The new Atlas motors make the locos run much better that any Kato loco I own, better slow speed, better scale top speed, smoother, and quieter. Just better period. I have over 100 DCC ready Atlas locos and never had a problem with the Atlas motor contacts. I have had 1 Kato SD40-2 that the spring contact on the side wasn't making good contact and had to be repaired. It would seem Kato uses the same outdated design just in a different spot. In order to repair this also requires one to remove the body. My atlas locos even while pulling a 30 car train don't heat up enough to even notice. If they did they would be melting the plastic bodies.
Ask 100 people and get 100 differing views...LOL. I run only Atlas and Kato....so far. They all run great. They all require periodic maintenance. So my choice for best is a 50/50 split ! As someone has already mentioned...whatever the make...if ya like it...run it !! There is no right or wrong. JMO. .
I had asked once before about the Broadway Limited and didn’t get any responses. I saw some interesting sales a while back on a few models that I would like to have, but couldn’t find any info on them.
I know this will sound Radical, but take all your older Bachmann stuff and give it the heave ho. Get rid of it. Unless, you think you can do something with it...like...put a Kato mechanisim in one of the 4-8-4 Northerns. The rest of it isn't worth keeping. Go with Kato, Atlas, Athearn, InterMountain in that order. You'll be pleased with the results. I guarantee it!
That is exactly what I did, resold all the old Bachmann stuff, and used the funds to buy Kato Atlas etc. fatalxsunrider43
That's interesting info. As I mentioned earlier, I was recently surprised to see Atlas locos, like the GP30, that used to street for around $65 now priced over $80. That's a hard pill to swallow when Kato's latest F units can be had for under $60. Atlas makes a lot of great stuff, and I only remember receiving one DOA unit, but I've been in a reduction mode and the higher prices only further my resolve to quit buying everything that catches my eye.
I'd say Atlas top of the line hands down. I have over seventy Atlas locos from old to new and all the old ones I updated to scale speed motors and bright LED's, and I never EVER had issues with the Atlas locos these locos are very easy to service by any DIY guy superb detail quiet running, now with Kato I love Kato don't get me wrong but I had to send in my AC4400CW's for a burned out motor and my 70ACe's for a new brushes they just replaced the motor on this one also. These where brand new locos. I have to say they serviced them with no problems because still under manufacturers warranty. But I never had to service any of my Atlas locos and the new Kato frames are going to be a lot harder to service by the DIY guys. I'm just saying.
Well... I really didn't rank the models before... and I should explain. Kato is IMHO the best mechanically and price-wise is currently the 'best buy' overall. I have many Kato locomotives... but... they are not the most quantitatively from one manufactuerer that I own. That catagory goes to Atlas. At one time Atlas was very competitive price-wise to Kato... and LifeLike (pre Walthers) was even more competitively priced for a good running model. Over the past 5 years... things have changed quite a bit. I rank my motive power 'favorites' by manufacturer as follows: #1) Kato. It's the best model for the money. Good looks and running quality for the models I own... (F3, F7, PA, E8, NW2, GG-1, Mikado and GS4). I really don't need to say too much about this manufacturer... they really have been very reliable models. I've got a 28 yr old ConCor/Kato PA set which still runs good out of the box. I can only hope other models from Kato and other manufacturers can do the same when I'm 80 yrs old. #2) Atlas. It has the best selection of models on the market. They are very well decorated and generally perform very well. I've had many DOA units though... sometimes very simple misalignment of chassie or contacts. I've had some with bad motors too. IMHO... Atlas makes the best 'hood type' units on the market. Quantitatively the most model trains I own, with at least one of each: RS-1, RS-3, RS4/5, RS11, U25B, C628, C630, H15/16-44, H24-66(TrainMaster), VO1000, GP7, GP9, GP30, GP35, GP38, GP40, GP50, SD7, SD9, SD24 & SD35. I also have their Shay. As you can see... I have plenty to compare with. #3) LifeLike(despite Walthers). For awhile this was a huge favorite of mine because the prices were about 2/3rd of Atlas and Kato models. Their early models were not very good mechanically... but... around 1999 they began to change-over to a split frame mechanism virtually identical to Atlas; probably because Sanda Kan was making both companies models. I have both types old and new mechanism... some of the old ones were good (E6, E7, E8 and F7'ish)... their old mech GP38 & FP40PH were not good. They made perhaps one of the best small switchers in N Scale... the SW-1200 and SW-8/9. Since then, the Kato NW2 and Spectrum 44 tonner... even the 'later improved' VO1000 by Atlas may be better. The prices in the early 2000 to 2006 time frame was extraordinary... I picked-up FA1's, FA2's(sets), C-Liner (sets), E7's, E8's, BL2's, GP20's, SW1200's and SW8/9's for under $20.00 each ($40 for A/B sets).... I must have a few dozen of these stashed away. From 2006 on... not as many great deals to be found... once Walthers acquired LifeLike. At least Walthers imroved on the Y3 Mallet... I have early and current releases. #4) Intermountain Railway Co. I had great hopes for this company in the early 2000's when they announced they were doing the entire EMC/EMD line of F units. The great rub against Kato was the lack of production of their great F units... particularly for those modeling eastern railroads. While the models look good overall... they had fit and finish issues and other poor design issues. They've solved most of the problems from their early models... but... they continued to stumble when they issued the SD40-T2 (Tunnel Motor). Again quality control issues were in the forefront of each release and though IMRC was quick to remedy their faults... delays in production and doubt by model railroaders landed them in the 'TRY BEFORE BUY' catagory. I must say though... they've redeemed themselves with the SP Cab-Forward and hopefully they will continue to flourish. I have at least one of each type of F-unit and Tunnel Motor as well as Cab-Forwards. #5) Athearn (and MDC/Roundhouse). Not too many items on their line... I have the 2-6-0 Mogul (MDC) and 2-8-0 Consolidation (MDC). These are very good little old-time engines which are somewhat diminuative but nice for small turn of the century era layouts. The Challenger and Big Boy are great models... albeit... expensive. The fact that you MUST buy it with built-in DCC/Sound is a bit of a turn-off for a lot of folks. The F45 & FP45 are also very nice models... which at least give the option of DCC or not. Athearn could easily jump up a notch or two (IMHO) if they continue to make good quality models. Rumor has it they may have an N scale Gas Turbine ready to announce. I just wish they'd do more than just Union Pacific based models. From here down... I just don't want to rank them much... as they have not proven (IMHO) to have the best interest of model railroaders in their sights. The 'Best of the Worst' so far is Bachmann/Spectrum... and I MUST EMPHASIZE "SPECTRUM".... because the 'regular issue' Bachmann (including Bachmann Plus, Bachmann Silver etc) are still a questionable lot for serious hobbyist. Bachmann has improved both of their 'toy line' and 'hobby quality' lines with better mechanisms over the past decade... still they seem to be lacking in QC issues... specially their steamers. Granted... they have a very nice selection of steam engines... which probably causes other manufacturers to stay out of that railroad genre. Steamers are a difficult product; and thus, its really unfair to judge Bachmann as being inferior because they've chosen to tackle a type of model which is fraught with potential problems. Even the venerable Kato has struggled with the Mikado and the GS4. So... lets just say that the jury is still sort-of out on where "SPECTRUM" should be. As far as the other lines Bachmann makes... FUGHEDABOUDIT! I own several Spectrum steamer models and a couple of regular Bachmann steamers. Even the Spectrum models have issues... despite the 'Limited Lifetime Warranty' for all of their products... I've heard horror stories and great stories with modelers who have sent items back to Bachmann. I'd rather KNOW I'm getting a long lasting... trouble-free model that doesn't NEED a warranty. While I've probably been lucky... I have a few which have recently had problems. I've got a Light Mounain with a seized-up drive-train... a couple of Heavy Mountains with the 'self disassembling' valve gear and some Connies that aren't as smooth running as others. The 2-6-6-2's are okay... but... I have 2% grades and they just don't pull well (need to put Bull Frog Snot on them). The regular issue Bachmann Prairie is... okay... so far; it's a recent addition and doesn't have great electrical contact...even with tender pickup. The OLD 0-6-0... is a disaster... really need to add a tender with pickup. Minitrix has good models which have been reliable runners for decades. The mechanisms are good but somewhat behind the times; though they were probably the ones other makers modeled their mechs from. They simply don't make very many American prototypes... and now... since they were bankrupt along with RivaRossi/Arnold/Roco... I'm not too sure of their future in the hobby. I can't say whether they belong in the top 5 or 6 as a result. The only models I presently own are the FM H12-44, though I used to have several of their F7'ish units. They were good running engines for the 1970-1980... but once Kato and Atlas improved the design... these models are sorely lacking in speed control. Perhaps their steamers are a better comparision... but... I don't own any. ConCor... "Oh how the once mighty has fallen". At least they were a great company in the 1970's and early 1980's. Unfortunately back then, it was because they were joined at the hip with Sekesui (also known as: KATO). Once their alliance with Kato ended their quality plummetted. Add to that an owner who was perceived to be 'unlikeable' or arrogant... and the models they made really took a dive. To their credit... they've re-invented themselves in the past 7 years to fill a niche in the market for unusual models that other model railroad companies probably wouldn't make. I for one am pleased with the Pioneer Zephyr model I have. I also have a couple of 'Galloping Geese' (unfortuantly not narrow gauge)... which are okay. I decided to avoid the AeroTrain and the M10000. Some modelers have issues with them... other say they are pretty good. At over $400 (each) for a complete set... I chose not to experiment. Arnold/Roco... Hmmmm at one time pretty good stuff in the 1970-1980's. I had one of the GP30s that sounded like a coffee grinder but ran well. I still have a couple of S2 swithers which are pretty much dead... gear flaw. Need to do the 'Ron Bearden' fix on them. Not enough stuff out there for me to compare currently... since these companies went bankrupt along with RivaRossi. I don't think there are any American prototype models being made... perhaps their European models are good though... I think they are part of Graham Farish Co. now??? If so... they are part of Kader. Model Power could have been a contender... instead... they became pretenders. They really hyped-up the All-Metal Pacific and had a really nice running model at the NMRA show in 2002... I was impressed and ordered one. My results were not as good as the one on display... in fact... I was not the only one disappointed by the performance. Add to that an ownership that was in denial about the model and they lost my interest. Silly me... when they made the Light Mikado (in D&RGW)... I gave them another shot... OH fer TWO! So when they announced Mogul and an American class... I was not a buyer. I finally got one of each of them at about 70% off MSRP... and you know what... OH fer FOUR! At least they're heavy enough to be expensive paperweights. Oh yeah... PCM/BLI... I almost forgot about them... just like they've forgotten about the Pennsy M1 and M1a. I shouldn't be so mean to them... and they could end-up being in the top five in the future... if I'm still alive to see something made by them. Okay.... I know... I know... they've already produced the E7, E8 and PA units. Hey it only took them 5 years to get the E7 to market... and it was the wrong color for Southern Pacific 'Daylight', remember the 'Brick and Sand' Daylight. Alright so I have a beef with them about the E7... but... they didn't produce the E8 or PA until late 2009 and early 2010.... after announcing them in 2004! The worst part about it is that they are not significantly better than the Kato E8 and PA... and cost about twice as much without the DCC/Sound. With so many different models not produced in the past 50 years in N scale... they've chosen models already done by LifeLike, Atlas, Kato, ConCor and probably others over the past five decades.... WHY I ASK??? So... I don't want to bury them yet... but.. they sure have stumbled out of the blocks. All others not mentioned... probably shouldn't be mentioned... I've owned many different N scale model trains in the 28 years I've been in the hobby and can't remember too many others (probably cause I'm still trying to forget them). Well now you have... THE REST OF THE STORY...
They were not bankrupt but taken over by Märklin. RR/Arnold/Jouef/Lima went bankrupt and has disappeared from the market, but their models have been bought by the British Hornby. Minitrix makes a lot of fine engines. They produce many steamers. I still have some of their models from the days that I modelled the Dutch Railways... Arnold and Roco were seperate companies. Roco did more than just N scale: a lot of HO, some narrow gauge, and military models. Nowadays, they do not produce any N scale anymore. Roco went bankrupt but had a restart under the ownership of a new invester. Arnold has just disappeared. My first N scale loco was from Roco. Great German diesel. Runs great. European manufacturers are not producing any American models. The models you know of, are old and no comparison with the models of the last 10 years, I think. And about all the complaints about the prices of Atlas engines: an engine from Minitrix or Fleischmann is a lot more expensive than any Atlas model. Prices start at $ 150 for an analog model.
Roco used to make HO engines for Atlas. They were poor quality shells but the mechs quiet and powerful. When I was in N scale, most of my power was Kato or Life-Like. I had the Arnold S1 (or was it an S2) with the pizza cutters. Which, aside from said pizza cutters was nice. I had a number of the old Life Like GP38/GP18 mech engines. They had their flaws, but they were designed like an Athearn BB HO mech, so they were remarkably easy to mod into whatever you wanted. And the Life Like GP20 was a great little engine. Low cost and high reliability for the cost. In terms of bang for the buck, that was the best engine I ever bought.
To me: 1st - KATO - They are powerfull little engine, smooth, and with lots of details. 2nd - FVM - Got their GEVO UP, and mouth went right into the floor. Those etched parts wont be assembled for now, but I loved the engine 3rd - ATLAS - To me, they seem a little more fragile than KATO, but also quite smooth 4th - Intermountain - Boy, thos Tunnel Motors are outstanding, but the body it is very fragile I don't like Bachmann. I have a F7A+F7B from them with the "black widow" scheme, and a UP SD45, but that's it. They are very awfull. Here in Portugal it is very hard to get US rolling stock, but luckly i found a good dealer in the USA. I am starting to get rid of my European rolling stock. It is too much expensive, and they have poor running. Cheers.
The only "A" rated engines that have dissappointed me is an Intermountain A/B set with the "black widow" scheme. They are strong pullers, but loud and inconsistent on which one is faster. They also have trouble with turnouts. My newbie progression started by acquiring a few Bachmanns locos, plus a Dootlebug and Brill Trolley, then three Life Likes, then three Athearn steamers, then an Intermountain A/B set, then a MicroTrains loco, then a Kato Mikado and GG1. No Atlas yet so I can't comment. 1) Kato 2) Athearns 3) Micro Train 4) Life-Like - really good for what they cost me (considering converting them to DCC) 5) Intermountain Set - prolly just need to fiddle with these things 5) all the Bachmann's (I like them all, but so far have not deemed them worth the effort to covert to DCC yet) ... I have a love/hate relationship with these locos.
I would also have to agree. But remember, beauty is only shell deep, ugly goes clear down to the mechanism. My quietest Atlas is still louder than my noisiest Kato. But Atlas does make a fine shell!
That's not really fair to compare a 1980s Atlas/Kato loco to 2010 Kato loco. It's obvious you don't own any newer Atlas locos. You should hear my Kato F7s and F3s there have to be the loudest N-scale locos ever made, they are nicknamed "old growly". All the new Atlas locos that I have purchases in the last three years are super quiet. In fact there are quieter than the 3 new SD40-2 Kato locos that I just purchased. The Katos are quiet at slow speeds, but when running them about 40-50 SMPH they make a high pitch whine.
Not true, I have many recent releases like the Dash 8's and the Gp-38's that are noisier than any Kato unit I have.
What's wrong with some noise? Maybe when you also use a sound decoder, but I want a good looking engine that runs reliably. All my Atlas engines run great: RS1, RS3, SD-50, GP7/9, H16-44. My two worst engines are 1) a Kato RDC with decoder and 2) the Walthers/LL GP38-2.
It is not so much the noise, but what the noise is in many cases. If it is the whine as described above, that is ok for me. What I do not like is the rough washing machine type noise. But I just did an experiment. 1 Kato SD45 out pulled 2 Atlas Dash 8-40B locomotives. It was a 20 car train of mixed Atlas and Micro Trains cars. The Atlas locos started to have slipping problems rounding 22 inch radius curves. The single Kato unit had no slippage at all. Next up - a different Kato unit 1 Kato E8, not slipping pulling the same train 1 Kato C44-9, same result 1 Kato SD40, some slipping, 2 Kato SD40's and no slip at all 1 Kato SD70M, same as SD40 1 Kato SD80MAC, no slipping pulling the train 1 Kato PA unit, no slippage Now Atlas 1 Atlas SD60, can not even start pulling the train 2 Atlas SD60, pull with some slippage 3 Atlas SD60, now pulls with no slippage Atlas SD50 - same results Atlas SD35 - same results Atlas Trainmaster, it takes 2 to pull with no slippage Atlas GP38-2, it take 4 to pull with no slippage The test train is: 3 Bluford Shops 89' auto parts box cars 10 Altas 20700 Gal Tank cars 3 MT 40' box cars 3 MT 3 Bay ACF Hoppers 1 MT 50' gondola Track: Peco Code 55, single loop 22" radius curves, 94 inches long So hands down, Kato pulls a lot better than most of the Atlas locomotives.
So an old LifeLike FA or F9 will out pull anything you have, does that make they a better locos? IMO NO!
