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wm3798

Conductor

USA
2078 Posts

Posted - January 01 2008 : 11:48:18 AM

To help our newer members, and as a guide for folks just picking up the hobby after the holidays, I think it's time once again to run down the list of locomotives that we can recommend, and offer suggestions to upgrade/update other models that are floating around out there.

Personally, I'm a big fan of Atlas N scale diesels. They are sturdy, reliable, and easy to maintain. In the event of a catastrophic failure, or if you are working on a kitbash, their parts department can't be beat.

This thread is set up for our members to make their suggestions... and for you new guys to ask questions!

Lee

Merging purchaising hyperandrogenism dx psychosomatics comfortably paracrystal reoccurrence retractile radiolarite.

Route of the Alpha Jets

www.wmrywesternlines.net

SKMoss

Mfg Rep: DCI Software
SROEngineer

USA
2298 Posts

Posted - January 01 2008 : 12:21:56 PM

I would agree with Lee about Atlas. To the newer folks in the hobby. In my opinion, Atlas is the chevy of the n scale train world. Solid, dependable. Kato is the Cadillac. Superior quality, and a price to go with it.

The Bachman Spectrium 2-8-0 is the firebird if you will. A great loco in an otherwise lack luster mfg.

(OK DONT SHOOT ME, Not everyone will agree with the analogy i chose, but it gets the (er my) point across)

Thanks,

Steve

Jon Foster
Supporting Member

Conductor

USA
2924 Posts

Posted - January 01 2008 : 12:34:43 PM

When our son got into his own trains he decided on N scale. When it came time to actually buy him engines we started him out with Kato because of their excellent performance and high quality. I'm so glad we went that route too. Spending the extra money in the beginning was well worth it. His trains always ran flawlessly and he had fun playing. Never once did he need to mess around trying to make things work which would have taken away his fun and possibly driven him away from the hobby. Of course now he has all the other stuff too but these days he's on his own...

Jon.

Come Visit The JJ&C Railroad!

daveyjones
Experienced Engineer

USA
281 Posts

Posted - January 01 2008 : 1:05:54 PM

ok thx i posted this question on the micro-trains post earlier. what about con-cor, or walthers engines, athearn, or model power? is life like not worth the time or money? i have been happy with my 2 atlas diesels, and heard nothing but good things about kato. the only thing bachman that i have purchased was the trolley. i am looking at getting some "sister" locos and wondering if i should just stick with atlas, or if i can venture out to other companies.i love the kato californa zephyer set but am weery about the price, and the walthers 2-8-8-2 steam for a pre-order. are these worth it? and will they stand up to the test off time,20-30 years as one day this will all be handed down.

wm3798

Conductor

USA
2078 Posts

Posted - January 01 2008 : 1:22:58 PM

The later issue Life Like, and now Walthers, are good engines, typically on a par with Atlas. Look for a split frame mechanism. The older Life Like's with the plastic frames and lead blobs are generally to be avoided.

Lee

Route of the Alpha Jets

www.wmrywesternlines.net

Eagle
Supporting Member

Skilled Engineer

USA
457 Posts

Posted - January 01 2008 : 4:06:12 PM

Love to throw in my .0000000002

I agree with Steve and Lee....

...here is my take....with Atlas being the "standard" for comparison.

Atlas

Pros: Very high quality mechanism, easy to maintain. Very good details and paint. Numerous types of locomotives and roadnames. Most "bang for the buck" just as with their rolling stock. Atlas does well to provide the modeler with a high quality product for a reasonable price. I would consider Atlas the "standard" for N scale.

Cons: None

Kato

Pros: Superior mechanism that is quiet and bulletproof. Outstanding detail and paint.

Cons: Expense. Not many locomotive types to choose from, and always very limited roadnames.

Inter Mountain

Pros: Very high quality mechanism like Kato. Arguably better! Very high quality paint and details.

Cons: A bit higher in price than Atlas. Limited locos. But really not a con since IM is relativly new to the N scale loco market.

Athearn

Pros: Good mechanism, high quality detail and paint. Cheaper than most N scale locos.

Cons: Limited locomotive types like IM. But Athearn is also new to the N scale market. Not as smooth or prototypical with reguards to top speed.

Life-Like

Pros: Newer LL (1998-2000 and newer) are very good running mechanisms, and good quality details and paint. Proto series is as good as Atlas in my opinion. Newer LL can be much cheaper than Atlas, or the same or a little more expensive for Proto series.

Cons: Really there aren't any cons for the newer Life-Like and/or (Walthers) If any question remains, it may be seeing if Walthers continues the high-quality push and excellent customer service LL built up over the last 7-8 years. Old Life-Like locomotives are ok to poor in quality, and should be avoided.

Bachmann

Pros: Bachmann is an enigma. Their Spectrum series has dazzled at times, and also disappointed. Overall, Spectrum steam is very good, and the GE diesels are decent. Other Spectrum is fair, depending on the release. Bachmann has a very reasonable price tag.

Cons: Old Bachmann, and non-Spectrum should be avoided. Poor to fair quality in all aspects.

Model Power

Pros: In the last 5 years, Model Power has produced some good quality running steam and C-Liners, also painted and detailed well. A resonable price for a really good model. I have not heard any negative reviews from "new" Model Power.

Cons: I have no input on MP customer service, but I would think this would be the modelers main concern, as well as the firm keeping up with it's recent jump to good quality. Avoid old MP.

Con-Cor

Pros: Con-Cor is alot like Bachmann in some ways. Some units are very good, others are just the pits. It really depends on the loco and release.

Cons: Con-Cor tends to be expensive. Also, their quality issues can be traced to the fact that they have comissioned different frims to build their locos over the years.

Micro Trains

Pros: Their limited locomotive releases have been very good quality, paint, and detail...close to IM's F units, but a bit shy of IM detail overall.

Cons: Limited locos (new to market). More expensive because of the MT name.

This is kind of an overview. Kato, for instance, can be found at very good prices...you just have to search for the deals. On the flip side, I've seen Life-Like and Atlas way over priced. It's best to get on the forum and talk to experienced folks who can help point you to where the deals are, and what is too high.

In MY experience, the best running locomotives I've owned or still own was a dead heat between Kato and Inter Mountain, with Atlas a close second. New Life-Like being a solid third. These are the four brands I generally stick with. Bachmann Spectrum was decent but I no longer own any.

As for locos I've ran and tested with clubs, but not owned....Model Power steam were really good running engines as was Micro Trains F units, and Athearn. Since I never owned any of these, I do not know how they have held up over the long haul.

Hope this helped. We can get way into prototype detail and the like....but again, this is my general overview.

I would rate as follows:

1. Atlas
2. Inter Mountain/Kato
3. Life-Like/Model Power
4. Micro Trains/Athearn
5. Con-Cor
6. Bachmann

Atlas being #1 overall by virtue of being very good in all aspects and moderate in price.

Edited by - Eagle on January 01 2008 4:21:11 PM

MichaelT

Conductor

USA
564 Posts

Posted - January 01 2008 : 4:40:16 PM

Ok, I have a question;

When will mfg's. start putting decoders in their N steam engines?

My amateur opinion:

I agree, Atlas is definitely the best all around N scale engines. They have numerous models available with and without decoders for both DC and DCC operators. I currently have seven Atlas engines, one of which is DC, the others DCC, I plan on converting the DC engine soon.
I have found them to be very good runners straight out of the box.

I also have a few Proto/Life Like engines. They run very well also, and I look forward to converting them to DCC.

I picked up a few Kato engines over the holidays (a VERY good sale) and as stated before they are indeed the Cadillac of engines; smooth, quiet.

So, there is my $0.0002 worth :)
michael

My goal in life is to be the kind of person that my dog already thinks I am.

Edited by - MichaelT on January 01 2008 5:28:20 PM

Jon Foster
Supporting Member

Conductor

USA
2924 Posts

Posted - January 01 2008 : 6:16:14 PM

Would this be a good thread to also list what people should stay away from as well?

Jon.

Come Visit The JJ&C Railroad!

Eagle
Supporting Member

Skilled Engineer

USA
457 Posts

Posted - January 01 2008 : 7:04:48 PM

Jon: In my reply I hinted at who and what to stay away from. My opinion of course.

Mike: I do think we'll start seeing alot more DCC equipped steam in the very near future....

In fact Athearn has released the 4-8-8-4 Big Boy in N scale not only DCC equipped, but also sound equipped! And from the looks of this thing, it's going to give Life-Like, Kato, Model Power steam a run for their money!

So stay tuned....

pepsirulesdew
Supporting Member
Professional Engineer

USA
1011 Posts

Posted - January 01 2008 : 8:57:07 PM

Hmm well out fo the few engines that I have. I have to say my Spectrum steamer out performs the Bachmann diesels. Now those Bachmann's are the cheapo's you find for cheap. The Life Like diesel I have is stupendous! Even if you use all 3 Bachmann's, the Life Like still pulls more. outside of that, I'd say Life Like takes the diesel category that I had

~Joe

SKMoss

Mfg Rep: DCI Software
SROEngineer

USA
2298 Posts

Posted - January 02 2008 : 05:35:20 AM

David, what an excellent post on the subject. I like the way you've weighed the pros and cons.

Jon, I agree with you 100% on buy the best you possible can. Your ability to enjoy the hobby is directly tied to how well your engines run. Nothing will turn off a new person in this hobby than to spend all this time and effort to get a layout going just to have the equipment bite. If you can't scrap up the cash for a at least an atlas loco to start with. Wait, for a bit till you can.

Michael, I'll add it to my list of questions to pose to mfg at the NTS show. When will we get decoder equiped steam?

Thanks,

Steve

Swizzly

Experienced Engineer

Switzerland
186 Posts

Posted - January 02 2008 : 1:23:02 PM

Yes your right!

For me KATO is the Rolls Royce!!!

ATLAS Mercedes

Life Like BMW

all the others ????????? mh VW

I am a

Fan

Greetings from Switzerland Eugen

ATSFCLIFF

Experienced Engineer

Singapore
288 Posts

Posted - January 03 2008 : 02:10:44 AM

I agree 100% with the choices made especially for newbies.
Here's how I rate them:
VERY GOOD: KATO has always been my favorite, well made and reliable. They should release more road names other than just BNSF & UP.

GOOD: ATLAS: another favorite, they release models which Kato does not make especially 4 axles engines. They have a good variety of road names.

GOOD: INTERMOUNTAIN: I liked their tunnel motors, good details but their hand rails needs improvement.

FAIR: ATHEARN & LIFE-LIKE: I bought a few and hopeful they will improve over time.
Cheers

Cliff
[urlhttp://cliffordconceicao3310.fotopic.net/c328807.html[/url]

jmusgrove
Conductor

400 Posts

Posted - January 07 2008 : 12:58:04 PM

Have to agree Atlas would be my choice especially if starting out in the hobby.

When I started in the hobby one of the things that made Atlas locomoties attractive was you could get a decoder already built in. Easier to just put it on the track and go!

Edited by - jmusgrove on January 07 2008 12:58:51 PM

SKMoss

Mfg Rep: DCI Software
SROEngineer

USA
2298 Posts

Posted - January 14 2008 : 08:51:46 AM

Asked this in another post, but want to make sure we some answers here also. What about minitrix?

Thanks,

Steve

UndergroundRR

Conductor