My favorite brand as you can tell is LGB, The engines run very well, cars are well made and very strong, the track is the best of any brand out there… But if I was to have to pick another brand out there I would say MTH G scale… it has all the items a railroader could want!!! But these are my brands, What are yours and why?
I like the Bachmann Spectrum engines, very nicely detailed 1/20.3 scale models. probably my favorite LS locomotive is the Spectrum Mogul:
http://gold.mylargescale.com/Scottychaos/SHmogul2.jpg
2nd favorite is USA trains 1/29 scale Diesels…I have a set of 1/29 scale Lehigh Valley Alco PAs, they are fabulous! 
http://gold.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/LVPA05.jpg
Never been a big fan of LGB…even though their operating quality is excellent, I have never cared for how they scrunch everything and dont build anything to scale…
My least favorite is MTH, because their “O-scale toy-train” design philosphy has carried over into their large scale line…there is absolutely nothing worse IMO than a diesel who’s pilot moves with the trucks! ugh…hideous. And MTH chose 1/32 scale, which was a mistake IMO since USA Trains and Aristocraft are well entrenched in 1/29. (yes I know 1/32 is “correct”…doesnt matter…I would rather have an nice scale 1/29 USA Trains diesel than a 1/32 scale MTH toy with swinging pilots.) MTH being 1/32 is a drawback for me, not a bonus.
(actually, I just looked at some MTH pics, and it seems not all of their LS diesels have swinging pilots anymore! some are fixed-pilots…good to know!)
Scot
For me, it would have to be LGB as I am into modeling the railways of Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Captain Stryker
I recently aquired an older (correct grey/yellow) D&RGW #50 Caterpillar engine. It was run a little over an hour when bought new in the late 80s and put in the original box and forgotten about. I have to say it is the smoothest running anything that I own right now. Nice detail, too. So right now, I’d have to say LGB.
So far it has been LGB. My local hobby shop turned me on to LGB since that was all they carried in G scale at that time. My wife is German, so our goal have a German rail line. All of my LGB locos run very well. I wish that all of their cars would come standard with metal wheels though.
I have a MTH flat car with a CAT geneator that pleased with. It has greater detail than the LGB version of the same car.
My only exposure to Bachman was a Suwanee River Special that I ordered off of Ebay. The 10 wheeler loco was dead on arrival and did seem to have been cheaper quality construction over all. I think that it is on of Bachmann’s lower end so its hard for me to judge Bachman on all their products on this one experience.
Favorite for me really has to be Accucraft, the detailing is amazing. Unfortunately so is the price and I can’t afford any of them. Bachmann’s spectrum line interests me a lot and I do like the Mogul and the American in that line. Now to reality, I scratch build most of my trains, so I guess Avalanche Creek Locomotive works are my favorite ones.
Jack
Bachmann all the way followed closely by LGB. Love the Bachmann, never failed on me yet (even my version one 4-6-0 Big Hauler, which still works and hauls).
If I can afford 'em, I like 'em.
there are many different variations of the Bachmann Big Hauler 4-6-0, yours sounds fairly old.
the first was battery-powered going back to 1990.
then it has steadly evolved, and today’s “10 anniversary edition” Big Hauler is a fabulous engine! the 10th anniversary edition is nicknamed the “annie” and can be easily distinguished because it has all metal main rods, side rods and valve gear…while earlier versions of the Big Hauler had plastic rods…
The annie is IMO the best value in Large Scale…you can pick them up new for $150, sometimes $125… great price for a great engine!
Scot
As a reference, here is a page I made a few years ago that lists every Large Scale engine available:
http://gold.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/MLS-kitbashing-guide.html
(I see I need to a fix a few dead photo links…I will work on that.)
Scot
“then it has steadly evolved, and today’s “10 anniversary edition” Big Hauler is a fabulous engine! the 10th anniversary edition is nicknamed the “annie” and can be easily distinguished because it has all metal main rods, side rods and valve gear…while earlier versions of the Big Hauler had plastic rods…”
Hey Scott,
Thanks, I will have to check out one of the improved models. I saw that a couple online retailers had the sets for $200 or so but had the annies for $150 or so. I wondered what the difference was.
Thats me, but before I like em, I gota mod em.
Definitely Bachman Spectrum for detail and interesting reasonable priced locos.
Second would be MTH locos for the DCS control system and sound that can not be beat.
My LGB are parked, I have moved on.
Bud
LGB or Piko, Piko or LGB- can’t decide !
One things for sure - my LGB are never “parked” - still the most reliable .
I only have the LGB Porter and the Bachmann side tank Porter. They are both excellent runners and will negotiate my tight curves.The LGB is sturdily built and has many customizing potentials. I scratchbuild my rolling stock from stripwood (I model indoors). The ease of scratchbuilding, handling, and the incredible detail possible are the main things that made me switch from On30 to Large Scale.
ARISTO CRAFT TRAINS 1:29th ,then USAT 1:29th, I just have a hard time buying any girly engines that have no pulling power.
Mainly 1:29th scale.
Some LGB cars go great with the above.
Disclaimer: for those who can’t afford much I fully understand. I work many weekends for extra $$ for the hobby.
I like USA stuff first then Aristocraft a close second . I’m into the modern American railroads and these two companys make what I see in the real world . I do have one MTH engine , their “challenger” that is a lot of fun to run .
Hi folks,
I like anything that fits the 10 foot rule. So far I have 8 Locos. 5 LGb, 1 Hartland, and a couple of Buddy L’s (for my grand kids). I have been in this hobby for 7 months. My god, somebody stop me! I like my reliable LGB trains the best of course, but they all look good at 10 feet.
Regards,
Zak
I really enjoy my Aristocraft and USA Trains 1:29th stuff and anything I can find a deal on at the shows.
WELCOME LS And I agree plus add my MDC two bay hoppers.