I read the review for Life-Like’s new P2K U28B in my new MR magazine and it looks like it has a less expensive P1K mechanism. It’s speed was WAY too high (DCC top speed is 168 scale MPH!!!) and it has little traction for it’s weight and quality. It looks like it has the weak pulling mechanism from the P1K RS11. Will Life-Like be putting these fast and slippery mechanisms in all their diesels from now on?[:0]
On the other hand, the new Kato F40PH looks like it’s almost as good as the newer Bachmann Spectrum F40PHs.[:D]
I have a P2K SD45. It’s a Limited Edition SCL unit. The motor is a Kato clone and the drive seems to be of good quality. Only problem I have with it is the light board, which will be replaced with a DCC module.
Overall, a sweet unit. I plan on getting another one.
Walthers owns P2K now so the quality of the product could suffer in the long run even tho they said they’re going to have a “hands-off” attitude they’re probably going to do whats most economical for walthers.
Why would being owned by Walthers mean that quality would go down??? [%-)]
Walthers has been in business for 70+ years. If anything, Walthers certainly knows that if a product is “downgraded” customer loyalty will quickly erode! [:O]
Athearn is owned by Horizon.
Modelers a year ago were posting “doom and gloom” predictions for Athearn locomotives and car quality. (I was skeptical as well). Yet, Athearn’s quality has improved considerably. I wrote Athearn off back then, but now am planning on getting a Genesis F7 and the new SD45-2 that will be available in SCL.
On my next trip to the LHS, I’ll take a look at those RTR and Genesis freight cars as well.
So, let’s give it a chance! If P2K quality goes down, I certainly would be the first to contact and tell them they won’t be getting any more of my dollars. Most of the units that I want (E7, E8, GP18, GP9, SD7, SD45) are P2K brand.
I never knew the P2K drive was up to snuff seeing that I had to replace gears in all of my GP7/9/30s…[:(!] I also notice the picture of the U28B in RMC and MR look like it was sitting to high on the trucks.[:0][?]
Naw,I sold my P2K crappers and bought Athearn and Atlas locomotives at least with these two brands I need not worry about crack gears…
jsoderq says:The Kato is far superior to anything Bachmann ever made!
Really? Does that include the past wiring problems? How about the paint issues on some locomotives? How about some incorrect details?
I agree any brand is better then Bachmann.
Sorry, I should have been more specific on why I think the one from Bachmann would be better than Kato’s.
Things the Bachmann F40s have that the Katos don’t:
See-through fan grills and other vents
Flashing strobes
Crew in the cab
Metal grab irons and
I own one!! That’s the thing that makes them better than Kato’s!![:D][:D]
Please don’t think I’m starting an argument because I’m not trying to.
I think the motors in the Life-Like P2K diesels are the ones Walthers uses, not Kato clones. I believe that they are Canon motors, or at least Canon clones.
Mmm…Darth has a point. You could detail a Bachmann up a little and it would be close to a Kato. Okay, so the motor may be a little loud, well, it’s better than spending over a hundred bucks on a Kato and having to detail it a little bit. Everybody frowns on Bachmanns, but in my opinion, for the money you cannot beat a Spectrum. And even the newer Bachmann Plus series locomotives are getting better. Just my opinion. [2c]