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what do people think are the best brand for diesel engines? i am looking for CSX or NS?
thanks
thomas
thanks
thomas
Diesel Locomotives brands
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399 Posts
i don't think those are brands. they are company names. brands would be like Athearn, Bachman, Kato, etc. is this what you mean? if you live in the Northeast, you may want to look for the types that run in your area. I am in Colorado, I run Union Pacific, BNSF, and soon D&RGW. hope this helps.
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50 Posts
csx and ns are the company names but i am wondering what brands are best for those? i want something that comes dcc ready and with sound. from what i have seen, not all of them offer those company names. i am just wanting to know what other peoples experiences are and what they recommend.
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399 Posts
check this out - i like the dark future
http://www.mainlinehobby.com/google... No.4402 GP35 GP-35 CSX DCC ON BOARD CSX 4402
http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCUQ8wIwAw#
the brand really depends on the amount of money you want to spend. I have to say - I bought an $85 dcc ready athearn - I am running dc right now - it pulls ok. I bought a $32 bachman non-dcc and can pull 18 cars up 3% with little slowing. i want to try a bachmann dcc when i upgrade.
http://www.mainlinehobby.com/google... No.4402 GP35 GP-35 CSX DCC ON BOARD CSX 4402
http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCUQ8wIwAw#
the brand really depends on the amount of money you want to spend. I have to say - I bought an $85 dcc ready athearn - I am running dc right now - it pulls ok. I bought a $32 bachman non-dcc and can pull 18 cars up 3% with little slowing. i want to try a bachmann dcc when i upgrade.
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50 Posts
why is that one so much cheaper? i am looking at the following ones and they are expensive
i am looking at the following ones
http://mthtrains.com/content/80-2001-1
or
http://www.broadway-limited.com/2128...nddcdccho.aspx
or
https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/item...000405&eq=&Tp=
or
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Defa...odID=ATHG67203
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344 Posts
For the $$$$, Atlas engines are brutes! Right now I'm running 3 Athearn genesis sd-70's ( ok pullers) a Broadway Limited SD-45 (smooth as silk but a little weak), and a Bachmann DCC gp-38 ( very noisy, inconsistant speed control but fairly strong) and 3 Atlas gp-39's smooth as silk, best performance and quietest runners.
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50 Posts
so from the links i had above you would go with the broadway or atlas? i am starting witha 4x8 layout so not sure if that makes a difference.
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2,136 Posts
Hey Swiggy,
Broadway Limited and MTH are VERY expensive(unless you have the cash) and are super detailed DCC W/ sound I believe. Athearn,Atlas,Kato,and Proto are very good and Bachmann is below them. But itsa all up to you and your bank account and preference. Athearn and Atlas are on my layout and have done everything that I've wanted. I still have some Bachmann and even LifeLlike that are about 15 years old still running but are going into the Garage Sale so I can upgrade. For little kids to play arround with I'd use the Bachmann and LifLike. Athearn has every Road name immaginable....as do the others and yeah...they pull like Brutes! Hope this helped. Oh...check your local hobby shop for sales and the Web. Watch the shipping and handling
!
Broadway Limited and MTH are VERY expensive(unless you have the cash) and are super detailed DCC W/ sound I believe. Athearn,Atlas,Kato,and Proto are very good and Bachmann is below them. But itsa all up to you and your bank account and preference. Athearn and Atlas are on my layout and have done everything that I've wanted. I still have some Bachmann and even LifeLlike that are about 15 years old still running but are going into the Garage Sale so I can upgrade. For little kids to play arround with I'd use the Bachmann and LifLike. Athearn has every Road name immaginable....as do the others and yeah...they pull like Brutes! Hope this helped. Oh...check your local hobby shop for sales and the Web. Watch the shipping and handling
!
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2,958 Posts
for the same very reason basic honda civic is cheaper then loaded accord. different price categories, different market segment. there are toy engines, there are basic model grade engines, there are standart, and there are top of the line, neatly detailed premium class. you almost always get what you pay for, vote with your wallet
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50 Posts
what atlas engines do you have. i was looking at the HM GP40-2 PH1 CSX 6351. do you know the difference with the 149 and 239 models, there website isnt very good in telling you.
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2,136 Posts
Older Model Atlas Geeps and SD's!
I have 2 GP 40's and 2 SD 35's ranging from DRGW to UP and all are strong quiet pullers and runners. The highest price was $71.00 and the lowest(a steal on Ebay) $22.00. I've had these Diesels for 10yrs(the Ebay is 15 and has been cleaned and lubed). All original motors and just outstanding performers. You can get lucky at 6:00AM on the Bay......but it sure is getting harder to find a steal these days.hwell: The Trainman series is very affordable and though the detail isn't quite there they are great engines for the price.
I have 2 GP 40's and 2 SD 35's ranging from DRGW to UP and all are strong quiet pullers and runners. The highest price was $71.00 and the lowest(a steal on Ebay) $22.00. I've had these Diesels for 10yrs(the Ebay is 15 and has been cleaned and lubed). All original motors and just outstanding performers. You can get lucky at 6:00AM on the Bay......but it sure is getting harder to find a steal these days.
hwell: The Trainman series is very affordable and though the detail isn't quite there they are great engines for the price.
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1,483 Posts
I think we discussed this before.
If I were to place manufacturers in order by quality/price(diesel only) they would be as follows:
Kato - The KING arguably but not much to argue about at all. High priced, but I'd say worth it.
Atlas - There are a couple of different levels, but I am talking the
Atlas top of the line here, Platinum Series, I believe. These have Kato drives.
Atlas/Roco(Yellow Box Atlas) - Another Atlas product with a Roco drive. Pretty strong runners.
Proto 2000(P2K) - These engines can be hit or miss. But, if you happen to get a good one, it's a dandy. Early 2-axle drivers had problems with gears, and easy fix, just a PIA.
Intermountain - Their premium line, the Regal Line, is very underrated and a real sleeper as most have never heard of them. Strong runners. Nicely detailed.
Stewart - Don't know why I like these engines so much but I've never had problem with them. A touch underweight, and noisier than some, still some of their products are real sleepers when it comes to power.
BLI(Broadway Limited) - A bit overrated here but cutting edge when it comes to DCC and sound, not real good pullers though, but adequate in most applications. I like their 6-axle power, the SD's, E-units and such. And their steam engines are among the best plastic models made. Customer service is a bit lacking.
Athearn Genesis - Pretty decent, not great pullers but decent. 1st class customer service. I double andtriple head a group of Dash-8's and a group of Dash -9's, pretty stout then.
Bachman Spectrum - Pretty close to the Athearn Genesis line. Pretty much a dead heat there. Great customer service, comparable to Athearns's.
Bachman Plus - May surprise some with this choice, but for the money these engines are amazing. Seems the news is getting out though. Price on eBay for these is rising.
MTH - Finally joining the rest as their products were pretty much proprietary in the past. Probably should be ranked a bit higher though.
Roco - Good runners, but I think that the are overrated and lack much detail. Take the body off, throw it away and add a nicer shell, like a Hobby Town shell, and you have one heck of an engine.
Athean Blue Box - the staple for most of my time in the hobby. Inexpensive and darn near bullet-proof.
I will add IHC's Premier Line. Mostly their steam engines. Great quality for the price. I'm not real enthused with their diesel power, though. Detail isn't great on those. But a good starting platform for those that like to super detail their stock.
Going into the more benign, I would list the manufacturers in this order: Bachman Trainman, IHC, AHM, Model Power, TYCO.
I didn't include old manufacturers, or products, such as Varney, Mantua, Hobby Town, Globe, old Athearn Hi-F's(rubber band-belt drives) as most of you wouldn't be interested in those.
Bob
If I were to place manufacturers in order by quality/price(diesel only) they would be as follows:
Kato - The KING arguably but not much to argue about at all. High priced, but I'd say worth it.
Atlas - There are a couple of different levels, but I am talking the
Atlas top of the line here, Platinum Series, I believe. These have Kato drives.
Atlas/Roco(Yellow Box Atlas) - Another Atlas product with a Roco drive. Pretty strong runners.
Proto 2000(P2K) - These engines can be hit or miss. But, if you happen to get a good one, it's a dandy. Early 2-axle drivers had problems with gears, and easy fix, just a PIA.
Intermountain - Their premium line, the Regal Line, is very underrated and a real sleeper as most have never heard of them. Strong runners. Nicely detailed.
Stewart - Don't know why I like these engines so much but I've never had problem with them. A touch underweight, and noisier than some, still some of their products are real sleepers when it comes to power.
BLI(Broadway Limited) - A bit overrated here but cutting edge when it comes to DCC and sound, not real good pullers though, but adequate in most applications. I like their 6-axle power, the SD's, E-units and such. And their steam engines are among the best plastic models made. Customer service is a bit lacking.
Athearn Genesis - Pretty decent, not great pullers but decent. 1st class customer service. I double andtriple head a group of Dash-8's and a group of Dash -9's, pretty stout then.
Bachman Spectrum - Pretty close to the Athearn Genesis line. Pretty much a dead heat there. Great customer service, comparable to Athearns's.
Bachman Plus - May surprise some with this choice, but for the money these engines are amazing. Seems the news is getting out though. Price on eBay for these is rising.
MTH - Finally joining the rest as their products were pretty much proprietary in the past. Probably should be ranked a bit higher though.
Roco - Good runners, but I think that the are overrated and lack much detail. Take the body off, throw it away and add a nicer shell, like a Hobby Town shell, and you have one heck of an engine.
Athean Blue Box - the staple for most of my time in the hobby. Inexpensive and darn near bullet-proof.
I will add IHC's Premier Line. Mostly their steam engines. Great quality for the price. I'm not real enthused with their diesel power, though. Detail isn't great on those. But a good starting platform for those that like to super detail their stock.
Going into the more benign, I would list the manufacturers in this order: Bachman Trainman, IHC, AHM, Model Power, TYCO.
I didn't include old manufacturers, or products, such as Varney, Mantua, Hobby Town, Globe, old Athearn Hi-F's(rubber band-belt drives) as most of you wouldn't be interested in those.
Bob
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16,705 Posts
Bob,
That's great info. I'm not much of an HO diesel guy, but for those who are, I'm wondering if B&M might bump your post/info above to an HO "start here" or "how to" sticky thread ... great intel for anyone getting their feet wet and/or expanding their horizons.
TJ
That's great info. I'm not much of an HO diesel guy, but for those who are, I'm wondering if B&M might bump your post/info above to an HO "start here" or "how to" sticky thread ... great intel for anyone getting their feet wet and/or expanding their horizons.
TJ
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1,483 Posts
TJ, it's only an opinion, my opinion. Much of what is listed, and the order in which they are listed, can be argued from today until the end of time. I've left out a few including brass models. My reason being that many will never get into brass, because of affordability, and some of the older units, while available on sites like eBay, only attract collectors, not modelers.
I have brass engines and I have collected, over time and not intentionally, many older manufacturers. Many are crap by today's standards, not very detailed, poor runners, and cantankerous at best. Maintenance leeches, demanding constant attention. Engines like the Athearn Hi-F's, the rubber band drive units, are truly amp hogs. I've got many of these older units and do run them from time to time. Mine, for the most part, remain in boxes or are relegated to be "shelf queens".
You won't find many modelers using older units as the staple for their layouts, though I know some that do. But they are a different breed. Throwbacks, if you will. And some of these guys still use brass rail. Ozone fills the air in their train rooms during operating sessions. And many of the old cast Mantua's and Varney's suffer from a plague called "zinc rot", "zinc pest" or zamac. A deterioration of the casting that causes parts to crumble like a cookie.
I thank you for the props, but someone else may have a different opinion. Shouldn't make my opinion weigh any more than any others out there.
Bob
I have brass engines and I have collected, over time and not intentionally, many older manufacturers. Many are crap by today's standards, not very detailed, poor runners, and cantankerous at best. Maintenance leeches, demanding constant attention. Engines like the Athearn Hi-F's, the rubber band drive units, are truly amp hogs. I've got many of these older units and do run them from time to time. Mine, for the most part, remain in boxes or are relegated to be "shelf queens".
You won't find many modelers using older units as the staple for their layouts, though I know some that do. But they are a different breed. Throwbacks, if you will. And some of these guys still use brass rail. Ozone fills the air in their train rooms during operating sessions. And many of the old cast Mantua's and Varney's suffer from a plague called "zinc rot", "zinc pest" or zamac. A deterioration of the casting that causes parts to crumble like a cookie.
I thank you for the props, but someone else may have a different opinion. Shouldn't make my opinion weigh any more than any others out there.
Bob
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50 Posts
Bob,
thank you for this great information. its really helpful. what is your thought on 6-axle trains on a 4x8? alot of the companies say they will run on 18" but it seems a little tight. i was orginally going with 22 and 18 " radius but i am thinking i am going to go with a 22 and 20(flextrack). the only part of the track that will be 18" would be the turn coming out of the of the yard.
I would also like to know more about kato. why do you think they are the best, there prices seem to be reasonable, unless i am looking in the wrong place.
sorry for all the questions
thomas
thank you for this great information. its really helpful. what is your thought on 6-axle trains on a 4x8? alot of the companies say they will run on 18" but it seems a little tight. i was orginally going with 22 and 18 " radius but i am thinking i am going to go with a 22 and 20(flextrack). the only part of the track that will be 18" would be the turn coming out of the of the yard.
I would also like to know more about kato. why do you think they are the best, there prices seem to be reasonable, unless i am looking in the wrong place.
sorry for all the questions
thomas
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1,483 Posts
6-axle engines + 22"r turns = TROUBLE and swing out, which leads to ungainly looking engines going around a corner. There may be some short 6-axle units that will look a bit better, such as the SD7's but still not at all pretty. If I were just starting out, I would look seriously at the P2K GP7/9's or even the GP18's. Depends on the era you are modeling, of course. If you would model the "transition era", you would have a plethora of engines to choose from, including steam. The BL2's, F-units, E-units, the H16-44's etc, for diesels, I do have a fondness for, not only the period, but engines, like the F's, E's, early Geep's and SD's, the BL2, and the Fairbanks-Morris Trainmasters. Maybe one of the shorter C-truck(6-axle) engines might look OK. MIGHT , I said. The longer 6-axle engines look much more realistic on layouts with radii closer to 30". If possible, I'd increase the size of your layout to 6x10 allowing for wider turns if you are set on using C-axle engines. But, it's your railroad.
I've been upgrading some of my stock from the Athearn Blue Box diesel offerings to higher quality engines, Atlas, P2K, and such. Many companies, including Kato, tend to offer more modern engines than my time period. But my roster is mostly steam engines. The early diesels, those manufactured up to 1964, or so, are readily available and are well represented on the layout, however.
Bob
I've been upgrading some of my stock from the Athearn Blue Box diesel offerings to higher quality engines, Atlas, P2K, and such. Many companies, including Kato, tend to offer more modern engines than my time period. But my roster is mostly steam engines. The early diesels, those manufactured up to 1964, or so, are readily available and are well represented on the layout, however.
Bob
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50 Posts
Thanks Again Bob, more great information. I am currently wanting to base my model on the Current Era of Diesel Engines. I want to use CSX and NS Engines that are used locally in Virginia for my layout. i was looking at the Atlas – 10000405 – GP40-2 PH1 CSX. when you speak of a short 6-axle would the following be considered one?Broadway-limited – bli-5272 Emd sd40-2 CSX.
I would love to go bigger then 4x8 but currently i have room in the office for the layout. i do have an unfinished garage with a ton of space but that presents its only problems.
I would love to go bigger then 4x8 but currently i have room in the office for the layout. i do have an unfinished garage with a ton of space but that presents its only problems.
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