N-Scale Modern Diesel Models ... advice needed

[Gordon Werner]

Hello.

I have been away from N-Scale for quite some time and would appreciate anyone and everyone's advice on modern diesel engine models.

I would like to model the BNSF (this century) and have noticed that there is a plethora of models depicting the BNSF heritage I and II schemes (along with various BN and ATSF hybrids)

My question to you folks is this.

Out of the various manufacturers ... Kato, Bachmann, Athearn, Atlas, etc ... are there any particular engines that I should avoid?

I am looking at getting some of the following:

Atlas - SD60M
Kato - SD70MAC
Athearn - SD75M
Bachmann - Dash 8-40CW
kato - SD40-2
Atlas - GP-38
etc ...

I plan on taking the DCC route as well (starting from scratch) so that matters as well I guess.

Basically, is the quality of any of these manufacturers worse than the others? should I avoid one particular brand or another?

I am not looking for a complete primer here ... just general opinions

Thanks in advance

Gordon

[Steve Mann]

All of those brands are fine in my opinion. I've heard some people talk about speed matching problems and loudness of the motors; but I think they are all fine. Especially Kato, that's the best out there, unless you get Overland Models ES44's and SD70ACE's. Those are $400+ though.
I've heard some gripes about Bachmann, but they have redone their chassis almost from scratch. i emailed a guy from BLMW about how they ran and he said, "They are ok! Better than old."
Hope this helped.

[TonyHammes]

My opinion

Atlas - SD60M (A)
Kato - SD70MAC (A+)
Athearn - SD75M (B+)
Bachmann - Dash 8-40CW (B)
kato - SD40-2 (A+)
Atlas - GP-38 (A)
Life Like (new stuff) (B+)

You are pretty much safe with all. Some are easier to convert to DCC than others.

[Gordon Werner]

Thanks folks ...

btw ... are the Kato engines the only ones with working ditch lights? or do the others have them as well?

thanks

[mavrick0]

Kato is the only one with working ditch lights as of right now. Hopefully some of the other companies will get caught up and do their engines too...

[AVR Mark]

Here is my opinion for whatever it is worth:

Top Tier: Atlas, Kato
One small step down: Intermountain, LifeLike
A step down: Athearn
A big step down: Bachmann

Generally, Atlas has the best detail and paint jobs and Kato has the best mechanisms, but they are very close to each other.

Intermountain may have some quality control issues on some models, it is better to pick them up and test them in person.
Life-Like is good but not quite as good as the above.

Athearn has not been in the N-Scale market that long, but each new release seems to be getting better. The main problem seems to be the detail is too large and the window inserts don't look right to me.

Bachmann is not as good quality as the above, and quality control can vary greatly between roadnames and or runs. Avoid if possible.

A few notes for the models that you are looking at:

Atlas SD60 (and M), The weak point is the trucks. They work fine, but may require more maintenance than other comparable models. The design of the gears seems to be the problem.

Kato SD40-2, Newer "Mid Production" models. New design for every part of the model (except the motor) as compared to the older "early production" models. I especially dislike the design of the new trucks on these units, so much so that after receiving my BN units (which I kept), I cancelled my order for the ATSF and BNSF units. This is the only Kato locomotive that I cannot recommend.

Kato SD70MAC and AC4400W are great locomotives in every way.

Atlas GP38 and GP40 Really nice locomotives, wonderful detail, much better than those I bought 10 years ago.

The new DCC ready Atlas SD7/9/24 locomotives are really nice too.

I don't own any of the Athearn N-Scale units (although I still have some of their HO scale locomotives kicking around.

I don't own anything made by Bachmann.

Mark

[WaltIII]

Gordon,
I sent you a PM!

[ATSFCLIFF]

I would go for Kato, Atlas, InterMountain & Athearn in this order and avoid the Bachmann.
Cheers,


http://cliffordconceicao3310.fotopic.net/c328807.html

[Jeff B]

I echo ATSFCLIFF.
Jeff

[verse2damax]

Originally Posted by Steve Mann

unless you get Overland Models ES44's and SD70ACE's. Those are $400+ though.

I have one teenie weenie problem with OMI and that is they usually require large radii especially the A & B units. I have a three unit turbine set and a number of the F & FT units. I can only run them on the main line on my 8 x 4 layout. I have 3 of the Amtrak AMD-103s and they all jerk when negotiating the 11" curves. After pulling them (Amtraks) apart I realised that the lenz for the head lights are restricting the pivot of the truck.. I guess when I construct the bigger layout I will get to enjoy them more.

verse