What is the Best Brand ofengine in HO?N?
In HO, it’s Kato, with new Atlas releases being a close second. But my experience has all been with diesels.
Proto2000 locos look great, run okay when new, but seem to develop power pickup issues with age. Also, P2K units tend to have some slop in the worm gears which will cause them to buck going downhill. A few brass washer shims will fix that, though.
Modern Athearn locos actually run pretty well, too, in my experience. Older brass locos run very poorly, with the newer stuff (with can motors) running much better.
Hope that helps!
Some Kato diesels on the HO Siskiyou Line
If you want the best of the best locomotives in HO or N then the only choice is Atlas.The second best is theP2K line of locomotives…
I favor the Atlas, it’s a first class -professional-creditable company all the way.
Steamers, depends on $$$.$$ You can pay up to $600.00
There’s different opinions on what are the “best” locomotives.
I myself have a lot of Athearn “Blue Box” locomotives. While they are not quiet nor as detailed as Kato, Atlas, Proto or even Athearn RTR, I still find they are the best bang for the buck.
Gordon
In all fairness we should specify our price parameters.
In my case, being cost effective, conservative and getting"the best bang for the buck" thanks Gordon, I own four A-B sets, P1K F3s. Cheapest power on my layout and in
a heart beat, I would buy a set again.
Except for the “Athearn Growl”, Genesis engines are good if you can afford them. Don’t buy Bachmann or IHC diesels, they’re poor quality from what I gather on other threads, and also be careful on those two companie’s steamers, as well. This is truly a “you get what you pay for” hobby. Life Like Proto series engines are also good runners, the Proto 1000 line is now getting plastic, separate grab irons. I’ve also heard Stewart engines are very smooth runners. Other threads heve warned getting a locomotive that is under $80 is wasting your money, although I suspect that depends on the company. I have no experience with Atlas or Kato diesels, or anything in N scale. If you see an engine you want at a train show or LHS, ask if you can see the model run before you buy, even high quality manufacturers sometimes let a real lemon slip by factory inspection.
Glad to help another beginner, Mike.
The Walthers HO catalog lists over 15 loco manufacturers and like cjm said
we do have lemons. In a nut shell it’s what is under the shell that counts.
Post your intentions before you buy. I think we all can save you some $bucks
and grief.
For steam HO I’d say BLI or Rivarossi. (P2K looks excellent, too)
For diesel HO, Kato or Atlas.
Having read all about Kato, Atlas & Proto on this forum, in the magazines & else where online, I make no arguements on the quality of these manufacturers. They are extremely nice running & looking locomotives as well as their rolling stock for that matter.
I myself have 2 Proto 1000 RDC’s. I have 2 Proto 2000 PA’s on order that are due in August. The PA’s I expect to pay around $140 CAN ea. Walthers suggested list is $100 US. These will be the most expensive power on my layout when I get them.
My Athearn RTR VIA P42 is just as nicely detailed & runs as quiet as my friends Kato AC4400 he just got 2 weeks ago. I paid $110 for the Athearn, I believe he paid $150 each for the Kato’s.
As soon as I get my Athearn RTR AC4400, my RR buddy & I are going to compare the Kato & the Athearn side by side. I want to compare the detail & how they run.
The best locomotive is what YOU think is the best locomotive. What YOU can afford. How YOU want to model.
Take everyone’s opinion & use those opinions to determine yours Mike.
I doubt you will go wrong.
Just my 2 cents
Gordon
BLI and LL Proto make the best steam.
BLI all run pretty good, especially the last few releases. Detail is like lower-level brass. The sound is a nice feature, but after a while it bugs you. Prices range $190-$500.
LL’s Heritage are just as smooth cruising as BLI, but dead silent. No gear noise. Detailing is the best of any plastic steam. $200-$375.
The prices may be too steep for some.
I agree with the bang for the buck concept 100%. Sure, to have the ‘best’ would be really great. I would love to drive a Mercedes or BMW. I would love to drink fine wines costing $100+ per bottle. I would love to wear nothing but $1,000+ hand tailored Italian suits. I would love to run nothing but Kato on my layout.
But I can’t do any of that stuff, and that’s OK. There are decent options available in all price ranges of MR equipment, just like anything else.
Are some of those options equal to the ‘best’? Probably not, but do you buy the ‘best’ in all other areas of your life? If not, why do you feel compelled to have the ‘best’ in MR equipment?
I am convinced that this DOES NOT have to be a rich man’s hobby. There is stuff available in all price ranges that will help you experience the “World’s Greatest Hobby”. Buy the best you can for your budget and have fun!! [:)][:)]
Not much was mentioned about Bachmann Spectrum steam - I’m about to purchase both their 2-10-0 and 2-8-0 . Also, I am contemplating getting Athearn Genesis 2-8-2 and 4-6-2. Any opinions? Has anyone even seen Spectrum’s new 2-6-6-2?
Can’t add very much here, because I’ve only got N gauge and only Kato, Tomix, and Micro-Ace. Of those brands’ steam, generally Kato is best. I can’t imagine any diesel running better than my Kato Dash-9! I love it[:D]
After six years in this hobby I finally bot a Spectrum. I had to try it out for myself since there were so many-many negative comments about Botchman. I settled for the new HW Mountain 2-8-2 and
have no regrets. Would I buy it again?, Yes.
See MR Aug 01 for the Athearn Genesis light pacific, 4-6-2, weighs in at 12.75 OZ
See MR Dec 99 for the Athearn Genesis light mikad, 2-8-2, weighs in at 13.00 OZ
I can mail you a copy of each if you wish.
Both are very affordable but because of their light weight suffer from a traction imbalance
problem.
If weight can be added it should be balanced over the middle of the driving wheelbase
to get maximum adhesion.
I own 3 kato BNSF SD70MAC’s and I think that thay look and run very niceiy.oh I can’t wait till I get my BNSF GE AC44CW’s.mrlove.
For HO Scale diesels:
High end: The “KAPS” Group - KATO, ATLAS, P2K, STEWART(also referred to as the FOUR TOPS)
Middle of the road, good value: Athearn Blue Box, Athearn Genesis, P1K, Spectrum.
Every single one of my Athearns, old and new emit the “infamous” growl. I will be making time this summer during my vacation to go through every one of them mechanically and quiet them down. They do, however, run very smoothly. My best running Athearn is also my loudest “growler”. A Milwaukee Road SD9 that I purchased new in 1978! I’ve never modified or even lubed her (Yes, shame on me) [:0].
She’ll crawl like an Atlas. [;)]
I have been impressed with the Broadway Limited locomotives but have read reports that some of the steamers and even the GG1s have had mechanical related problems. It’s good to know though that Broadway is making the effort to correct them. [;)][:)]
10-4![;)][:D][8D][:)][:p][swg][tup]
I have a fleet of 8 Proto 2000 E’s, 1 SD9 and 3 Proto 1000 F’s and all look and run great. In the mix I have 2 Atlas SD-35’s that look super but do not run as well. . On the less expensive side I do have about 3 or 4 Athearns of which my RI SW1500 is a little workhorse. There are about 5 or six average F units and 1 GP38 that are all decent. On the Ban for the Buck side I have 2 Model Power units thare are cheap and do track cleaning really well.
Bachman??? I have a doodlebug that is very under powered but looks great. It will pull it’s add on coach but not well up grade. 2 0-6-0 swithcers that run good and look ok The Spectrum 8-40c leaves a lot to be desired runs so so.
And the runner is a Mantua tank engine that just keeps running despite its age and history.
RMax
I received my new Proto 1000 RS-11’s last week, and I think they, along with my Atlas C-424’s are the smoothest, quietest, and most detailed from the box. The newer P1K & P2K are coming with nickel-silver wheelsets to counter the conductivity (my first-run GP18’s suffer from this also).
I have had several P2K locomotives, both my own and those a MRR Club owns, develop a grind/squeal/screech that will go in and out. When the sound occurrs, it affects the speed of the locomotive. I for the life of me can’t find a problem. Anyone else come across this?
P. S. Real locomotives growl, so I also have a large Athearn arsenal
Atlas is fine if one likes to run their train at 222 miles per hour (N Scale engines) They are dependable. I’ve never been able to afford a Kato. Personally I like Life-Like. They will trottle down to a crawl and pull good too. Back in the 1950s-60s I was in HO. Had a Mantua 0-4-0 that ran and ran and ran and ran. Ole Greenriver.