Brass/Plastic locos

[dekker]

In your opinion which company makes locos in plastic with details as close to brass. So far from what I have seen Atlas is GREAT. Any input...

 

[Trucklover]

Ive always wanted a bunch of Tower 55 locos..... but i cant afford any of them right now lol

 

[NH Mike]

Aftre being away from the hobby for over 20 years I am amazed at the detail level of most of the plastic locos now sold. Needless to say I am even more amazed at the price! Back then if you wanted that level of detail such as separate grab irons and see through walkways and grilles you either bought brass and paid for it or you kitbashed a plastic shell. So in today's hobby I would buy a plastic well detailed diesel unless that particular engine was only offered in brass. And one other thing, plastic is a lot easier to work with for repairs and adding additional detail parts for most modelers.

 

[UP2CSX]

Dekker, are you asking about steam of diesel? For steam, it's hard to beat the BLI Paragon line although Athearn and Bachmann also have very nicely detailed engines at considerably less in cost. In diesels, you alsmost have to ask which model and which year. all the companies keep improving their offerings. At one time, the prize pretty much went to Kato but now the Walthers Proto 2000 line, Atlas Silver and Gold lines, and Athearn's Genesis line are all very close in detail features. It's my own experience that Atlas runs a little better but there's not very much difference there any longer either. I don't think you can go wrong with current productions runs of any of the lines I've mentioned.

 

[Selector]

I will soon have my first kick at a Genesis diesel, so I have no comment on them. They get good reviews, especially with respect to their level of details and the overall fidelity to the prototype...with some quibbling and heated debates thrown in from time to time.

I do own one Atlas Gold diesel, and that is the TrainMaster FM H24-66. In one word...fantastic.

For steam, I'd have to go with Jim...PCM first and them the Paragon series from BLI (same outfit). However, for the most detail, I would say the Walthers Proto 2000 Heritage Series of steamers, all types, are the tops for detail. It is unfortunate that those steamers don't enjoy a solid reputation for tractive effort. They are a bit light on their feet.

However, with the new Bullfrog Snot just marketed, which I have used successfully, I would say the era of complaining about light-footed steamers is behind us. Who needs traction tires!?

-Crandell

 

[jbaakko]

Atlas or Athearn Genesis. T55'e were nice, but the furl tank detail there is shallow.