I just purchased one of these from ebay. It looks to be a very nice engine. Does anyone have any experience with these?? It states it is DCC ready, if anyone has converted these engines are there any “tricks” to look out for??
Thanks.
I have a PK2 2-8-8-2 with QSI so sorry I can’t help with the decoder, but it’s a very nice model but a bit light in the pulling power.
Ken.
It is truly plug and play, if you get a decoder with a 8 pin nmra connector. I have two that I added MRC Steam Sound decoders too. Both operate great.
I own the QSI, it handeled 24 walthers ore cars that were fitted with 33" life Like metal wheels and ore loads up a 3% That is about the max pulling power of it.
I use it as a pusher to assist smaller steam trains over the hill.
I cannot help you with the non-QSI models. But have heard they run well.
Proto engines are light in the pulling dept. How about it BLI? A Y6b with die cast and qsi?
PCM, who is actually BLI, is coming out with a Y6b. Probably diecast too.
I have a first run version of the 2-8-8-2 and yes, it’s a nice locomotive… The DCC installation is a drop in install, plenty of room for speakers, if you go that route, in the tender… The only thing I Don’t like about mine is the thin wire they have running from the cab to the bell looks a little hokey… I mention that mine is a first run because they May have changed that…
Jeff
Very quiet, very smooth running, but not a real winner in the pulling department. I use mine chiefly as a helper, but then the railroad I model (Rio Grande) used USRA compound Mallet 2-8-8-2’s mostly as helpers, anyway. Can’t help you with the DCC application, but I understand it’s not a very difficult conversion. Nice little loco, but like just about all of the Proto 2000 steamers, it’s not a great puller.
Tom
Thanks for the input everyone!!!
Oh really? Where do we find out more about this little tidbit?
I saw a dealer taking reservations on it. Its like one of those ‘$600 locos’.
But its not even listed on PCM’s site.
I think the P2K 2-8-8-2 is a great engine in all respects, and I have several.
That upcoming PCM Y6b has a suggested retail 0f $695, and that just really frosts me. That is waaaay overboard in my opinion. I do not intend to pay old brass prices for new plastic. 4 little wheels aren’t worth THAT much more than a Class A.
Well the recent challenger in Diecast from Lionel did a GREAT job from a performance point of view.
I will be seeking out a copy of this engine. I see no reason to doubt BLI’s and related work to lack in quality. As far as I am concerned they are the equal of brass except in detail.