Opinions on best performing Steam and heritage diesel locos.

[kirky]

IMHO the Farish DP1 is an excellent runner.
Having said that, most of my diesels out perform my steam locos hands down, except for my Union Mills locos.

Hope this helps.
Cheers

[Train Waiting]

I'd recommend looking at Union Mills. With the stupid prices on today's top end models you can afford to pay someone to DCC it (or learn to solder a bit) and it'll still be cheaper

Having said that, most of my diesels out perform my steam locos hands down, except for my Union Mills locos.

Hope this helps.
Cheers

I completely agree with the above posts and regard Union Mills models highly.  Certainly not DCC ready but I understand Wickness Models has a very good reputation for adding whatever-it-is that one adds for DCC.  No doubt there are others who do this too.  These models perform well and are difficult to break, which is a bonus for an operational layout when things happen from time to time.

I don't know if this is important to you, but Union Mills is a manufacturer based in the British Isles.  I like that very much.

Best wishes.

John

[Ditape]

Of my many Loco's I would say the Farish Class 42s are my most reliable runners reasonably quite, good haulage capacity and good running qualities.

[Chris Morris]

I'm happy with all my Dapol and Farish locos which are all recent production.
For heritage diesels classes 35, 42, 52 and even 47 are all fine runners. There isn't a heritage class 22 (yet).
Most modern steam outline locos are very good. The Dapol prairie is well detailed but hard to control. Most Dapol tender locos have a shaft drive from tender to loco. These are usually good runners but need careful handling.
Some steam outline locos are lacking in ability to pull loads up hills.
Union Mills locos have a good reputation for being solid but Have very poor detail compared to modern Farish and Dapol locos.
Early Farish locos and all British outline Minitrix locos are best avoided if you like your locos to look anything like the real thing.

[IkBrunel]

IMHO the Farish DP1 is an excellent runner.
Having said that, most of my diesels out perform my steam locos hands down, except for my Union Mills locos.

Hope this helps.
Cheers

I've got a dp1 on its way to me in the post. How do they compare with th class55 that was based on it?

[Newportnobby]

I have both DP1 and the latest generation Farish 'Pinza' Deltic and rate them both highly and on a par

https://www.dropbox.com/s/e02ur62i8fbjm56/DP1%20on%20Kimbolted.MOV?dl=0

[25901JFM]

One loco that really surprised me for smooth running is the Farish Class 04 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter.  For a loco with such a short wheelbase mine ran extremely well from new.  Now that it as been in store for the last 4 years, along with all my other loco's it will be interesting to see how it runs, when I get started again in the not too distant future.