Atlas Model Train
Who is the better Model Train engine maker? Kato or Atlas? Is Micro-Train decent for rolling stock & track?
I am looking to purchase a starter "set" that is packaged with either an Atlas or Kato engine, and a matching caboose, 3 pieces of rolling stock and a track starter pack all by Micro-Trains. Is this something that someone who is interested in building a collection would consider a decent starting point or should I just get them a gift certificate?
If this is their first set either one should be ok. You didn't specify the scale but I'm guessing that it's either N or Ho. I've had Atlas engines in both scales and there are fine machines. I've had Kato in N scale and they are good too. Micro Trains makes some nice rolling stock. I have quite a bit of it and I'm very impressed with it. I would recommend getting something that is DCC capable if you think this is going to become a hobby. This is a remote control system that most hobbiests switch too when they begin building a layout.
Another thing to consider is what is the intended recipients railroad interests. Do they have a favorite railroad, do they prefer diesel or steam, what sort of railroad influences do they have in their life. What are the local railroads in the area.
My personal tastes are The Southern Railroad in the early 50's but I also collect other southeastern railroads equipment of the same era. Most family members would not attempt to buy me a train gift because of this. However my wife has nailed it a couple of times particularly with books on related subjects.
I hope I'm not turning you away from the idea because there's nothing like a running train as a gift particullarly set up and running. If you want a few add ons throw in a copy of Modelrailroader and a gift certificate for a couple of extra freight cars. It's a hobby that can last a lifetime.
Good luck and hope this helps.
Frackville Model Train display layout Atlas IR Trolley O gauge 3 rail
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 HO Atlas Master H15 44 Locomotive Jersey Central 1506 DCC Equipped $89.99 Time Remaining: 1h 56m |
 3 HO Scale 1968 Plymouth Furys red green green white Sheriff NIB $20.00 Time Remaining: 9d 14h 38m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 Buy It Now |
 Atlas Trainman Genset 1253 HO Locomotive w sound ditch lights $89.00 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 24m |
 Atlas HO Scale Code 100 NS 36 Flex Track NEW Blk Ties 5Pk $17.09 Time Remaining: 14d 9h 17m Buy It Now for only: $17.09 Buy It Now |
 atlas athearn rail power c39 8 conrail norfolk southern $80.00 Time Remaining: 3h 47m |
 Built HO Scale Ttrack Side Maintenance Yard $16.00 Time Remaining: 35m |
 ATLAS LEFT HAND REMOTE SNAP SWITCH CODE 100 850 new FREE SHIPPING $12.99 Time Remaining: 23d 16h 25m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now |
 Atlas HO Scale Chessie BO Alco S 4 9010 $31.00 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 45m |
 Atlas 55 Plastic Insulating Rail Joiners HO Scale Code 100 Track $2.25 Time Remaining: 2d 6h 26m Buy It Now for only: $2.25 Buy It Now |
 Atlas Master Silver Series MISSOURI PACIFIC U30C Phase 2 Road964 DCC READY $77.95 Time Remaining: 58m Buy It Now for only: $87.95 Buy It Now | Bid now |
 Custom Weathered HO Atlas Trainman Boston Maine BM Gondola Custom Tie Load $44.99 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 7h 16m |
 HO TRUE TRACK BUMPERS PACKAGE OF 2 $1.92 Time Remaining: 25d 5h 16m Buy It Now for only: $1.92 Buy It Now |
 Atlas HO Undec FM H15 16 44 Master Series DCC Equipped Early Body Cab MIB 2 $69.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 10h 39m |
 Atlas Trainman 2 bay covered hopper NW 514396 $10.50 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 12m Buy It Now for only: $10.50 Buy It Now |
 HO Scale Atlas Master Silver Dash 8 40BW SANTA FE 580 $59.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 10h 29m |
 Atlas U23B Guilford Maine Central MEC 281 RTR NIB $36.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 9h 43m |
 1995 ATLAS SHELL TANKER MODEL TRAIN HO SCALE NEW $5.95 Time Remaining: 29d 4h 55m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 Buy It Now |
 NIB HO Atlas Master Series GP 38 8960 Undecorated w DCC System $85.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 9h 52m |
 NEW Atlas HO Lumbar Yard Office Building Kit 750 $11.99 Time Remaining: 29d 14h Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 Atlas HO DRGW GP40 3080 DCC Equipped Upgraded to Master Used for Testing $49.00 Time Remaining: 10h 33m |
 Atlas GP38 2 UNDEC NIB RTR $37.25 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 2m |
 ATLAS 10001269 Ho NRE Genset CFNR 504 $87.95 Time Remaining: 22d 1h 10m Buy It Now for only: $87.95 Buy It Now |
 HO Scale Kato Atlas PRR RS 11 Diesel Engine 8619 Item No 7091 $27.65 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 9h 58m |
 Atlas HO 410 True Track 9 Straight Track Section Bulk No Packaging $1.39 Time Remaining: 5d 21h 51m Buy It Now for only: $1.39 Buy It Now |
 HO Scale Kato Atlas PRR RS 3 Diesel Engine 8856 item No 7071 $24.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 9h 58m |
 1129 Atlas Trainman HO Santa Fe Cupola 2 Window Caboose ATSF 999965 MIB $9.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1h 9m |
 Atlas Trainman Thrall 4750 Cvd Hpr G L Carbon 35053 $12.95 Time Remaining: 8d 14h 51m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 Buy It Now |
 Atlas HO Western Pacific Bicentennial GP40 No 1776 Decoder Included NEW RARE $249.00 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 23m |
 A Atlas Trains Signal Tower Building model kit HO 1 87 scale $9.50 Time Remaining: 29d 20h 45m Buy It Now for only: $9.50 Buy It Now |
 Atlas HO Western Pacific Bicentennial GP40 No 1976 Decoder Included NEW RARE $249.00 Time Remaining: 12h 28m Buy It Now for only: $449.00 Buy It Now | Bid now |
 Atlas HO Locomotive Engine GE U23B Guilford Maine Central 8648 NEW $11.01 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 10h 19m |
 Atlas 2540 Track Nails used for HO N approx 500 $5.50 Time Remaining: 16d 18h 25m Buy It Now for only: $5.50 Buy It Now |
 Rare Atlas Kato 8125 HO Susquehanna RS 1 Diesel 237 Orig Box Mint $79.99 Time Remaining: 9h 39m |
 Atlas 304 HO Scale Turntable Motor Drive $24.95 Time Remaining: 8d 5m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 Buy It Now |
 ATLAS HO DRIVE IN BANK KIT STATION PLATFORM KIT WALTHERS COWS SMALLTOWN BLD KT $12.95 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 43m |
 Atlas RS1 Vermont Railway 402 RTR NIB $29.17 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 9h 41m |
 Atlas 12 The Complete Atlas Wiring Book $8.95 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 36m Buy It Now for only: $8.95 Buy It Now |
 Atlas 8960 HO EMD GP38 Diesel Locomotive Undecorated $58.66 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 37m |
 NIB HO Atlas Master Silver Maine Central HH660 951 $65.00 Time Remaining: 29d 4h 34m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 Buy It Now |
 ATSF Santa Fe Atlas Silver Masters Dash 8 40BW $40.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 13h 48m |
 Atlas 8900 HO EMD GP40 Diesel Locomotive Undecorated $60.69 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 35m |
 ATLAS 10001205 Ho NRE GENSET US ARMY 6500 $87.95 Time Remaining: 22d 1h 10m Buy It Now for only: $87.95 Buy It Now |
 ATLAS HO LOCOMOTIVE 8919 GP 40 LOUISVILLE NASHVILLE 3002 NEW $31.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 57m |
 Atlas Kato HO C424 Body Shell Running Board and Detail Pack C8 rate $18.00 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 10m Buy It Now for only: $18.00 Buy It Now |
 Atlas 8940 HO EMD GP40 Diesel Locomotive High Hood Undecorated $55.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5h 36m |
 ATLAS SILVER 10 000 081 DCC READY CANADIAN NATIONAL CN GP 40 GP40 9302 BNIB $99.99 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 40m |
 Atlas 3 bay cvd hopper TSB 4926 50 OFF SALE $16.00 Time Remaining: 8d 11h 46m Buy It Now for only: $16.00 Buy It Now |
 DTD HO ATLAS KATO 8116 RS 1 ATSF 2399 ATCHISON TOPEKA SANTA FE DIESEL LOCO $51.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 11h 26m |
 Atlas Trainman 2 bay covered hopper TC 6008 $10.50 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 12m Buy It Now for only: $10.50 Buy It Now |
 Atlas HO DRGW GP40 No DCC Equipped Upgraded to Master New $49.00 Time Remaining: 12h 3m |
 DTD HO ATLAS 8279 S 4 SP 1468 SOUTHERN PACIFIC DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE $40.60 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 11h 30m |
 ATLAS WESTERN MARYLAND 50 BOX CAR 35210 $15.50 Time Remaining: 27d 7h 37m Buy It Now for only: $15.50 Buy It Now |
 Atlas RS 32 W O Dynamics UNDEC NIB RTR $26.99 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 2m |
 Atlas 465 True Track Terminal Joiners 1 pair HO $3.50 Time Remaining: 26d 5h 36m Buy It Now for only: $3.50 Buy It Now |
 Atlas Classic Alco C 424 PH 1 UNDEC NIB RTR $24.34 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 1m |
 ATLAS 150 555014 CANADIAN NATIONAL CN OLS GP40 6401 BNIB RARE CANADIAN RELEASE $99.99 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 36m |
 Atlas HO Dead End Uncoupler Train Track 49 NEW MIP $5.95 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 20m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 Buy It Now |
 BN Atlas HO Scale GP 40 With Tsunami DCC Decoder Installed $65.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 11h 11m |
 5 pks ATLAS STRAIGHT SNAP TRACK ASSORTMENT HO CODE 100 new FREE SHIPPING $12.00 Time Remaining: 29d 5h 44m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now |
 ATLAS HO LOCOMOTIVE 9763 GP 38 Low Nose LOUISVILLE NASHVILLE 4008 NEW $21.66 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 3m |
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