1) What is the best loco you have had? 2) Why is it the best? 3) By itself how many rolling stock can it pull? ------------------ yo,yo,yo,yo. yoyo10 is in da house!
I would have to say it is a toss up between my Kato SD40-2 Snoot and a Kato SD45. As far as how many cars can it pull, I have had 20 cars pulled with no prob. I have not tried the snoot with a train longer than 15 cars. Most of my rolling stock are still in shrink wrap as I near layout construction. Matt P.S. I am also very very pleased with my Atlas SD60, SD60M locos. I have a older Atlas GP40 that is garbage.
My Kato E-8/9 is the smothest quitest loco i own, it is very nice and it can pull a ton. But as far as strongest pullers go, my LifeLike FA could out pull anything I have and was pretty quite too, its just recently begane to get sick on me. But my favorite Locos would be my Kato Dash 9's in BNSF (craig your custom paint is include in that) Kevin Mumaw BNSF-SF+Greatness
Well, I guess it would be my first Atlas/Kato, Santa Fe GP30. It's currently detailed into a BNSF GP30u wearing it's Yellowbonnet colors and new BNSF road number. It was to be my yard-hog but has seen plenty of road service. I think it has pulled about 20 or so cars by itself on straight and level track. I got it in 1993 from the then "Cajun Railroad", Baton Rouge, LA. owned and operated by the Late, Ron Monty. I soon expanded my Atlas and Kato fleet to include SD45's, GP35's, and C30-7's. Now most of the fleet on the AOW/BNSF is Atlas and Kato with SD40-2's, C44-9's SD60/60m's and the previously mentioned loco's. The rest of the fleet is made up of Life-Like, Con-Cor, Bachmann-Plus and Spectrum Loco's. All play along fine with each other. ------------------ RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style! Brent Tidaback, Member #234 [This message has been edited by Maxwell Plant (edited 03 July 2000).]
My BNSF SD75M, since I had a DN149K2 decoder installed. Next, I'll have a decoder installed in my SD70MAC. Then it will be a tie between 70 & 75. ------------------ Keep on Track'N Harold Riley www.phcomputing.com [This message has been edited by sd75mac (edited 03 July 2000).]
My Atlas GP35 that was repowered with a Kato drive, and then got a decoder in it. It is not a strong loco, but it can get about 20 cars on level track, and since I use it in switching right now (Branch had a washout) it is perefect! However, when those SD35u's arrive, it may be a draw for my fav! Happy Railroading!! Dane N. PS-It is in Rail Link, former Montana Rail Link. ------------------ BC Rail King TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info. BCRailKing@Canada.com
i think im going to have to say the new sd40-2's. i mean what big rail company can you not use these with. after that i think my arnold s-2 just because it actually sounds like an old alco rumbling and bouncing cown the track. it may only pull 8 cars but hey it just sounds cool. ------------------ Norfolk Southern The Pack Mule of Transportation Mo-Pac RULES Heritage N-Scale Group, Joliet, Il.
To more or less (but not quite) echo m'bacon, my best loco is my Kato BC Ry "Snoot" SD40-2 which is just superb but I am also very fond of my Arnold/Rivarossi EMD switcher (Southern Pacific livery) which altho' somewhat coarse in detail and a little noisy and slow in responding to the controller has a lot of character and looks like a real working engine; the LL switcher in contrast is so finely detailed that you are almost afraid to run up hard to a big box car in case you derail it or knock something off! Generally, we are very lucky that standards are improving in quantum leaps at the moment and the manufacturers seem to be taking n scale very seriously. Ben
With 28 Atlas 16 Kato 5 LifeLike,and 1 Bachmann I would say that any of my Atlas units are my favorite loco. Still havin' FUN!! ------------------ Catt!
I am going to have to say one of my SD45's. I don't know why it is, but the thing just glides down the track and doesn't make a whisper! Next would be Kato's C44's and after that, the SD40-2 (because it can have SOOOO many paint jobs and details applied! ) (I added the white LED in my C44's and wow, now there even better!) ------------------ Craig Martyn BLMA(best looking models around) Custom painting and detailing AND N scale detail parts!!!
I will have to stand up for the Life Like GP20 and SW1200. I'm big on slow running, and those two are the best as far as I'm concerned. I wish all Kato and Atlas had that gear ratio. I know it makes the engine a little more noisy, but it runs much better in my opinion. I will be interested to see anything else that Life Like comes out with from now on. Not to mention the price and availability are great too. Dave D. Los Angeles CA The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Photo Archive & E-Mail List: http://eje.railfan.net The Ashley, Drew & Northern Railfan Page: http://eje.railfan.net/adn Southern California Trains: http://eje.railfan.net/socal
I like my Kato SD-45 the best, I have two, but the one #8663 was my first N scale purchase... it runs smooth as silk and quiet as a mouse and has never given me any problems... none of my Kato (diesels) have ever given me any problems... ------------------ espee2 Home: www.tunnel13.com layout: SP's Newberg Branch in N scale
Good to have you on the 'board, Ben. The more Brits, the better I agree that standards are improving greatly. Just when we think that a Kato or Atlas loco. or whatever is the tops, the next one is even better! May they keep improving ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery Alan's European Gallery Alan's British Steam Gallery
If I wasn't so lazy, I would create my true "Best Loco." I would use the detail from the newest Atlas (e.g. SD35, SD50, SD60) and stick in a Kato drive. I think alot of people would like that. Kato needs alittle more detail, and Atlas needs to be lower geared. I think if there was ever a 'merger' of sorts between the 2 companies (like the old HO GP9, Hato drive, Atlas frame) it would be pure heavan for me, and other people Happy Railroading!! Dane N. ------------------ BC Rail King TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info. BCRailKing@Canada.com
