Wow talk about a tough question. I am in the process of switching from DC to DCC and if I am doing that might as well dabble in sound too right. That said the BLI Union Pacific AC6000CW is my absolute favorite sound engine. My favorite engine overall which is still a DC unit is a kitbashed Norfolk Southern C40-9 Tophat number 8888. This engine was created using an atlas standard cab nose which an Athearn chassis and shell plus the unit is weathered as well.
I agree. How would one pick between my very first loco from 4th grade (the Rivarossi 4-4-0 Reno), the brand new monster NP Z-6 4-6-6-4 I just got last month, the reliable Stewart GN F7 ABBA set, or the flashy Alco PA, or one of the other hundreds in the round house stable. It would be easier to pick the ones I don’t like.
My new BLI Santa Fe E-6A…not my favorite prototype, kinda quirky looking in a way–yet just looks F-A-S-T just standing still (and Santa Fe 14L set a 124 mph speed record in the early 1940’s, earning the nickname “Fast 14”).
Second favorite: The BLI Atlantic Coast Line purple/silver E units (all of them that have been done), and the Santa Fe E-8’s.
I’m actually selling (all) my other locomotives to buy more BLI E units, since I’m on a smaller budget than some.
John
Tough question–VERY tough question. I’ve got a pretty large mostly brass steam roster, but if pressed to the wall, it would probably be a toss-up between my PFM United Rio Grande L-131 2-8-8-2 and my 3 old 1964 Akane Missabe M4 2-8-8-4 Yellowstones. At least they’re the ones that seem to get the most work-outs when I go into “articulated mode”, which is most of the time, LOL!
Here’s the 2-8-8-2
Here’s one of the 2-8-8-4’s. I’ve “Imagineered” the M4’s into a ‘never was’ Rio Grande 3900 series.
Tom
Sentimental favorite is my first non trainset loco, an Athearn BB U28. Favorite one that I run today is a tie between my Bachmann Spectrum heavy mountain and my Athearn Genesis F units, all with DCC and sound.
I also have a Varney 0-4-0 “Little Joe” Docksider that I got when I was 10 years old that my Mom bought from a neighbor and may be as old as I am (63). This little engine is stock and continues to run like a top and for its’ size, has the strongest pull of any locomotives I own! Eventually, I will super detail it and install a decoder (maybe with sound) and us it on my logging line.
Wow, been thinking about this for a day now. Kind of hard for me to choose.
One side thinks it’s my first Athearn BB SD40-2 # 5415, bought when I got back into the hobby & the other side thinks it’s my P2K D&H PA’s!!!
Can’t decide!!!
Gordon
Ken, really admire those B&O Geeps. Show some picks when you get 'em on the layout. Curious as to a comparison to the running quality to that of the P2Ks.
Any of my modern day EMD’s [:D]! But I have to tip my hat to my four Athearn Genesis SD70ACe’s with DCC and sound, with a runner up to my recently acquired Kato SD90…the biggest locomotive on my UP roster and waiting for DCC installation.
Don.
SD60I and SD60M.
Oh man, Tough Question!!!
I would have to say the Kato SD40-2 Mid in 6600 (not the Cab AC units; 6610)… I use those the most…
There are many others though, like PSC Shays & Hiestlers, Bachmann 45Tonners, Critters, & GP’s, not even venturing into Steam (Blackstone HOn3) & Brass… Wow…
They all have a place on my Railroad, & I will Enjoy them too!
Tough call. Part of the problem is my roster is in groups. The fleet has a half dozen RS2s, for example. It would be hard to single out one, since “they all look alike” and pretty much act the same, too.
That said:
Current active fleet: Kato N-scale Alco PA1/PB1. It is the first (and right now only) locomotive set carrying the company livery. The set is the only passenger consist (debating painting an E8A/B set in the passenger scheme). But mostly, they always run. Packed up for about 7 years, open the boxes, put them on the track, turn the throttle, and off they go. They creep along, they dash, they do whatever I ask of them.
Current non-active: A Sunset brass Pennsy T1 in HO. It will live proudly in a display case in my office once I get to that point.
Greatest attachment: An early 1950’s vintage Mantua HO metal 0-4-0 saddle tanker carrying the Pennsy name. It has not been run in years, but it did the last time I checked. It is noisy and a bit crude, but it was something my dad brought back from Korea when his tour was over, and it was my introduction to model railroading. Through my years in HO, no matter what I built, the test loco and honorary “first lap” was with this locomotive. She was a great test locomotive, and like my PA/PB set, she always ran when asked.
Thanks Bob, I didn’t want to hijack this thread so I started a separate one here: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/217475.aspx
Baldwin vo1000 or FM 11-44
Kato PRR GG-1 Tuscan Red 5 stripe paint scheme.
I’m particularly fond of this little outside frame 0-4-0, marketed by Olympia as the “Birdie.” It has the right mix of steam loco and espresso machine - looks credible, but cute:
Since I put a better motor in it, it runs well, too.
My favourite locomotive is my P2K E6. Despite the fact that it is currently stripped of paint awaiting conversion to CP livery, every time I look at the slope of that nose I go all funny feeling [(-D]. Seriously, the E6 looks like somebody took it to a hot rod shop and did some serious sensuallizing of the front end. I think it might have been one of the last attempts at streamlining and it came off pretty good. I wonder how much bondo it took to build one?
My second choice(s) are any of the several ‘critter’ switching engines and rail buses that I am working on. I love the challenge of making something with four wheels run reliably. Adding lights and in some cases sound is a bonus in terms of my modeling pleasure.
Dave
My current favorite is my BLI 4-8-2 Mountain, currently at the LHS to try some different springs as it is my best loco at derailing (rear driver) when backing up. I also very much like my P2K (Lifelike) E-6 just acquired, which may need new gears, but it’s so cool. I also like the BLI refurbished SD-40 (the first one went back for excessive noise). And I really like my Genesis GP-9 (with it’s weak horn). Seems all these kids are problems (I’m a perfect parent). I’d love my Kato RS-2 (what a smooth runner) if it had sound; I added a motor decoder and maybe someday will squeeze a speaker into the cab. Kato is on my add-on list but I wish they offered more transition era items.
I’m hoping upcoming 2013 Genesis 4-8-4 (#844, of course) and Challengers become the ones vying for my favorite at year end!
Phil,
That is a gorgeous & stunning little engine!!!
What a nice find!
Kudos!
I wonder at the percentages of what modelers are strict adherents to prototype operations and use only the locos that one would find on their chosen line and what modelers are strict adherents to the whims of their fancy? Myself, I am very intrigued with the locomotives in use by the Northern Pacific. I am also dismayed at how few N.P. locos are available (and at the high cost of those, which are)! However, my intrigue with the N.P. has kept me focused on acquiring N.P. equipment, even though logically I could allow trackage rights to the Great Northern and Butte Anaconda & Pacific.
