(I changed the decoder.) I don't plan to try Bachmann again. I had a pet peeve with the Sound Value 2-6-0 stripped down Tsunami decoder as it could not be adjsuted so the sound would not come on with layout power up. I have a 2-6-0 that's ok but it took five 2-8-0s to get to two that worked ok. I don't buy Bachmann diesels basis my steamer experience. Steamers tend to be more finicky on derailments and rail contact, so it depends. The Tsunami in a Genesis Geep was disappointing to the point that I replaced it, though I'm ok with the Tsumanis in my Genesis steamers. I prefer the LokSounds that I put into conversions. In the latter case, the decoder and speakers come into play. It also depends on whether you are talking DC versions (which i would convert to DCC) where detail and drivetrain are the key issues, or whether the DCC offerings. And Athearn, BLI and Proto Heritage (older models) steam. I like HO Athearn Genesis, Kato, Atlas, Intermountain and LifeLike Proto 2000/1000 diesels. Getting to specific manufacturers, some points. That has been the source of many of my locos.ģ. While you may not find a loco of interest available as a recent release, there are many unused (or nearly so) ones available on the resale (EBay) route. That has become one of my favorite activities, and expands your options considerably. The second point is that, if getting into DCC, you may at some point get interested in converting DC locos to DCC, with or without sound. My point is that you may want to add a loco type and then settle (up to a point) for a maker that is at least satisfactory.Ģ. So I ended up wanting to include many types in my roster, now including GPs, SDs, GEs, Alco's, etc. For instance, I like UP and found that (over a period of 5 years now) I started as transition era oriented and then stretched that a bit. One consideration is how many locos (and/or how many will fit on your layout and storage) you may end up adding as time goes on. I was rewarded by both his recommendation and Bachmann's engineering.ġ. Kind of put me off Bachmann, but due to the insistance of a veteran Spectrum runner on this board, I purchased one of their metal heavy Mountain Class 4-8-2. Note that their one failure in Spectrum was the Class J 4-8-4 I have experience with one of them, and soon found others complaining about their problems. What the Company will do in order to stay in contention premium-class-wise is anybody's guess.maybe their Spectrum idea is gone forever. It's a smart move because they have to stay competitive against the other steam suppliers who have been upping their games. I have one of their 2-6-6-6 Allegheny and would rate it at the top level in terms of reliability and looks, with plenty of details added to improve realism.īachmann is going through a revision process where they have been devolving some of their excellent Spectrum class of steamers down to their regular line. Rivarossi has produced some good steamers in the past 20 years, but the rumour is that they are quitting the N. Whichever it is to be as things evolve, it is driving the prices up commensurately. Even so, newer systems that purport to get around electrical pickup problems between the motors and the rails, are receiving encouraging reviews. The trend in the hobby, with many holdouts still using and very pleased with direct current (DC), is toward DCC, or Digital Command Control. American steam example available short of some of the brass models. I would have to say that the rather costly Trix 2-8-2, which are now available after about eight years, is the finest N. Every batch has a few lemons, but the service from the importers is generally quite good. Some are eagerly awaiting of Rapido into the steam HO locomotive category, but we're still about 18 months away from their first issue.Įach of those currently with steam models available has both good and not very good examples, although BLI, MTH, Walthers, and Athearn generally can be counted on to provide good products.
The makers of steam are Broadway Limited Imports (BLI), Mike's Train House (MTH), Athearn, Bachmann, Trix, Walthers, and perhaps just recently departed, Rivarossi.