Best of the best: THE 2000-2009's N scale Product we should all own

[Philip H]

So, trying to avoid the negativity that some feel is too rampant http://therailwire.net/forum/index.php/topic,20021.0.html in other threads (I prefer to call it HONESTY), I thouhgt I'd start a new thread.

What, in your humble opinions, is the best N scale product of the last 10 years?  I'm not throwing up a poll, nor am I going to do any sort of tally or statistics.  I will add one caveat - this has to be an N scale product (or product line IF it's small) that is actually purchasable right now by modelers.  Sorry, but the FVM GEVO's and BLMA's spine cars don't count (even though we already know what they will look like).

For me, the Atlas code 55 track line is it.  Greater realism, multiple switch configurations, ME and Peco compatible, and pretty good looking straight from the box.  Plus it's at a good price point.

So, let the fun begin.  Happy Holidays!

[tom mann]

I would agree with you.  The Atlas code 55 made good looking track available to everyone for a modest price.   However, what is interesting is that the cars from ESMC and BLMA are about to change n scale freight cars as we know it.  These cars feature what we've all been asking for for years (body mount, correct height).  If they had come out earlier in the decade, I would have voted them as the "product we should all own".

I just read on this blog that the code 55 mold was damaged:  http://www.amoskeagnorthern.com/v2/

[Mark5]

This has been the best decade by far for N scale. An amazing amount of new locomotives with high detail and solid chassis dynamics have been released this decade. Ditto for rolling stock. And we have track choices.

Mark ;D

[wm3798]

I'm going to go for Intermountain's F units.  For decades we were beholden to Kato and it's strange whims, or Bachmann and it's notoriously mediocre models.  For the hard of hearing, and heavily near sighted, Trix and Life Like had offerings that might pass muster.  But Intermountain broke the chains by introducing a beautifully detailed, expertly engineered, and brilliantly performing series of F units.  I'd been waiting for this kind of quality and consistent availability since the mid 1980's.  I now proudly roster a total of 5 (3 A's and 2 B's) and when resources permit, I'll be adding at least 4 more.

The variety of paint schemes offered is astounding, and the price remains reasonable, even as more and more details get added at the factory (the last run I bought included lift rings and wipers!)

While the idea of an F unit may not seem very ground breaking, having one of this quality at this level of availability certainly is.

Lee

[randgust]

Wow, a whole decade to work with?  That makes it harder.

When I look around my own layout and wonder what have I bought TONS of that has absolutely changed my modeling, that was a radical departure, and still leads its class.... OK, well, there's only one answer.

The Kato critter chassis - 11-105, 6, 7.  Darn hard to come by in the US now, still available in Japan, when it came out nobody took it seriously.   But Ron Beardon convinced me it would work, a handful of us scratchbuilt our own 44-tonners, and Bachmann decided to jump in.  Without the Kato drive, never would have happened.  And I'm still putting kits on it today.   A simple, high-quality, proven, easily modified and inexpensive drive chassis that you could do just about ANYTHING with.  Ten years ago NOBODY thought anything smaller than a SW8 was hardly even possible.  The Kato chassis was the first anything with a 'pager' style motor it it, and Kato has made several tweaks in the design over time.  The Bachmann GE 44-tonner uses the same motor, just double-shafted.

Having that chassis handy made me get into resin casting and making kits to use it, and that certainly has defined the last five years, if not the entire decade, for me.

[ljudice]

I'd say the 2000's were the decade of Atlas - so much stuff from them that set the standard for everyone else.

As for a particular product, really who can say?

[John]

DCC!!!!

[brokemoto]

Three way tie:

1.  Athearn 2-8-0/2-6-0:  Just the right tweakings to an already superior MDC design and proof that decent nineteenth century power could be done.

2.  WKW modulars:  I liked DPMs, but I like WKW's better

3.  Atlas wood boxcars:  had to be the first N scale box type cars that were NOT on stilts.

[lock4244]

For personally, and based solely on my interests, I'd have to go with a tie between the Hobbycraft/Life-Like Canadian chopped GP9 and the True Line Trains/Atlas RS10/RS18. As a Canadian modeler, I really have to hand it to them for these great running, great looking models of which I own a combined total of 24. They're just that good!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'd also have to say Atlas Code 55.

We may not all have any need for certain locomotives, or even DCC, but EVERYONE's layout can benefit with better looking track!

[Ian MacMillan]

I would agree with you.  The Atlas code 55 made good looking track available to everyone for a modest price.   However, what is interesting is that the cars from ESMC and BLMA are about to change n scale freight cars as we know it.  These cars feature what we've all been asking for for years (body mount, correct height).  If they had come out earlier in the decade, I would have voted them as the "product we should all own".

I just read on this blog that the code 55 mold was damaged:  http://www.amoskeagnorthern.com/v2/

My site is not a blog Tom! God, read the first part of the site! ;D

But hands down I would say that the Atlas Code 55 is the hands down one thing that changed N scale in the last decade. It is one of the major players as to why I got into N scale back in 2001.

[chessie system fan]

The Atlas C55 track is a good choice.  I think, though, that the Accumate coupler is a better one.  Yes, there were some problems at first, but it almost single-handedly banished the rapido coupler to the junk pile. Now, all locos and freight cars come with some sort of a knuckle coupler (even Bachmann uses one!) but of course ten years ago that wasn't the case.

If anything, this was the decade of the demise of the rapido coupler.

[C855B]

I was resisting the "Me, too!", but what the heck. Atlas Code 55 was what got me back into modeling. Seriously. Not that I have a layout yet, but at least I know that when track finally goes down I'm not going to immediately hate the way it looks.

[Caleb Austin]

Atlas c55 as well. I don't use it anymore, except for there turnouts, but its what got me into making scenes as realistic as I could. As soon as that c80 was gone a whole new modeling world opened up.

[bbussey]

Atlas code55 track, without a doubt.  Almost every other N scale development of the decade can be traced to that.