HI ALL:
I AM FROM THE UK AND LOOKING AT H/O AMERICAN RAILWAY CAN ANY ONE HELP ME WITH THE FOLLOWING:
WHAT IS THE BEST MANUFACTURERS FOR LOCO’S ? IN THE UK CAN GET ATLAS,KATO,ATHEARN,ECT ON EBAY WHICH IS BEST??
THANKS FOR ANY HELP GARY
There are of course many opinions because of many experiences and each of those manufacturers hae made good or not so good models, depending on the particular loco and time frame. And how you define best, ie reliability, durability, detail, DCC, Sound, Etc.
I like Atlas and Kato quality but not their sound locos for example. I like some but NOT all Athearn genesis locos. Proto 2000 is pretty good and so is BLI and Intermountain.
I would pick a prototype first then look to see who makes it and go from there.
Richard
EDIT–also those you can get parts for in UK
I recommend Atlas,Walthers (proto) and the older Life Like Proto 2000.
Then Athearn and Genesis-as a long time Athearn customer it pains me to say this Athearn does have some QC issues…I still by their RTR engine though and haven’t had any real issues…Some of the RTR boxcars are less then stellar with stirrups laying in the car’s tray.
First off welcome [#welcome]! Secondly, do you have a particular era/time frame in mind for your modeling? Thirdly, do you have a specific railway in mind or region of North America? I only ask as this information could/would probably lead to a pretty extensive list of specific locomotives and manufacturers of said locomotives for you to look for or keep your eyes out for. Having said that, those companies listed above are all solid choices (Athearn, Kato, Intermountain, Proto 2000, etc). I also like some of the recent releases by Bachmann (my HO DCC Sound Value Santa Fe F7A and B have been great for a very low price [;)])…but that’s me.
Enjoy and happy modeling!
Don.
Hi and [#welcome]
There really are no “best brands”, only perhaps varying degree of success with any brand you choose. Each has its pluses and each has its faults.
I have seen many complaints about the expensive brands{MTH, BLI etc} that far exceeded that of the cheaper brands {Bachmann, etc.}
I have also seen many a frustration at faulty warrantee or service needs from the expensive brands, and I have seen many praises for the CHeaper brands service depts. {Bachmann is supposed to have a fantastic servce Dept., but I have yet to use it for my fleet of 14 locos!} I hav seen complaints all around.
SOme manufacturers, such as Tyco, Model Power are "cheap train set " quality. Poor in details and may not run so well or last so long. SOme collect these for kicks and giggles.
Bachamnn is inexpensive,and usually has stock onthe shelves ready for immediatae purchase, while other more expensive makers often take preorders and only if they get enough of those, will actually make it, often months or years later.
Locos also tend to come in “good, better, best” regime. Bachmann for example has the ordinary locos, the Spectrum locos being their best. Proto 1000 locos are a lower formof the Proto 2000. Each higher level having more details, etc.
But more information is needed from you:
1} What “era” are you wanting to model? Not all manufacturers make all type of locos for all types of eras… It may depend on your era desires that will dictate what maker’s products you buy.
2} What Livery are you wanting to model? If you choose, say a major line like B&O, C&O, CSX or Union Pacific, you will have good luck with choosing a maker, many of them will make those liveries. If you choose, say JQP RR {the John Q Public RR} your sources are going to be limited, or you will have to “make your own” from a plain model.
3} what is your budget? That is the biggest determiner of your selection
It can be confusing, because some companies offer several lines of equipment. For example, Bachmann has the Spectrum line, which are very good steam engines, and their regular line, some of which are good and some of which are “toy train set” quality. Athearn’s old “blue box” line is pretty good, but Athearn Genesis is much higher quality.
Hi GB,
What’s your twenty, nouth or south of Watford?
There are a few groups and clubs that do US on this side of the pond, ok we are a bit thin on the ground but not that you have to drive hundereds of miles. Unless you are way up top side of Lochness or stuck on Anglsey.
There are a few down south and in the west country and theres The NCAM based west of Harragate. We meet every first Sunday of the odd months.
Be in touch.
pick
There really is no “best” manufacturer. Any maker who advertises in Model Railroader makes good stuff, that will run well, stay on the track, and last a long time. I bought a copy of Model Railroader off the rack at Heathrow Airport some years ago. so the magazine is/was distributed in the UK. Myself, I run locomotives from Athearn, Bachman, Proto 2000, Mantua, and IHC. All are quite satisfactory.
Judging from the list that you provided, I presume you are interested in Diesel locomotives. For diesels in HO scale I usually put Atlas on the top of my list. Even that assumes you are talking about currently manufactured locos.
If one gets into the used market there was a time period (1984- early 1990s as I recall) where the Atlas/Kato and Stewart/Kato produced what are the best running locomotives. They lacked a bit in the details (the Atlas RS-3 even had molded on grab irons), but they are so smooth, quiet, and strong pullers. Also in the past even the “good” ones today had some serious problems. Some examples are the Athearn Genesis had electronics in them that were junk. The Genesis SD70 models had warped truck issues. The original Proto-2000 had cracked gear issues. So there are always exceptions.
In general though considering currently produced models, you can’t go wrong with any of the brands you mentioned. You could also add BLI, Stewart, Intermountain, and Proto-2000 to the list
thanks for your help i am looking to build a small layout to start only about 5ft max by about 12" just to see how thing go :
looking to get a loco to shunt some wagons around would any of the below locos work in a small siding :
EMD SD45: EMD 40-2 :EMD GP38-2: EMD GP 50
or are they the wrong type of locos for this type of work, and are they any other locos that would do that work.:
am looking to base the layout in the 1990’s up to date and looking to be none dcc:
thanks for any help
gary
hi thanks for getting back :
am from the midland , thinking about doing a small layout to try some us modelling :
trying to fine out some info about locos ect if i give you my email address could you plz help me out with some info :
thanks once more :
gary
ps hope to go to the nmra this weekend at meriden
In American railroading that would be “Looking to get a loco to switch some box cars around a small switching layout.” [:)]
Of the ones in your list I would say the GP38-2 is the most applicable.
The SD45 was the monster road locomotive of the 1970s. The SD40-2 became the road workhorse through the 1980s. Their 6 axle trucks would not be conducive for a small switching layout.
Love that list of locomotives…all EMD’s…you have very good taste…[swg]! As has already been mentioned, the GP38 series is probably the best on your list for tight switching operations. However, if you are not operating in confined spaces with sharp corners, you could also use the Sd40 series of locomotives as they were/are used in yard work and movement of rolling stock (wagons) in areas we’re space wasn’t/isn’t an issue. But when you really get down to it, if space isn’t an issue, as was discussed here on this web site a little while back in another thread, pretty much every locomotive at some point has to move rolling stock around. So, at the end of the day, it really comes down to what size/space you have on your layout and what equipment you would like to operate. It is your layout after all so do whatever brings you enjoyment.
Good luck and happy modeling!
Don.
For an example of some excellent work of USA railroading in the UK, you may want to check out Jon Grant’s work. His bio does not say where in the UK he lives, but his Sweethome Alabama and Sweethome Chicago portabe layouts have a lot of followers the forum. This is one from about a year ago from the Hartlepool Model Railway show
Actually any of the above would work on a local or even as a yard switcher…Railroads will assign the best power to get the job done.
Why is that?
Glad you asked.
To railroads a locomotive is a tool to get the job done nothing more…
To them it is better to use (say) a SD45 for heavy switching then 2 or 3 end cab yard engines.
I even seen SD38s and a yard slug work a hump.
The N&W used a SD45 as a yard engine in Portsmouth(Oh) back in the early 80s and this engine was replaced with a Alco C628.
When I was braking on the Chessie SD40s was used on mine runs.
There is also a difference in switching a massive classification yards or hump yard vs switching a small industrial area. The BNSF 23rd street yard here in Denver uses sets of 2 former SD40-2 road locos as switchers there (remote control from the tower), but you never see them sending that type out to the south Platte industrial branch. They always send 4 wheel truck units out for that duty.
So I guess yes, it does depend on what your definition of shunting is. I assumed the small industrial area, given the space you mentioned. There is a design in 101 Track Plans book that is basically two classification yards back to back in a fairly small area.
Not in the eyes of the railroad…A SD40/40-2 is right at home on a urban local just like a older SD45.
I’ve seen SD50s on CSX and NS urban locals.Seen a -9 on a NS local.
I suspect if you look over BNSF locomotive assignments you will see SD40-2 and SD50s on urban locals.
Its no big thing to the railroads.They use the best power to get the job done.
Agreed. We have a small steel manufacturer here that has some pretty tight switching and “thread-the-needle” type car movements and Norfolk Southern has used pretty much everything on their roster to move cars in and out. SD60’s mainly, but my Son and I have also seen Dash 9’s and even SD70’s working the cars which is something to see…they don’t break any speed records…but get the job done [;)]!
Happy modeling!
Don.
Hi GB,
NMRA is the ideal start, our northern lot tended to be a bit stiff necked, if you get me.
Try your local model shops for the odd US nut, you never know. Could end up wi somebody like me.
For a small switching layout the Bachmann S2 or an Athern MP15, (DCC sound of corse) are a good start.
Be in touch.
pick.