OKay I want to start buying more trians for my layout. Im looking to run BNSF, CSX, and NS. I want them to look nice but at the same time Im not looking at spending $200.00 on an engine just yet. I have heard you guys talk about brass and will admit that I have no clue as to what that is. But they sound nice. So with that in mind which of these would you buy from and why?
Please keep in mind Im looking for Diesel. If I have forgotten any please let me know. I only know what in the walthers catalog.
Thanks,
Cary
KATO IS GOOD… but i voted Atlas because you can go on train world and get’em reasonable with all the bells and whistles… and they make a very good lookin newer model… they also come ready to run DCC equiped so you can haul’em with you to club meets and stuff… Proto 2000… is highly detailed too… but there kinda pricey…
Well,by what you said you don’t want to spend mega bucks so,your best bet is a Athearn or the new Atlas Trainman GP38-2 which the going street price willl be around $55.00.The TM comes in CSX and BN. Athearn has all three of the roads you want to operate…So,just by road names you want you should go with Athearn.[;)]
much of the time the brand you buy is determined by which one makes what you want- both Athearn and KATO make AC4400’s, C44-9W’s and SD70MAC’s i like Athearn a lot but if you have the money you may want a KATO. But i like paying $65 for an Athearn RTR [;)] bottom line- Avoid Life-Like (not proto 1000/2000), avoid Bachmann(not spectrum)
Rob,
I have a couple Hobby stores I go to but they are so far away. I just didnt know which ones where the best. I have an athearn that ran me $85.00. I like it but, I want more input on the others. I might be missing something. I am still kinda new at all this. Thanks for you info on Ebay. I will check it out.
The new Atlas Trainman loco’s seem to be a hot item now, A freind of mine really likes his allot. Atlas makes a good engine and has for years. Athearn has allot of RTR units out there now, I just bought a GP35 today and the old RS1 that Athearn makes now, these seem to be real nice unit, need a bit of details but are good runners and are decent priced.
The P2K line make good looking loco’s and fine running, so ignore the “JUNK” remarks that are made. P2K has made allot of loco’s that had some gear problems in the trucks, which can be fixed for a few dollars with no trouble after that, don’t know if the Walthers Co. is going to address it though.
The Spectrum line of Bachmann are pretty good loco’s to, fair priced but a bit week on details, good runners though. I own several of the Spectum loco’s and am very happy with them.
Kato makes a fine engine also, great detail, but not good pullers as they should be out of the box, add some weight and you got a great loco.
85 bucks, to me, for an Athearn is kinda steep. It’s sorta two fold though. You get to support your LHS, but usually have to pay higher prices. All we have here is a HobbyTown, and they SUCK. So far, I haven’t purchased anything from my LHS, and probably will not. The thing is, if you’re happy buying things form your LHS, go for it! I have to admit, buying in person is better every time.
In terms of Athearn, I love the RTR line. Relatively cheap, awesome pullers. The detail in my opinion is quite good. Athearns are a bit more noisy and maybe not as detailed, but so far they have given me the greatest satisfaction from a price versus quality standpoint.
I cannot really say anything about Athearn Genesis, Kato, BLI, since I don’t have any.
I have been quite displeased with the P1k Drive. My RDC is a very weak puller and has lots of trouble on grades. This makes sense for an RDC, but I would be wary if this was the quality of drive in all P1k locos.
As James said above atlas and kato are great but if you want the best get Broadway limited, for a little more price of course but the sound and DCC are a +.