Checking my Credit Card statement on Friday I saw a item from one of our reputable online dealers. Hmmm I thought I haven't placed an order recently however there was a bill for $150. On checking the online ordering system I found two Lifelike GP38's (MoPac) of course were on there way. I recalled placing an order quite some time ago but wasn't expecting these till next year. Have these arrive early of did i just forget . Has anybody received there geeps? If so whats the quality like etc?
I saw these the other day in BNSF. I thought they were very nice looking engines except for a few things. The fan detail is lacking, and they have pre drilled hole on the top of the long hood and the pilot for things like snowplows, and winter hatchs, but what if my road of choice does not have the winter hatchs? Also the model I saw was missing the water site glass but I have heard they are fixing that problem, although if I had never been told they were missing I would not have noticed. All in all they are nice I will proably get a BN model when they do them. Kevin
Colonel, the second batch of Walthers (ex Life-Like) GP38-2's is at dealers and some folks are reporting having received theirs. Somone mentioned on the Atlas forum that he thought the Long Island Rail Road blue was too dark. Another mentioned that the sight glass has been printed onto the CNW model. At least one manufacturer got a new model out before Christmas! There are a lot of models, like the Athearn Challenger, that folks were hoping to get for Christmas but aren't available yet. :embarassed:
I have the old Kato GP38-2s remotored with an Atlas GP40-2 mechanism. Otherwise, I probably would try the Life-Like GP38-2 as I did like the GP20s very much.
Thanks Gregg I'm assuming mine are the second batch as they were only dispatched from FRT on the 22nd, with Christmas and all I wouldn't expect delivery till late next week.
The BN models are currently available, and I do have some in stock if you are interested. The other current road names that I have in stock are: Undecorated, BNSF, BN, MP, SP, Santa Fe, UP and C&NW. There are a couple of other roads available as well, although I don't have them currently in stock they can possibly be ordered if interested.
Yes the second batch which was due earlier, then was pushed back to January shipped to us in December. On these if my road did not have the WH I am putting lift rings. Many lift rings were installed on odd units of various roads w/o being installed on the entire fleet. The MoPac are in the second group and they are almost as nice as the ATSF from that group. BUT, what's really sweet is that FRISCO boxcar! It's always nice to see another one find a good home.
I can't say I really need a GP38-2. It would be nice to replace one of my old units with a new one. Just so I have one.
So the detail is fair to good. No comments on the running and pulling yet. And the really important question: how easy is it to DCC?
Need? Hold on, come to think of it, I should need GP38-2's in Soo, BN and Rock Island... Paul. give me a yell when they arrive. I'd like to look at one, too.
I'm with Admirer...details are on thing...but pulling power, smoothness of operation, how loud it runs, and how easy it is to convert to DCC are another. If they aren't detailed well, they better run flawlessly for the price they are charging. Where I saw prices they are more than some Katos!
I now have two. I received an undec a few months ago from the first run. It had the wrong fueltank and trucks (my bad) but ordering replacment parts was easier then doing so from Atlas. I just received my Conrail unit last week. The paint is very good, though a bit on the thick side. The shell was put togeather while the paint was still tacky, giving it a "glued togeather" feel. carfull prying with a chisle blade can seperate the parts. Window glass and other parts were easilly removable. The printing is world class, like always. I liked the warning labels on mine. The blue was a bit dark, like the CR blue on Atlas engines a few years ago. Mine had a painted sight glass. Good enough for me. I did need to fill the roof holes in and relocate the air horn, but those wee not major problems in my opinion. Nice little engine.
The LL GP38-2's from the first batch I have are excellent runner's, quiet, & you won't be unhappy with the pulling power which is superior to the Atlas GP38. The cosmetic problems have been mentioned. I personally don't like the trucks (brass shine through) & wheels (pizza cutters) but overall they have some nice features and once corrected they have the potenial to equal Atlas detail. I won't hesitate to purchase future LL GP38-2's, yet I will favor Atlas and look forward to hopefully having those finally to arrive towards April. Mike
Explain how ordering parts was easier. Have you ever called Atlas to get parts in the past to have an experience to compare to?
Received my two models from Chuck today and I'm very impressed with my two models, the only negative at this stage is some wheel squeal however I'm sure this will improve once the locos are run in. As for detail and paint work they look really great and I'd have to say the best LifeLike models I've yet to experience. Here are a few images. The only real criticism although I'm being picky is the railings are a little lighter in colour than the shell.
now i have seen it all, a FRISCO car on a mopac layout, what a disgrace. it wasn't bad enough to have the up yellow on there and you had to go and do that!!!! the nerve of some people. oh well at least you did show those nice new units. i will have to give you some credit there, but just some.
