Being a rookie, I am trying to gather information about N scale diesel engines., especially F units. I think I know the two manufacturers of choice–Atlas and Kato. And I’ve been told to steer clear of Bachmann and Life Like. My question is, what kind of performance can I expect from Intermountain products?
Top notch.
I agree with Nigel. Great product, and great company if you ever need anything. Even just answers.
I have an ABBA set of the IM FT’s. They look great, run great, pull great and are very quiet. Superior slow speed operation and full throttle does not break the sound barrier. DCC conversion takes less than 5 minutes per loco. The other good version is the Micro Trains Line. I have no expierience with these as the IM version was quite a bit less costly when purchased on the internet. E mail response to questions come very quickly, in my case next day.
Bob
Thanks for the help. That definitely opens up the options a bit.
Best covered wagons on the market right now. See through grills, separate grab irons, and a solid drive mechanism. They make Kato F unit look like they are ten years old (oh wait, they are… [;)]). They are also decoder ready and there are a couple of manufactures that make them.
They only drawback compared with the Kato units is the lack of an interior. This can be rectified easily however and considering they are in N scale, do you really care?
Jeff
Hi
I have several Life Like locos (E6, Erie built, FA2, SW9, SD7, E8- but nose profile a bit sus) and unless they’re different here in Australia to overseas, they are excellent value!!! Mine run superbly and the paint and detail is more than comparable to Atlas or Kato. Perhaps your adivisors were talking of older runs, but have a close look at the models produced in the last five or six years. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. DCC conversions, nevertheless, take a little thought.
I agree very strongly with the advice to stay clear of Bachmann
I also have a pair of intermountain FT- excellent models and run very well though perhaps a little noisy. I wouldn’t say they are better than life like though, at this stage.
Cheers