This is for LOCOMOTIVES (not mad at anyone). For me, it’s Atlas right now. I plan to have some Kato units, too. Bachmann, for me at least, has been hit or miss. some locos were real performers, but some didn’t even roll for Pete’s sake!!
For me it depends entirely on the scale, era, type of engine, etc. There are good performers in all these categories and sometimes what works for one does not in others.
For me it’s Proto 2000 and Kato. The Athearn BB locos are rather dependaple also, though the rtr locos are a hit and miss proposition.
I have to agree with both of you. I really like Atlas’s drive system. They always start out so smooth and you can run them at low speed and there not so jerky. I think athearn’s are getting better and better every production run as well as kato… I myself dont own any kato’s nor do I own any Bachman stuff. I hear bachman is hit or miss. there spectrum series steam looks nice. But thats all i know. I also run some Proto1000/2000 stuff and there nice as well. I run HO stuff so i cant say nething about N scale.
I’m an N-scaler, so I don’t buy Proto 2000, but Proto N looks good. There might be one with a minimal role, but I found most locos already.
Assuming you are referring solely to locomotives, it really depends on the particular model. Add scale to the mix and your list may change dramatically.
Generally, there are better manufacturers than others. Even the best of them may have their “Edsels” that weren’t as good as some of their other offerings.
Tom
I’ve never ran anything other than P2Ks…
Don’t need SD40T-2’s? Don’t need GP40-2’s? Don’t need GP35’s?
For me, Athearn, Genesis, Proto 2000, KATO, Atlas all are good. Atlas is probably over all best but they don’t make many diesels I need.
I pass on Bachman.
Packers fan eh?
I live in Wis.
I HATE the Packers.
Giants!
for a 4x8, I think 2 Gp30s, 2 GP9s, and 2 SD9s are good. I don’t think BN had any tunnel motors.
I live in Florida, and I’m a packers fan.
For a 4x8, I think 2 Gp30s, 2 GP9s, and 2 SD9s are good. I don’t think BN had any tunnel motors.
I’d say it has to be Boeing. OH! You didn’t mean airliners?
Then I’d say Honda. Oops! Not cars either?
Kohler then. Woah! Also not bathroom sinks, huh?
Maybe you should specify what type of product you’re thinking of.
And if you say model railroading, there could be: KadeeFineScaleMiniaturesAtlasIntermountainNCERixBowserCentralValleyKatoFastTracksShinoharaLlagasCreekStewart… and so on.
What product category?
Funny to see people “ding” on Bachmann. If I were still in HO, I would probably agree … however, their On30 stuff is some of the smoothest and most reliable stuff out there. It does really depend upon scale.
In HO scale I would say Atlas, Kato, Athearn and some newer Bowser. IMHO not Proto or Bachmann. These are the companies I have had experience with. I cant speak for Tower 55 or other high priced models. This is just for locomotives not rolling stock or non revenue equipment.
For HO diesels, Bachman deserves “ding”. Sorry, I should have been more specific. I think Bachman N is similar and the original poster (I later read) is asking about best manufactur for N scale. I’d avoid Bachman if possible for HO or N diesels. For “Spectrum” Steam or On3, Bachman must have a different manager as those lines are much better.
I would assume it is some guy in China; Atlas, Walthers, Athearn all use the same factory to build their models in China. All they are now is importers they don’t make anything.
Rick
Your question has as many answers as there are modelers.[:D]
For me its Athearn and Atlas.
I like atlas and p2k. Both are smooth runners.
Why?
Anyway,
I have 3 Bachmann HO Specrum steamers, all ran flawless out of the box and still do today. 3 for 3, I’m happy. Of course 2 of them are Shays, which would have meant 2 choices, bad running brass or bad running MDC. Thanks Bachmann [:D]
I’m not interested in the powered boxcars, so no opinion. [^]
Well, for me Since i have 4X8 (with a 8ft staging yard shelf on the wall) I have a small fleet, Athearn is great for HO, and in my other forums I will most likely be buying an Atlas. Still Depends on which era you model