Best companies

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

When it comes to HO and N, are there certain companies that make a better product when it comes to trains,scenery,buildings.

2

From my standpoint (in HO):

Locomotives*

  • Atlas
  • Athearn Genesis
  • Bachmann Spectrum
  • BLI/PCM/Blueline
  • InterMountain
  • Kato
  • Proto 2000
  • Stewart
  • Trix

*Granted, all the above companies have had their share of “jewels and junk” but some are more consistent with the jewels than others. You really have to ask about specific locomotives AND scale in order to make a fair judgment.

Scenery

  • Woodland Scenics

Buildings

  • American Model Builders (laser)
  • Branchline (laser)
  • Fine Scale Miniatures (craftsman)
  • Walthers Cornerstone (plastic)

Tom

3

… Bachmann/Athearn standard line can also be jewels (with a little work).

Granted, Tom’s list is primarily HO oriented… I’m still in the process of locating N-Scale dealers of the same quality.

I will add Tichy (for rolling stock and structures). They make some of the best plastic kits I’ve ever worked with.

4

I agree with Tom’s list with the exception of Bachman Spectrum, which I consider mediocre, not top.

5

Dan,As far as N I can only recommend 2 companies that I have hands on experience with- Atlas and Walthers former Life Like line-GP18,GP20,GP50, the Alcos FA and RS3 and the EMD switchers.

I prefer Atlas locomotives.

Other then the Bachmann H16-44 that I used at the N Scale club I have no real knowledge of how the newer Bachmann run.The H16-44 fooled me…I thought it was a Atlas H16-44 since it ran so smooth.

As far as HO Atlas,Athearn(RTR and the older BB) and Walthers P2K line.

The newer Bachmann with DCC on board are nice runners and after seeing these newer Bachmann run at the club they have my full attention…

Also don’t overlook the older Yellow and Red box Atlas locomotives or the P2K locomotives that come in the Life Like boxes.

6

Since the OP was asking for “better” rather than for “top”, I thought Bachmann, at least, deserved a mention. Their 2-8-0s are very nice - although not very close to my prototype (NYC). And, I think the steamers are better than the diesels. Again, it depends on the manufacturer AND model.

Tom

7

My opinion of the five best companies are based on own my HO layout needs

Intermountain Trains: Until recently my source for first generation deisels, great product, excellent service

Rapido: Modeling both the CPR and CNR for Canadian Coaches and for a true FP9 Canadian Locomotives. No one else producing real Canadian coaches and Locomotives. Proof go look at the newly released Canadian. Excellent customer service.

Bachmann: Excellent HO Steam locomotives with DCC and sound, affordable engines with good quality, excellent customer service. Buildings under the Bachmann Spectrum line are quite detailed and good quality finish.

BLI: good quality HO steam engines with DCC and Sound, good level customer support.

Walthers: For buildings and other structures the Cornerstone brand are excellent quality for the money.

Engines. Locomotives (First Generation)- excellent quality, however, very expensive as are their steamers. Rapido has taken over first place due to quality

8

For structures, I really enjoy simple kits by DPM (now part of Woodland Scenics) and City Classics. Both companies make nicely-formed castings, suitable for any era, generally in an urban setting. They are typically low-frills kits, inviting the modeler to use them as a starting point and build a unique structure for his or her layout. Many of these are just 4 walls and a roof, but it’s this unadorned simplicity that makes them such an attractive template for adding interiors, lighting and details.

9

In N scale, I think Kato has the best locomotives, followed by Atlas , Walthers/Life-Like, and newer Bachmann releases. The best rolling stock companies are Intermountain, Micro-trains and Fox Valley. In N track I think Peco, Micro-engineering are the best. Kato Unitrack is great for beginners or folks who want to run trains quick. It is also very durable and reliable. As far as structures go in N scale I like Walthers Cornerstone , Kato, Tomix and the unfortunately discontinued Hornby Lyddle Ends line from the U.K.

Jim

10

Far as HO, my best luck has been with Proto either 1000’s or 2000’s.

While I love my BLI steamers there QC is pretty much hit or miss. But the services department more than makes up for it! [Y]

Ken