I am building a small layout, and I am looking for some good locomotives. I don’t need anything too expensive, but definately a step up from Athearn. I am looking for something like a GP40-2 and an Amtrak loco to compliment it, such as the DASH 8-32BHW that Atlas offers. Can anyone suggest engines I could buy, keeping in mind that I don’t want to spend much more than $100. Any help would be appreciated.
I believe Atlas also offers a GP-40 or did and should be available. Amtrak engines are offered in a variety of quality including Bachman, Walthers. Don’t overlook the newer Athearn Amtrak engines (P40 and P42) as they are good runners with good paint jobs in my opinion. They also have an F59ph if I can remember correctly.
The newer Athearn locos have better drive systems than the older ones - the drive shafts are of a new design with fewer UJs. I think these are on all the RTR locos - anyone know for sure? I know the new SD40-2 has them, and I think later SD40T-2s have them - mine certainly does. They are much quieter than the old-type driveshafts due to having fewer UJs and therefore less “play” in them - this seems to cause a lot of the rattling from older locos.
If you want something a little different, I would suggest taking a look at Lifelike Proto 1k/2k locos - there are a few that would meet your needs if you’re interested in the more unusual types - a BL2 for example? Have seen photos of these on shortlines in the '90s.
Atlas locomotives are very good. I like my GP40s and SD35s (got them to run at the club before I narowed my focus further…) Stewart has fine locomotives too. If you want a challenge; Tiger Valley Models http://www.lynnet.com/~tigervalley/ or Hobbytown of Boston http://bearlocomo.zoovy.com/ offer diesel kits.
Thanks for the help. I think I will repost this in the main forum in order to receive more replies.