I apologize for the newbie question, but I’m going through all my used HO trains that I picked up over the last couple years, and only the Athearn ones (engines) seem to work well.
My N scale trains all suck, so if I were to shop for a highish quality will last years N scale engine, what brand would I buy?
Thanks!
david
This applies to Diesel models only:
Kato, Atlas, & recent LifeLike (from the past 5 years).
Intermountain and MT recently got into the N-scale Loco market with some decent offerings. I’ve heard some good things about them.
Athearn is a question mark. I’ve heard mixed reviews.
Bachmann & ConCor are wildcards. Try the others before going with these.
I second what MAbruce just said.
Thank you! That’s what I needed to know.
david
How do the Bachman Spectrums rate?
I don’t own any, but have been tempted to pick one up on a couple of occasions myself. From what I have heard, the Spectrum line is an overall improvement in their N-scale offering but quality is still suspect.
If you are looking at F units, look at Kato, Intermountain, or MT first. If something else (like their new SD45’s), test first to make sure it works and performs to your liking. I’ve heard from some that they are actually satisfied with them.
Bachmann Spectrum steamers may be first rate. Please try before you buy, and take care to break them in carefully.
The best diesels are from Atlas, Kato, and Lifelike. Bachmann falls behind these 3. The spectrum label makes them better than their Standard line. THey will take some work to convert couplers & convert to DCC.
I’m watching carefully the MDC/Athearn steamers. Hopefully, Athearn will have upgraded their couplers with a colorful paint sceme, at a slightly lower price. The MDC steamers are best used pulling a short string of Overland or Overton 1890’s era passenger/freight cars.
I’ve been very happy with a Spectrum N scale Dash 8-40C locomotive I recently purchased. I would rate it about the equal of my P2K locomotive, but not as good as my Kato. I would never pay the inflated list price, but if you can get a deal they are worth considering.
[:)]
Atlas and Kato are the best. After 14 years of use, I had to replace the brushes in one of my Atls deisels. After that, it ran/runs like brand new. Atlas offers a wider product line so it is my favorite. My oldest engines are Atlas and Kato. I bought other brands as well, but the Atlas and Kato are the ones I still have. I started into Nscale in 1989.
We have a woman in our club who runs the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 and it seems to be just as good as the HO scale version in both running qualities and detail.
I’ve found that Atlas is the best overall in terms of performance and detail. Intermountain and Kato are good as well.
I’d avoid the Bachmann N F7s - I have an A and B in SP livery and they’re downright variable. Paid near list price for the first one (the A) as I didn’t know any better, but it’s not superb. Picked up the B unit mint, boxed and unused on ebay for £5.50 ($12 ish!) - if you can get deals like that they’re worth a look but I wouldn’t rely on them - they tend to get warm and run progressively slower over a running session - will keep tweaking and see if I can improve them, and they look ok.
ConCor’s old F3 is a fine runner (mechanism is by Fleischmann, it runs like a clock) though the proportions are a little out - too wide and the nose looks “squashed”, also the pilot is moulded onto the front truck. However, if you want a loco that will run and run, they’re good and can be found used for reasonable prices. Hope this is of use!
Atlas, Kato, LL (especially the split metal frame cab diesels), MT, IM are all good.
B-mann SPECTRUM steam is good, except for the 2-6-6-2, but try before you buy, or if you buy on-line, buy from a site that has a good return policy.
B-personn SPECTRUM doodlebug is good. It will upll six RR HWS on RR trucks up a one-per-cent grade; no prototype doodlebug would do the equivalent.
The SPECTRUM F-units are strictly C-plus locomotives. RUmour has it that B-mann is going to re-do the drive yet ONE MORE TIME! to try to get it right. THe new drive is supposed to be based on the E-R sharks (I like my sharks although many have complained about them). B-mann just took over E-R and will continue the sharks in certain schemes.
I have no experience with other B-mann SPECTRUM. Stay away from the PLUS F-units.
The MP steam is allright, but it does have its drawbacks.
The recent LL 2-8-4 runs nicely, looks nice but will not pull. There are also some QC problems.
If you want good detailing, silky smooth running, good pulling power stick to these:
Cliff