N scale Life-like locos

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

while browsing around on ebay, I couldn’t help but notice how low the prices on Life-like N scale locos are. My question is why? I have a Life-like E8, and it has nice detail and runs quite well (I personally don’t own any N scale track so my only expirience with the loco was on a layout at the show at which it was bought) does anyone out there have a decent opinion on Life-like’s locos? I ask this because I am considering buying a Bl-2 to expand my N-scale range

2

Avoid the older LL locomotives and buy the better LL/Walthers such has the GP18,GP20,the EMD switchers,the upgraded GP38-2(these have the closed pilots and body mounted couplers)the RS-2,-here these are the better LL(Walthers).

http://www.blwnscale.com/Life-Like%20Locomotivs.htm

3

I agree with Brakie.

However, the SD7/9 were not bad either. Although not as up to date as the GP20, etc., it’s not a bad runner. But I wouldn’t pay much more than $20 for one.

4

They tend to be cheaper because some of the mechs are NOT DCC friendly.

David B

5

I have an N Scale Life-Like SP SD7 that I bought back in the 80’s. It a bit beat up and is missing the handrails and front coupler but it still runs after all these years.

6

I consider LL N scale locos built from around 1990 on to be decent runners, comparable to Athearn blue box locos in HO, but not quite as good as Kato locomotives. Others have pointed out that some of the issues with the earlier production of this period (difficult to convert to DCC, truck-mounted couplers with large gaps in the pilot, etc.)

Older, pre-1990 LL engines are probably not worth the trouble.

7

Yeah,but as a N Scaler one needs to adapt and over come such minor setbacks or just buy the newer DCC friendly locomotives.

8

I have an A-B-A set of C-Liners that run very well , are quiet and pull whatever I can put behind them. I would definately reccomend them…Mike

9

I have dozens of Lifelike N scale engines:.

2 DL-109s

2 E-6s

10 E-7s

6 Erie built A units

4 Erie built B units

I think highly of the lifelike engines … All of the units are part of a single passenger fleet, I have MOST of the fleet…can anyone guess who’s fleet I’m building?

Randy