What is your favorite scale model locomotive? Mine is an HO scale Atlas GP38-2 Master Series engine. I bought this one over a year ago. After many a paper towel cleaning and logging several hours & HO miles a week working in the “yards”, it runs flawless. I’m really happy with this one. It’s DCC ready, but I have never run DCC. Wondering what everyone else has as a favorite. Pete
Hard to choose. In N scale I’m partial to the Atlas SD60’s, B23-7’s and Kato anything. In HO I love my Kato NW2’s and Atlas S-2’s both Austria and China drives. But reality sets in…I love them ALL!!!
I have 2 walthers GP15s. No complaints here! They run smooth as silk.Sorry,my walthers GP9m died and is now powered by athearn.
Modeling in N scale, my Kato RSC-2’s (I had to have both #'s) in Milwaukee Road run flawlessly, smoothly, and pull like crazy. They are far and away the best locos I have ever had.
I have about 5 loco’s. 4 P2K diesels 2 SW9’s, GP7, and an SD9 and an Athearn 2-8-2 my favorite is the 2-8-2 since its a truly good runner. The SW9’s aren’t far behind.
I currently model N Scale but am contemplating building a small HO layout just for fun. If i had to pick just one it would have to be my LifeLike FA1/FB1 set. Both are powered and each alone will out-pull my Kato E-8, Dash 9, and Atlas SD60M. The detail is great for N Scale. And the best part is I picked the set up for only $40 at a local train show, new in box. My only complaint is the crummy headlight. I love the Kato’s bright white LEDs.
I would have to say my favorite out of the 80 or so powered locos I have would be my Athearn Union Pacific GP50. it is the first athearn loco i ever purchased. I got it from Arnies Trains in westmnister CA back in 1989 and it still runs as well as the day i bought it. it has been through 3 moves and recieved pretty rough handling, but still works!
My all time favorite locomotive is a old athearn GP9(7 really)That I got back in 76.It still runs as good as the day I got it.This engines has only had maintenace and 1 set of motor brushes.It is now retired,I still get it out and run it on my test track from time to time.
Proto 2000 SD60
Hoyle, that’s a real good one, Proto2k SD60! I have 1 of those too, in UP livery, and it’s a real BEAST! It’s nice and heavy too. I have mainly smaller road switchers, except 1 SD60 & 2 Athearn Dash9. That SD60 can handle both long trains and heavy grades with ease!
Well, I have lots I like! My new Atlas GP-40 in maroon-yellow RI colors is second best, but my most favorite must be my P2K E8 in full Rocket colors and working Mars light! Not as detailed as the GP-40, but a smooth runner that could pull nails out of the wall!
- George
All my locos are favorites. It depends what operations Im running. I use different locos for different operations. The Grandkids run my IHC steamers, which I enjoy running myself. My Proto 1000 C-liner is a real brute. My brass 2-6-0 camelback runs like a jewel. My proto 2000s are gems, as is my Spectrum 2-8=0. I guess I never met a loco I didn`t like.
George-
You sound like a RI fan. So am I!! My e-mail address is terry.freeman@wpafb.af.mil. Send me yours and maybe we can swap some lies!! My favorite loco is an old and quite worn out Mantua 2-8-2 simply because, at age 11, it was my first engine kit and first peice of HO gear from “Santa”. I also have an old Atlas RS-3 that I dearly love.
Terry
I recently swithced to DCC and I will never regret the change over. Makes the hobby more lifelike. I have found that Atlas is making some great locos that are DCC ready. I just purchased 2 SD 40’s that run great. I also have some old rivarossi 4 6 2 that I have had since the 1980’s and have converted them to run dcc.
Pete, I model HO. With the number of engines that
I have it is hard to say what my favorite is. In
Diesel. I have a Atlas RS1 and RS3 they both have
Kato drives and I would say they are the best
running Diesels. They are quiet and pull just
about anything with no effort. I don’t know what
length of train they would pull but I’m sure it
would be a lot.
Steam engines are a different story. Depending on
what your doing is depends on what the best engine
would be. I don’t use DCC. Right now I just can’t
see spending the money to switch over. With the
price of what decoders are and new Headlights.
If you were just starting out it would make sense
to go DCC. Ross
Ross,
I have about 100 locos, none with DCC, so I understand what you are saying about the high cost of converting your fleet. Our club’s portable layout was converted a year ago. We can still run one non-DCC loco (or 1 consist of non-DCC) on it. I haven’t converted my small home layout, but I think my large dream layout soon to be started will likely have DCC.
Why, with all my locos? Well, from running on our club layout I’ve found the freedom of DCC is great. Also, I can still run non-DCC locos. Also, if you buy several decoders at a time, you should get a good price break. Our club went Digitrax and members had the opportunity to purchase as part of the one-time package basic decoders for about $14.95.
Pete, it is difficult to pick a favorite. I like them all, especially those I’ve put more work into. I like any Atlas, though a couple have had problems with dirty contacts over the years. I have several Proto 1000 and 2000. Great engine detail and good runners. They are a bargain when you can find them below list price.
Some of my Athearns are fine. Solid runners and virtually indestructable, though their base models really need some upgrades. I don’t have any Genesis line and probably won’t. Too expensive and I don’t model what they are offering at this time.
I have a handful of Kato. I like them. They run great, but again, I don’t model what most of their models and lines offered.
I have a few Walther’s. Their Trainline GP9Ms are nice runners for the money — better than Athearn at the same price. But I really like the FM H10-44s. I have five (3 Milw., 1 C&NW, and 1 Soo). They run nice at slow speeds and pull like crazy. They weight about a pound each. The little SW-1s are nice, too, but you often need to replace the plastic tube drive shaft on the rear truck. Fortunately, Walther’s has a free retro-fit shaft to replace the tube. Should have been that way to begin with.
I’m glad to see someone else who has had good luck with Walthers locomotives. I have five of their B40-8’s. They all run like clocks with no problems at all.
John Timm
I really like my two Spectrum HO Shays, but I may have a new favorite in the works. I just bought an Athearn Genesis 4-6-2, and the little that I’ve run it so far, it’s been very nice. Incredibly smooth operation, excellent low speed, quiet. The shays though, are really great. Watching all the linkages whirring away as one crawls up a grade, it’s fun. I haven’t had my railroad running long enough to have a sentimental favorite yet.
I have alot, but new current favorite is my new N scale Kato EMD SD9043. It runs pretty good. I like to run the bigger enigines! Jose
Terry -
That would be a great idea - except I don’t have e-mail currently! I am linked through my campus system, and when they made a change in the system, it seemed to “kill” my e-mail capabiltiy at home! They are still trying to find out why (for 2 months, now!). So if I ever get it back …!
Anyhoo, I envy you your RS-3 - I’m looking for it at the next Galesburg show and/or e-Bay. Even more, I’m looking for the Atlas RS-1. As you might know, the RI suggested this design to ALCO, thus creating the FIRST road switcher!
Wish Atlas would make some “modern” editions of these locos - a “Master Series” RS would be awesome!
- George