just wondering what y’all think of life like ho scale locomotives. I have two a gp 38-2 and a gp40ph (neither is proto 2000) each one came with a train set ,the gp 38-2 is okay but only the front truck drives so it doesn’t pull more than 10 cars the motor has some gear noise (not bad) the gp40ph is almost worthless it takes off and stops way too fast-as a result it can’t keep cars on the track and makes lots of noise–if not L-L what is your preferred brand of loco?
atlas is expensive,but worth it athearn’s are what I’ll be buying
I think the P2K and P1K series are great.Absolutely fab. I have 3 geeps, 3 C-Liners, a SD45 an RS10, and a RDC-3, and they all really rock. Second only to Atlas.
Matthew
I’ve got several P1K’s and P2K’s, and I’m happy with all of them. The P2K’s have better detail.
Look at Trainworld and MB Klein. They both have blowout prices on discontinued models, as low as 29.95 for some.
the protos probably are good and I’ll probably get one someday but I won’t buy any L-L loco unless it’s P1K or P2K other L-L loco’s suck[censored]
LL toy store stuff is junk, however their PK1 and PK2 is great.
I have quite a few P2K locos. Love every one of them. And if anybody is wondering about their early models. They all run great. Only thing about the early stuff is that they are not “DCC ready”. I’m not sure of when they started that feature.
dingoix
L.L’s were a ‘toy train’ line wheras their Proto 2000 were serious attempt’s to attract the ‘hobbyist’. The P1000 line is aimed at the ‘budget’ or entry level hobbyist.
Athearn’s RTR and Atlas are generally preferred to, (and Athearn’s BB less than) P2K.
Life Like’s basic line will probably remain ‘Toy’ and Wall Mart oriented.
look on www.trainworld.com and you can find some proto stuff very cheap. If I recall they have a proto 2000 switcher for $30. A proto 2000 FA1-FB1 set for $40 and a proto 1000 RDC for $20. There are many more great prices, these are just a couple examples.
I don’t mean to criticize proto 2000/1000 just (toy store) stuff which mine obviolusly are
thanks for letting me know proto series are decent
dingoix,
The Proto 1000 & 2000 are very nice locomotives. I believe both have the same motoring and mechanisms but the 2000 series has better detailing.
I picked up one of the blowouts specials from Trainworld that Joe referred to: An NYC Alco S1 switcher for a whopping $29.99! (That’s over 70% off list.) One of my favorite locomotives both for operations and looks. Beautiful detailing and it absolutely crawls!!!
dingoix, don’t compare the Proto locomotives to the LL toy locomotives: There is NO comparison…
Tom