Steve,
I don't think anyone will argue Kato or Atlas quality.
My loco selection is based upon what is offered by the various manufacturers.
Since we just had a couple of hurricanes go through Florida recently I had my locos boxed up for safety....... so I could take a quick count of the diesels.
29 Lifelike (SW-1200, E-8, FA1-A/B, FA2-A/B, PA-1, SD-7 in Erie, EL, GN, others)
13 Atlas (RS1, RS3, GP7, SD35, U25B in Erie, EL and GN)
4 Intermountain (all FT-A/B in Erie)
6 Con Cor (all PA-1 in Erie, SP, PRR, Southern)
4 Kato (all SD-45, 2-EL, 2-GN)
We're remodelling the house right now so my layout is hanging on the garage wall will have to run locos on a 20" radius test loop for a while.
The Kato and Atlas locos are expected to be superb performers but I am really surprised at how smoothly most of my Lifelike locos run. The only one that puts out any noise is the earlier FA-2 that doesn't have flywheels. It has a pleasant growl and runs great but lacks the quiteness of the newer FA-1's, also from Lifelike.
I like all of my locos and pedegree is not as important as the type of loco I wish to run at any given time.
Wish there were some F3 and F7's done in Erie livery, I don't care who makes them....as long as it's Kato, LifeLike or Atlas.