I don’t know many of the manufacturers out there and was wondering if you could tell me which companies really make high quality locos? This would include, detail, construction, technology, quality parts, etc. I’ve heard Athearn and Kato are good and possibly Atlas, but that Bachmann might be a little cheap. I’m looking for a nice DCC loco either modern or steam with sound. Any recommendations for manufacturers?
Thanks
Which scale are you modeling in? Some manufacturers have Higher quality in one scale but not anouther.
Hello Centurion,
I’m going to assume you’re talking HO scale and preface my list by admitting that I run DC.
Atlas-well detailed, smooth quiet runners (I don’t have any sound equipped ones), diesel locos late50’s-modern locos.
Athearn: Genesis- their top of the line diesels (late 50-'s to modern),steam engines sound equipped locos are well detailed, good strong runners the sound system(s) are pretty good (depending on how demanding you are on sound accuracy and quality). Ready to Run is their mid grade line of pre-assembled locos-good strong runners not quite as detailed as the Genesis line but a cut above the Blue Box line-no sound sysrem(s). Blue Box their basic line some minor assembly required (handrails,couplers) good runners can be noisy, wildly varying speeds between the various locomotives, you want sound and DCC it’s either do it yourself or pay for someone else to do the job. Usually good reliable locos.
Kato - some assemby required (handrails, grab irons),smooth quiet runners, well detailed, no sound.
Life like (Walthers owned) Proto 1000 or Proto 2000 their top of the line some of the early Protos are prone to splitting drive gears otherwise good quiet runners, early run steamers (Proto 2000) are weak slippery pullers, newr run steamers can be had with sound and traction tires ( I don’t mind them others can’t stand them).
BLI/Precision Craft- well detailed steamers with factory sound, good running and sound runners that usually can pull a respectable sized train, traction tires or non traction tired drivers are often included with the locomotive.
Bachmann Spectrum is the top of the line for Bachmann -well detailed,smooth quiet runners, decent pullers, no sound, DCC ready, newer runs are offering factory sound systems (mine are the earlier non sound versions).
Those are my picks from my experiences with these brands respectively.
My comments are all directed at modern diesel since I don’t have any steam era equipment. I have 11 of the Atlas Gold units with sound and I believe they are the highest quality sound units currently available. Great sound, smooth running and excellent detail/finish. Next, I’d look to the BLI Paragon series then their Blueline series. With the Bluelines you will need to add your own motor controller. I don’t have any Athearn sound units because up until now they have used MRC sound decoders, which are extremely limited in function and some folks have reported reliability problems. Athearn is switching over so I am looking forward to Genesis units with sound in the future. Kato doesn’t make sound units but their newer models are very easy to add sound. They’ve added a spot for speakers and you can add sound to a Kato in just a few minutes. I’ve also upgraded a number of older P2K units to sound but you end up milling out some weight to make room for the speakers. They are very smooth runners and the best pullers but it takes a little work to add sound. Con-Cor makes very good units but they are hard to find and have a limited selection.
Far as quality, I am very happy with Walther’s Proto line. I have 10 of there engines and never had a problem with one. Only one has sound, a E-8. It has a QSI decoder and sound is OK. I don’t know if it the sound system or the sounds that where recorded but I find it a little plain.
I have 3 BLI Blue Line diesel’s and really like there sound and pulling power. They come DC with sound and then you install a decoder for DCC uses. With decoders I have between $127.00 to $147.00 in each engine. There GE AC 6000 is a strong puller, I have pulled 40 car with one and it could have pulled more.
All my steam is either BLI or PCM. PCM have Loksound decoders and they sound great. Both my Big Boy and Y6-b have dual speakers and a nice speaker enclosure from the factory. Down side is they cost $600.00 each, I did find a better deal on line but still paid a pretty penny. Till I got my PCM’s I was real happy with the sound of my BLI steam engines. They still sound good, but the PCM’s have better base.
Quality Control is hit or miss with the BLI and PCM I have. I have 6 of there engines, only 2 have not gone back for repairs or I have repaired my self. But they have a good services department that has either repaired my engines or sent me the need parts at no cost. Would I buy another BLI / PCM? Yes I will.
One of the other things I like about the Blue Line and PCM with the loksound decoder is I can adjust there sound levels on the move with F-8. BLI with the QSI decoder you can hit f-5 and cut sound in half, but not as fine of control as the Loksound or the Blue Line engines.
Hope I was of some help.
Cuda Ken &n
Something to check out at your LHS is the Z scale MTL GP9 & GP35 locos.
Also check out the AZL locos. MTL does a fine job at decoration & printing.
Detail: AZL ahead of MTL with enclosed pilots
Construction: AZL uses a piece of metal to fit the carbody over the 8mm motor. MTL looks “fatter”
Technology: Both convert to DCC. fine 8mm motors, similar split frame & flywheels as other scales
Price/Quality: Assumes normal care & use. 9volts DC, MTL knuckle couplers,
Beware of high list prices, you can find discounts! The MTL F7 is an oldie but goodie, a pair will pull a bunch of Z scale cars. Sadly, the old mold is broken & won’t be fixed. Get some where & while you can!
Available: MTL produced most roadnames in 2 numbers per monthly release. You take your chance if they sell out. AZL has limited production. You may need to find a shop with Z scale to see them
While Marklin has some North American product, the models have been passed by MTL, AZL, and some other Z scale makers. We will see what the future of Marklin Z is.
You should visit a LHS and decide on the sound and operation from a demo.
CZ
Well, in N scale, at elast for me, the ebst is Atlas. I know there’s a couple manufacturers out there, but for the life of me, no one makes a smoother mechanism. I’ve ehard nothing but good thigns about Kato, I’m guessing athearn is good, Bachmann, even if it’s spectrum, beware, Intermountain shoudl be good, I’ve hgeard good thigns about them, and I have no idea about Model Power.
I’m in HO. I swear by Atlas. With very few exceptions, my entire fleet is Atlas. I also have a few Bachmann Spectrum locos. The run pretty good, but are no match for my Atlas units.
When I previously modeled modern stuff, my fleet was Athearn Blue Boxes. While they may not be as detailed or run as silky, the are much more affordable then my Atlas units.
Nick
Hey Guys,
Thanks all for the replies. I am currently working in HO scale and have been looking at the Southern Pacific, Rio Grande and Santa Fe lines. I’m definitely looking for lots of options and have noticed that on some of the Atlas they have numerous sound effects which would be nice to play with. I’d also like lighting, such as the ditch lights.I’m also currently looking for modern stuff, but would like the option of finding some nice steam that has a coal car.
Thanks
It’s not always that easy, comparing one company to another. It’s kinda like saying which is better, GM or Ford?? Well are you comparing a Cadillac to a Ford Probe, or a Lincoln to a Chevy??
Many model railroad companies are stratified, having an elite line of engines and other equipment, and a lower-price budget line. Some have three levels.
For example Athearn Genesis engines are better than standard “blue box” Athearn engines. Not that regular engines are bad, but Genesis ones will have better motors and more detailing. Bachmann’s Spectrum line are good (esp. their steam engines) but they also make a line of “DCC Equipped” engines that are pretty good, and still make a regular line that is basically “train set” (low) grade stuff. Atlas has very good running engine, their “Trainman” line has less detailed engines but using the same chassis, motors etc. as their better line.
It also depends on sound/DCC. Atlas makes “Gold” engines that come with DCC and sound factory equipped, and “Silver” engines which are the same ones only without sound and “DCC ready” i.e. you can install your own decoder easily.
Let us not forget the subject of price. Prices can vary greatly.
Before you buy any locomotives you should check out their prices at the various on line hobby shops.
You will find that the manufactures suggested retail prices vary a great deal between vendors. I would also check out e-bay as well.
I suggest that you should only buy from those vendors who are also distributors for the items as well, there are a number of them to chose from…
For Diesels, I am in the Atlas/Stewart/Kato camp, but I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these:
Atlas, Master line
Athearn, Genesis line
Broadway Limited, Paragon line / Precision Craft Models (BLI/PCM)
Intermountain,
Proto-2000,
Stewart, Executive line
For steam:
Bachmann Spectrum
Proto Heritage
BLI
Trix
Good for the price (lacking in detail and prototypical accuracy)
Diesel - Proto-1000
Steam - IHC
Thank you Texas Zepher, this list was exactly what I’m looking for. And thank you everyone else for your insight. All of this information together will help in making my decision. I’ll do a little research on these companies and let you know if I have specific questions about the locos I find.
Actually the question is how deep is your pockets because I see a lot of high dollar models?
Athearn RTR is still a good investment and can be had for less then $100.00 and has excellent discount prices.DO NOT confuse the older BB locomotives with the newer RTR locomotives like so many modelers do.They are NOT the same creatures in most cases or are the former RPP shells which of course *was never part of the BB line…*Some of the older BB locomotives has been completely upgrade where its a shadow the old model.
Atlas Trainman is another and is less then $100.00 and has excellent discount prices.
If you want to model Southern Pacific and Rio Grande, you’ll need to think about Athearn since Athearn makes nice SD40T-2’s, SD45T-2’s and SD45’s with extra details following the prototype. Atlas for the GP40’s and GP40-2’s.
I run Athearn with the newer drives in what is sold now, not the old BB stuff. Details if you want to go prototypical are very easy to find and can be easily weighted.
I do have a couple Atlas products & a Kato which are very good, Kato is a little light for pulling as I have an SD40 myself.
If you want to go for sound and depends how deep your pocket book is but you also may want to check the Refurbished BLI products. I have an AC6000 with sound for a very very good price in my books, weighs very heavy and pulling power is substantial.
I also have to agree with Brakie. I did not list the middle of the road equipment of which there is a lot out there which includes the Athearn RTR stuff. On the top of that list would be the smooth running straight Stewarts (the non-sound non-Executive ones). They are the backbone of my fleet. They also lack the body detail of the ones in my main list.
Thanks again everyone for all the recommendations. I have been looking at the BLI Paragon2 GE AC6000 series and was wondering what people thought of this model? I tried doing a search online for reviews, but wasn’t finding much. I guess some people had good things and bad things to say. It looks like a great train, but for that price I just want to make sure this is a good pick.
Thanks
I have two of those engines and they are very nice. The sound is really good and even my brother who works for UP says its very realistic. The detail is also good, its not the same as the blue line. I find them to be excellent runners and easy to consist. The way the sounds are button mapped you don’t have to worry about the farm or industry sounds unless you remap a button to do so. I leave it the way it came from the factory with the engine sounds and such. The ditch lights wig-wag when you blast the horn with is cool. I have link below, and yes my layout is not finished or going to be featured in MRR magazine. Though I am trying…
BLI Paragon2 GE AC6000: