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For the money, there isn't much that can compete with Athearn. Walthers train line are generally a bit more expensive (though the GP9 and FA are about the same prices). Their newer SD40-2s and SD40T-2s (with one-piece driveshafts) are excellent - the equal of Proto 1K locos if not better (my SD40T-2 can creep slower than my Proto 1K Erie-built...) <br /> <br />The only cheaper locos worth looking at (in my opinion) are the latest Bachmann GP40/GP50s and FTs - these have improved massively from the old trainset locos - the latest 8-wheel drive examples have a diecast frame and a hefty can motor which looks almost identical to the drive system on the Walthers Dash 8-40B - only thing missing is flywheels, but they can creep at very low speeds straight from the box. To the best of my knowledge, they offer the only reasonably-priced high-nose GP50 - I have one of these in Norfolk Southern livery on which I've painted the handrails and drilled out the air horns - now looks very nice and runs well too. They've abandoned the truck-mounted couplers and fitted proper pilots with body-mounted couplers as well, which makes superdetailing a worthwhile exercise.
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