I’m new in the HO Gauge model train business and I am looking to buy a good quality locomotive. I have purchased three Athearn locomotives so far.
Athearn F7A & 7B
Athearn GP 35
Athearn FP 45
I looking for one that is detailed and runs quiet
I believe that these middle of the road so can someone identify the top five locomotives for me?
In my humble opinion; Athearn Genesis, Atlas, Stewart Hobbies, now owned buy Bowser, Bachmann Spectrum, @ Kato. Not necessarily in that order. I have heard and read a lot of good things about Proto 2K, but the two engines I have owned by them both had problems. One of which I have never been able to fix.
I’d say:
atlas 10/10
KATO never owned one
P2K never owned one
Athearn genesis never owned one
Athearn 7.5/10
Bachmann spectrum 2/10
dingoix 2/10 for Spec??? fair go, i own a spectrum and have had no probs with it what so ever.
atlas 10/10
P2K 9/10
Genesis 7.5/10
athearn RTR 7/10
athearn BB 6/10
kato- 10/10
stewart 8/10
then the expensive stuff
BLI 9/10
EDIT: spectrum 8/10 and in my opinion i would get atlas or P2K or for more modern locos kato
OZJIM
JWARNELL,
What happened to your P2K’s you said you have one that you have not fixed, maybe I can help you, let me know, or start a post.
magarvey,
Looks like you have got some of the Blue Box Athearns so you got a good start on engines. These units are like work horses, but are weak on details. You could detail them up a bit if you want.
The other Loco’s that run good and have nice details are: P2K, Bachmann Spectrum, Atlas, Athearn RTR, Athearn Genesis, Kato, and Broadway Limited. All of these run good and have nice deatils.
].
Athearn F7A & 7B…TRY a STEWART F7 AB
Athearn GP 35 …TRY a KATO GP-35
Athearn FP 45…TRY a PPW CHASSIS
“I am looking for one that is detailed and runs quiet”.
The FP-45 Athearn hasn’t been upgraded and only one done in detail (Brass -Overland?). Earlier KMT made Brass were neither detailed, nor good runner’s.
BEST BET: get a PPW Chassis and detail the shell yourself. - KD couplers, JB 42" wheels, grab iron’s, etc.
http://www.ppw-aline.com/LocoChassis.htm
Athearn B.B,. engine’s were decent ‘beginner’s’ engines, having been superceded by product’s that are now 'middle of the road. Unfortunately you’re requesting OPINION’S - and everybody has one.
" I believe that these middle of the road so can someone identify the top five locomotives for me??"
You cant go wrong with any INTERMOUNTAIN, ATLAS, & KATO, followed by Athearn’s newer RTR line, STEWART, and PROTO 2000 - ALL of which I can say I OWN.
James,
I own several Spectrums to, I have never had any problems with them either, so lets just you and I go by what we know.
spectrum has SERIOUS quality control issues, my 2-8-0 is the biggest piece of junk, been fixed twice and it still doesn’t run, next week i’m sending it off to bachmann- but if you went and bought 2 spectrums- 1 would be pretty good and the other would be junk-- please avoid regular bachmann though (the “train-set” models) they have quality control issues and people assume it’s a good prouduct just because bachmann fixes it (for a price, it’s not free) that doesn’t make them good. How often have you heard of an Atlas that didn’t run and had to be sent in for repair? never.
I like Atlas a lot.
I like my Broadways
I had 3 PK2s all with problems–poor customer support–non existant now so beware.
I have a 2-8-0 and Shay Spectrum–both with SoundTrax and both great.
I have a pair of Spectrum Baldwin 2-8-0’s - Great runners. Most of the horror stories about the 2-8-0 have ben the Bachmann ‘Reading’ 2-8-0(the one with the wide firebox). I have only seen one Spectrum 2-8-0 that was a ‘dud’ - Bachmann replaced it via mail within 2 weeks. I also have a ‘high boiler’ 4-6-0 - a sweet runner.
KATO - Run great(I have 3, RSC2’s and a NW2)
Atlas - I have a pair of RS1’s & a S-4 (Atlas engines are always great runners)
P2K/P1K - (I have at least 24)Mine run fine(I did have cracked gears on several, and Life-Like sent me a dozen gears/axles at no charge).
Athearn Genesis Runs great(a single F9A)
BLI - I have a pair of the USRA Heavy 2-8-2’s They run/sound great, and will output anything on my layout.
I have sold off most of my old Athearn ‘BB’ from the 70’s. That GP fleet has been replaced by P2K GP/SD’s and I consider them the best ‘bang for the buck’ when you take into consideration ‘running qualities/paint jobs/details’(I picked up most of my P2K GP9’s for $40 each). I think the Atlas may be the best overall, but they do cost more.
Jim Bernier
I like the Athearn BB’s, because I cannot afford stuff like BLI, etc. Also, the BB’s are work horses and you can upgrade them performance wise with new motors, Helix Humpers are around 21, and Nickle Silver wheels for 9.95 per locomotive. That alone lowers the power consumption and gets them ready for DCC. They are great for adding your own details, and if you mess one up, no big deal, since they are so cheap and easy to fix. They are a great DIY kit.
Here Here for Athearn BB Stuff. Dirt cheap and bullit proof. 29 locos and counting. OOPS make that 30, found another one last night in my stuff[:P]
Thanks for all the opinions all are really good. I will count on you guys again for info as i go along in this journey
in N scale -
Atlas 10/10
Kato 10/10
Proto 8/10
For the money, I have had nothing but good luck with the Walthers Trainline locomotives. I have 3 GP15s. The come with directional lighting and run very quietly, and even creep along at low prototypical speeds.