Who makes the best HO Steam Engine?

[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

[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.[;)]

[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.

[PennsyHoosier]

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

[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

[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.

[cnw1995]

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

[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.

[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]

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.

[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]

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]

[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]

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

[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? [:)]

[Budliner]

I LIKE MY BIG BOY 4 8 8 2

[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!

[CBQ_Guy]

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

[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.

[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!

[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 clicked roundhouse but i meant rivaossi

[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"

[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.

[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]

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. [:(]

[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.

[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]

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]

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.