Most Detail?

I've bought from them all and I don't really think it is a company you can name as much as a simple rule: to get detail spend more.  I have several very detailed locos, and these are all roughly equivalent to me:

- 3rd Rail ATSF 292 Northern

- MTH French 241A 

- Lionel - any of several JLC or Vision locos - all about the same

As to rolling stock, I'll note that I have about two dozen detailed PFE reefers from Atlas, MTH and Lionel and all are: a) premium models (around $70+), b) equivalent in my eyes as to detail, c) much more detailed than PFE reefers I see from time to time at less cost

If you are discussing steam locomotives, then the obvious answer is Sunset/3rd Rail. 

If you are discussing diesel units, then the two manufacturers that come to mind are Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot and of course Atlas.

If you are discussing passenger cars, then hands down it is Golden Gate Depot, follower closely by Atlas.

If you are discussing freight cars, the newest MTH Premier (scale) cars are simply superb for the price. After that, I would select Weaver and Atlas, although Atlas seems to be pricing themselves out of the 3-Rail market. Lionel's SCALE freight equipment is also excellent, if you don't mind their higher prices.

My newly acquired Atlas caboose has more detail than my old eyes can appreciate

Trick question...there is no (correct) answer that can blanket an entire line by any manufacture. 

There was a recent thread just about F3’s and even on that thread there was a difference of opinion on who had the most detailed F3 model.

You need to be much more specific on the model(s) your looking at to even begin to get an educated answer.

MTH makes the best detailed C&NW E4 Hudson

Lionel makes the best-detailed Santa Fe 3000 Class

Weaver makes the best Baldwin BP-20’s

3^rd makes the best C&NW H1

Atlas makes the best Bill Board Refers

So...which diesel model do you want to start with?

Hope this helps.

Charlie

You don't even have a layout built yet.Your going to be hard pressed to build a layout that measures up to the detail of ANY train Mfg.

The MTH EST Era II Class 241A (French) Steam locomotive has an amazing level of detail including crew dialogue in French (also in English). 

Do you want "the most" detail or do you also want correct?

I've seen some models that had more "silver trappings" on them than a show horse, but weren't correct.

I like Atlas overall, their cars are nicely built, solid and heavy.  Weaver makes some nice stuff (USA) but I'm worried about their pricing (new Milwaukee Road cars come to mind).

If you plan on getting only a few cars, the price may not affect you as it would someone who is looking populate his empire with 100s of cars.

You can always get cheaper cars and add detail to them yourself, but that usually involves painting and/or decaling at some point.

I have a MTH RailKing Imperial 0-6-0 that has the best "stock" detail of any engine I own and the price was right, and it's a fine running engine.

James, if your building a small layout you can't use Golden Gate or Atlas passenger cars. They are 21 inches long. Because of that you will have to get less detailed smaller cars. MTH, K-line or Lionel. Also take a look at K-line scale reefers. They are just a hair less detailed than Atlas and much, much cheaper. Don

The most detailed 3 rail die cast steam engine prototype [Lionel PRR K4s]  never went into production..

Thanks for the replies everyone, I've looked up a fair amount of recommendations and I'm pleased with the options.  I guess my question should have been "Who makes what with the most detail" instead of "who makes the most detail"

I have O27, but their more or less toys than models.  So I'm not new to the hobby, I just don't know much about Hi-rail aside from it's supposed to be O gauge trains that are as realistic as they get.  I've also rarely seen Atlas or even MTH cars up close so I don't know too much about the market.  So I guess I better wake up and start paying attention at train shows (I'm mostly browsing postwar era trains).

For a layout I was looking at a simple switching layout, so radius' and car lengths are a huge concern.  No loops for me, I've watched trains go in circles for ages.  I'm mostly looking at mid western railroads and would prefer and SW, NW, or a GP diesel; or an 0-6-0 or 2-6-2 steam locomotive.  The key is 'or'  I'm looking for at most two locomotives and about 12 cars.  Cars would be of any type, depending on the industry (industries).

I'd like to start acquiring modern O scale trains and build the layout when I have enough new equipment (or gently used equipment) to warrant a small layout.  This would also include buildings and tracks, but that's a subject for another day.

I guess that if I go for a mid western layout, I'd probably need a few grain hoppers.  Any recommendations for those?

just so everyone knows, I am looking them up online;  I just can't see all the detail in a small picture so I'm relying on other's experiences.

--James

Im with Hotwater too on this..I have 3rd rail PRR steam engines..1 is S2 turbine..S1 unskirted duplex ...and Q2 6184 that I'd converted to the proto type 6131...all very detailed...you not going to see much detail in diecast..but there starting to combined diecast with brass detail pieces in them..

Sunset 3rd Rail and Atlas have to be near the top of anyone's list.

As noted above, BOTH Lionel and MTH have also produced some VERY detailed steam loco models.

 MTH EST Era II Class 241A (French) Steam locomotive  if you ever want to sell it  and I won't  if I were you let me know