what are your thoughts about these locomotives.
rate them from 1 to 10 if your could
I’d the top a 8 and the bottom a 9.5 (b/c I like UP and the UP steamer looks very streamline) Why are you wanting to know. Whatever it is I don’t care. So that’s you first post!
Anything esle you want?
BOTH are reruns of successfull locomotives.
The SD-45Tunnel version is a 6 wheel truck engine used by only a few roads - notably SP and D&RGW - and should have 22" radius curves to run on.
The GP-30 was very popular and better suited for tighter curves.
The Proto 2000 GP30 uses their geared-down P1000K chassis and runs close to freight speeds. Athearn RTR’s run more at passenger speeds, which appeals to a certain sector of the market.
WHICH engine to buy? For me, it boils down to the size of your layout.
Just wanted to point out that the SD45T-2 was originally owned by Southern Pacific and Cotton Belt. Rio Grande owned the SD40T-2. I agree that the SD unit will run better on larger curves. I have three of them and no problems so far. The Athearn R-T-Rs run fine on DCC.
My son and I also own one each of the Bachmann Spectrum GP30s. Although not as detailed as the Proto 2000s, they are good runners. The only problem we had with one of them was that the drive line got loose from the motor shaft. Super glue cured that problem. [8D]
Ed
The Athearn RTR’s dont not “run at passenger speeds”. The only way one would find that out is if they had the throttle at 100%, which is a big model railroad no-no. They run fine. Just keep your throttle in a realistic setting.
I have a pair of spectrum GP30s and they are nice. I would give them a solid 8. Quieter than Athern BB and RTR, but not as much detail as RTR. They pull a lot because of the large split frame. I would recommend them. I paid $20 for one of mine and $28 for the other. What a steal[swg]
The Spectrum GP30s are decent engines. One of my brothers has a Spectrum GP30, and the other has their GP35. They have the same chassie and pull nicly. I’d agree that they are a little quieter than athearns. I like athearns myslef better mostaly b/c they are easyer to work on and get parts for, although the specturm GP30s are by no means dificult to work on.
I have no experience with athearn’s SD45T-2 or for that matter their RTR stuff so I really cant comment on it, but I will say as an SP fan the SD45T-2 looks awesome =D
~matt
I had a Spectrum GP30 and I ran okay but it was a little on the noisy side. Since I’d detailed and painted the shell, I ended up replacing the drive with one from a Proto 2000 GP30. My Spectrum was pretty old, though, so maybe the newer ones are better.
The Athearn SD45T-2 is a very nicely detailed model, and they’re heavy. They run well though like many of the newer Athearn RTR engines they also tend to be a little on the noisy side.
I have one of each now so. i happen to like the athearn more, better detail. they are both UP. did the up sd45t-2 have ditch lights? mine only has one headlight on the nose
I’d be surprised to see yellow tunnel motors without ditch lights. IIRC, UP didn’t start repainting the T2’s right away, so it was the late 90’s or even into the 2000’s before they started showing up. And by then, pretty much everything had ditch lights.
Here are links showing T2’s in 2000 & 2001:
http://ncespee.railfan.net/UP/upsd45t-2/up4965.html
http://ncespee.railfan.net/UP/upsd45t-2/up4890.html
I think Athearn may have dropped the ball on this one. Sounds like all they did was repaint the SP version, without doing the necessary updating.
most of the detail is spot on.
although there is the head lights.
any idea on how i can put ditch lights in,
Anyone know how to change the original Spectrum GP30 to DCC?