Does anyone own, or have any experience with the Life Like Proto 2000 USRA 0-6-0 Steam Locomotive. I received one as a gift, and was just wondering how they performed?
I got one about 2-3 years ago with DCC/Sound. The engine looks great, and runs fine. It does slip a little as it could use some weight.
Jim
I got the DC version and installed a Tsunami sound decoder in it with two round speakers. It is both the best sounding loco I have (of 35) and one of the best running. It has exceptional low end speed for switching. It runs smooth, no twitching or surging, It can only pull about 6-7 cars but that is pretty good for a little guy like this. I do not use traction tires on it. Even though I have a double main roundy round the main event on my layout is a Swift soybean processing plant, It takes up one entire wall of the layout and is basically a six track switching operation. Between my P2K 0-6-0 and BLI SW-7 with sound they get the job done with no complaints. Yes I guess I can say my little 0-6-0 is my go to engine when I want to have fun. Really considering getting another one of the recent releases.
Although I don’t specifically have the 0-6-0, I do have two “non-sound” Proto 2000 0-8-0s and they are both terrific. Both are of the 2nd run so I haven’t had any pick up issues at all. (The 2nd run came with full wheel pickup on the tender.)
Tom
I’ve got one of these with the factory QSI sound. It’s a great little engine in every respect. The detail level is outstanding, and it runs well and sounds great. Mine came with optional traction tires (not installed) but I’ve never put them on. It is a bit light, and as a consequence won’t pull a lot of cars. If this ever gets to be a problem, I’ll install the traction tires, but for now I’m fine with it.
The first run of these did not draw power from the tender, only the loco, or so I’ve heard. I think that getting power from the tender is important, with only 6 wheels on the engine, closely spaced.
I love mine. It runs well across dead frog turnouts, even after I applied Bull Frog Snot to one of the driver axles for added traction (yes, understandably, this tiny gem is a light puller). It is very nicely detailed and assembled. I have a Tsunami installed and a properly installed speaker, so it sounds great as well.
I got a bit carried away on this first ever weathering job…it has been muted and cleaned up since I took this photo.
Crandell
looks good to me