What locomotives are most reliable in ho

[davidone]

What brands do you recommend when it comes to locomotives in HO? I really running trains mostly diesel. Name your favorites from expensive to reasonable. At this time in my life I'm not looking for projects. BTW, dcc installed in locomotives is a must.

How about track? I would like a track that is easy to lay with code 83 rail.
Any advice is welcomed!

Dave

 

[daves68]

Kato, Athearn and atlas are excellent runners. they can be found for reasonable prices at train shows with dcc installed. bowser is also very good i have a few of them very quiet.

 

[migalyto]

Also look at Walthers mainline locomotives. They share the dame drive as the Proto. While not as detailed, they are strong pullers, smooth running and have started using ESU decoders. I have several mainline series with DCC/sound. Don't have any Proto, so no help there.

Scaletrains has excellent locomotives as well in 2 different price points. The operator series uses the same drive as the Rivet Counter. While not nearly as detailed they too are strong pullers, and very smooth and quiet. I own both series both DCC/sound factory installed.

Really like both my Athearn RTR, and Genesis locomotives. They come with Soundtraxx Tsunami decoders/

As Dave said, cant go wrong with Atlas and Kato either.

As for track, I only use Atlas code 83 flex with Peco turnouts. Sorry cant help you with other brands.

 

[Marlin39]

You specified DCC, so that means you probably also want detail accuracy, trouble free, keep alive capacitor and correct sound.

In my order...

Rapido
Scaletrains
BLI
Genesis
Atlas

 

[TLOC]

Best runners, Kato

Greatest overall, meaning running, sound, detail and accuracy, Scaletrains Rivet Counters.

Best value, Walthers Mainline with ESU sound

My brands currently on my layout, Athearn Genesis and Bowser.

Track, most of the layouts I operate on use Peco American code 83. Personally I use Micro Engineering code 70 glued to Central Valley Tie strips. My DCC system is NCE with Wifitrax module to use WiFi throttles and cell phones

 

[traiNscale]

for me its:

- Rapido
- Scaletrains
- others

i still have to get a bowser engine. i dont have one for now. maybe i find one that i "need" haha

 

[santafewillie]

For me, it's ScaleTrains and Athearn Genesis; followed by Kato and the original P2K. I can only judge by the engines that I own, so I cannot judge Bowser or Rapido.

 

[Rico]

From my own experience Atlas products in general are top of the list followed by Kato.

 

[jmupton2000]

Big fan of Atlas RS and S series Alco's, had them for years, near enough bomb proof. Athearn Blue Box models are also good as they are cheap, easily repairable and with a bit of work, polish up nicely and reliable runners.

 

[TheXModelRailroader]

Athearn blue box with a DCC decoder added!
To be honest, I haven't had too many DCC locomotives, but Vintage Athearn engines (The ones with the flywheel) are amazing runners and you can get them relatively cheap. They are what I mostly run for diesel.
If the new Genesis ones are anything like these, I would recommended them.

 

[Marlin39]

Forgot about track. Walthers DCC ready switches and track have been plug and play. No special wiring or jumpers needed on the switches.

 

[bnsf971]

"Reliable" is not the same as "best detailed". In fact, being equipped with lots of details can mean less reliability. If it's not there, it can't break.

 

[jmupton2000]

Proto 2000 GP's and SD's are good too, reasonably priced second hand but that is only on account of the Achilles Heel, the self destructing gears....

 

[RhB Michael]

That sounds like a reliability problem waiting to happen.

 

[J.Albert]

Old Proto2000
Old Proto1000
Kato (but some of the Protos run as well or better)
Atlas
Walthers Proto (newer)
Bowser

One of my best runners is a Rivarossi U25c from the more recent run after they were bought by Hornby.
Many of the Proto2000 and 1000 series (4-axle) will need their axle gears replaced. It's easiest to buy the Athearn or Walthers wheelsets and just drop them in...

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Scale Trains then Athearn Genesis. I like the Rapido locos that I have but it seems they are a low production provider now.
I had bought quite a few BLI locos believing they were a quality loco but after a few years began to realize I've been putting a lot of work into them to keep them running and programmed. My lastest BLIs have all gone back to them for repairs.
I have a few Fox Valley locos in which the OEM decoder has degraded to losy operations. I've replaced them with ESU decoders to get the speed tables back.

 

[AstroKnight]

What brands do you recommend when it comes to locomotives in HO? I really running trains mostly diesel. Name your favorites from expensive to reasonable. At this time in my life I'm not looking for projects. BTW, dcc installed in locomotives is a must.

How about track? I would like a track that is easy to lay with code 83 rail.
Any advice is welcomed!

Dave

I’d say Athearn, ScaleTrains, and Atlas, in no particular order. Walthers is also really good.

For track, I’d say Atlas or Walthers, those are my go-to track options, and the Walthers switches are good.

 

[PMW]

I've only had Athearn Genesis, BLI and Walthers Proto engines. I find Athearn Genesis to be the most trouble free for me (small data set though).

I like Peco flex track because it mostly holds it's shape as you work with it unlike Atlas.

 

[davidone]

Thanks guys, looks like lots of choices and lots of opinions. Thank you for giving your opinions.

Dave

 

[trailrider]

The only thing about Athearn Blue Box diesels that could cause some problems is the current draw by their motors can run as high as 1.0a. Not a problem in DC, but if you add decoders, it might be too much. Replacement with a can motor can cut this down, but may not be cost effective. Great runners with DC, though. I've got a bunch!