I Have a ton of athern loco’s[}:)], one from kato[:D], 2 from walthers,[:)] 1 from IHC[censored], 4 from lionel [:)]3 from lifelike[xx(], and 1 from Atlas[angel]
This is kind of a hard poll to vote on. So I didn’nt!!! As for me, it depends on what I am in the market for and whats available. I don’t have a spacific brand. It ain’t as simble as being a Chevy or Ford person!!![:D][:D]
I think Atlas get my vote because they make good quality excellent value products and have done for many years. Broadway deserve a vote for changing the hobby with the introduction of the sound locomotives.
LGB make superb models. Prices are high but I guess that’s what you pay for the quality - They just seem more solid than the assorted “Far East” brands and run for decades. I’ve seen 20 year old LGB equipment still looking and running as good as new, having only needed some mild servicing (clean, grease, lube, etc) in that time.
In HO it would have to be either Lifelike Proto or Bachmann - I know they get a lot of bad press but their latest cheap diesels aren’t too shabby - no flywheels, but they have a decent motor and drive system, are quieter than some Proto models, and are ludicrously cheap by any standards. One of few locos where the DCC decoder costs more than the loco itself!
I have limited experieince with any trains but I know what I like. The two Braodways I have are the most fun because of the sound, but in terms of operation my Proto 2000’s are just as mooth operating if not smoother. Of my pre 1900 steamers, it is pretty close between my MDC 2-6-0 and the various other IHC Premier trains I have. I don’t have any Bachman Spectrums but the Bachman’s are at the bottom of the list with what I have.
Athern, Atlas, and kato would be my primary choices. Athern “blue box” loco’s are fun to work on, and the genesis are great runners. Kato has some of the lowest mantinace loco’s i’ve ever seen, and they are quiet and run like a charm. Atlas has some of the best’ loco’s ever[2c]. They are quiet, extremely low maintance, and when you compare the pan’s on Bachman’s Acela express, to the one’s on the Atlas AEM 7, the AEM 7’s are much better. Speaking of amtrak, did all the HO sacle modelers hear about the kato F40 ph? If you haven’t visit kato usa.com[#offtopic]
Athearn, followed by Proto would be my first choices.
Gordon
I model in N scale and my favorites are:
Engines : Kato, Atlas
Freight cars : Microtrains, Roundhouse, Atlas, Con Cor
Buildings : Walthers Cornerstone, DPM
Track : Atlas code 55
Scenery materials : Woodland scenics
I prefer the newer Rivarossi HO steam.
I prefer Broadway Limited. Thier steam performs as they should and sound really good. The emails I have sent them with a question from time to time are answered with alot of support for thier ability to communicate.
With today’s models it is difficult to choose who is a favorite. It is easier to decide who does not measure up.
Good old Athearn are still availible and with a little upgrading and proper work they perform just as good as a Intermountain or other premium ready to run.
For steam, you can’t beat Bachmann’s Spectrum line. The engines are well detailed, run well, are regular stock items (no “limited run” BS), and are priced reasonably. True, the P2K Heritage steam may look nicer, and the BLI steam comes with sound, but both cost MUCH more and perform no better.
I see Athearn and Bachman are tied in the lead.
I went with ‘other’. Most of my locos are brass, but I’ve been pretty ‘Catholic’ (as in ‘Universal’) about my new steam. I’ve had good luck with BLI, Proto, Genesis and Spectrum (except for my ‘reverse’ Mountain, which is addressed on another post), and the ‘new’ Rivarossi (Allegheny). Not being into diesels, I can’t comment on Athearn, Kato or any of the other brands. As far as freight cars, I’m pretty much committed to Accurail, Red Caboose and Intermountain for the ‘newer’ 'forties kits. And I am currently worshiping at the shrine of Walthers and Branchline over their Pullman Standard passenger cars. Now if we can just get some head-end passenger equipment up to THOSE standards–I’ll be a really Happy Camper.
Tom [^][^]
I actually voted for Life-Like because the Proto line has done so much to advance the quality of HO scale modeling in the last 20 years.
On my line just this past week Life-Like passed Athearn as the company I have most engines from. (P2K & P1K)
Kato still holds a great place on my line with as I have several Kato-powered Stewart F7s that are my best locomotives hands down. Their business car is also my favourite passenger car on the line and even puts the new Walthers ones to shame with its quality.
Atlas I’ve not had too much experience with, as usually there was an Athearn model of the same prototype for half the cost, but the two Atlas locomotives on my line are great runners and needed no further detailing, so I’m quite happy with them as well.
Bachman I’ve had mixed results with. My little GE 44 tonner is great and I’ve had it for ages, but the Dash-8s that I picked up were sub-par. I’ve since had to re-power them (Kato engines) because of some really odd quirks they picked up.
I’ve not yet picked up anything from BLI (but I’m eyeing their upcoming RSD pretty seriously) and as I don’t model steam I’ve not had any experience with IHC or Rivarossi.
~METRO
I chose Kato because of their fine locomotives. But there are a lot of great
manufacturers,and some not as great. But it’s nice to have plenty to choose from.[8D]
Atlas and Kato engines are my favs, but service from both has been hit or miss.
What really nails it for me with Lifelike is the service I have recieved on P2K engines with problems, mainly split gears. Just email them, and within days, I have parts,free!
Everybody can and WILL make a product with a problem at some point in time, the ones who handle the problems best will be thought of most highly!!
I like Atlas and Kato but I’ll buy anything that is available for the railroads I like if they look good.
I voted for BLI.
I like Bachmann steam engines too. You can’t beat the price. With a little care they can run forever and Bachmann’s customer service is among the best.
I didn’t vote either, because I have different favorites for different models. As others have said, there are a lot of excellent steam locos out there today produced by several manufacturers, and my experiences with them have been excellent. Some examples -
P2K - 2-8-8-2, 0-8-0, 2-8-4
Spectrum - 4-8-2, 4-8-4
BLI - 2-6-6-4, 2-8-2
Genesis - 2-8-2, 4-6-2
Brass - 4-8-4, 4-8-2
If someone would make a VGN 2-10-10-2 I’d vote for them right now !
I try not to stick myself with one Company when it comes to locomotives… currently I have a Life Like F7A (not a proto series)… but I will be looking into to other manufacturers.