Can anyone compare the Lionel GP30 and the Atlas O GP35 models?

[Anonymous]

Lionel produces the GM-EMD GP30 Diesel-Electric Locomotive model.

ATLAS O produces the GM-EMD GP35 Diesel-Electric Locomotive model.

I do not have either of them yet, nor have I seen them is local hobby shop.

Some railroads had both the GP30 and the GP35 back in the 1960's, 1970's, and 1980's.

Can anyone compare the Lionel GP30 and the Atlas O GP35 models regarding factors like: details, paint, sound, and electronic dependability?

Is one better than the other?

Are both worth operating together?

Thank You for your reply.

Andrew N. Falconer

[CB_Fan]

I don't have an Atlas O GP35 but do have the Atlas DASH8-40B as well as the Lionel GP30 (UP). Both are beautiful models and very well detailed. The sound is quite different, but I suspect the sound of the real locomotives was different too. I like both!

Too soon for a thorough evaluation of the electronics. My Atlas no longer lights in reverse (they've offered to repair it but I don' t want to send it off for this relatively minor problem). A couple of times both locomotives have failed to respond to "boost" (start command), but after sitting a few minutes this corrects itself. I never had this problem when running only the Atlas.

[Anonymous]

That is interesting that the reverse light does not work. I wonder if it has anything to do with the headlight on and off in the command mode or it might be an electrical part that has ceased to function.

Thank you for the comments.

Andrew Falconer

[Buckeye Riveter]

I have a Lionel GP30.

First the good news: It is one great looking locomotive that can pull a ton of cars and the smoke just pours out the exhaust. The Railsounds are great especially the "chatter".

The bad news: It went into Lionel for repair under warranty because the Odyssey board went wacky. Also, I had a gear tooth that needed filing for the front truck to work smoothly.

Lionel service was very quick and it has been running great. I guess it just had some kind of bad board inside.

[Anonymous]

I would have thought that the upgrade to Railsounds 5.0 and the Odyssey System would have eliminated all the Board problems. I guess electronics are both quick and cheap once they start mass producing them.

Andrew

[palallin]

Upgrading will not eliminate the problems: it will proliferate them. Electronics are going to be buggy, even the high-dollar ones. Especially the high-dollar ones.