I think it's great that these are going to be produced in N scale! However, I have a few questions/concerns at this point before I start ordering any (not that anyone can really answer them right now). 1) Lashup potential with other locos. I run non-DCC (and won't be switching) and wonder if these will lashup with anything else from Kato or Atlas. Anyone who has the latest 4 axle from L.L. (GP20?) care to comment? 2) Brake wheel/ratchet area accuracy. The HO versions from L.L. are accurate, however the one, non-descript, undecorated N scale offering thus far has me a bit concerned. Wouldn't there be an undec. version of all three types (recessed wheel, flush-mount wheel, ratchet lever) if they were all offered in the appropriate decorated versions? 3) Will the SP/SSW versions have painted trucks and fuel tanks? I have a (nice) SD7 from L.L., however the trucks and sideframes were left unpainted/black. 4) I may have missed it, but what will the couplers be? Will they be Rapidos and/or will they convert to MT's easily? Again, these questions may not be easily answered, but they have kept me from placing my order already of what was my favorite loco back in the 90's (and is still very high on the list!). Russ [ 09. July 2004, 18:51: Message edited by: tehachapifan ]
All good questions! I am hoping these are well done models too. Based on how LL has been improving thier models too, I think we won't be disappointed.
Russ - Great questions - I also have not placed any preorders yet, for alot of the same reasons. My primary concern is lash up compatibility. So, all you LL GP20 owners - how do they run side by side with a Kato unit? Also, I wonder if the Santa Fe units will have a nose mounted headlight (I doubt it). This is what kept me from buying any Atlas Santa Fe B40-8's. . . Dave
Russ, Like you said, anything now is pure conjecture for the most part, but I'll throw in my two cents... 1) I would guess they will match up well with the Atlas units, moreso than Kato. 2) That would concern me as well, more to the point that maybe they're just doing a single "generic" model without road-specific details. Especially important if they are going to do the GP60M/B's. 3) My LL ATSF GP20's have correctly painted silver trucks, so I'm sure these will be. I think the SD7 was a transition model before LL went from trainset to proto so that might be why they weren't painted. 4) You did miss it...they will come with the Accurail M-T compatible magnetic couplers. I would assume this would mean an M-T conversion would be very similar to the recent Atlas locomotive conversions. I'm on the fence with this one as well. The only ones that interest me are the ATSF/BNSF versions, and I'd probably only get one...leaning toward the BNSF one. The big issue for me is DCC. Spending $70 on a locomotive and then having to instantly void the warranty on it by hacking it to pieces to install a decoder isn't my idea of a good time. Hacking a $30 GP20 didn't bother me quite as much. I'm sure it will be a fantastic locomotive, though. Whoever does the GP60M/B's first will for sure get my business, hack-a-motive or not.
The latest 4-axle from LL are the C424 units. I have one (and another on the way), and it runs just as smoothly, and performs as well as my Geep 20's, as well as the SW9's. It does have the shortest flanges I have ever seen on a production locomotive. C55 operations, even C40 if you were patient (crazy?) enough to handlay--would not present any problem for this unit. The details are crisp, paint opaque and sharp, and converts to MT 1015's in a snap. I can't imagine the GP60 would be a great departure from the C424, but even considering DCC-unfriendiness, I'm still in for a pair in D&RGW.
My LHS commented that they have recieved lots of pre-orders, so it looks like LL may have a winner on their hands.
I feel I should qualify this statement. Whoever, on my approved list of vendors, does the GP60M/B will get my business. This includes Kato, Atlas, LL Proto, and Intermountain. (Athearn is on probation, depending on what their SD70's look and run like.) Bachmann is dead to me. Model Power is approaching the radar screen but mostly they just haven't done anything relevant to my era.
B-mann's good, if all you want is a Connie! Model power makes a decent steamer, from what I understand, but I too would be leery about a diesel from MP...
I agree with all on the LL performance. Only two road numbers in SSW, so I will get some undecs. Will get at least one undec for a Tex-Mex.
I'm sure it will be a great loco (I own GP20 mechanisms (under GP18 shells) and C424 (for kbash to C425). As for road specific versions, I'd put my money on not - just look at the C424 ph1 - they are selling it as a C424 ph2 and as a C425 . . . I'm curious as to what "Accurail" couplers means, since I was under the impression that Atlas had licensed their "Accumate" design from Accurail.
Hemi, the only steam in my world comes out of a Starbucks espresso/latte machine. Besides, Bachmann's "incredible expanding MSRP" bait-and-switch episode on their Dash-8's has ensured that I will never spend another dime on any Bachmann product.
All the latest Lifelike engines run well with the newer Atlas slow speed motors. LL with Kato has not been a success as Kato still uses the higher speed motors. I doubt we will see road specific details like those from Atlas from LifeLike. Still they are are great runners and if DC is not a problem I wouldn't hesitate to order them any more than an Atlas or Kato unit.
Interesting and informative responses. That some believe there will not be all the variations of brakewheels and levers is still bugging me, as these are pretty glaring spotting features....especially the recessed wheel on the SP units. I know I could make mods, but would sure prefer not to! I just sent an email to Lifelike asking about this. Russ
What's a Tex-Mex look like? Here in New Mexico we think that is some kind of funky attempt to copy Mexican food. I have calls in to L-L for clarifications on some of the above questions. I think they are in Seattle so maybe sombody will answer from there for us first. Oh, yes as announced they will have Accumate couplers.
Here is a url for Tex Mex roster. http://members.cox.net/shortlines/tm.html It is a South Texas operation with close ties today to KCS. In fact, their engines are painted in KCS colors today. If you surf around, you can find more pictures, but the earlier scheme was dark green with orange letters and safety appliances. The KCS fallen flag forum probably has a lot of info there.
