P1K vs. P2K

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I just recieved my new issue of Scale Rails, the NMRA magazine and noticed an ad for Proto 1000 F3 A-B sets to be released in October. I’ve got several Proto 2000 diesels, but no Proto 1000 anything.

For those of you who do own P1k diesels, how do they compare to the P2K models?

Obviously, the shell details are probably not as good on the 1K units, but how about the drives? Are they the same as 2Ks or lower quality?

Can the shells be exchanged between 1K and 2K units?

Other comments welcome.

2

I have a couple of Proto 1000 RS11 locomotives and they are just as detailed as the P2K locomotives I have. They also run beautifully.

It might depend on the loco, I know some of the earlier P1K locomotives had molded in handrails.

3

And that is the the long and short of it. According to Life-Like (when they existed) a P1K is a just cheaper body put onto a P2K mechanism.

I love all my P1K locos and actually prefer them because in heavy usage situations (especially with inexperienced operators) the P2K’s details always get bent, broken, and ruined. P1K highly recommended in my book.

4

I have 2 P1K F3 A&B sets. They do have molded on railings and generally less detail than the Athearn Genesis or Intermountain “F” units. They are about the same as the stewart F’s. As there are no P2K F units there are no P2K shells that will fit on a P1K F unit chassis. I have replaced the shells on 1 of my P1K F3 pairs with Intermountain F7’s.

They run great and if they ever make a P2K F unit it will most likely be on the same chassis.

Bob DeWoody

5

I too, have four F3 A/B sets from a few years back from TW at about $53.00 per set.
Yap, short on detail but good runners. Got my monies worth.

6

I find the only differences are the shell detail, and the fact that on the P1K, you have to apply them yourselves.
They are both great series of locos.
Trainboy

7

Another satisfied P1K F unit user here.

8

Add me to the list of happy P1K users. I have a couple of F3A’s. Both are good pullers, smooth, quiet, able to creep at very slow speeds, and have a reasonable level of detai.

Tom