thanks for the info.

What about the Tempo AHM?  It seemed to run really well and the paint on the body seems to be of better quality paint.  Do you know any of the history of them?  I have a couple of Rivarossi Steam locomotive  I'll post later.  Thanks

Okay you guys wanted some pictures.  First let me say thanks for all the help. I got a chance to look at them closer and they are probably from 70's being they are the "Spirit of America" series.  Well I can't post pictures here they are too big so if you could please look at the trains at http://hoscaletrains.shutterfly.com/ I would greatly appreciate it.  If you could please post your comments there so I'll know what trains you  are talking about.  I hope this won't be to much of a inconvenience.  So far I have some Atherns, AHM, Rivarossi and Bachmann that run pretty good and a Tempo made for AHM that seems to run really good and strong, still have to hook it up to more cars but the engine seemed strong enough to run quite a few but I think it's a pretty good engine, but not sure about collector appeal or value, nor do I know much about there history, so if you can keep this in mind when looking at the pictures.  I'll say more of what I know and how they run under the pictures.  So if you could go there and add what you know to the individual trains I would greatly appreciate it.  Thanks

What about dating the trains though? Some may be older.

I recently acquired some model trains of different brands some are Bachmann, but there Tycos, Athearn and a Reverra (Not sure on the spelling of the last one).  I think they may have been made in the 70's but I'm not sure.  So my question is how do you date model trains?  I think I see a month and year on the side of some and others it looks like it may be on the bottom.  They are all HO scale or gauge, still learning the difference, and would like any feed back anyone may have.  I may be looking at selling some of them and would like to have a little more information.  I do have two boys so we might keep them and have some fun.  A couple are still wrapped and look new and never used.  Do the 70's era, if they are from that era, have some collector value?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.