As a few people know already True Line Trains is blowing out their 1200 dollar U2g’s and dealers are selling them for around 400 give or take. I picked up the rest of mine today and they all run great. They were all tested before they were shipped to dealers so there is nothing to be worried about, so they say. I was playing around with mine today and all mine run perfect and I’m very happy with them. If your sitting on the fence thinking if you want one or not don’t doddle, there isn’t many left.
Where could I buy one?
Try Web Hobbies or Canadian Express Line. Google them for the web site.
Ordered one,
Thanks
SWEET!!! Your going to really like it.
I read the review in the other model railroad magazine (MRC) and based on the review I ordered a couple more.
The pictures show a level of detail that one can only find on brass engines.
At $1,100 this engine was just too costly, at the $425.00 is is priced with the MTH and Proto steamers.
I hope this firesale does not mean that TLT will not be bring forth any more steamers.
Gee if I was one of the first purchasers at the full retail I would be most irate.
I bought a couple when they first come out but sent them back because of their poor running. I think EVERYONE did except for those that were sitting on a shelf, I didn’t pay full MSRP either. Once they were fixed they were then selling for around 700 bucks. When the next batch came over they were good but because of their poor track record with the first two numbers nobody wanted to take the chance. Besides, 700 bucks is a lot of money for most people. Finally True Line I guess got fed up with sitting on them and discounted them to what they are now. From what I heard we are only talking about somewhere around 400 loco’s which really isn’t alot when you think about it. The word of mouth really killed this project for them. It’s to bad because they really are a incredible looking locomotive. I bet they learned a lot from their mistakes.
Another qestion for you on the U2g,
The review I read in MRC also mentioned that these engines came with a smoke unit, complete with fan and cam.
The later ads for this engine does not mention a smoke unit. Did they remove the smoke unit?
I am not interested in using the smoke unit so if it was removed that would be fine.
All 5 of mine smoke so your going to have to try it out. I’ve only tried the smoke in one of them but it’s actually kind of cool. They used Rapido’s “steam” unit from their Steam Generators.
I got a message from Cdn Express Line about these, and it mentioned they are flying out the door at four and a quarter.
Hi Guys
I just recieved an email from Otter Valley Railroad (www.ovrtrains.com), they are selling the Trueline Trains U2g’s for $425 as well. Just another option for people looking. I am thinking about getting one. Thoughts?
Regards,
CASO
Better hurry, there isn’t many left.
Hey TA462
I got one Sunday night. I see they have a few left. Anyone still looking for one at $425, check them out.
Cheers,
CASO
Eagerly waiting my TLT Northern to arrive…
Only one??? LOL
Seeing this was TrueLine Trains first venture into steam I wonder if there will be another steamers coming sometime in the future.
One of the owners of a hobbyshop informed me that they were in contact with the TrueLine rep and that the initial quality was so poor that the rep from TrueLIne had to go to China and arrange quality control inspections before they would accept any additional stock of these engines.
Apparently the later stock of these engines were broken in by being run for a couple of hours before being accepted and packaged for sale. I am told that these engines are now very reliable.
I wonder if one should buy a couple and put them away for a couple of years and see what kind of money they would bring?
I also wonder where the rejects went?
I was wondering that to Don. The first two numbers released were very poor, I had both of them and sent them back and got my money back. The next release were tested before being shipped, they come with a check list but I doubt they were run for 2 hours. All the ones I have are very reliable, so far. Some I’ve had for months and some I’ve had for a few weeks so time will tell I guess. I got 5 but I’m only going to have one, maybe two of them in my roundhouse. I wonder what they will bring in a few years, only 100 of each number produced makes them very rare and they are very desirable models. I wondered what happened to the first two releases as well. Hopefully the dumpster, LOL.
I got mine today in the mail. Spent the last 2 hours downstairs running it. Wow am I happy I got one. How I gotta get some passenger cars for an excursion trains. Anyone still wants one, better hurry not many units left at $425 out there.
Check out the new Con-Cor HW passenger cars, they have interiors and built in lighting
http://www.con-cor.com/HO-1920-1950-Heavyweight-Passenger-Cars.html
. I have a few sets and they are great. The CN set is waiting for my U2g.
I bought one at the beginning of July but found that it didn’t run very well as it had a definite lurch at slow, medium speed.
I sent it back to True Line Trains for repair or adjustment.
After a couple of weeks I got a note saying they were sending it back and turns out they replaced the loco and that they had extensively tested the replacement before they sent it to be sure I’d be satisfied.
Thanks to Mark at True Line for really standing behind their product.
In talking to him he said that they have another steamer on the drawing board but must sell all of the Northerns first. I bet they do now that the price is down and for that price I think it is a bargain.
CN Charlie
I received one of the CN U2g’s that I ordered and was immediately taken back by the amount of detail on this engine.
I sure was not impressed with how hard it was to plug in the two electrical connectors into the tender from the engine. I am sure age has something to do with that. I noticed how low the bar was holding the metal bar so I hunted up my small pliers set and quickly bent up the bar to ensure no uncoupling between the engine and the tender.
I then placed it on the layout to break it in and wow it found every piece of bad track work right away. It took about half an hour to re-align my problem track work to get this engine to run correctly. Once that was done the engine ran flawlessly. I have yet to fully secure my trackwork so there is some movement at times that causes poor alignment at times. Once it is fully secure this should not be a problem any more.
I am most impressed with the slow start up with this engine, as well as the sound. It must be the two speaker set up. The whistle is great and the horn is just as I remember hearing on a recording of a CN U2g recording. This engine has the best sound I have heard, sure is better than my Tsunami’s, but that could well be due to the various recording used.
I was surprised to see that it also had a cab light, have not seen that in any other steamer model that I can remember. firebox yes, but not a cab light.
I was also surprised at just how elaborate the box container is, real wood with a lining and of course the regular foam insert for the engine and tender. I would think the box goes with the original MRSP of $1,100.
I am sure glad I ordered a few of these. The engine facility will look great with a few of these in the yard at the same time.