Well someones gotta ask... Lookin at the Life like diesels.. why are they so cheap?? are they any good? or steer clear of them... they are half the price of Kato and Atlas... I know they are the top shelf, but hey Im broke, cheap and available.. would like to know thanks..
The newer LL models seem to run OK. I have 2 SW's and 1 GP20 that run ok. The older stuff is stop on a dime junk though. If you buy LL only get the flywheel stuff, unless you like to constantly fiddle with locos. ------------------ Robert Ray The NP & UP N-Scale Railroad
Even tincering with some of the older ones doesn't work. Happy Railroading! Dane N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@hotmail.com
Why are they so cheap? Well, the early ones were cheaply made and the price reflected, to a degree, the quality. But starting with the E8's and up to the SW9/1200 and GP20 are totally different in running quality to earlier releases. The E series run very nicely for the mechanism type and are inexpensive. The PA's I'm not familiar with. The SW and GP, in particular, use the same design of mechanism as Atlas and Kato. At AU$57 from Tom's, you can't go wrong with the GP20. Gary.
I have a GP20, and it runs very well, if you keep the wheels clean. My friend has a pair of PA's and they also run exstremely well - very good value for money. But the earlier stuff is pretty useless. ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com http://Andersley.homestead.com http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com [This message has been edited by Alan (edited 14 May 2000).]
I have 2 SW9's, 3 E 8's (ABA- all powered), 4 FA 2's, 2 GP 18's and 4 SD 7/9's. All run extremely well. Some people seem to discredit the SD 7/9's but mine all run fine. what I really like about them is that they run slower than Atlas or Kato at any given throttle setting.
I have no complaints about my SD-7/9s except I have some hoppers that weigh more EMPTY!! ------------------ Catt!
I have SD7's,E7's, sw's and GP20's and I have been happy with the product. I run multiple units due to a 2% grade on my layout. I can p[urchase 2 lifelike for the price of a Kato and Atlas. I'm looking forward to seeing if Lifelike produce a modern day locomotive. I'll be buying lifelike in the future without any hesitation ------------------ http://members.optusnet.com.au/~pcassar/index
I'm quite pleased with my Frisco E-8's. In fact, they are my favorite locos. ------------------ Ship It On The FRISCO!
I do have one working SD7, so 25% of my fleet is alive and well. 1 got fried, 2 just don't work. I have heard mixxed stories too, and sure, some of them are okay. They are an ify loco on my books. If any one every meats me I would be glad to show them the one where the light goes on, flickers, then goes off. At no time does the loco move. Happy Railroading!! Dane N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@hotmail.com
PS-I have tried the E8, I like it better than the SD7. It is smoother, almost at Kato quality! Still, remember I Looooooove the new stuff (I.E. GP20, SW12) Happy Railroading! Dane N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@hotmail.com
Dane, Sounds much like the mechanism binding. I have 2 of them and they work great. The issue I have with the SD7's is the trucks' wire connections - they are prone to breakage. Other than that, there is little to go wrong with the mechanism and everything, bar the trucks, is in plain sight. Since I have found my roll of ultra-flexible fine gauge wire I will be upgrading the wiring. Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page N to the Nth degree!
I am currently rebuilding my SD7's with a completely new current collection system, just like the Kato/Atlas locos. A strip of metal along the sides, with contacts from the truck sides to contact this above the centre wheels. The main problems with these locomotives is the lack of weight, and the poorly designed current collection system. I will also try to get more weight into them, probably by casting some to fit into all the available spaces. Every little helps! When tests are complete I will post the results here. The units will either become useable power, or scenery ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com http://Andersley.homestead.com http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com
According to the Atlas 2000 product catalogue they will be doing the SD 7/9 and RS 11 as part of their classic line. Catalogue says availability will be "soon" So if you don't like the LifeLike units you will have an alternative.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Inkaneer: According to the Atlas 2000 product catalogue they will be doing the SD 7/9 and RS 11 as part of their classic line. Catalogue says availability will be "soon" So if you don't like the LifeLike units you will have an alternative.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Yes... but t 3 times the price... thats why I was asking about them... they seem cheap, and if they are ok I would try them.. Its runnin about 50/50 on here at the moment on if they are good or not.. But as in all things,theres gonna good and bad things..
I doubt it will be 3 times the price, maybe 25% more Alan, can you also post what you did in some amount of detail, as I am interested in doing the same, and adding a decoder at the same time to one of them. Happy Railroading!! Dane N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@hotmail.com
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BC Rail King: I doubt it will be 3 times the price, maybe 25% more <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> unfortunately most i have seen here are 3 times the price... thats why Im so interested!
I agree with bird when it comes to prices. A lifelike GP20 can be purchased for $60AUS approx $30US whereas an Atlas loco will cost $165AUS or $80US. With the value of the aussie dollar declining I am expecting to pay $175AUS or $90US for a KATO SD40-2 ------------------ http://members.optusnet.com.au/~pcassar/index
The LL E6's have arrived and look sharp. Price is good at around AU$69 for an A powered/B unpowered pair or $44 for the A unit alone. That's in the region of US$39 and $25, respectively, off-the-shelf. I have not test run any yet. Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page N to the Nth degree! [This message has been edited by Gats (edited 18 May 2000).] [This message has been edited by Alan (edited 28 July 2000).]
