Who do you think is the best manufacturer of model trains?
TYCO!![:-^]
United made some great steam engines.
There’s a loaded question! lol How is “best” actually defined? If you are asking about highest quality, IMHO I would probably have to say Atlas or Kato in no particular order.
Tim
Only the Tyco/Mehano ones! 
Seriously, there are good and bad from several different manufacturers. Atlas, Kato, Stewart are generally all good. Life-Like, Bachmann, IHC can be good, but mostly only in the higher end products, such as Life-Like Proto series, and Bachmann Spectrum series.
Pretty much best to stay away from the “toy grade” models from Life-Like, Bachmann, AHM, and, ahem, Tyco.
Rotor
Since I have been in HO ( 1953 to present) I would have to say MDC all things being considering including the era that I model ( Early 1900’s) along with my interest in kit bashing and super detailing. ( At least up until the time MDC was sold) However, most of the steam locomotives that I am now running on my layout are modified Bachmann Spectrum.
Peter Smith, Memphis
OH COME ON - AHM!!![:-,]
I started with Tyco 36 years ago and stil have fond memories of it.
These days I buy mostly S Helper, but pick up a few American Models, Pacific Rails and Lehigh Valley also.
Enjoy
Paul
PLAY ART!
David B
Beyond that, in what scale?
I mean, it’s not really fair to compare a wonderfully made Z scale Marklin locomotive with one of Aster Hobby’s stunning live steamers. (Click the links to see what I mean.)
They’re both works of art in their own right, but hardly comparable.
I say Tyco for a reason. It got me interested in HO and got me away from my Marx/Lionel O gauge stuff. That’s when I REALLY started to get interested in “model railroading” as opposed to “playing with trains”.
So for that reason alone, I still say Tyco was the best. ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY POWER TOURQUE!![bow]
trainlover38,
In an effort to give you a serious answer, I would rank Atlas as the “best” manufacturer.
These are things that Atlas does (in no particular order):
1). Great running Quality
2). High model Accuracy
3). Frequent new models
4). Cover all eras
5). Cover HO, N, and O
6). Runs own web forum for free
7). Displays at several train shows a year, and not just the NMRA National Convention
8). Releases a full color quarterly catalog
9). Makes low cost models and high end models
10). Makes sound or no-sound locos
11). Makes their own operating signal system
And so on…
Sure, there are other manufacturers that make a better drive (Kato), those that make more steam (BLI, Bachmann), and there are those that make cheaper and more plentiful models (Athearn). But IMHO, no one company does so much so well as Atlas.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
I want you to know that I am in absolute and unequivocal agreement with your profound insight regarding the high quality of model railroad equipment! I could not agree with you more if I had any idea what in the aitch you were talking about!
Some of it depends on what you want.
Not ALL manufacturers make ALL models. If you want a particular model, that may determine who you buy from.
That or wait until your favorite manufacturer comes out with the model you want.
Hmmm, now why would so many of you boys be misbehavin’? [:-,]