Does anybody use Life-Like trains (not the Proto Series)?
I’ve got several Life-Like locos, and I like them. They run fairly well, seem to be fairly durable, and you can’t beat the price!
I have some amtrak and other roads in Life-Like but i don’t like the noise they make.
I have a cople of Geeps that I have gutted( they still light up) for dummies. I have added detailing to them though. [;)]
In N scale I’ve bought quite a few LL locos. Was lucky to have bought a GP38 when I first started back in N scale after 30 years. A big difference from the noisy FA2 Arnold or the Atlas 4-6-2 Santa Fe that came with the train set, neither of which had any slow speed. I like some of my LL locos very much, quiet, smooth. Some locos were only $20 instead of $35-45, thus I have 3 GP38 in ATSF, CSX, Conrail, double head/triple head, a set of two F40PH, two older “F7A” SP units from LHS that are FA2 length, nice runners, quiet, smooth, my favorites are SP Daylight PA/PB, got two sets from N scale supply for around $60 ea, run nice, and another UP PA/PB set, a B&O E6A/B set, SP E7A/B, and three SD7/9 locos in SP and UP, two SW9/1200, RI and ATSF. Also have a FA1/FB1 in UP, and FA2/FB2 in NYC. Some are excellent. I like my Kato locos, but the LL were good buys, the SD7/9 seems much better than the Atlas GP9TT. Most of the B units are dummy, but not a bad deal, except that the dummy wheels/axles float and can easily pick a switch, esp. with the Kato track.
I forgot my GP18 in RI. My first high nose GP! $20. About like GP38.
If in N scale, the FA1/FB1 and FA2/FB2 are good buys, PA/PB and SD7/9 - even bought a LL train set to get one SD7/9. It was about the same cost as the loco
separately from another source. About $55. Gave me a nice running loop.
If I was doing HO instead of N, would still try LL - good value.
I’ve had a LL loco. They’re nice, but noisey.
I had many when I was younger. I haven’t had any since before I was a teen. If I was given one, I would give it away.
I don’t run any life like cars either…but they were great for practice painting and weathering projects. Learned a lot.
Warren
It’s good to hear that I’m not the only person to buy the LL stuff.
The life like cars are okay but usually require more weight added so they do not derail. other than that I have been ver happy with my life like cars. I have yet to buy a life like loco. The one at my local hobby shop was selling for $70. The proto 2000 ws selling for $218. Too expensive for me.
ShaunCN
I’ve got a fair amount of Life-Lke stuff. They may not be the quality of many of the manufacturers out there, but I still like them.
Hello Cmdr. Antilles
I’m assuming that you are in HO scale.
I’ve had LifeLIke units before. They look decent but please be aware that many modelers no longer purchase the old LifeLike line because:
[1] Locomotive Body: The paint jobs are too thick & glossy. Body lacks detail.
[2] Motors / Truck gears: “Usually” noisy. Draw higher than average current. While they may last years, the quality is not very high. For low speed running operation (switching cars) they may start “jerking” and stalling at 5 to 10 scale mph.
[3] Freight cars: Paint often too shiny, too light in weight, inaccurate colors, trucks look unrealistic.
Don’t take this negatively. These are the basic reasons me and many modelers that desire to have models that look similar to the protoypes and run smoothly at very low speeds have “switched” away from Tyco, LL, and the old Bachmann line. If you like LL, by all means stick with it! They can be modified like anything else.
One point: If price is an issue, consider buying the regular Athearn engines. They’re usually cheaper than comparable LL engines but are far better in quality. They run much smoother, draw less current, run quieter, and are easier to maintain. Paint jobs are very accurate. Athearn freight cars are reasonably priced, come with weights, and look much more realistic. Athearns are very easy to modify. I always buy and install the Proto (LL) metal wheelsets on my freight and Pass. cars. Keeps the track clean while the cars roll even better.
Just explore for yourself. Talk with other modelers and go to “swap meets” or train shows whenever you have the opportunity. Keep us all updated and continue to share your views & ideas!
happy new year and God Bless!
I bought some LL rolling stock. [banghead]
They make good targets for learning how to shoot my new airbrush. I’ll not buy another LL product… don’t need anymore targets [:D]
Im from argentina and i have 2 locos from life like … and some rollin stock of tjis firm… are really cute but the noise isn´t good . some photos from my collection …
my locos
life like F7 santa fe schemme
life like gp38-2 long hood conrail schemme
I model in N-scale and only have one LL diesel A unit powered and a B unit came with it but non-powered, it is an older one with the plastic frame, got it for $20.00 new at a show in Portland, OR years ago, can not remember what model it is, however it ran good, has lead block type weights and pulled like no tomorrow, was quiet and had good slow speed so I installed a decoder in it and it still runs fine.
Life Like wasn’t very life like and was considered junk by us serious model railroaders.
Same for Bachmann their line was also considered as junk.
The P2K models (now Walthers) was a excellent line of models. Bachmann’s Spectrum line is a big improvement but is still not as good as P2K.
I’m still running some LL plastic framed locos…mind you, the quality wasn’t the greatest and they don’t have the best slow speed or pulling capibilities, but the price was right on them and the ones I’ve purchased have been pretty good runners. The girls always go for them first when they want to run trains.
BTW, they’re N-Scale, which suprises many of my friends modeling HO.
If we’re talking the palstic frame/wires/spring driveshafts, I’vce had some in the past, great loco for about $20
No one mentioned the Life Like N scale GP20’s. Smooth, quiet runners and I believe the last Life like prior to selling out to Walthers. The only compalint is they are not DCC ready, but none of the Life like engines were. I would rate this engine a solid B+.
LOL, this question was asked way before I joined this site. The Life Like brand is model train set quality, poor at best.
Wow, this topic is so old it needs mold testing. [xx(]
The only LL cheapies I’ve owned came from a friend who moved about 15 years ago, and gave me all of his model train supplies. There was an F40PH in Amtrak, and two Cheesie GP40-2’s whose entire shells glowed like jack-o-lanterns from the headlight bulb. I didn’t really want them, so I ran them at a train exhibit. They were probably the quietest of the pancake drives, but none of them lasted very long. The motors finally smoked, and the armatures read open when I tested them with a VOM. They now reside in that great HO scrapyard in the sky.