My favorite locomotive in N scale is hands down the Atlas GP 7/9. They are superb runners and you can pick them up cheap at swap meets too!
This is, as others have pointed out in different ways, a really open-ended question. For a coffee table layout, I would guess you're doing more short freight consists, etc. I would recommend against getting six axle diesel power in that case as they don't do so well on the tighter turns. I don't have as much experience with smaller N scale steam so I will just address diesels. Here are some of my favorite 4-axle diesels. There may be other ones out there that are just as good or better, but I haven't tried them all. Kato NW2 - good looks, good puller, easy coupler swap to Z scale couplers. The conversion to DCC is pretty easy if you decide to go that route. Lifelike SW9/1200 - good looks, good puller, easy conversion from Rapido to 1015s if you choose. DCC conversion on the older ones is more of a pain, and these little tabs these things use for pick-up are kind of a pain. The nice thing about these is that you can often pick up lightly or never used ones for $30 or less. Bachmann 44 tonner - good looks, fair puller, DCC/DC dual-mode decoder comes standard. The earlier version has these horrible fixed couplers. I converted mine to McHenrys, and it was more trouble than it should have been. The newer ones have operating couplers. Bachmann 70-tonner - good looks, fair puller, DCC/DC dual-moder decoder comes standard. I haven't tested mine extensively because I just got it, but it seems to be as good as the 44-tonner. Atlast GP7/9 - good looks, excellent puller, DCC conversion can be a little tricky but has been made much easier with the advent of the TCS CN-GP decoder, though you still need to solder. There are lots of these out there so they're not hard to find. Atlas RS-3 - much the same characteristics as the GP7/9 except that the pulling is probably just good and not excellent. You may try scanning the reviews of Spookshow in his Locomotive Encyclopedia. He's tested lots of things, and he's very honest, I think, in his reviews.
I don't see them mentioned here, sosteam Donkey just beat me! but I second his opinion) Coffee table layout = small, even if its a "big" coffee table. I think you'd be best served by one of the following small but nice running and adequately pulling engines: Kato NW-2, Bachmann GE 44 tonner or Bachmann GE 70 tonner. the 2 latter can be had for 60-70 dollars and run equally well DC/DCC. All of them used by 1 or more "local" (to you) railroads. The SMVRR until recently used 70 tonners (OK, Santa Maria isn't that local, but it isn't that far either)
Best? don't know. My favorite: 4 Axle are Atlas GeePs. 6 Axle are Kato AC4400s Steam is FVM "Hiawatha" Electric: Any Kato "bullet"
Sorry, espeefan, I didn't mean to ace you out. I didn't even know you were posting. :tb-wink: But, yes, a lot of older Bachmann is junk, but the Spectrum line 44- and 70-tonners are well worth a look.
In my opinion, Atlas, Kato and some Bachmann are the best. Bachmann's Heavy 4-8-2 (not lt. mtn.) and 2-8-0 are the best ones. B-Mann's diesels ain't so great. Athearn makes some great ones too!
Not in LA area or Southern CA for that matter. it can be found but at a cost. last I checked it was over $45 for a half sheet. I drove all the way to Northern CA for mine.
I'll be hanging out at the dumpster if anyone want's to part with their "junk". (my budget and plans not to use DCC make them worth a shot for our layout!) :tb-tongue:
Intermountain F units; specifically, bang-for-the-buck, I'd say an FT set. Can be had for ~$80 or less for the A/B set on the "eBid" site. Pulls like a tank, looks sharp. Beyond that? The new Atlas master geeps serve me well and have great paint, but you might go pick up a Bachmann GP7 for less $ that's decoder equipped (and a fine runner). Find your era/prototype/price point and go from there! Most importantly, consider buying from your LHS (local hobby shop). You will always have better luck of finding the best runner on the shelf, if you can actually run it first
VIEW PRODUCT AVAILABILITY CLOSE X Owens Corning Model #45W Store SKU # 409926 Owens Corning Foamular® F-150 2 in. x 48 in. x 96 in. Scored Squared Edge Foam 17 in stock Gardena #611 0.00 miles $24.85 /PC-Piece Gardena #611 (0.31 mi) 740 182nd StreetGardena, CA 90248(310)324-7100 According to the HD "real time" inventory (when I made Gardena my "home store"), the HD's in LA I listed above do have it. For $25 a sheet. But the OP should probably call the store ahead of visiting. Back on the OP's topic, my dad & I have an Atlas/Kato RS1 (DC) since the late 80's that still runs lovely, and on the tight track of the Christmas Tree layout for a month & 1/2 of long daily grinds over the past 20+ years (but it does get 10 months off )
Looks like I will be going to Gardena Soon. Hey I want to give a big thanks to all of you posters You all have given me a run for my money. It looks like the best is what is best for you. But you should buy good equipment. I also learned that having a good LHS with people who are willing to help you even when you do not know what you are talking about - and will steer you in the right direction, even if it means less money for them is a great thing. My beat local shop is Arnies in So cal. I went there and got 2 new locos a Kato SD-45 BN and a Atlas/kato UP SD 7 Both are smooth and good runners. and my son love them!!! So I checked out the other engines in my collection and it seams that I like the way my Spectrum Dash 8-40 runs and a Life-like F7-A & GP18, both remarkably strong & silent. I also have A pair of life like GP 38s that work good. Someone here said it best, they ARE like potato chips no one can get just one. So when I go the the shop next time I will be looking for Kato, Atlas, Lifelike, ---- what ever fits my road name and I like!!! Oh!!! and there will be a next time... JDB
