im going to buy a new locomotive soon…[:D] im looking for your opinion or facts on which company is the best _________ locomotive. Please list pro’s and con’s…[:D] thanks, anders
p.s. i know some of my answers will not win, just want to see the results[;)]
Kato is way ahead of the others in smooth running qualities, but a lemon does occasionally show up.
You left out Atlas who in my opinion all around makes the best HO locomotives.
BLI
Best locos I have are from Atlas and BLI.
Atlas and P2K are tops on my list. I never owned a Kato, but I would buy one if they offer something I want. None of the others are worth considering.
I voted other because the best locos I have are P2K’s. I’ve never had Kato and my one experience with Atlas was a disaster. As for Life-Like standard line, Bachmann standard line, and Tyco, Kids toys.
Note: i should have mentioned i have a budget of around $120-$130…
I voted other. The best you can get of something depends on what type of engine you’re getting.
For F-units, you can’t beat the detail and silent running of the Athearn Genesis F-units.
For freight diesels from the 60s to 90s, Atlas has the best you can find. They have the highest detail and best paint out of everyone else.
For the most modern of all diesels, Tower 55 makes the best and only ES44s, which have excellent detail and an OMI mechanism, which is used in all OMI brass diesels.
For 1910s to 1940s steam engines, Bachmann, BLI, Athearn Genesis and Life-Like are all about the same level of quality. Life-Like has the best detail out of everyone, but the detail is all plastic and very fragile. Bachmann has more metal parts, so their steam engines are more durable.
For steam earlier than 1910, your only choices are Bachmann standard or IHC, which are both good. Their detail is much lower than the high quality stuff, but they run fine.
Atlas has some models in that range.
All I can say about your budget is go online to hobby shops from all around and really do some shopping. The upside is that you can find really great deals; the downside is that you can’t see them run. Most hobby shops are great about fixing any problems that may occur. Check out First Hobby.
I model modern era so I have found that Atlas has the best engines by far. I have Kato, Athearn BB, Athearn RTR, Athearn Genesis, P2K, Bachmann, Walthers Trainline. Atlas has great details and run smooth. Their start-up is way lower than all of the other engines that I have so they can run at more prototypical speeds. The only downfall is that they don’t make every engine out there so you are limited. If that not a problem then great, but for me I want a variety of models, so I have to take what I can get. All the others have great points about them too, but my first pick is Atlas.
I have an Atlas that i got for $105 with DCC and it runs really smooth, and the deatail is great. I can’t speak for a kato but I have a friend who really likes them. he has 4 Sd70MAC’s, 2 SD80MAC’s, and 2 more SD90MAC’s. Take a look. he still has to paint the SD80 and SD90MAC’s. http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2449
You can’t lose with Athearn or Atlas engines…
Depends what you want or are talking about: diesel or steam?
BTW, you left off Trix…
Tom
Kato and Atlas is second.
It depends on what your looking for. Sure Kato are the smoothest, but they don’t make everything. Nor do other manufacures. I’ll say this…
If I was looking to buy a loco like a Baldwin Centipede IN PLASTIC and Tyco
was the only one who made it. Guess What? It’s mine. I’ll just upgrade the chassis mechanism to something else. This is just an example. All loco’s have pros and cons. For example, ALL of my Kato’s has seen the dremmel before. I’m sorry, but they make their locos with not enough truck play. I have to cut the inner weights off to make it run on 18" radius curves. Now my Kato can run on 15" radius curves too. Forget what look prototype, It’s all about the space I have to work with.
I’m going with Atlas.
Atlas.
i hear good things about atlas but they are a little over my budget and they dont quite have wut im looking for…an sd-40. katos are also too pricey. im looking at athearn next. thanks for all your helps guys!!![:D]
I chose “other” because I don’t have an absolute favorite. The four manufacturers I will buy are Atlas, Kato, P2K and Athearn. They each have their strengths and weaknesses IMHO.