I would have to say the atlas/kato gp30/39m.I don't know why but these engines really are neat.I am a really big fan of the bn white face schemes.I only wish they did a sd30 series for real so we could get them in scale.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by UP SD70M 4763: UP SD90/43ACs, the best Kato loco ever made.<hr></blockquote> Not so fast, Earl I happen to think any N scale locomotive with Kato drives are the sweeeeetest N scale engines you can have, be they Kato or Atlas. Personally, I like the Atlas GP38- doesn't run like a scared jackrabbit, decent details, well-painted shell and handrails (someone went off about how poorly the handrails were painted, but that's his opinion I guess), and fills a niche in the market. Now if the rest of the N scale manufacturers can reduce the top end from bullet-train speeds to something much more realistic, we'd be in great shape.
My two cents: LL SD9, Good price, details, performance and just a great engine to look at. I have 4 and my buddy has 5. Great fun to play with. John Barnhill
I picked up a couple of LL GP20s for a decent price- they look & run real well. They're in BN colors, but will be "stenciled" for my new Paris & Mt. Pleasant. They'll run with my Atlas GP7 (they run together well, BTW). Now all I need is another Geep, and I'm in good shape.......
I happen to be pretty partial to my pair of SD-35's. They pull great and look nice in their Dark Hunter Green coats. Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois) http://www.geocities.com/revnjeff/index.html
I'll cast my vote for the Kato SD90's! I have two in UP colors, and two in MOPAC "Screaming Eagle" blue. Both are big modern power, and pull a ton. I also like how the gears wine at start-up and sound just like turbos spooling up. Next, I'd like to see some AC4400's and AC6000's
Gotta love those LL Gp-20's! Just had a session yesterday and I just can't say enough about how smooth, slow and powerful they are. Not bad for a $30.00 locomotive I had bought these to power some Atlas GP-35's I am working on but now will probably leave them intact.
As mentioned in Freelancers, I've pulled the trigger & bought a couple of Atlas' GP38s, in undec. No paint, no globbed-on handrails ( ), and best of all, ready to detail & paint for Frisco! After reading the reviews in Model Railroader, and finding a great price from Standard Hobby, I took the plunge. I'll let you know how they match up.
My favorites have to be the Atlas SD60/SD60M's. Have several that are giving me flawless service. Those Kato Dash 9's are running a close second though.
I would have to say my favorite are the Atlas GP40's in the Katy's scheme I have a pair that we have used on the one track layout for two shows and ran them all day about 10 hours with no problem.This is a small fleet of 5 engines working on Atlas GP38's if the President of Funds will let me get a pair.(PofF reads WIFE LOL)
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by nasty: ......This is a small fleet of 5 engines working on Atlas GP38's if the President of Funds will let me get a pair.(PofF reads WIFE LOL) <hr></blockquote> I feel your pain, brother, I feel your pain Around here, I gotta deal with both the Bureau of Land Management as well as the VP-Finance (read: wife) I was able to pull the trigger on a purchase of a couple of Atlas GP38s recently- I owe my VP-Finance big-time
It changes, right now it's a Atlas/Kato RS-3 I got off of eBay for $12. It didn't run, looked like heck. Overheated shell. Went through it. Now it runs really sweet. Quiet, strong and cool. Still looks beat. Found out Atlas sells Shell Kits on their web site for $6.95 and free shipping. It's a new love. Byron
Well it was the bachman -840cw's, until the kato -944cw's came out, until the kato sd9040macs came out. However my most recent purchase of sf/bnsf sd75i's are my fav's now by far.
My sentimental favorite is my 1968 Atlas E-8 in PRR tuscan 5-stipe because she was my first. But now my Sharks have me hooked. Paul PRR in Atlanta
I am a fan of the old Nickle Plate railroad and the great fast speed service they provided with Berkshires. I don't model the NP but do have a Riverossi Berkshire.
i think mine are the sd-40's from kato and quite possibly maybe the new b23's from atlas. atlas detail is starting to blow kato out of the water anymore. really nice to see someone painting the handrail ends and steps correctly unlike kato.
There has to be a joker in every deck: after witnessing this slew of 'modern' equipment, my son and I agree we're partial to Tomix's Thomas the Tank Engine.
So far, I've been really happy with the potload of four-axle EMDs Atlas has released. Nice details, smooth-running, great paint jobs, well worth the money. And they got the handrails done right- they don't look like telephone poles like the old days. I don't model a railroad where 6-axle units can run, so I stay with the GPs. The Alcos and GEs look good, but to keep my Mechanical Department happy ( ), I keep to an all-EMD roster. Oh yes, the LL units aren't too shabby, either. Much, much better details than before, better paint, and smoother running (a wee bit noisy, but not nearly the coffee grinders I've had before).
