Is a LifeLike N scale GP a quality engine?

[dragenrider]

I'm wondering if LL N scale GP's are a quality engine compared to some others they have manufactured. In my mind LL stands for junk. But, their N scale switchers are impressive. How much lower on the scale is this compared to Kato and Atlas? Here's one I'm pondering:



Any thoughts welcome!

[bcammack]

Very nice contemporary design. Split frame, flywheels, etc. I love mine.

[dragenrider]

bcammack, how's the slow speed? Will they crawl as slow as the switch engines?

[retsignalmtr]

i've got 2 of their gp20's and i'm very happy with them. they have very thin handrails, the paint is good the lettering nice and they came with two different numbers. they are very quiet and were easy to install microtrains couplers on. they are good runners and they are good for slow speed switching. i've always heard that LL was some of the lowest quality stuff but they have aparently been learning. they are above model power and i wish i had bought a couple more of them. bachmann is coming up too. i bought their F7a&b sets and the only thing was the wheels were out of gauge slightly. bachmann's steam locos are nice too.

[bcammack]

Yes, the GP20 crawls beautifully with my MRC TechII throttle.

[Bikerdad]

There are only two significant shortcomings of that loco.

1) Crapidos
2) Not DCC ready. You have to mill the frame or some such to install a decoder.

If you're not using knuckle couplers (or don't mind changing them yourself), and don't have a problem with the DCC condition, then the GP20 direct from LifeLike is a killer deal.

[MAbruce]

I have two LL N-scale GP20's, and they rival Atlas and Kato in terms of performance - especially slow speed. For the price, you just can't go wrong. Here are my prized workhorses.

Here's my UP 474:


Here's my N&W unit:

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bikerdad

There are only two significant shortcomings of that loco.

1) Crapidos
2) Not DCC ready. You have to mill the frame or some such to install a decoder.

This is true, but I would add that the MT conversion (if you use the preassembled couplers) takes minutes. They designed these things to be easily converted.

As far as DCC goes, I think that it would break your heart to get this unit if you run in DCC. It's such a great runner and yet hard to convert.

Also - All LL N-scale loco's are now of this same (or better) quality. They have made some impressive changes over the past few years.

[retsignalmtr]

i like my gp20's too much to let them sit on a shelf after i convert to dcc. i'll send the frames to aztec to have the frames milled. they also send the instructions for installing the decoders and which one to use. i have about 20 locos that i want to keep running and i'll convert them as the wallet allows. i won't buy any more locos unless they already have the decoders installed or are dcc ready. i sometimes use them with my atlas gp7's and they run well together.

[Anonymous]

I have four. Once is already DCC'ed (I milled the frame myself - not that hard to do) and the other 3 are queued up for the conversion.

For under $17 each they are great to bash into other road names, practice painting, and other things that you might not want to do to a $80 loco. They run fantastic too.

[trainboyH16-44]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dragenrider

In my mind LL stands for junk.

Life like isn't that bad, especially in HO. They have great detail, and their protos make up over half of my roster, and I am very happy with their performance. I don't know, however, whether that tranfers to N.
Trainboy

[Anonymous]

My brother has a couple of the GP38-2s, they seem pretty good. Still nothing else in N to rival them (for the money), they're smooth, quiet and reliable. The only snag we found was a lack of power - need two of them to move a Walthers 5-unit double stack car (diecast car shells/frames - one GP just sits there with wheels spinning!). If you can find them for under $17 then buy, buy, buy - we paid about the equivelent of $60 each for ours (crazy UK prices...).

[Anonymous]

LL is not junk in N-scale (try Bachmann). They are getting really good really fast. I would have to say that after Atlas and Kato comes LL. You really can't beat their price to value though their recent stuff is getting much pricier and still not DCC ready.

I have two of their older GP-18 ones and they can pull like no other Atlas locos that I have. I converted them to DCC and they run like a champ.

The $17/each deal is still available on their website but they only ship to US address (sorry Matt). Their customer service is second to none.

[Dayliner]

I have a GP18 which I've converted to DCC and is very reliable and a good puller. My only complaint is that it surges at low speeds. But good value for the money.

[n2mopac]

I have several LL locos, mostly older models. I do not have this spicific model. Of my LL locos, most (the older versions) are not making the cut as I am converting to DCC do to poor quality. One, however--my newest LL--is great and will be converted. It is an SW12000 and runs beautifully. This means either 1) LL is improving the quality of their product or 2) they have a line of locos that are better than their average (older) loco. This is all N scale by the way, and that is my [2c] worth.

Ron

[Wdlgln005]

The LL GP20 would look great in your paint scheme. Go to the LL site, get a pair for $16.00. Check their website for other deals, such as the switcher. Get a caboose, or a boxcar, and get free shipping with a $50 order. Or you could wait & pay $60 for the next release. THe GP20 is a great deal . The F7-9 needs some work, but will pull a house. THe GP38 & F40 need to be put away.

I'd rate LL a close second behind Atlas/Kato. The good news is the GP20 have the same proven split-frame design as A/K. Other recent releases like the switcher have followed this design. The coupler clip uses the standard MTL box, for easy conversion. THe LL/MTL combo makes them better than Accumates. They do have to be milled for DCC. They do have good customer service, should you need it.

[bcawthon]

I got my LL Geeps about ten years ago. I use them as motive power during train shows as my pair of NP Geeps will pull a 50-car train for hours with no problem. They will run slow enough for switching. I have MT couplers on one end of each and the old Unimates on the other as I run them as a pair.

Paint and detail is nice, especially for a locomotive that was less than half the price of an Atlas/Kato back then.

[Roadtrp]

I have two N scale Life Like standard locos and have been very happy with them. I also have a Proto 2K C242/425 which is an outstanding locomotive.