Athearn
atlas makes great engines. Got one for christmas one year and scince then thats the only brand i’ll buy from
Why does the pro Atlas response not surprise me.
ALL HAIL ATHEARN!!!
Athearn kits. I like to build the car myself. I also like Eel River Model’s 60’ PCF RBL.
AtlasAtlasAtlasAtlasAtlasAtlas!!! [}:)][(-D]
My first choice is Atlas,then P2K and then Athearn…I also have 4 Kato GP35s(very fine locos[:D]),3 Walthers(GP15s) and 2 Stewarts and some older Atlas/Kato units.[:D]
All of my N scale is Atlas except for 3 LL GP20s. [:D]
1. KATO
2. ATLAS
3. ATHEARN
4. BLI
4. P2K
I’ve been an Athearn fan since their metal boxcars–oops, I’m ageing myself, aren’t I?–but I really like Red Caboose and Intermountain, even though I seem to have to replace the Intermountain wheel sets with Proto2000, for some strange reason. Walthers is doing some really FINE stuff lately–can’t wait to see what their Pullman-Standard passenger equipment is going to look like. As to locos, I’m one of those old-fashioned 100% steam guys, but I LOVE the newer Rivarossi Allegheney, and Spectrum and Proto2000 are doing great things, especially Spectrum’s cute little USRA 2-6-6-2. Of course, BLI is blowing my mind with their sound systems, and the several i’ve purchased all run like Swiss watches to boot. I’d say that generally, these days, there are no weak manufacturers at all. Even though I love my old Athearn and Roundhouse and Varney metal cars, the variety and quality of today’s products is SUPERB!
For engines my first choice will be KATO followed by Atlas. Freight cars by Atlas, DeLuxe Innovations & Micro-Trains.
My favorite is the one who comes out with what I want/need, basically.
In general, though, for engines I like Kato, Atlas, Stewart, and Proto, in that order. These are the locomotive manufacturers whom I have their product and have operating experience with. I don’t own or haven’t yet run any of the others, including Athearn Genesis which I’m ASSuming runs pretty well (and they better for the price they’re charging!) I’ve got an A-B set of their F3’s but haven’t run them. I’ve got a couple of the old Athearn “Blue Box” locos and I couldn’t get them to run to my standards at all. Even after playing around with gear boxes, drive trains, etc. Not even the one I put a Helix Humper motor in. If I have any of these on the layout they will just be treated as scenery and parked somewhere.
For rolling stock, since I’m one of those low life “good enough” model railroaders, anything that looks close to what’s it’s supposed to represent, and again in a road or paint scheme I want/need, it goes on the layout, whether shake-the-box or RTR.
My fav is Bachmann Spectrum HO steam. They run very well for me. I like small steamers and early diesels. don
After buying a LL Berkshire I’m sold
Atlas for RTR. the locos aren’t all that bad either.
Athearn is my favorite for kits. they are really easy to put together and look great.
Proto 2000 has some really good locos to.
i really like stewart… not sure why really. i like that they make a good selection of baldwins. close behinde is athearn though. jsut cant beat em =D
Atlas - cars, locos and track.