Life Like SD 9 ?

I am looking at a Life Like SD 9..How well do they run? are they worth buying?...Cox 1947

 

they're not so bad, with a little care and maintainence. for my money though, I'd go with a newer Atlas SD7/9.

Kind of pain converting to DCC too.

 

I wouldnt pay more than about $30 for one. Unless of course its a roadname you cant get in the Atlas version. I have a few. Not bad but still have tiny wires running inside.

 

I have two and they run very well; they pull like a champ and they look pretty good after a little work.





Overall; and especially when considering the $ you'll spend, they are a good locomotive IMO.

 

I have two of them, and they run fine. There is a good write up, (I'll have to find it for you) on the internet about converting them to DCC. Yes, they are not the easiest to convert, but still can be done. I didn't have any problems converting. There is also a very worth while mod on them to help electrical pick up concerning hard wiring the wipers. I haven't done that yet, but plan to (I just havent had the common pick up problem yet). You can pick them up fairly cheap, and for the money, they are great locos. They are among my favorites.

 

Thanks for all your help..Anybody have a guess what a used one would be worth? Jerry

 

hard to say.. Like mentioned, I wouldnt go over $30. Not that they aint worth it, it's just they sell low. I see them pop up on ebay for under $15 alot, or into the $21 range. $30 would be top dollar. That is one reason I like them, because they are a good solid locomotive, and can be picked up on the cheap.

 

here is a good write up on it.

Life-Like EMD SD7/9

and here is the one on conversion.
LifeLike SD7&SD9

and the pick up mod I spoke of.
LifeLike SD7&SD9 Trucks

 

Wow You all are great !! I think I'll try to pick this engine up its RG but maybe I could do a patch job or pick up a undecorated shell and paint for IC [yes I know IC never had any SD 9's]...Jerry

 

They are pretty good for the money. Very simplfied mechanism... NOT split-frame design. A plastic chassis with big lead slugs around an open frame five pole motor with flywheels and spring universal. Has had some issues with the contacts 'flattening-out' and causing intermittant running problems.

 

The non-split frame units (with the big lead chunks in the front and back) take about 10 minutes to DCC convert. It takes longer to prep the wires and wait for your iron to warm up. I have a write-up that I did for an FP40 conversion that I did last fall. I'll see if I can find it.

 

Thanks to Andre Kritzinger...

Performance enhancment.

Decoder installation.

It will run smoother than a Kato.

 

For the money I went with the Newer Atlas SD 9 Kodachrome
Can't complain there. Smooth runner nice looking
:tb-cool:

 

I'd agree that 25 to 30 dollars is top dollar for one of these. However between my friend and I, we have at least 9 of em and always got room for more. I've superdetailed most in various SP guises and have one that will be ex SP in California Northern. We both definately love these units.

 

I concur with the comments above. They do run well (I have 5 of them) and if you can get one for under $30 then go for it, but otherwise go for the newer Atlas SD9.

Cheers
David

 

For clarity the Lifelike model is a SD7.

Very nice shell and handrails. Great value.

Mark

 

I beleive LL has both SD7 & SD9. I have both bodies, however they are the same chassis and running gear.

 

I would go with the Atlas SD7/9 since it comes with or without DCC-not to mention its the better looker of the 2.

 

Show me a pic of a LL SD9 and I'll believe it.

 

Anybody knows if there is other external difference(s) between the SD7/SD9 : the only one I know is the position of the marker lights above the number board , the SD7 is centered while the SD9 is toward the exterior of the body .

This is a picture of the SD7 by Puddington :