I need to buy the first loco for my layout and I don’t know what to buy. Here is the situation… 1) I’m freelancing a late 60’s/ early 70’s Seaboard Coastline RR. 2) I want sound & DCC. 3) I don’t mind assembling, but would prefer RTR. I don’t know enough about SCL (yet!) to know what locos were running at that time, so I can’t even narrow it down to loco type. I’ve looked at the Proto EMD GP38-2 (Walthers #720-30766), but it doesn’t appear to be sound & DCC compatible. What brand should I look at?? I’m CERTAINLY not saying that money doesn’t matter, but I don’t mind paying a couple a hundred for it…only as long as that will give me what I want. Thoughts??
Here is an Atlas GP38-2. http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hosd35b.htm To get sound, you want the “Gold” series version. You can order it from their online store.
Also, the SCL loco is on the last part of the slide.
Luke, that’s for an SDP35. However I think that’d work for his timeframe. Looks like there is on on ebay right now, don’t think atlas did DCC/no-sound SD35s:
There are a few with sound advertised, but they cost nearly 3-4 times as much
I’d ask the seller if it’d have sound before bidding though.
Other models you could consider:
Athearn Genesis SD45-2s
Proto 2000 U28B, U30B., and possibly athe GP18 (altough you’ll have to find a sound-equipped GP7 or 9 and swap shells, won’t work with brown boxed ones, maybe with blue or gray boxed ones)
Here’s a Proto 2000 U30B with sound for $109:
Hey, sorry, no idea on loco, but you’re down in summerville, lol.
Nice to see a few other guys from SC on here, reminds me I’m not alone in this state.
That’s right, Packer…just “right down the road”. Do you have any good hobby shops up there? We just have a Hobby Town and it ain’t too sporty with train stuff. Skip
Atlas is a graet brand and the SD35’s are great sounding and looking
Be careful with saying Packer; there’s me (Packer), and Sawyer (Packers#1). I though you were addressing me, until I read the rest of the post.
Skip,
I have a couple of the Proto 2000 GP38-2s in the NS scheme and they are DCC-compatible. The one issue they do have is that the lighting wiring on the 8-pin board needs to be altered slightly. Apart from that, they are terrific runners.
If I remember the issue correctly, the number board wiring is connected to a track tabs on the 8-pin board. This works fine on DC but will blow the 1.5V lighting and decoder if not corrected when installing a decoder into the locomotive. The correction is pretty straightforward and only requires moving 2 or 3 wires to their correct tabs.
Another solution is to change out the incandescent headlight bulbs for 12V versions. However, I like using LEDs for my headlights (because the beam is very directional and focused) and the minor wire rearrangement is NOT that big of a deal to change - for me.
Adding a decoder to a Proto GP38-2 was not much of a problem either. However, adding sound will require you to remove some of the frame to make room for the speaker. Adding ditch lights is no small task either.
Also, below is a link to the M.B. Klein web site for a couple of Atlas SDP-35s (w/sound) and a few without:
They are at the bottom of the page. This is a great site to find bargains on locomotives.
Skip, I hope that helps…
Tom
Go to www.walthers.com and type gp38 in the search box, then look for
| 150-10000157 | Atlas Master(R) Diesel GP38 Gold Series, Powered, with Decoder – CSX “YG” #2042 (grey, blue w/Yellow Nose) Low Nose |
|---|
Then check other on-line dealers fro price!![:)]
The first post said he was interested in 1960s-70s Seaboard Coast Line; CSX did not exist back then.
Sorry 'bout that!! I’m a UP guy - don’t know much about southern roads, but the Walthers link will get him to where he can look for his road - for the time period, gp7’s & 9’s may be more appropriate, but Walthers didn’t show any in stock, some of the internet dealers may have them.[:)]
If you want a locomotive that would have existed during the entire time frame, stay away from the GP38-2. They did not exist until 1972.
We have a Hobby Lobby, and then there’s Time Zone hobbies and Toys, which has R/C cars, trucks, planes, etc., but a decent supply of model trian stuff. Not something to dirve up here for unless you have other business around Aiken.
And yes, be careful, there’s me and Packer on here.
Also, I will vouch that Atlas is a great manufacturer.
Thanks everybody for some good recommendations. I think I found a EMD SDP35 by Atlas on EBAY for a decent price. I’ll try to get that one. Thanks again for the help (as always!!) Skip PS…I’ll be careful not to mix up my Packers next time, too!
Those are a pretty good limiting specifications. Hmmm… Assuming HO.
built 1972, SD45-2 by Athearn Genesis http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG67164 Unfortunately, I cannot recommend the DCC/sound version of this model. It uses junky MRC DCC electronics.
built 1973, GP38-2 by Atlas (as the others have already noted. Might be pushing your early 70’s them).
built 1966, SW1500 by Precision Craft Models.
built 1953, FP7A by Intermountain Hobbies.
built ???, U18B by Intermountain Hobbies.
built 1976, C30-7 by Broadway Limited (TOO NEW!).
built 1965, SDP35 by Atlas
built 1966, U28B by Proto-2000 (a couple years ago these were on clearance at Train World in NYC for $89).
There are a lot more really cool SCL locomotives out there but they don’t have sound/dcc built in.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?id=SCL
Don’t know how big your roster is going to be but seems like there were a lot of GP7s on that road until the GP35s arrived. Seems they acquired several RS-3s from other roads through the years. The only intermediate loco’s I see are GP30s.
In the general scheme, I think an impressive fleet would be several GP7s & RS-3s for the old reliable back bone. An SW1500 for yard duty. Add a couple of the brand new GP3xs or GP40s. I would add an E7 or E8 for passengers, maybe a brand new SDP35 - but the Es are so much cooler.