I started to create a poll, but then I just knew some jug head would rant about the fact that I left his or her company out, so I felt it would be better to go at it this way.
My favorite model railroad company would have to be Atlas because they produce some really nice engines and rolling stock. I also like Kato as far as engines go, but since I’m only allowed to pick one here I’ll stick with Atlas…
trainluver1
I’ll second Atlas… in addition to the really sweet products, it’s nice to have the forum there as well - talking to the guys in charge there is neat.
I like the looks of the Atlas RTR. They are very handsome - especially the reefers. I sure wi***hey’d manufacture them in kits though. $30 for a RTR bites into my wallet a little too much. Even the BLI rolling stock isn’t that much.
I also like Accurail. They aren’t the best but they’re still very good. Most of my inventory is made up of Accurail boxcars and hoppers.
Tom
Atlas, but I still do go after Kato.
Richard
tstage, do you me and SpaceMouse (Chip) ever work, or do we spend most of our time here on the forum ?..[:p]
trainluver1
Shoul I dare say it
[X-)] Athearn [X-)]
For a beginner the kits are easy and they are fun to add extra details to.
The RTR stuff looks pretty good
DRew
I have to say that Spectrum are my favorite model railroad company for the following reasons:
They are cheap, but good quality - the locos run well at slow speeds and have very good detail for plastic models.
Seeing as they are cheap I do not mind taking a knife to them, thus they have become the backbone to my fleet of Cuban Sugar Cane locomotives - roughly based on Cuban prototypes.
Bachmann revolutionized the UK market a few years ago and have produced some stunning OO scale models, so I feel an allegiance to them!
Proto and BLi also produce some brilliant steamers that are hands down better than the Spectrum models, but they come with a price! Plus a lot of the BLi models are not suitable for my requirements - i.e Cuba never had any Standard gauge 2-8-8-2’s or Cab Forwards (Unfortunately!).
As for Passenger Cars - Walthers -no questioning!
Regards,
Stephen
So what made you choose to go with the Cuban railway rather than the English railway ?.
trainluver1
[#ditto] Yes, I am guilty!
You’re not guilty until proven so by a jury of your peers…[;)]
trainluver1
Sam,
Actually, I’m running a CNC milling machine at the moment and need to keep and eye on it. So, I poke around the forum to fill in the time. Uh, program stopped…back to work. [:)]
Tom
In fact I do both!
I have always modelled UK Railways from a youngster, but after a railfan trip to Cuba six years ago - I was hooked on old Baldwin and Alco steamers! Over the last few years, the roads have come into use and the steamers either scrapped for left to rot, so I decided another way of preserving the memories (apart from the thousands of photographs!) would be to build a few models of the loco’s that I have had the pleasure of driving! I’ve been there six times and driven a load of different loco’s from a Standard gauge Alco Brooks 2-8-2 to a 2’6 Baldwin 2-6-0. These engines somehow manage to rattle along (the engineering is at times boardering on dangerous!), but it was just a great place to experince what short line operation must have been like in the States many years ago.
I also model US as well - Southern Pacific. Then I have also got a few of the Bachmann Chinese QJ locomotives (been to China as well to photogragh the steamers - never driven over there, but I have fired on of the JS 2-8-2’s!).
The only problem with having all these different countries of models is that you need to have four or five different layouts - guess how many I have - NONE! Something gets built, bought or kit bashed, then it goes stright into a box in the cupboard - the cardinal sin of a modeller!!!
Regards,
Stephen.
I run a viatmin store. Sometimes there are no customers. Sometimes my wife is here and she thinks there’s enough to do without the train forums. Women!
ENGINES: Stewart. They build the KATO mechanism with a Buhler motor.
CARS: Intermountain (when I can afford them). They’re ‘rolling’ in detail.
(signed)
Jug head
Train Station Products. The folks at Quality Wright sure have their ^#$* together. I model primarily passenger trains, and without their stuff I would have a hard time getting a decent model together. Their trucks are awesome too if you don’t mind the extra work.
Atlas !!!
They best overall:
In HO diesel locos, superb detail, paint, drive, DCC, and sound (they make QSI get more correct sounds on the chip than BLI does.).
And the best HO RTR rolling stock by far !!!
Intermountain, Kato, Kadee and Red Caboose are close for great cars, and Kato and P2K close for great HO diesel locos. BLI is improving their diesels (to judge by the last switcher) - but they should have been shot for that SD40-2!
BLI, P2K and Bachmann (in that order) are best for HO steamers. Wish Atlas would try HO scale steamers (like, say, a RI 4-8-4 …)
I sent a Spectrum Dash8 to Bachmann for repairs under their lifetime warranty, along with a $20 check. I sent it on May 13, called today and was told their turaround time is 3-6 weeks. What are your thoughts on that. Seems a little long to me. On the other hand, I called Atlas and talked to a tech about a part that was not available any more. He dropped me one in the mail, plus… Customer servive emailed me back with a substitute part number that was available… great service. I think I have my one and only Bachmann loco. All my other locos are Atlas and run great. One Kato Mikado, and I love it…
I’m not an operater, but I’ve spent the last fifteen years around mills and lathes working for Baker Hughes, so I know what your work is like and have a lot of respect for you guys.
trainluver1
I’m divorced and plan on staying that way. Women and I have always only gotten along for one reason-which goes without saying, but when they start trying to tell me what to do is when I part company with them… Otherwise, my money and time are mine to spend any way I want to-no disrespect intended to you or yours, that’s just me. [}:)]
regards,
trainluver1
My favorite is the folks over at Life-Like mainly because of their P2K engines the run flawless to me haven’t had any problems with them they come allready detailed price range not to expensive.I have a few of them very affordable.