Anyone use them? I’ve seen a few N scale models that look pretty good, and I’ve heard Life-Like is a decent manufacturer.
The Proto 2000 series and the Proto 1000 series are excellent. The old Life Like line is very toy like.
By “old” line, do you mean their standard non-Proto stuff?
Yes. If it doesn’t say Proto 2000 or Proto 1000, it is made for the toy train market.
And it is true in HO they are going to do some sound equipped locos.
Life like has three lines. Their Proto 1000 and 200 lines are superb. Their diesels are in the running for one of the top three slots, and their plastic steam is generally the best on the market. Their Proto 2000 freight car line is also fantastic.
They do still have a cheap toy train line of unreliable engines and plastic “blob on wheels” freight cars. They must pay the bills though, since they’re still being made!
I love the proto 2000 and 1000 line. I have about 100 kits and about 25 locos in HO. They run and look great. Just alittle delicate on the hand rails and other details. Just have to be careful. rambo1…
Lifelike Proto models are superb - have a Proto 1000 C-Liner A/B and an Erie Built, all are superb - the C-Liner A and B set can handle pretty much any train and is almost silent, teamed with the Erie-Built they can haul astonishing loads. Detail is superb as is paintwork - the C-Liners I have are in NYC, the Erie Built is in CNW. Would definitely recommend them.
I don’t own any Life-Like locomotives or rolling stock. Never will either!
I do have a Proto 2000 TH&B gondola. It has amazing detail to it. I haven’t finished it yet & I’ve had it for 7 years.
I do own 2 Proto 1000 RDC3’s. Again, amazing detail & good runners.
I’ve ordered 2 Proto 2000 PA’s due in Sept on the advice of a friend.
I doubt I’ll be disappointed
Just my [2c]
Gordon
Oops, should have dug deeper and found this thread. I just posted a very similiar new thread.
I was just going to reply to your thread with a link to this one. 
I was watching a few LL locos on eBay, but the folks here convinced me otherwise. Regardless, I’m sure they’d make great display pieces, or something to put in a trainyard.
Just make sure you put them in a faaaar away yard. They look more detailed that way.[:D] Dave
On a HOscale of one to ten the P2K comes in a nine.
The P1K comes in a solid seven and is inexpensive
considering it’s reliability. I have four AB F3 -P1K sets.
I own four Lifelike N-scale locos and all I can say is: Thank goodness for Lifelike! They are the staple of my loco fleet.
Before I get into detailed opinions, I want to make it clear that I’m not a high-end N-scale loco connoisseur. I’m someone who likes good performance (in DC) with good detail for a reasonable price. I don’t own any Kato’s, but do own a couple of Atlas units.
I have two SD7’s, and they are decent units – especially for the money. You should be able to get one for $25 and under these days. The coupler conversion is very easy. The slow speed is impressive for its class. It’s an all around smooth runner than has good pulling power.
I also have two GP20’s, and these little gems are easily on par with my Atlas SD35’s. In fact, I think they have a much better slow speed range. They are a couple of steps up from the SD7, and the coupler conversion is just as easy. Model Expo was clearing out their UP units for a little as $17.00 a few months back. That was quite a steal. I know of some people that bought several of these units so they could re-paint them, swap shells, or kit-bash into other units.
In all, most anything Lifelike made in the last five years is going to be a good runner. In my opinion, they simply offer more for the dollar for us who are just looking for a good value. If you are a stickler for performance and detail, then Lifelike may not quite measure up to Kato or recent Atlas releases - but they are close.
Like big much P2K! If need, I buy more.
I am a total newbie to this hobby and on a very tight budget. I had very little money to spend for Christmas and have always wanted a model train set. I got a LL proto n sw9/1200 set for under $90 and am happy with it. It was easy to assemble and did not bankrupt me.
Of course, now I am addicted to it and live withen walking distance to CABOOSE HOBBIES. I now am spending all of my free time with this hobby, and with LL I can afford it.
So basically, their cheaper models aren’t as detailed as more costly locos, but they aren’t hunks of junk, that are going to crap out in a week?
Have three Proto 2000 units. Two E-8s,and One GP30. Although they do not constitute the bulk of my fleet,they are great lookers and equally great runners. As another member correctly noted,they’re a little on the delicate regarding details. A certain amount of care is required.A great addition to any HO or N fleet.
LifeLike Proto 2000, in my humble opinion are great units! They do have their minor problems such as the plastic axle housings stripping. Easy to replace.
Life LIke Proto 1000: I very much like the RDC! Looks nice, decent detail, comes with interior, and IS HEAVY! Noise level is close to an Athearns, though the RDC’s are very smooth runners, especially when using “Momentum” to stop them.
Standard Life LIke units: Toys. The Boxcars are great for practicing airbrushing techniques. Before I kitbash a locomotive, I also like to use them for practice in precision cutting and slicing!
I think he mentioned N scale [;)] They seem much less clear on what’s P2K and what’s not in N…
A lot of the LL N scale stuff is okay, and the GP20 and anything newer are great! My GP20 is as good as, or better than my Atlas loco.
From what I’ve heard the new GP60 rivals Kato…
I’m not even sure if there IS P2k stuff in N…
Sound equipped GP9’s have already hit the market from P2000 and are basically sold out as far as I can tell.
I have several Proto2000 loco’s. They got the grey wrong on the CB&Q Black Bird Geeps, and apparently have the cab painted with incorrect stripes on the new GP9, but asside from the odd mistake like this, I have been really pleased with the quality of the P2k’s. I have a pair of P1K F units and these are very well done for the money. Not as good as some of the higher end F’s, but better than an Athearn blue box for similar money. They were an easy DCC decoder install as well.