diesel locomotive

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Looking to purchase a new diesel i just read model railroad news magazine
life like’s gp9 with sound Ho great review,or Atlas GE DASH 8 with sound
also great review.I live in los angeles ,Allied train in Culver City has the Atlas
for $ 249.00 ,I like some input, Walthers has purchase LIFE LIKE’S and they
tell me that in 6 weeks they will sell their stocks
thank you in advance ALBERT A ROOKIE

2

Would depend on what time frame you are going to be most interested in. I’ve seen the GP9 and its very nice. The GE would be for a more modern era. Atlas has the best track record of the two but my decision would be based on the era.

Bob DeWoody

3

Don’t overlook some of the BLI’s, especially if you do want sound.
Bob K.

4

Albert,

From your post, are you looking primarily at a sound locomotive?

Tom

5

I have a GP9 with sound as well as one with out. They are nice, quiet engines and the sounds are pretty nice as well. I got my sound version from trainworld for a really great price.

6

I am also looking for diesel locomotives. Any suggestions for buying diesel locomotives. My budget is under $150. I bought two spectrum steam engines and I am tired of it.

Thanks for the help
Ken.

7

I’d go with P2K and atlas all the time, and BLI and Kato are also great. With those manufacturers, you can’t go wrong!
Trainboy

8

Ken,

Go to Trainworld.com. I don’t know what you are modeling. They have a Proto 2000 Alco S1 switcher that’s a beaut for 70% of list. (Reg. $110, discounted to $29.99 and $39.99 - depending on the road.) Great lookers AND runners! The one downnote is that you would need to isolate the motor from the frame in order to install a decoder in one.

Tom

9

I have an Atlas, a p2K, and a BLI, and the BLI is not up to par with the others. At least I don’t think so.

10

I’d go with Proto 2000, Atlas or Spectrum. All of which run well, and can often be found at deep discounts thru the various mail-order houses.

Nick Brodar

11

I’ve got a bunch of Proto GP9’s and they all run great and are very quiet. I have one Proto GP9 with the sound and it also runs great, its one of my favorite loco’s.

12
13

I am looking at www.trainworld1.com and they have 31123 PROTO 2000 GP-9 ASSORTED ROADS 89.99 . Not sure if they are DCC Ready/equipped.

14

Ken,

Maybe ready but probably not equipped. They sure have some good deals. [:)]

Tom

15

This might sound like heresy, but my best locomotive by far is an Athearn blue box AC4400. It’s quiet running and pulls like a champ. Cost only $36.95 when I got it. No DCC, and no sound. Will eventually convert over to the fancy stuff.

I just ran my FIRST trains on my new layout, and it pulled 13 cars up a 3 to 3 1/2% grade without missing a heartbeat. My son wants me to add more, which I will. I need to wire up a couple of my long siding to handle the trains. Simply a case of running trains before the layout is finished!

Mark in Utah