What was i thinking?!

[simkon]

I geuss... i get tricked by the looks! I can live with both just got bad traction. Its worth it when they work though 

Yeah but if you buy any blue box Athearn engine kit, it doesn't require full throttle just to get going and make it around the layout, and it can probably carry at least a dozen NMRA weighted cars. If you have a life-like engine, you will be lucky to get it to run around an 18" radius circle let alone carry an NMRA weighted cut of 3 cars, or 3 life-like cars for that matter, and that's if it even starts going on its own without your "help".

[jward]

an exception to the rule for model power is the metal train f7. it is a smooth runner with excellent speed control and is HEAVY. it will pull the plaster off the walls....lol

this engine will hold its own against much more expensive stewart f7s.

another really good but lower priced line is atlas trainman, i have 3 of their alco rs36s and love them. they are also coming out with a genset switcher for those modeling to-days railroads.

[simkon]

an exception to the rule for model power is the metal train f7. it is a smooth runner with excellent speed control and is HEAVY. it will pull the plaster off the walls....lol
this engine will hold its own against much more expensive stewart f7s.
another really good but lower priced line is atlas trainman, i have 3 of their alco rs36s and love them. they are also coming out with a genset switcher for those modeling to-days railroads.

Yeah I temporarily forgot about Atlas, all the Atlas/Kato locos are great including the trainman as you said. I have 3 ACY H16-44 and 1 H15-44 they are all excellent. Also Bowser/Stewart locos are solid too. And I said most Model Power my exceptions were the all metal locos, the 2-6-6-2s, and a few other steamers...like my Model Power 0-4-0T runs well and pulls well for its size.

[jettrainfan]

My favorite cheap maker is Walther's train line! You would expect to get a piece of scrap iron eventually but my GP9m is still running after about 2 years like new! Got to get some more of those! Also they make great cars! I thought i got a Rio Grande stock car by bachmann! it was walthers train line! My hobby shop has a row for both and a row they share on the bottom, mostly tankers and other not so popular things.

[Daylight4449]

i just got a athearn rtr f7a and it runs great!

[jettrainfan]

yes it does! my first... owned ho scale loco. a Santa Fe f7a by anthem. a beauty is right!