I have only had experience with Atlas, Athearn, Bachmann Spectrum and Walthers Locomotives. So my vote is based on those.
Looking forward to the responses!
This is my first poll and do not expect many from me. I know a number of people have expressed their frustration with polls and so I will not try to add to that too much.
Atlas is very strong on Desiels but I picked BLI for the steam.
Ive used athern, atlas, lifelike, and spectrum.
Spectrum has just been the best, but athearn is definately in second
Atlas because of their quality and detail. They are good runners and great detail and yet cost only $100-140. My [2c]
The Southern Serves the South!
http://www.trainweb.org/mgr
Those are all great choices. The 3 rail bug caught me a few years back and I haven’t been collecting much HO DC equipment. aI have no exprience with Broadway. Limited products. However, I have seen them in operation. If I had to go back to HO. I know wouldn’t have to give up the quality and sounds of a diecast steam locomotive.
RE: If there were only one Loco manufacturer left…
…they would be sued by MTH…
Keep in mind this vote is based on where I am right now and what I still need/want. Since all I have on order is a BLI ‘J’, I voted BLI. If I had just gotten my A’s I would have voted P2K. If I was into diesels it would be totally different. I suspect everyone else is in a similar situation.
I’m just glad there ain’t just one.
All of lifes opinions are based upon experiences.
I like several manufacturers, but based on my experience I voted for Altas, specifically Master Series.
Trevor
BLI: proto-specific steam, with factory-installed DC/DCC sound, at prices less than brass (heck, for a lot of their engines, less than plastic and the parts to instal DCC sound on your own!)
Either that or Bachmann Spectrum: inexpensive, nicely detailed, good running steam, that’s NOT built as “limited runs only”
Since I’m in N-scale, I voted for Kato. I could live with Atlas, particularly if they standardize on DCC-ready frames.
Tyco.
What brand of crack are you smoking?
Atlas -The Foundation of HO
BLI - Innovation
Proto- Dependable Quality
REX
LGB - almost indestructible and capable of pulling the paper off the walls!
BLI for steam, Kato for diesel.
Atlas by far!
What if you had to take away one of the above manufacturers of locos, who would it be?
I would say Overland because of the price of the locos.
The Southern Serves the South!
http://www.trainweb.org/mgr
personally I don’t have a preferance at this point in my MRRing because I only hae 4 Loco’s to work with… 3 bachmann 4-4-0’s and a Life Like F7A (non proto series)
Me, mostly likely Athearn.
Gordon
I’ve got a few Atlas and Kato Loco’s but my vote goes to Proto. The GP 9’s and GP 38’s are very good running and its very easy to install decoders in them. Nobody really makes crap these days when your comparing Loco manufacturers.