I'm considering buying a couple HO scale GEVOS to run around on my layout, and I wasn't sure whether to go with the Intermountain or the Scale Trains units. Also, is the extra cost of buying two sound-equipped units justified, or would one with sound and one anthocyanins suffice? Your advice is appreciated.
(Edited for clarity.)
Seems like it's a complete toss-up as to which model is better. They run pretty much equally well. jlwii2000 has a video on his YouTube channel comparing them head to head.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I was just running an ABBA set of F's--all with sound.
I would recommend getting all sound.
Ed
7j43kI would recommend getting all sound.
I agree with Ed. In the "early days" of sound decoders I would try to squeeze a penny and use a silent decoder. I have since replaced nearly all of those with sound.
In some cases I'll have an EMD M.U.ed with say a GE or Alco. All three have a unique sound signature and I want to enjoy the "melody".
Good Luck, Ed
I am sure I am the wrong person to answer but...
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NONE with sound. I really hate miniaturized sound. Not just trains, ear buds, I-phones, etc. All miniature speakers sound just awful to me.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Thank you for your replies. I watched the video that one e of the posters mentioned. They both seem to be good options, so maybe Ill buy one from each manufacturer and see what happens. I'll have to see whether I can shake an extra $150 free from the money tree so I can get them with sound; otherwise, I'll just operate in silence when I run them around. (Okay, $150 minus the cost of the silent decoders, so probably $100-$110 less than the sound-equipped ones total.)
Today I got a pair of long awaited ET44AC in CN colors. I chose the Scale Trains models and I'm very glad I did. The detail is at the top level of everything I've seen and owned up to now. The grilles are very fine and the see-through effect under the radiators is impressive. Even the safety monitoring camera is modeled behind the windshield. The sound is very clear with lots of tiny bits that replicate the real beast. Many lighting effect like the rear ditch lights and the red DPU Mode lights are unique. They have both of the prototype body styles, square and angled exhaust compartment. And they are priced lower than Intermountain ones.
I have other models of Intermountain locos and I like them very much. Those are non-sound but for many years the non-sound InterMountain engines come with a silent DCC decoder already installed at no extra cost !
I've heard that the plastic of some IM locos becomes bristle over time. But I have many of the Cylindrical Grain Hoppers (over 25-years) old without any problem.
Martin