I’m curious what brands most people usually buy for either steam or diesel. It seems the most common brands I see are Broadway Limited and Bachmann. I have a couple of BLI’s that I am happy with. Bachman, not so much - seems to be lower end/lower quality stuff.
I found Stewarts to be very good runners, just have to convert them to DCC, which seems relatively easy. How about Rapido/Atlas/Intermountain? Other? I’m looking for smooth slow speed, DCC/sound, holds up over time.
Thanks in advance.
Diesel only.
I used to buy almost exclusively Atlas. Now it mainly Athearn Genesis and Athearn RTR. A few Atlas. Some new Walthers NW2s. I’ve got 2 Intermountains.
Reasons vary, but the main reason is that ATH now uses LEDs, and is the company that has more contemporary paint schemes and details, IMO; which is consistent with my theme of modern shortline/branchline.
Most of my locos have been purchaed in the past 18 months. A bit of a buying spree from funds acquired from selling off accumulated nonsense.
No ScaleTrains. No Bachmann. No Rapido. Never owned a BLI or MTH.
Nothing I’m aware of that would keep me from owning them, just never met my needs or price at the time.
For locos made in the past 10 years, I think mechanically they are all about the same. All run smooth and slow, but the ATHG needs some CVs set to run slow enough, IMO.
I would not look at any locomotive and think it would not last as long as any other.
Diesel here. I don’t buy based on brand only, but rather look for the best fit for my interests, which is primarily D&RGW from about 1977 thu end of caboose era. I don’t randmly buy based on brand or characteristics but for a RR family theme. My secondary interest is SP which I grew up with in northern California.
Mostly I have Athearn, Athearn Genesis, Atlas, ScaleTrains and Walthers. Reason being they make good quality versions of engines I need. I generally skip Bachmann, Broadway Ltd. The only Broadway I have are a couple of Utah Rwy RSD15’s because BLI is the only company who makes them in plastic.
I only have one Rapido diesel and it’s the Amtrak F40PH but it’s the early one; I am planning to buy the regular Amtrak F40PH when they are out later this year. I have a few older Proto2000 engines as well, mainly GP30’s, and I hope to replace them with ScaleTrains or Genesis if either gets around to making a high fidelity GP30 with road specific details.
The only Intermountain engine I have is an SP 3rd run Cab Forward, my “one off” steamer.
I’m an Atlas guy myself. Gp7’s, Rs3’s, s2’s, ect. They use ESU sound decoders with BEMF. Super easy to achieve slow speed operation without tampering with speed tables, just basic cv changes. Sound is average, but they are quality locomotives that hold their value over time. Atlas doesent have tons of road specific detail but always look the part. Great for operators who aren’t super discerning. Rapidos stuff is super nice, but you pay for detail. For me personally, I don’t care about underbody detail, because, if I ever see the bottom of a locomotive, something has gone seriously wrong. Hope this helps.
Not all Atlas engines use ESU Loksound. I have a few that came with QSI sound, which are not considered the greatest and AFAIK, that company went out of business.
Keep in mind some of these companies have changed OEM sound providers. Athearn, for example, equipped their Genesis engines for a number of years with MRC, which were poor quality. They later switched to Soundtrax Tsunami 1, which many have complained about lousy motor control and weak horns.
I like Rapido best.
I also like the quality of Atlas locomotives.
Most of my other stuff is previously owned if not actually used. Lifelike is the best of those.
Bachman Spectrum steam locomotives are pretty good but their diesels tend to have noisy gearsets.
I am also not loyal to a brand, but buy what fits my layouts theme and era.
Of my Factory sound equiped, diesels:
ScaleTrains - 1 - Very nicely done. Would have loved more, but they are pricey.
Walthers Mainline - 1 - Less detail, but very smooth drivetrain. Price was good. (Soon to become 2.)
Bachmann - A handfull of NS Heritage units, all found on a closeout sale, All but one at under $100 each, brand new, with factory sound. I have no running issues with them. One has a decoder defect on the ditch light circuit, but still operates smoothly. My one Bachmann Steamer also has sound, and is a very smooth runner. (NKP 765. Had to get her.)
Intermountain - 2 - Both well made, but a light pipe issue on the one. Solid runners though.
Bowser - 4 - Some of my absolute favorites. (Soon to become 5.)
AthearnGenesis - 2 - One great, one had the old bulb lighting, but runs well. Those bulbs die way too quickly though, and are a royal pain to replace.
Atlas - 2 - One QSI, one ESU. ESU one certainly runs much better.
FoxValley - 1 - Aside from a bad DOA ESU decoder, runs great.
Athearn RTR - 1 - Decently done. Less fine details, but the recently designed with LED’s are smooth.
BLI - 2 - One DOA, but that was a issue of a seller online sending a known defective in place of the as described NIB. Other is smooth runner. (Was refunded and told to use for parts once fraud charges were brought up as a possible recourse when he refused return.)
I have more non-sound, from Bachmann, Atlas, Athearn, Stewart (1), Proto, and Intermountain, and some will be converted eventually.
But overall, I’ve not noticed any mechanical issues in diesels in the last 10-15 years.
You might find issues with older Bachmann, Proto, etc… But even guys like Athearn & Atlas have had clunkers in the past. And all manufacturers could have a one-off bad one.
I have never had any locos from Rapido nor MTH.
Steam -
I have rolling stock and locomotives from:
Athearn
Atlas
Bachmann
Broadway Limited Imports
Life Like (now Walthers)
Rapido
Rivarossi
Trix
Trueline Trains (gone, I think…)
Walthers
All are good and reliable, but if I had to pick one brand that gives me the most problems over the past 15 years, it would have to be Broadway Limited. I also have about three times as many of them as any other brand, so maybe no wonder.
So far ive only purchased Athearn Genesis, Walthers Proto, Atlas master and Scale trains. Id rank them as this
Scale Trains
Athearn Genesis
Walthers Proto
Atlas Master
I wouldn’t have a BLI loco if it was free, nor Bachmann sound value.
My second foray into model railroading was in the late 80’s early 90’s when I had two boys. Stewarts were new stock, Atlas had Roco or Kato motors and the Cumberland yard was full of GP7 and GP9’s (whether they still were used, I’m not so sure)
In my third foray into MR, look at the date on my avatar, I bought 2 Bachmann Spectrum steamers, and a third 3 truck Shay. I unpacked a Bachmann GP30 and the paint fell off in big flakes. I believe they are split frame design and I did not convert that one, but I did my Atlas RS-3’s and Stewart F7 and the Shay. My Lionel Hustler always sounded like a coffee grinder and it will reside in my scrap yard.
While the super detailing is great, I watch “open the box” youtube videos and stuff is broken on arrival or getting it out of the box. At 69 I don’t need to spend the money for fragile detail. I remember MR articles from around 1990 about adding speed recorders. I thought, why do I need to spend the effort to add that little itty bitty thing that I won’t be able to see from four feet away. I have not changed my opinion.
I love the work and the videos that Jason at Rapido is doing. Except for the RDC, there is nothing there for my era and locality.
I think Chris you need to specify what is important to you in a locomotive. If you love the detail, go with the afore mentioned scale trains or rapido. If you are more focused on running and have a tighter budget, maybe stick to a Walthers mainline or atlas. Just my opinion, don’t take it too seriously
As you can see, you are going to get opinions all over the map.
A few thoughts:
There is no one “perfect” or best brand in this business.
Judging strictly by the brand will be a mistake, just because one product had a problem or did not suit your needs, don’t assume everything from that company will be unstatisfactory.
Bachmann makes entry level, mid level and some high level stuff. This idea is apparently hard for some people to grasp. I have 35 Bachmann steam locos, they are all great. I have only a few of their small diesel switchers, most of their diesels do not meet my needs.
A better approach is to decide what locos you want models of, then learn about who makes the best EMD F7, or the best USRA 4-8-2, or the best GP7.
Restricting yourself to a few supposedly “better” brands will limit choices and you will still end up with some defects and duds.
My disclaimer, and the reason I did not offer any specific recommendations - I do use DCC or sound on my layout.
Sheldon
[Y] +1
[quote user=“ATLANTIC CENTRAL”]
ChrisVA
I’m curious what brands most people usually buy for either steam or diesel. It seems the most common brands I see are Broadway Limited and Bachmann. I have a couple of BLI’s that I am happy with. Bachman, not so much - seems to be lower end/lower quality stuff.
I found Stewarts to be very good runners, just have to convert them to DCC, which seems relatively easy. How about Rapido/Atlas/Intermountain? Other? I’m looking for smooth slow speed, DCC/sound, holds up over time.
Thanks in advance.
As you can see, you are going to get opinions all over the map.
A few thoughts:
There is no one “perfect” or best brand in this business.
Judging strictly by the brand will be a mistake, just becuase one product had a problem or did not suit your needs, don’t assume everything from that company will be unstatisfactory.
Bachmann makes entry level, mid level and some high level stuff. This idea is apparently hard for some people to grasp. I have 35 Bachmann steam locos, they are all great. I have only a few of their small diesel switchers, most of their diesels do not meet my needs.
A better approach is to decide what locos you want models of, then learn about who makes the best EMD F7, or the best USRA 4-8-2, or the best GP7.
Restricting yourself to a few supposedly “better” brands will limit choices and you will still end up with some defects and duds.
My disclaimer, and the reason I did not offer any specific recommendations - I do use DCC or sound on my layout.
Sheldon
[quote user=“richhotrain”]
ATLANTIC CENTRAL
ChrisVA
I’m curious what brands most people usually buy for either steam or diesel. It seems the most common brands I see are Broadway Limited and Bachmann. I have a couple of BLI’s that I am happy with. Bachman, not so much - seems to be lower end/lower quality stuff.
I found Stewarts to be very good runners, just have to convert them to DCC, which seems relatively easy. How about Rapido/Atlas/Intermountain? Other? I’m looking for smooth slow speed, DCC/sound, holds up over time.
Thanks in advance.
As you can see, you are going to get opinions all over the map.
A few thoughts:
There is no one “perfect” of best brand in this business.
Judging strictly by the brand will be a mistake, just becuase one product had a problem or did not suit your needs, don’t assume everything from that company will be unstatisfactory.
Bachmann makes entry level, mid level and some high level stuff. This idea is apparently hard for some people to grasp. I have 35 Bachmann steam locos, they are all great. I have only a few of their small diesel switchers, most of their diesels do not meet my needs.
A better approach is to decide what locos you want models of, then learn about who makes the best EMD F7, or the best USRA 4-8-2, or the best GP7.
Restricting yourself to a few supposedly “better” brands will limit choices and you will still end up with some defects and duds.
Sheldon
+1
There is also the school of thought where you buy the kind of loco that runs well, sounds well, and lights well, and then whatever body configuration covers the mechanism adjust the model railroad to accomodate. Only model the locos of the railroad that operate well as models.
But that’s becoming moot.
Atlas, Walthers, and ATHG locos all use their proprietary drivetrains in each of their product lines (Athearn RTR is legacy). No matter what diesel they build, the motor, trucks, and electronics are the same from loco to loco, so there are not really any winners or stinkers among their products. Switchers might use shorter motors, but my experience is that they operate the same as the larger locos.
Can’t speak to how other companies do it.
I have a couple of Bachmann steam loco’s. I don’t like their diesels. They are noisy and don’t look as nice as others. For Diesels I have Atlas, Bowser, Rapido, Intermountain, Walthers Proto, Athearn Genesis, BLI, one Fox Valley and a couple of Walthers Mainline. All are great runners and great looking. The Walthers Mainline need some detailing to match the others but they run great and sound good. I generally don’t worry to much about brand, instead I look for locos I like. If you stick to the main brands your going to get a good looking, good running, and good sounding loco.
I don’t purchase dcc/sound locomotive by “brand”; my purchases are primarily dictated by my era and road name (NYC). Since how they operate is the most important to me, I look for locomotives that are smooth runners first. With that in mind, I usually choose (in no particular order) locomotives from Stewart/Bowser, Atlas, Proto 2000, Intermountain, Trix, Kato, BLI, and Walthers.
I’ve also done more & more DCC non-sound/sound installs myself so it really doesn’t matter to me if a locomotive comes “DCC-ready” or not. This is particularly true with some specific brass locomotives that I’ve purchased over the past 5 years. Converting them to DCC has been challenging at times…but it’s also been fun and gratifying.
For smooth runners: Stewart/Bowser & Atlas have been the most consistent for me and those I have the most of in my roster. However, every brand has had it’s studs & duds so you really have to look at locomotives on a case-by-case basis rather than brand.
Tom
When did this word legacy get this extra meaning? So what if the design of the drive is “old”, if it still works well, it still works.
I hear people use this word in this way all the time now, like it is some politically correct word for obsolete?
I don’t get it?
Sheldon
Kind if like the Atlas Classic line. Sure they are locos with older tooling, but under the hood they are solid.