2014 N Scale Locomotive of the Year

[spookshow]

Another somewhat lean year for new locomotive releases (and not a single new Atlas model!). That said, there have indeed been a few interesting ones -

Kato F2A / F2B
Bachmann NW2
FVM SD70ACe
MT SW1500
Kato/Kobo MP40PH-3C
Kato FEF-3

Kinda seems like a one-horse race to me, but go ahead and cast your votes anyway. Rules barely apply here, so basically feel free to vote for anything that first hit the shelves in 2014 (even if simply a new paint scheme on an older model).

Cheers,
-Mark

P.S. Feel free to vote for the Arnold/Hornby U25C if you like. I haven't received mine yet so I'm personally not counting it as a 2014 release.

[CBQ Fan]

Kato FEF-3 or Arnold U25C...  FEF it is.

The F2 is not really new, but I still like the two I bought!  Atlas S-2 missed the 2014 boat I guess!

[spookshow]

The F2 is not really new, but I still like the two I bought!

My mistake, for some reason I was thinking the F2 involved at least some new tooling. But then I went and re-read my encyclopedia entry, and... nope 

Still, new paint schemes if nothing else.

Cheers,
-Mark

[CBQ Fan]

Mark,  that is just awesome!!

[wcfn100]

My mistake, for some reason I was thinking the F2 involved at least some new tooling.

I think the dual headlights are new to this model.

I'll vote the SW1500.  The FEF is all fluff. 

Jason

[rrjim1]

One vote for the new Arnold/Hornby U25C, mine runs great and is one nice looking model. 

[Kisatchie]

I don't know if my vote should count, because I don't have a layout, or engines for that matter.

I don't care for steam, and I've been hoping for an SW1500 for years.

So, I vote for the SW1500.


Hmm... my vote is up for
sale. Only 50 bananas...

[jagged ben]

I guess I'll vote for the MP40PH, because it's the only one I own.   

[mu26aeh]

I would have to vote for the 1500. People have been screaming for them for years, and the added bonus that flexicoil trucks are being done now too. 

[peteski]

Kato FEF-3 - hands down the best loco of 2014 - possibly best commercially made plastic N scale steam loco ever.  The engineering is just incredible without being too complex (except for the packaging). 

[spookshow]

Kato FEF-3 - hands down the best loco of 2014 - possibly best commercially made plastic N scale steam loco ever.  The engineering is just incredible without being too complex (except for the packaging). 

I'd be all over that except that mine fell apart after five minutes of operation (ducking  )

No worries tho, it went back to Kato and I'm sure all will be well once I get it back 

Cheers,
-Mark

[spookshow]

I think the dual headlights are new to this model.

No F3's with dual headlights so far? I'll have to take your word for that (being too lazy to do the research myself, lol). In any case, this thread isn't about splitting hairs. Vote for anything that came out this year.

Cheers,
-Mark

[spookshow]

One vote for the new Arnold/Hornby U25C, mine runs great and is one nice looking model.

Blimey, how'd you get yours so quick? Danged BLW, always a few days behind the curve...

Cheers,
-Mark

P.S. No aspoisions! I love BLW!

[carmelmodelrr]

Without a doubt, the smoothest running FEF.

Carmelmodelrr
Dick Wroblewski

[spookshow]

I don't know if my vote should count, because I don't have a layout, or engines for that matter.

I'd think that actually owning the loco that one votes for should be a minimum requirement, but I did say "no rules". So, OK, Thunderdome! 

Cheers,
-Mark