Choosing a diecast model railroad locomotive usually starts with a simple question: which scale and which era fit what you already have? These four trains cover early 20th-century Atlas prototypes, a mid-century Atlas model, and a smaller Shing Fat freight locomotive, so the decision is less about finding a single winner and more about matching the right locomotive to your display style.
Quick take
The three Atlas entries are all 1/87 scale locomotives aimed at adult collectors, with diecast-and-plastic construction in the mix. The 7 Inch Freight Locomotive Train North Southern breaks the pattern with its smaller 1/120 scale and red gloss finish. Your job is to decide whether you are building a 1/87-focused collection or want a compact standalone model. Listed prices run from USD 17.99 to USD 29.99, so the bigger decision is scale and era rather than cost.
Listed-price comparison
Here are the listed prices for the four models.
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Atlas E 16 07 (1927) TRAIN 1/87 Diecast Model | USD 29.99 | |
| Atlas TRAIN Serie 1208 (1952) 1/87 Diecast Model | USD 29.99 | |
| Atlas TRAIN Class EP-2 (1919) 1/87 Diecast Model | USD 29.99 | |
| 7 Inch Freight Locomotive Train North Southern 1/120 Scale Diecast Model | USD 17.99 |
Decision matrix
The first fork is scale. If your shelf is built around 1/87, the three Atlas locomotives belong on your shortlist. If you want a 1/120 model that can roll on its own, the 7 Inch Freight Locomotive is the only entry here in that scale. The second fork is era: the 1919 Class EP-2, 1927 E 16 07, and 1952 Serie 1208 each represent a different period, so the Atlas choice is really a period choice. Color can also guide you-the E 16 07 is green, while the two remaining Atlas models are multi-color.
Product notes
Atlas E 16 07 (1927) TRAIN 1/87 Diecast Model
The 1927 Atlas E 16 07 is the one to pick when you want a specific late-1920s electric prototype in a solid green finish. The model combines diecast and plastic construction with rotating wheels, and the recommended age range of 14 years and up appears alongside an adult-oriented age level of 17+. It also carries a listed length of 187.3mm. The limitation to keep in mind is the specificity: if you do not have a soft spot for this exact 1927 green prototype, the other Atlas entries give you more color and era variety.
Atlas TRAIN Serie 1208 (1952) 1/87 Diecast Model
For a look from the middle of the 20th century, the Atlas Serie 1208 gives you a 1/87 train with a diecast chassis and plastic body. The multi-color finish is a clear departure from the green E 16 07, and the model is scaled to the original train. It is aimed at adult collectors, like the other Atlas options. The main trade-off is period focus: if your own interest is the earlier 1919 or 1927 prototypes, this 1952 model will not cover that ground, so keep it for mid-century rosters.
Atlas TRAIN Class EP-2 (1919) 1/87 Diecast Model
The EP-2 is the most substantial of the three Atlas trains by listed length, measuring 240.9mm, which gives it a stronger shelf presence for 1/87 collectors. The multi-color finish adds visual variety, and the early 1919 prototype makes it the oldest design in this group. It fills a different historical niche than the 1952 Serie 1208 or the 1927 E 16 07. The one constraint is physical footprint: at that listed length, it needs more display room than the other Atlas models, so compact shelves may be tight.
7 Inch Freight Locomotive Train North Southern 1/120 Scale Diecast Model
Shing Fat's freight locomotive is the one to choose when you want a smaller, interactive display model. It brings a 7-inch length, red high-gloss finish, separate clear plastic windshield, and free-rolling plastic wheels. The rear wheels have pull-back action, so it can wind up and roll forward on its own. The clear trade-off is scale: at 1/120, it will represent a different visual scale from the 1/87 Atlas trains, making it better suited to a solo shelf or desk rather than a mixed-scale lineup.
Final recommendation by use case
If you are filling a 1/87 collection, the Atlas trio lets you pick by period: the 1919 EP-2 for early electric design, the 1927 E 16 07 for a solid green late-1920s look, or the 1952 Serie 1208 for a multi-color mid-century roster. If you want a compact 1/120 model, the 7 Inch Freight Locomotive Train North Southern takes that role on its own. Whichever route you take, keeping the same scale across your display will make the size relationship between these locomotives feel consistent.
