An HONEST Guide to the biggest N Scale Locomotive Manufacturers

[@williamthawley9251]

broadway limited is now by far my fav for both steam and diesel. just wish they would do more alco diesels. I buy kato, atlas, scaletrains and bli.

[@kettusnuhveli]

As an European N-scale modeler I can say that you people still have it good! 😂 Here you're at the mercy of either buying Fleischmann or Märklin's Minitrix, the latter mainly sells old diecast models branded as "new" releases. There are also other options like Brawa and Modellbahn Union that every now and then release N scale stuff, but when they do, it's top tier quality (although at a price)!

[@richardwest9054]

To date, I have purchased only Kato or Atlas N scale locomotives (in that order). Thanks to your videos, Jimmy, I will also check out Broadway Limited and Scale Trains. I have never been a fan of Bachmann, although I have noticed that their quality has improved with time. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

[@002tar]

I just got a Bachmann dcc loco on eBay for 130$ (new) It’s great and it sounds awesome I bought a sugar cube speaker for it but it doesn’t look like it has room to install it so I am just using the stock speaker

[@richardwest9054]

@@002tar Thanks. I will reconsider Bachmann in the future.

[@Jscola30]

Your assessment is spot on. One thing you may have overlooked is who makes starter sets (Bachmann and Kato). Bachmann sets are much better quality than they used to be. I bought the broadway limited ten wheeler set was very surprised. One thing you alluded to in a past video that I think bears repeating is that, especially the dc versions, katos stuff is actually surprisingly affordable. I also recommend those interested in modern passenger equipment to look at their Japanese products, especially if you want to put a subway or elevated line or add modern passenger infrastructure. The Japanese items are also surprisingly affordable even with dhl shipping. Their japanese steam locomotives while dc only, are also very affordable. For about the same price as a low end Bachmann steam locomotive, you can get a Japanese mike, pacific or hudson. I go through hobby search 1999 but I think there are a few us stores like National Capital model trains that do.

[@sounddude177]

I heartily agree! I have way more Japanese sets than any other. Kato sets also come in those great book shelf style cases. Tomix makes equally good sets too. Plaza Japan is an excellent source. I've literally ordered on Sunday and got my package Thursday. To make the shipping cost effective, I'll order at least $250 worth of stuff at a time. I've probably ordered from 5 or 6 different shops in Japan and never had a problem.

[@cee1667]

I have Atlas, BLI, Scale Trains, Rapido, and Bachman. The BLI's were bought through the BLI Outlet Store (steam and diesel) have been amazing. I had to send a Scale trains SD-40-2 High Hood back for warrenty service (fast and relaiable, no questions asked). They are very nice units that run great. The Atlas S4 is a very nice unit, but I have been a bit underwhelmed with my other Atlas units-but they run nice. There were some minore quality issues on the Atlases-like a too short pick uplead wire and little details that came off. My Rapido FP9's are amazing little units. Bachman was part of my starter set, (GP38/GP40). Nice little units, for a starter set, but a bit on the pricy side when comparing features from the other brands. I put Microtrains medium shank couplers on my locomotives and several probelms surrounding tight spots on my layout dissappeared.

[@havsum206]

Great and helpful video. Would definitely love to see a rolling stock manufacturer overview. 👍🏼 (Drinking Lighthouse Roasters Hose Blend ☕️)

[@davidf9630]

Nice little information video Jimmy. I personally started with the 060 Bachman set. What drove me to that set? Was the numbers on the tender 3283 which was the suffix of my old phone number. It spells out Dave. Anyway I have Less than 20 locomotives, but they are all a mix of old and new atlas and Bachman and Cotto and I even have two great F unit Broadway Limited. I’m pretty happy with all of my locomotives, but there are definitely directions that I will be moving in the future. And yourvideo pretty much mirrors my opinion as to the locomotive industry right now. Once again, happy Tuesday Have a great week happy Thanksgiving and look forward to running some trains this weekend.

[@michaelsullivan3581]

Thank you Jimmy! Must agree!

[@NotGavin]

I have at least two locomotives from each of these brands except for ScaleTrains, and can easily say that you will not be disappointed with whatever you end up choosing. They all run smoothly and quietly and all look amazing, so it's all up to personal preference!

[@ShukakuTheCrazy1]

My kato n scale trains make me wish I was primarily an N scaler. I love the Chicago metra trains. I just wish they, or anyone really, made models of the superliner2s that run near my house. Actually their southern terminus is within 10 minutes kf my house

[@ProfessorTrain743]

This is great Jimmy, and very timely for me. I’m planning a shelf layout in N, focusing on C&O in the 1960s. I haven’t messed around with N since about 1979 (in high school my brothers and I had small HO and small N layouts, mostly Bachman and Atlas). Great to hear who is making the nicer motive power.

[@mikefisher2673]

I stopped model railroading in 77 during my first year in high school. Picked up it again in the mid 90s, but stopped in the early 2000s. Just started picking up a few cars and locomotives primary Santa Fe 1960s.

[@BNSFFAN01]

Nice video and very informative. Seemed like a very fair assessment. Kato is indeed the gold standard as you noted but based on their background and that N scale is so popular in Japan, I probably wouldn't consider them in the odd that they are primarily an N scale manufacturer. Thanks for this video and would like to see you do a video like this on N scale rolling stock.

[@0y0chang0]

I love Rapido Trains, while they do emphasize Canadian Prototypes, their quality is unmatched. I also love Intermountain as well. Their F units are the best in N scale. My favorite still is Kato though, they are on another level for smoothness and reliability.

[@davidfzehr4955]

Your video confirms my limited experience. Thank you. Kato and BLI are my go to manufactures.

[@stephenn6200]

1) Kato 2) Scaletrains 3) Atlas 4) BLI (love the look but too $$$ and I have never had one run great 5) Bachmann

[@kentbarnes1955]

I've pretty much focused on Kato N-scale Locomotives. But...I have had some issues with the connectors. Any chance of getting a video showing how to "change" the stock Kato connectors to something more "universal"? Just a suggestions. Thanks.

[@jl-gw3gi]

I just into model railroading. I'm doing N scale. I'm new to your channel. I would be very interested in the top 10 best rolling stock. I am only interested in the highest quality car's this would be hugely beneficial to me and others. Thank you and I really enjoy your channel.

[@BattleshipOrion]

Even though I already know this information, I appreciate it. Right now my fix is on early-mid 20th century steam(11:59:59pm December 31st, 1899-VJ day September 2, 1945(right down to the signature being signed on USS Missouri)...finding diesels in that era that are recent/current/future releases is difficult especially when trying to find something close to a current day road-switcher. And it gives me the USRA(bonus for me because that means ALOT of standardization during & after).

[@pieroluciano3272]

Was going to stick with HO after a 25year hiatus, but with Kato and Micro-Trains in the mix, those two companies were enough to convince me to go with N scale! Having Rapido, Scale Trains and Broadway Limited now in the ring, wow, lots more awesomeness to choose from! 👍

[@hybridbeatsmusic]

My go to for N scale locomotives is Kato.

[@challenger3977]

My layout is Florida East Coast in this century so I’m all diesel. My locos are from Atlas, BLI and Kato. All are outstanding. I’m a big fan of MicroTrains rolling stock but I also have other brands. I would enjoy hearing your thoughts on rolling stock brands.

[@ProfessorTrain743]

Oh yes, as a prodigal returning to N for my shelf project layout, I would love to hear your overview of rolling stock.

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

I've had an I-M Western Pacific FP7 on order for...five or six years. I'm at a point that I might just buy an SP unit, strip it and repaint it in WP. Most of my fleet is either Atlas or Kato as they offer a lot of WP stuff.

[@HotRodRodney25]

always awesome videos jimmy even though I'm not n scale I'm 100% ho straight dc and staying that way spent years collecting circuitron electronic boards for reverse loops signals block detection etc. and lots of stuff i wanted to have a layout just easier for me Rodney

[@williamcoulston7788]

Happy thanksgiving to you and your family 😊

[@jandreb0324]

It's funny you should mention the 2-6-0 Prairy(ATSF). I have one on my layout working the yards while I have a 2-8-4 Berkshire(765 NPR) DCC-Sound for the mainline. Both are from Bachmann and I absolutely love'em.

[@leigharmstrong1495]

Looking to set up a layout similar to your door layout, what kato track sets would you recommend. The layout will be 6 x 7 on two door. Thx for the help.

[@sounddude177]

Kato and Tomix are my go tos, but I primarily model Japanese trains. For US trains I go Kato, Atlas and Scale Trains. I have one BLI loco from a few years back and will likely look at them again in the future. The only "dud" loco I've ever had was an Intermountain.

[@gravesclay]

Very disappointed in the first run of BLI paragon 4 SD40-2's its been a few years, but I had a 1 in 3 DOA rate, and they run noisy. Not to mention the couplers were the wrong height.

[@SD45-ET44AC]

Great & Informative video, as usual ‼️ My Broadway Limited Imports N 7484 EMD NW2, Bangor And Aroostook #20 is almost unbelievably AWESOME‼️My Atlas locomotive on the other hand sucks banana peels!

[@MoandPapaw-qe1ts]

The y6b is no longer available in the blue Norfolk and western. I have been trying to find one since I saw yours and no one has them any longer.

[@RichsModelingTrains]

I love details. Scale Trains is the biggest reason I got back in to model trains. I never thought that I would like the CSX SD 40-3 until I got one. Its now one of my favorite engines. When it comes to Atlas I have a GP 35 that is the best running engine that I have. The last Atlas engine that I got was a Dash8 and it is the most disappointing purchase ever. It runs loud and the shell just falls off. I sent it in for repair and when I got it back it was worse. After removing the shell easily there was a trip pin stuck to the side motor at the windings. That has turned me off to Atlas quality control. All of my Kato engines like you say run great but just no details like Scale Trains. I have BLMA grab irons and Train Worx detail parts for my engines but Im getting to where I would prefer to buy my engines already detailed. I dont have any BLI engines yet. I am looking at there switchers for a future buy. BLI needs to add grab irons and ditch lights to the rear for there engines. Now the Rapido F59PH Go with matching cars has peaked my interest. Im hopping scale trains will add the GP38-2 and GP-38-3 to there line up.

[@armandoperez7967]

To me, N Scale is the perfect size.

[@mustachemike802]

I have a mix of all the manufacturers, but that is because I model a class II railway. Really, I'm looking for a little more love for our railroads in Vermont which has a rich 170 year history. Central Vermont RR was taken over by G&W a few years ago and has some very cool veteran appreciation schemes on both their NECR GP40-2 and P&W DASH-8. I would love to see one of these manufacturers come out with renditions of both!

[@eblingus]

I need you to do a stock review, before Black Friday please ;)

[@rf64]

Many brands, but very difficult and expensive to obtain in Europe. I use quick couplers and there are few brands that offer this option. Locomotive prepared for decoding, never below R$ 150, without shipping. Spare material is a disgrace, except for Kato. As I've always been American, I use EBAY when they do some promotions. Wagons are another difficulty in obtaining at prices equal to the American market (when you hear it, it sounds like the difference between heaven and hell). But let's go, as it depends on the brands and market. But I feel sorry for not having access to affordable machines and prices. But thank you for making me drool, by see those models.

[@trainglen22]

What is your impression of Rapido N scale products? Scale trains are excellent.

[@trainencounters586]

If it's missing from the locomotive review, it should tell you something. That being said, there are some roses among the thorns.

[@boxcarthehusky420]

I wish scale trains would focus more on S scale, they bought up a couple companies that made S scale stuff like Fox Valley and SHS. They could make S worthwhile but don't want to even really try.

[@JRPRailways]

After getting scaletrains I cant go back to kato, it's not just the high detail it's the accuracy to each locomotive. Kato just takes them same shell and slaps different paint on it with no effort. I dont mind molded on grab irons, but many road numbers are missing ditchlights when they should have them, missing painted handrails, missing Antenna Arrays, etc, the list goes on. Once you see some thing you cant unsee it, it takes me out the immersion of the miniature world.. I will say Kato Japanese steam engine are amazingly detailed.

[@donaldshroyer8633]

You failed to mention : BLI: suspect quality control. Kato: plan on replacing the couplers Buying a BLI loco is buying a low odds lottery ticket for a shipment to FL for warranty repair / replacement. There's no debate on Kato's couplers. They simply do not work reliably with anything else.

[@pewterschmidt23lord99]

alot of the time they dont work with each other as well unless they are couiplers from the 70aces they are the best I have found

[@Robertglardon-yg4ln]

Great video but I have to say that Kato couplers do not play well with others.I'm kind of a scaletrains guy but they're pricy.

[@billregan1981]

When you say “road numbers”, that’s the actual number printed on the engine?

[@forward__aluminum285]

It is

[@JasperLugtenburg]

did you consider buying minitrix trains i have a minitrix railway and you dont feature it i guess because it is mainly selled in europe but can you maybe buy just one and make a video pls...

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

I really want to take the time and educate myself on the European market. It’s very different than the US.

[@JasperLugtenburg]

@@DIYDigitalRailroad alright i am exited to hear it

[@thomasjustavick9084]

@DIYandDigitalRailroad Watching your channel, the info is very informative! One thing id love to see touched on, is Brass models! Being a young collector, i feel this is a dying side of the hobby that needs to be addressed!

[@user-kn6db5xi5y]

Kato, Broadway Limited

[@robertsimpkins6571]

Thank you for this my beautiful wife 💙🦊 my favorite "N"......I will always do my best for life for you gorgeous girl ❤❤❤❤💍📻❤️♾️🫦💯💦🫠😋🤤😁🧩

[@ShukakuTheCrazy1]

Avoid older bachmann 0-6-0 steam engines (thomas excluded, im ive seen really good reviews on the N scale bachmann thomas. The face is infinitely better than the HO, trust me), those aren't known for being reliable. Mine always fails on turnouts. Again, it's the older ones to avoid. I'm sure the newer ones are good, as their quality has improved over the years.

[@TheNorthwestWind]

Im an Atlas guy

[@CSX_7026]

My only complaint with scaletrains is there is next to no EMD

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

I do know they have some SD70s in the works. I personally want to see some 4 axle EMDs from them

[@CSX_7026]

@ Agreed, Geeps like the 38-2s and also SD70 family would be AWESOME.

[@chasebansai7396]

What? No love for Walthers/Life Like? LoL 🤪

[@TourDriverSean]

I am a scaletrains snob when it comes to HO scale. My first Kato loco was used and is a pile of junk, so I was off put from them for a while. Now that I've gotten into N, I got three Exact rail rolling stock from SC, and each of those are garbage. One the wheels won't stay in the trucks the other two the wheels won't spin freely. Not impressed by that. But they did get me on their black Friday sales... got a few more ST in N scale coming.

[@MoandPapaw-qe1ts]

The couplers are not very good. I have too many of them that wont couple with any other cars or locos, even their own.

[@ronbaker8383]

I discovered n Gage when was young. My ho gage been in boxes ever since. 1 day ho gage be thrown away