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Post by shinobi on Nov 11, 2015 10:52:50 GMT -5
While doing some casual research for some models I have on my wishlist, I decided it'd be helpful to have an 'all time' list of the best, most dimensionally accurate models of each locomotive type available in plastic in HO scale. My hope is that we can add to this list over time, and get it stickied here so that it can serve as a "go to" resource for people who want to start a project on the right foot with the most accurate donor model.
If you see errors/omissions or have suggestions please post so that this list can be updated!
Where a model has some dimensional inaccuracies but is the only commercially available RTR model of the prototype, these will be colour coded red.
Where a model fits a low budget price range (trainman, trainline, athearn RTR, etc) these will be colour coded blue.
EMD:
SW1: Walthers
NW2: Tied Kato and Broadway Limited Paragon
SW7: Broadway Limited Paragon
SW9/1200: Lifelike/Walthers Proto 2000
SW1000: Athearn RTR
SW1500: Tied Athearn RTR and Broadway Limited Paragon
MP15AC: Athearn Genesis
MP15DC: Atlas
FT: Stewart/Intermountain
F2/3/7/9 a unit: Highliners/Athearn Genesis
CF7: Athearn RTR
FP7/9: Tied Athearn Genesis and Intermountain
FL9: Rapido
E6: Walthers Proto 2000
E7: Lifelike/Walthers Proto 2000
E9: Lifelike/Walthers Proto 2000
GP7/9: Lifelike/Walthers Proto 2000 and Atlas. (Sorry, but the Athearn Genesis is WAY off)
GP18: Lifelike Proto 2000
GP20: Walthers Proto 2000
GP15-1: Athearn Genesis
GP30: Lifelike/Walthers Proto 2000
GP35: Kato
GP38/40: Atlas
GP38-2 GP40-2: Athearn Genesis
GP39x: Athearn
GP39-2: Atlas
GP49: Athearn Genesis
GP50: Athearn
GP60: Tied Fox Valley Models and Athearn
F40PH: Rapido for high end. Cheaper is tied Kato and Walthers
F59PHI: Athearn
SD7: Lifelike/Walthers Proto 2000
SD9: Lifelike/Walthers Proto 2000
SD24: Atlas Master
SD26: Atlas Master
SD35: Atlas Master
SD38: Athearn RTR
SD38-2: Kato
SDP40: Athearn
SD40: Tied Kato and Athearn RTR
SD40-2: Kato
SD40T-2: Athearn
SD45: Tied Lifelike/Walthers Proto 2000 and Kato
SD45-2: Athearn Genesis
SD45T-2: Athearn RTR
SD50: Athearn
SD60: Athearn
SD70: Athearn Genesis
SD70M: Athearn Genesis
SD70MAC: Tied Athearn and Kato
SD70ACe: Athearn Genesis
SD80MAC:
DDA40X: Athearn
GMD:
GMD1: Rapido
FP9: Rapido
GP40-2W: Tied Athearn Genesis and Atlas
SD40-2W: Intermountain
GE:
44 ton: Bachmann
45 ton: Bachmann
70 ton: Bachmann
U18B: Intermountain
U23B: Atlas
U25B: Bowser
U25C: Hornby
U30B: Atlas
B23-7: Atlas
B30-7: Atlas
Dash 8-40B: Atlas
U30C: Atlas
C30-7: Broadway Limited Paragon
C32-8: Rail Power Products
Dash 8-40C: Atlas
Dash 8-40CW: Atlas
C44-9W: Tied Kato and Athearn
AC4400CW: Tied Kato and Athearn
ES44AC: Athearn Genesis
ES44AC late phase: Intermountain
Alco/MLW:
S1: Atlas
S2: Atlas
S3: Atlas
S4: Tied Atlas & Bachmann.
HH600/660: Atlas
RS1: Atlas
RS2: Walthers
RS3: Atlas phase 1b - Stewart phases 2 and 3.
RSD4/5: Atlas
RS10/18: Lifelike
RS11: Atlas
RSD15: Broadway Limited Paragon
RS18: Lifelike Proto 2000
RS27: Walthers Proto 2000
RS32: Atlas
RS36: Atlas
C420: Atlas
C424/425: Atlas
C430: Bowser
C628: Bowser
C630: Bowser
C636: Bowser
DL109: Walthers
FA1: MTH
FA2: Rapido
FPA2: Rapido
FPA4: Rapido
Baldwin:
VO660: Bowser
VO1000: Bowser
DS 4-4-1000: Bowser
S-8: Bowser
S-12: Bowser
RS-12: Bowser
AS16/616: Bowser
Sharknose: Broadway Limited Paragon
Centipede: Broadway Limited Paragon
Fairbanks Morse:
H10-44: Walthers
H15-44 & H16-44: Atlas
Trainmaster: Atlas
C-liner: Walthers Proto 1000
Motive Power Industries:
MP36PH-3C: True Line Trains
National Railway Equipment:
"Genset": Atlas
"Genset II": Atlas
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deez
Chairman
Midland Belt Railway
Posts: 949
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Post by deez on Nov 11, 2015 14:04:14 GMT -5
GP15-1 would definitely be Athearn Genesis. Not Walthers. GP38/40 would be Atlas not Athearn. Athearn doesn't make straight GP38's & 40's and the shells between the straight GP's and -2 GP's are apples and oranges. Athearn has the Genesis units for GP-2's including 39-2's now so I'm sure they're closest to correct. SD24-26 & 35's would be Atlas Masters. SD40's would be close between Kato and the newest Athearn units. Both are good. SD40-2 would be Kato most likely. Tunnel motors would have to be Athearn. SD45's should be P2K with Kato a close second. 50/60 should be Athearn.
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Post by shinobi on Nov 11, 2015 15:14:27 GMT -5
GP15-1 would definitely be Athearn Genesis. Not Walthers. GP38/40 would be Atlas not Athearn. Athearn doesn't make straight GP38's & 40's and the shells between the straight GP's and -2 GP's are apples and oranges. Athearn has the Genesis units for GP-2's including 39-2's now so I'm sure they're closest to correct. SD24-26 & 35's would be Atlas Masters. SD40's would be close between Kato and the newest Athearn units. Both are good. SD40-2 would be Kato most likely. Tunnel motors would have to be Athearn. SD45's should be P2K with Kato a close second. 50/60 should be Athearn. My problem with the Genesis GP15-1 is the nose appears overly sloped. I don't have one to test that theory on though, so I'll just amend the list until someone can prove otherwise. Thanks for the input.  |
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Post by emd16645 on Nov 11, 2015 15:33:07 GMT -5
I think it might be worth noting models which are the "best" simply because they are the only option. There are plenty of models which are fairly far off but is the only one out there. The RS18 is an example.
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Post by nsc39d8 on Nov 11, 2015 17:33:54 GMT -5
I believe the ALCO RS32/36 was done by Atlas. Walthers/P2K did the RS27. ON the EMD side the SD70 series should go to Athearn for the 70/M and ACE. The MAC is tied between Athearn and Kato. I think the Athearn Genesis FP7 is better looking. The GE side I have to say the Athearn ES44 is better but they only do the early phase which is no help for NS modelers so that goes to InterMountain for me needing NS models.
As I have both Athearn and Broadway SW1500's, I would go with the Athearn hands down before I get another Broadway just based on detail level.
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deez
Chairman
Midland Belt Railway
Posts: 949
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Post by deez on Nov 11, 2015 17:38:32 GMT -5
Really we have got it pretty good now-a-days. Even models that aren't the most truly correct can be made to look great. Chris is right also. Some of these models are simply the only option anyways lol.
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Post by shinobi on Nov 12, 2015 0:27:10 GMT -5
I think it might be worth noting models which are the "best" simply because they are the only option. There are plenty of models which are fairly far off but is the only one out there. The RS18 is an example. This is a good point. The 44 ton and 70 ton switchers are the same. I've colour coded these red to differentiate them. I believe the ALCO RS32/36 was done by Atlas. Walthers/P2K did the RS27. ON the EMD side the SD70 series should go to Athearn for the 70/M and ACE. The MAC is tied between Athearn and Kato. I think the Athearn Genesis FP7 is better looking. The GE side I have to say the Athearn ES44 is better but they only do the early phase which is no help for NS modelers so that goes to InterMountain for me needing NS models. As I have both Athearn and Broadway SW1500's, I would go with the Athearn hands down before I get another Broadway just based on detail level. You're absolutely right, the RS32/36 is Atlas. Good to know about the SW1500. I've updated the list to reflect your input. |
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Post by lyled1117 on Nov 12, 2015 1:02:37 GMT -5
Some other locos
Kato EMD SD38-2
Atlas EMD GP39-2
Atlas ALCO HH600/HH660
Kato/Athearn GE AMD103/P40/P42
Rapido FL-9
edited to add or correct
===
True Line Trains MP36 <- correction
Stewart/Intermountain EMD FT
Walthers EMD E6
Walthers FM C-Liner
Athearn EMD GP39x/49
GP60/60M could include Fox Valley Models
F40PH could include Rapido (which may be the best)
and if you are not limiting yourself to diesels but including electrics
MTH GE EF-4/EP-4 (Little Joe)
MTH GE EP-2 (bi-polar)
Atlas EMD AEM-7
Bachmann Acela (ABB, Bombardier,Siemens)
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Post by emd16645 on Nov 12, 2015 1:10:20 GMT -5
Isn't the MP36 a True Line Trains product, and not Rapido?
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dti406
Superintendent
Posts: 168
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Post by dti406 on Nov 12, 2015 10:40:37 GMT -5
Also, GP9 - Athearn Genesis
Rick J
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deez
Chairman
Midland Belt Railway
Posts: 949
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Post by deez on Nov 12, 2015 12:17:35 GMT -5
SD45T-2 could only be Athearn rtr. Doesn't Athearn Genesis also make a GP38-2W and GP40-2W? Oh and Walthers/P2K has the GP18 too.  ? |
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Post by shinobi on Nov 12, 2015 14:20:31 GMT -5
Some other locos Kato EMD SD38-2 Atlas EMD GP39-2 Atlas ALCO HH600/HH660 Kato/Athearn GE AMD103/P40/P42 Rapido FL-9 edited to add or correct === True Line Trains MP36 <- correction Stewart/Intermountain EMD FT Walthers EMD E6 Walthers FM C-Liner Athearn EMD GP39x/49 GP60/60M could include Fox Valley Models F40PH could include Rapido (which may be the best) and if you are not limiting yourself to diesels but including electrics MTH GE EF-4/EP-4 (Little Joe) MTH GE EP-2 (bi-polar) Atlas EMD AEM-7 Bachmann Acela (ABB, Bombardier,Siemens) Thanks for the input and correction. The FL9 and HH600/660 were already on the list. Good call on the E6 and C-Liner. As for GP60 I've heard good things about FVM, but no idea which one is better, so I'll put them as tied until someone says otherwise. The F40PH by Rapido is the best model yes, and I'd completely forgotten about it. The Stewart and Intermountain FT are (slightly) inferior to Highliner/Athearn Genesis, so although I won't add them to the list I will add the FT class since I'd left it out. GP49 is already on the list under Genesis. I'm going to leave electrics out of the list for now since this is the 'diesel detailer' forums and I'm not sure what level of interest there is in electrics here, if any. If people want them then I may add a section specifically for electrics. So all you sparky fans, speak up if you want them on the list! SD45T-2 could only be Athearn rtr. Doesn't Athearn Genesis also make a GP38-2W and GP40-2W? Oh and Walthers/P2K has the GP18 too. ? If Genesis make a GP38/40-2W then I'm yet to see it. The GP18 is just Lifelike, as far as I know Walthers haven't re-issued it yet. I'll add it to the list. Thanks. Also, GP9 - Athearn Genesis Rick J Hi Rick thanks for the input. The early geeps is a subject that I happen to know a bit about. The Athearn Genesis GP9 is actually not dimensionally accurate unfortunately. The first production run was horribly inaccurate and they suffered a lot of cancelled orders, so they recalled them and retooled it, but it's still not right. The closest is the P2k, with Atlas coming in a very close second. Astonishingly, Bachmann's geep is also extremely accurate (albeit sans any kind of detail components) putting it in very close third place. If you were to add grabs, lift rings, etc. to a Bachmann model you'd end up with a better result than the Genesis. |
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Post by simulatortrain on Nov 12, 2015 16:47:35 GMT -5
I've heard better things about BLI E-units than Proto. Not having a need for E-units myself, I can't do anything but compare photos, but based on that I agree.
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Post by lyled1117 on Nov 12, 2015 17:11:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the input and correction. The FL9 and HH600/660 were already on the list. Good call on the E6 and C-Liner. As for GP60 I've heard good things about FVM, but no idea which one is better, so I'll put them as tied until someone says otherwise. The F40PH by Rapido is the best model yes, and I'd completely forgotten about it. The Stewart and Intermountain FT are (slightly) inferior to Highliner/Athearn Genesis, so although I won't add them to the list I will add the FT class since I'd left it out. GP49 is already on the list under Genesis. I'm going to leave electrics out of the list for now since this is the 'diesel detailer' forums and I'm not sure what level of interest there is in electrics here, if any. If people want them then I may add a section specifically for electrics. So all you sparky fans, speak up if you want them on the list! You have the HH600/660 listed as an FM when it should be an ALCO The FT is a shorter wheelbase than the later F-units so one can not make it from a Highliner shell, at least not without HEAVY kitbashing and shortening of the power frame. Thus the Stewart and Intermountain models are the only game in town for those locomotives. Lyle |
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Post by shinobi on Nov 12, 2015 17:31:39 GMT -5
Thanks for the input and correction. The FL9 and HH600/660 were already on the list. Good call on the E6 and C-Liner. As for GP60 I've heard good things about FVM, but no idea which one is better, so I'll put them as tied until someone says otherwise. The F40PH by Rapido is the best model yes, and I'd completely forgotten about it. The Stewart and Intermountain FT are (slightly) inferior to Highliner/Athearn Genesis, so although I won't add them to the list I will add the FT class since I'd left it out. GP49 is already on the list under Genesis. I'm going to leave electrics out of the list for now since this is the 'diesel detailer' forums and I'm not sure what level of interest there is in electrics here, if any. If people want them then I may add a section specifically for electrics. So all you sparky fans, speak up if you want them on the list! You have the HH600/660 listed as an FM when it should be an ALCO The FT is a shorter wheelbase than the later F-units so one can not make it from a Highliner shell, at least not without HEAVY kitbashing and shortening of the power frame. Thus the Stewart and Intermountain models are the only game in town for those locomotives. Lyle That's a fair point, I didn't realise it was a shorter wheelbase. It's hard to imagine a locomotive being any shorter than a standard f unit but I guess back in those days it must've seemed fairly large. Also yes I tend to confuse the HH600/660 with the similar H10-44. Thanks for the correct, I'll go amend the list. |
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Post by emd16645 on Nov 12, 2015 18:04:37 GMT -5
The FT is a shorter wheelbase than the later F-units so one can not make it from a Highliner shell, at least not without HEAVY kitbashing and shortening of the power frame. Thus the Stewart and Intermountain models are the only game in town for those locomotives. Lyle Out of curiosity, did Stewart or Intermountain go through the trouble of making their FT models shorter, or are they actually the same wheelbase as the other F models and therefore actually foobies? |
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c420
Road Foreman
Posts: 75
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Post by c420 on Nov 12, 2015 20:32:12 GMT -5
Athearn and Bachmann renditions of the RS3 are more accurate than Atlas/Kato RS3's
The only thing Atlas has going for it is the drive.
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dti406
Superintendent
Posts: 168
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Post by dti406 on Nov 13, 2015 14:33:44 GMT -5
Athearn and Bachmann renditions of the RS3 are more accurate than Atlas/Kato RS3's The only thing Atlas has going for it is the drive. Actually the most accurate RS-3 is the Hobbytown!
Posted by shinobi If you were to add grabs, lift rings, etc. to a Bachmann model you'd end up with a better result than the Genesis. "
Sorry there is nothing you could do to a Botchmann to make it a good model with those god-awful trucks, which also puts an Athearn Genesis over the Lifellike or Atlas, also the light packages that come with the Athearn puts the others to shame.
Rick J
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Post by lyled1117 on Nov 13, 2015 15:09:06 GMT -5
The FT is a shorter wheelbase than the later F-units so one can not make it from a Highliner shell, at least not without HEAVY kitbashing and shortening of the power frame. Thus the Stewart and Intermountain models are the only game in town for those locomotives. Lyle Out of curiosity, did Stewart or Intermountain go through the trouble of making their FT models shorter, or are they actually the same wheelbase as the other F models and therefore actually foobies? Yes on both accounts, shorter carbody and wheelbase. Accurately? Can't say how precisely, but they are close Lyle |
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Post by lyled1117 on Nov 13, 2015 23:55:18 GMT -5
I think it might be worth noting models which are the "best" simply because they are the only option. There are plenty of models which are fairly far off but is the only one out there. The RS18 is an example. Another example would be the SDP40 by Athearn. A wide body Blue Box model, but the only game in town (in the present anyway) for that locomotive. I'm going to kitbash one of these which will be the trigger for a production model of course.  Lyle |
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