I have a Life-Like n scale SD7 that I believe I purchased 10 or so years ago now. It has been sitting in storage until recently now that I’m back in n scale.
It is decorated for the B&O, road # 763. Is this a Proto 2000 loco or standard Life-Like? It has stock rapido style couplers but considering the age, that isn’t a real surprise.
Got a pic?
David B
Original post updated with pic 
Not seeing the pic, but that might just be me. I’d say that given the age, it’s probably not the current offering. A few other keys to look for:
Are the couplers truck mounted or body mounted?
Is the frame plastic with lead weights, or a split metal frame?
The SD-7 was one of the earlier offerings that showed that Life Like was capable of good things, at least in terms of detail and paint. The original drive was okay, but not as good as the later split frame.
Lee
If the couplers are truck mounted, it’s a plastic frame, and wries are used to carry power around, it’s probably an older release. I had several of the old Like-Like GP38-2s.
Fixed the photo link, had mistyped the url.
The couplers are body mounted and the loco has a split metal frame. I also have one of the older Life-Like GP38-2’s and the detail level and mechanism aren’t quite the same quality as the SD7 which is why I ask if its a Proto loco.
Huh, then I’ve got no idea whether it is or isn’t
It’s a standard issue Life like, just a later issue. Proto really didn’t start getting applied to LL N scale until Walthers took over.
Lee
I have two of these locos. They are one of the first of the LL newer generation (mid-90’s) locos with a five-pole motor and duel flywheels. The couplers can be easily changed out to MT’s using a standard 1015. They are not likely considered part of their Proto-2000 line.
I think they do pretty well for the money. I still see a lot of them offered on eBay for around $20 - $30.
There is one issue that you have to watch out for. There is a flimsy contact point underneath both trucks that can lose contact if it’s pushed out of shape. There are some fixes. One I ran across is rather complex:
Here is a review of this loco that contains other ideas to get past the pick-up issue:
The bottom line is that if you have one with no contact issues, It’s a surprisingly smooth runner.
Thanks for the info on this loco. It is actually quite a good runner. It needs a bit of clean up as the photo shows but the motor and wheels seem to have no issue with pickup once they were clenaed which I did before even attempting to really run it.
While I model the B&M in the 50’s I’ll hold on to the loco, maybe the B&M is “trying it out” for decision on a future purchase.
Thanks again!