I have returned to this hobby in the last few years after a long hiaturs and am building a large new layout. The mainline was recently finished although only partially scenicked but I am to the point where I can begun to run trains. I have gone the DCC route. My old fleet consisted of mainly Rivarossi steam and Athearn diesels, some of which I will try to retro fit but I am also going to rebuild my fleet with new equipment as well. I’d love to be able to do it entirely with top of the line stuff like BLI or P2K but the budget will only allow a few of those. The rest will have to be mid price range stuff. I have a few old Atlas that I was very happy with so that is a line I am considering in addition to Athearn and Rivarossi. I am not familiar with their Spectrum line. My old fleet had a few Bachmann which looked good but ran poorly. I guessing their Spectrum line is a cut above those but how does it stack up against Athearn, Atlas, or Rivarossi?
I am very pleased with my Spectrums. I agree that the old Bachmann standard stuff was and is pretty poor in the running dept. but the Spectrum is much better. One word of caution though, I’ve heard from some people that quality control is a little spotty. Try before you buy.
I have 2 Spectrums a doodlebug and a Dash8. The both look fairly good. The doodlebug runs good but has a problem going up a grade of any kind. As long as it is level things are ok. The Dash8 does not have the detail and runs ok. No where as nice looking as the doodlebug and the heavyweights I have. Still ok.
RMax1
I suppose I should have mentioned that all my stuff in N scale steam.
If you can make N scale steam run good, you’ve done something I’d say!
Spectrum steam is better than Spectrum diesel. In the diesel department, Spectrums are better than regular Bachmann. But given the choice, I would take Proto, Athearn RTR, or Atlas over Spectrum. As mentioned, the quality control is iffy. However, Spectrum steam is well done and reliable.
All my steamers are Spectrum (HO). They run well, and look good. I’ve also had good luck with their diesels. Quality wise, they are above Athearn and below Atlas. I run all three, and like Atlas the best.
Nick
I had 3, 2 GP35s and an H16-44. They were okay in detailing, though the cab was poorly scaled on the GP35. They are grindy and noisey at high speed, but they are cheap, and don’t run too bad. The paint is okay, and the motor is quiet to a certain point. It is a good unit for a smaller budget.
Matthew
Spectrum Dash8. $50…LOVE it…Better puller than my Athearns.
I have two, a 2-8-0 and 4-6-2 . Both run well and service is excellent. I plan on getting their 2-10-2 .
Fergie