I am moving back to N scale at our Club. (Still HO at home). It’s been 5 to 7 years since I have been active in N scale, so I am wondering what manufacturers Diesels Locomotives are really good these days? Top of the line seems to be Bachmann Spectrum, Atlas, and Kato. I am looking for ease of DCC decoder installs, smooth running, and pulling power. I will be modeling in the modern era anywhere from the start of Conrail up to CSX and including Amtrack.
I have just purchase a Kato SD70MAC and am real happy with it. It is a smooth runner, and TCS makes a drop-in decoder for it. (I have already had the shell off) However, it seems kind of light, but that may be because I am used to HO locos at this point.
I would also add Intermountain to your list. I have several F units of theirs with drop-in decoders from Digitrax. The only thing I had to do was solder the two wires from the headlight to the decoder.
That Kato is a great engine. I have 4 Kato and they all run smooth and have lots of pulling power.
My other engines are Atlas and Spectrum. While very good the Kato’s are just a little bit better. Except for my 2 Atlas MP15DC which run even a little bit better then the Kato’s. Why I don’t know.
I’m on the Eastern Shore of Maryland… I’m curious what club you’re involved with?
The Kato won’t let you down, but don’t hold your breath for eastern road names.
You’ll find that Atlas is right up there with some modern power, as is Intermountain, and lately, Fox Valley. All of them offer easy drop in decoders. If you go with Atlas, your best bet is to buy the non-DCC version, then use an aftermarket decoder from TCS or Digitrax. The factory decoders are pretty limited. Likewise the new Bachmann Spectrum offerings (only they come with a decoder regardless)
I’ve installed decoders in just about anything you can think of, including a lot of older models that aren’t set up for easy installations. If you hit a logjam, let me know.