Help me buy new loco

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am ready to buy a new loco and need some advice. What I al looking for is a real good loco (Maybe Atlas). What I want is:

  1. Bright headlight
  2. DCC ready or equiped (will run DC until I switch to DCC)
  3. Leaning twards a GP 38 or 40 ( not sure if a 6 axle will run on all my 18’’ curves)
  4. Union Pacific
  5. Want a loco that will run smoothe at all speeds I do no drive them fast very often .
    What I would like to know is where is the best on line store to get what I want at a reasonable price, $150. 00. or around that price range. I guess you will want to know I am in HO
2

I believe Atlas makes what you’re looking for.[:D] Here’s a picture of their HO UP GP38:

http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/HOLocomotives/hogp3840/9127.jpg

It should be available from most online train dealers, like Internet Hobbies ( http://www.internethobbies.com/atlas-ho-gp-38-locomotive---low-hood.html ), Internet Trains ( http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=IT&Offset=36&SortBy=&Category_Code=HSCLOCDSLATLG38&Featured= ), and Trainworld ( http://trainworld.com/atlas/atlas_ho_scale.htm ). You may also find what you’re looking for on eBay.[:D]

3

Proto 2000 has a UP GP 38-2 that you should be able to find if you shop around in the 60-70 dollar price range, so you could get two for your $150. Also in the same price range, The Athearn RTRs now have DCC ready boards, and make both the GP 35, and GP 40 in Union Pacific.

4

You are buying a loco at a good time. The recent P2K price drop puts the Proto GP30 With Sound ! just within your price range if you buy from a discounter.

http://www.firsthobby.com/store1/Category.asp?CategoryID=2003122615091713&SN=2006072015113609

They have a UP GP30 with sound for $143. It will run DC or DCC but you wont get all of the sounds on DC. On DC you just get prime mover, horn and bell. A quantum engineer will unlock the rest on DC but if you were to spend the money on that you might as well buy a DCC system.

5

Thanks for the help, The loco does not have to be an Atlas. but I do want a quality loco, something better than Model power or Bachman

6

If you’d rather have the P2K, Walthers has the UP P2K GP38s on sale for $70 right now (good deal!).

http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/920-30790
http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/920-30791

I’m actually pretty surprised that Walthers would let them go for that little![:O][:D]

7

Sounds good, do you know if they are DCC or not or have the bright headlight. Are the P2K good dependable locos?

8

They are DCC ready, and the headlight on my SD60 is pretty bright. I’ve heard good things about their reliability, so it should last you a very long time.[:D]

9

That being the case, I can get two of them. I suppose I can pull them together on
DC or DCC Mike

10

I can personally recommend the Proto GP38-2, I have 2 and they both run really well , you won’t be dissapointed!

11

This sounds like what I will do, get 2 of them . How is Walthers about shipping and the such, how long does it take to get your stuff. I suppose since they are a big co. and been in busisness for a long time they are reliable? Thanks, You taken a lot of the guess work out of buying. Mike

12

Good plan and you are wise beyond your years to avoid 6 axle units on your 18" curves.

13

Mike,

With the 18" radius curved track, it would be best to stick with 4-axle locomotives. With that said, 6-axle locomotives will work okay on 18" radius curves. However, if you have any contrary curves on your layout, you need to be sure that they are separated by a section of straight track that is as long as your locomotive.

Stewart makes a VERY nice locomotive. I have one of their Baldwin VO-660s:

It’s an extremely smooth runner and a good example of a early diesel switcher. I picked one up at Empire Northern Models for slightly under $100. The price included the cost of the locomotive, decoder, front and back LED, AND installation. Tim has some of the best prices around and his workmanship is excellent. I hightly recommend him. Mike, if you are interested, here’s Tim’s web site:

http://www.empirenorthernmodels.com

Tom

14

Mike,

If you are wanting an Atlas locomotive, check out the clearance going on here. I just ordered a Atlas GP38 UP for $64.99 + shipping. I have heard great things about this place and decided to give it a try. I have not received my items yet, but they were quick to ship. I should receive them in about a week.

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/manufacturer/atlashosale.html

I hope this helps,

Jeff

15

Whatever way you go, the Atlas GP38 and P2K GP38-2 are first class models. I have one of each and they are my favorite 4 axle power. My advise, get one of each.

16

I agree that P2K are good and super detail too

17

" not sure if a 6 axle will run on all my 18" curves "

Some 6 axle can fit in 18" curves Kato SD38-2 or SD40-2 and other locomotive can fit

18

Most 6 axel will work, but they probably won’t stay coupled to anything. My HO SD80MAC can do 18 inch curves, but It won’t stay coupled. You could probably get an Atlas SD24 or SD26 if you wanted 6 axel those are pretty short, Maybe even any of the early SDs(7-24). I Would get the proto GP38-2 becuase I own a few Atlas engines, they are great runners, but I like proto alot more. I have a Proto Geep, it runs great, the headlight isn’t really bright but its pretty good. A word of warning, if you plan to put a decoder in this engine you have to rewire the numberboards becuase the light bulb for the numberboards are wired directly to the Trucks. As for the Atlas Geeps, I have a pair of the GP7s that have just been released in HO and they run great, But they are pretty light pullers for the weight…

19

Mikesmowers:

You didn’t mention sound in your list of requirements. You may want to think about this now as adding sound later can be a little difficult unless your’re a skilled craftsman.

I have two Altas DCC locos (no sound) that are wonderful but now I want to add sound and am told it will take a lot of difficult internal re-working to do it. Since then I’ve been buying locos with sound on-board as I really like sound operation. I have some Proto 2000’s and Atlas and both run very smoothly and start and stop with a slow creep.

My Atlas SD35 has 6-axels and takes 18" curves and Atlas snap witches just fine. But Tom Stage is correct in that you need some straight track between reverse curves or between two snap switches. And, as mentioned, you will want to stick with the shorter 6-axel locos, and preferably stay with 4-axel.

You’re going to love DCC!

Jerry