and not the toys hope I get a working Bachmann Spectrum HO Scale USRA 2-6-6-2 Articulated Steam Locomotive this time [8D]
I'll keep ya posted but so far 2 out of 3 ent so bad

[Anonymous]

there are several builders, who makes the best is determined by what is on the locomotive. die cast plastic, motor type. the manufactures are head to head now
that sound and dcc is on the market, right now it is better to see where production is going to fall before one finds who is the best builder.

[Fergmiester]

Wow, This is an "Oldy". A year ago I voted Rivarossi, Today I voted Life Like as I am really impressed by their Heritage series. Rivarossi is still up there but.....

Who's to say this time next year it could be someone different

Regards
Fergie

[Anonymous]

I just placed my year old BLI N&W Class A 2-6-6-4 on my club's layout with 44 Kadee boxes, 12 BLI B&O coal hoppers, 4 Athearn covered gondolas, 10 Athearn reefers, and my N&W caboose. The consist measures over 35 feet long and the Class A started off at 1 MPH with no problem. It is a solid, strong loco and the best I own, even better than the J1E and E7.

[cnw1995]

Doesn't Hornby make the ONLY steam engine in HO - working steam that is ;)

[Anonymous]

I vote for Marklin/Trix, they are both the same company, I run the Marklin side as my layout it 3-rail stud contact Marklin C-track. I dont mind paying for the quality that comes with a Marklin/Trix loco. The bigger question is will BLI or LL be around in another 100+ years. Marklin is over 100 yrs old and still going strong. Just watching my class 01.10 super pacific run slowly around the layout, no stalling, or stuttering makes my money well spent.

[Anonymous]

Your correct CNW1995, Hornby makes the only scale operating Live Steam locomotive in HO scale, they make the Mallard and Silver Link. Both are streamlined A-3 Pacifics designed by Sir Nigel Gresley. Cheers Mike

[PennsyHoosier]

BLI. Too bad I can't afford one of the new K4s, though. But my Spectrum K4s are just fine.

[Virginian]

BLI, Proto 2000 Heritage, and Spectrum have all produced some excellent locos lately. (To above, Trainworld has the Proto 0-6-0 and 0-8-0 for $150+), but I voted for BLI because of the sound.

[LuthierTom]

I'll have to go with Lifelike's Proto 2000 range, closely followed by BLI and Bachman Spectrum. The P2K engines just run SO smoothly, even at speeds so slow you can hear the rails groan.[;)]

[twhite]

Heck, they're ALL pretty good! I've got Proto, BLI, Rivarossi, Spectrum and even an IHC Heavy Mountain on my layout, and no problems with any of them. They run smooth, pull well, are nicely detailed. If I have any complaints, it's that my Genesis 2-8-2 has to be doubleheaded with something to pull anything more than 6 cars, and the trailing truck of my BLI J-1a doesn't like to back through a couple of my #5 Sinohara turnouts. And as far as detail--well, I can put my BLI AC-5 next to my brass Sunset AC-6 and it's hard to tell which one is plastic or not. Now, as I have been saying forever on these threads, if we can just get one of the manufacturers to come out with a Missabe Yellowstone (preferably BLI) then I'll be the world's happiest camper.
Tom

[tatans]

Just got from ebay very cheap 2 old 50's or 60's AHM Rivarossi locos in new mint condition, (old-old stock) a 0-6-0 saddle tank and a 0-4-0 switcher, both in original beat up boxes,a little cleaning & oiling and detailing, these little engines run great at very slow speed and pull enormous loads ( I added lead weight) and will be great on my logging layout. It's like Christmas.

[Anonymous]

I vote Trix for thier Big Boy :)

[Anonymous]

Hornby's current model live steamers are British OO scale, i.e. 4 mm to 1' and not HO scale at 3.5 mm to 1'. The current range is just Sir Nigel Gresley's Pacific A4's, one of which, Mallard, still holds the World steam record.

In one of our Saturday papers, whilst announcing excellent company results for Hornby, it stated Hornby were intending to issue new live steam models for both the USA and Germany next year. Could this be based on Rivarossi models from the Lima acquisition? Might be a Big Boy for the USA and a German 01 pacific. Just my guess though. These would be HO.

Hornby are opening its first shop in the USA on 24th November, although this will be for slot car Scalextric initially.

Lots of nice things to look forward to from Hornby over the pond.

[Anonymous]

For the price, I really like Bachmann. Picked up a weathered C&O 2-6-6-2 for about $230 bucks ,very nice just needs sound decoder and a layout to run on. My old IHC Heavy Mountain ain't bad either.

[Texas Zepher]

Best, best what looks, running, value, sound, durability??

I was impressed with Oriental Powerhouse in the late 1980s. The IHC run really good for the price but lack any detail. Then I was impressed again with the Bachmann Spectrums. Then the first run of the Proto 2000 raised the bar again. Athearn Genesis were a disapointment (both detail and performance) but it seems at least their pulling power improves with age (hopefully they've learned and improved because I crossed my fingers and ordered a 4-6-6-4). I'm disapointed with both the sound and detail of the Broadway Limiteds, but they seem to run OK. My friend has two of the Lionel Big Boys I got to run around on the layout with. He is going to gut them for the electronics because of lurchyness, binding, noise. And he bought a TRIX that out of the box is so much better it puts them all to shame. It glides over track at the club that stalls even the most shure footed diesels.

So for plastic TRIX gets my vote, but please note that I have not been able to play with any of the new Rivarossi units.

If you include the brass I have to vote for W&R. Their NP Z6 is the only locomotive I've never had any doubt was well worth the price tag.

[Anonymous]

I voted BLI because of the class A,but my P2K 0-8-0 is just about as nice as you can get without the price tag for brass.If this would of been posted two years ago probably Riv,or LL. would of been top dogs Bli's introduction was like someone put a hot wire to the ho scene.With LL.re release of their 2-8-8-2 with factory sound I think BLI will have a very serious contender.

[baniaj2]

I chose Bachmann over BLI and P2K for this reason:

I have had longer running time logged with bachmann spectrum engines. I have had no problems with their 2-8-0s many years of hard running (2+% grades, heavy tonnages, minimal maintenance). I have a light 4-8-2 that has proven to be very reliable. These are also borderline easy to tear down and put back together if needed.

BLI; for the money, I have not logged the miles to determine the reliability, intial prospects look good however. Initial NYC 4-6-4 may have noisy motors

P2K: I like the 0-8-0 alot. electrical pickup in tender is a must to install. 0-6-0 too light to be useful for my purposes. Again, have not seen the relability due to a lack of running time.

I'll go out on a limb. For those wanting to get into good plastic steam: go with Bachmann Spectrum. Best value for the money.

[Berk-fan284]

I'm biased I have 10 Rivarrosi,2 Athearn,4Bachmann,1 Proto 2000,several older brass, they all have their good points/"charms", based on volume I vote Rivarrosi.

[don7]

I have BLI's, Bachman Spectrums and Rivarossi's, They are all about equal in detail, but the BLI's with sound are actually the most affordable if you shop around. Adding a good sound unit to the Spectrum and Rivarossi(aftermarket) drive the final price up and make them even more expensive than the BLI's with their factory sound. For detail they are all very close, for ranking I would give the BLI the top mark (because of the sound) all run extremely well.I do have one IHC which as others have pointed out are of minimum detail and would not purchase any others.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 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. ... Mabey its wheel were dirty, or somthing was wrong with that particular unit. Also, it kept juming in speed with no one controlling it.

Hmmm, Interesting but exact opposite of my experience. I would rate the Trix a cut above all the others in the list.

A friend bought two of them, and they are both the smoothest running things I've ever seen. I was envious. They ran better than some of the brass that I have remachined. He thinks that they run so much better he is planning on gutting the sound units out of his Lionel and Genesis (4-6-6-4) to put into them.

I have to qualify this by saying I have never even seen one of the new Rivarossis.

[Anonymous]

The best maker in HO Steam Engine are FLEISCHMANN and MICRO-METAKIT

[Darth Santa Fe]

Bowser's the best steam manufacturer that I've had experience with, so I voted Bowser.

[TrainFreak409]

I would have to say Broadway Limited Imports. They are the bomb![:D]

~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~

[espeefoamer]

I said Bachmann because I have two of them. A Bachmann spectrum K4 and a standard bachmann GS4.I also have a Rivarossi cab forward and an IHC 2-6-0.This engine ran for a short while then quit running abruptly.I can't send it back for repairs,as I bought it used at a train show[:(].

[randyaj]

I voted for the IHC for the money the best steam locomotive out there. I have four of them and they run great and have good detail. I bought three of the four on ebay for the average of 60 dollars and the other at my LHS for 75. I have an Athearn Genesis that runs no better and has no more detail-in fact had to add more of the detail on the Athearn-not impressed; even more so with the huge cord from engine to tender. Unless I hear differently about the other Athearn steamers, that is the only one that I will own. On the otherhand the fleet of Athearn diesels that I have are reliable and good runners, but the proto series of the GP-9 is the winner in my book!
and that is my taxable 2 cents worth
Randy Johnson

[dinwitty]

I put Broadway, I have the 2-6-6-4, excellent.

however all the higher quality models being made are far better than many of the earlier 60's -70's models.

The LL berkshire is much better than the Rivarrossi.

So really I give those model manufacturers a thumbs up for doing some great improvements. Including RR for the 2-6-6-6 I also own.

[Anonymous]

When it comes out, the best will be the MTH K4.