Somehting simple, old, and runs like a jewel. The Atals/Kato GP9 high hood in CPR. I run a pair of those every friday, they ahve been in service almost longer than I have lived, and the only problems they ahv had is in recent weeks with one of the six losing its motor to something. If I was still in HO I would try and get a few of them, although at least in Vancouver they are hard to find! Some thing close behind that is the Atals Kato RS3 in CPR colours, they look and run great to, but I like the sound that the GP9s produce. You can almost hear them chug up that 2.2% grade through the mountains (helix)! Happy Railroading!! Dane N. ------------------ BC Rail King TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info. BCRailKing@Canada.com
I've got a pair of Kato GP 35's that are great. A very close second with me would be my Proto 2000 GP 20. It's a terrific locomotive also.
The best model locomotive made is the one that gives you the most pleasure from the hobby. It can be a $19.95 special or a $3,000 brass beauty. The key is...does it give you pleasure when you run it, look at it, maintain it?? Too often folks get lost in the "bigger is better" syndrome, spending more and more green on models that often give less and less pleasure. The bottom line is, if it makes you smile, its the best!
My athearn U30B. after a little TLC it runs... and runs a little more after that. I have goten mine to run like a kato with the orginal motor. (but thats after some major surgury) Okay of the shelf though I would recomend the Athearn C44-9W or the Athearn SD40-2 (new version) but really I would have to agree with JCarter. What ever gives you the most fun. ------------------ Theres no such thing as having to many coal hoppers or GP40-2 when you model Chessie System LONG LIVE THE KITTEN!!! LONG LIVE BIG BLUE!!!
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chessie_SD50_8563: My athearn U30B. after a little TLC it runs... and runs a little more after that. I have goten mine to run like a kato with the orginal motor. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> the same goes for my SD40-2, but i think the best loco made would have to be the P2k GP20 although i really wanted to say an alco of some sort, i have to agree with the Atlas/kato RS3 it gives me a lot of pleasure running it, and also concidering how old it is as well..... ------------------ wheres all the C636's???? stickymonk.com Matts Photo gallery
I have two Atlas RS3s, an Atlas RS1, and an ATlas S2 (among my other diesels). The RS1 is my all-time favorite runner because of its smooth operation, tie-to-tie crawling, and quiet running. The RS3s are close behind the RS1, and the S2 is a very close third. BTW, this is as close as I've gotten to owning Kato engines (the Kato drive IS good!) ------------------ Ship IT on the Frisco! Bob T. http://hometown.aol.com/slsf1630/myhomepage/profile.html
Well hears a steamers point of view. There have been a quite a few well built, good running locos lately. And all of these have run very well straight from the box. The Bachman 2-8-0s, I had 4 of them at one time because they ran so well . The P2K 2-8-8-2 is also an awsome performer. Atherns 2-8-2 runs like a watch, although it isnt quite up to the detial standards of the other two. I also have 2 Sunset models 4-8-0 locos that are great performers. I think that anybody getting into HO would do well to buy anything these companies are making at the present time......JMO.....Mike ------------------ Its only Money !!
I guess it's a tossup, or a standoff. KATO GP35, Stewart F-?, or one that has a special place in your heart.
