P2k 2-8-8-2 w/QSI...What do y'all think?

[Rotorranch]

I'm looking seriously at a P2K 2-8-8-2 w/QSI as my next loco. Anyone have any real experience with this loco?

Rotor

[Anonymous]

Sounds just like the Class-A, which sounds good. Just dont expect it to pull prototype lentgh trains. It lacks in the Umph! department. It would be a great helper locomotive though.

[NZRMac]

PK2 2-4-4-2 or 2-8-8-2? I have a PK2 2-8-8-2 with QSI it's a fantastic loco. The detail is awesome the sound blows you away!

Doesn't pull like others do but who cares!! I love it.

Ken.

[Anonymous]

See it at http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/006/006cuqxz.asp

Some of the MR reviews may also have a sound clip. Don't know about this model.

[Anonymous]

I own one. It run rather well but shows the classic Life Like's inadequacy in the weight and pulling dept.

The whistle sounds just like the Class A.

Ive had it with 24 walthers ore cars that have been fitted with loads and metal wheels plus a caboose. It managed it well up a 3% grade on a friend's layout. But it needs some help from my BLI 2-8-2 Heavy with 16 Onery athearn coal cars also with metal wheels and loads.

Consider this: The BLI Heavy Mike can pull the same load as the 2-8-8-2 if not more.

I think it is a good model but nothing really spectacular. Reasons include.. front wheels (Pilot truck) are tad light and come off the track. Sometimes the tender will want to stringline (Imagine that...) and on tight radius curves the double swiveling sets of drivers give itself away as a compromise on negotiating tight curves.

Somehow it's good manners and consistent operation makes it a valued part of my roster. It accepts double heading with other engines when needed. I rather have a engine that operates and does not misbehave than a monster puller that derails in the box. I still would like a monster puller but Life Like isnt known for heft and brawn.

I run this engine once every several months when I can.

[twhite]

Don't have the one with sound, but I've heard good things about the sound quality. However, like everyone else says, don't expect a heavy puller--in fact, don't expect much of a puller at all. Which for me is okay, because the Rio Grande used their USRA style 2-8-8-2's as helper locomotives anyway. But I'd still like to see it on the business end of a heavy freight once in a while (which ain't gonna happen, folks).
Tom

[Anonymous]

I have the non QSI version....Runs very smooth (smoother than BLI) and looks great. While it doesn't pull as well as the BLI Cab Forward, it does pull a respectable number of cars up a 2% grade......

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMacDoesn't pull like others do but who cares!!

People who run their equipment on any kind of grade.

[Rotorranch]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

PK2 2-4-4-2 or 2-8-8-2? I have a PK2 2-8-8-2 with QSI it's a fantastic loco. The detail is awesome the sound blows you away!

Doesn't pull like others do but who cares!! I love it.

Ken.

It's definitely a 2-8-8-2 Ken! Sometimes my fingers have a mind of their own! [;)] I corrected the subject line.

The thing looks awesome! I can't wait to run it! Only problem is, mine is lettered for Northern Pacific, and I don't do that road. What other roads used these locos?

Rotor

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Stuckarmchairing

QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMacDoesn't pull like others do but who cares!!

People who run their equipment on any kind of grade.

I have noticed this too. The first time I had mine on the layout I loaded it up with a reefer train of 20-30 cars and took off. It didn't have any problem and wondered what everyone was talking about "not pulling". THEN I hit the 0.9% grade. Came to a sudden driver spinning stop. I had to go take the train down to 10 cars.

The sound is typical QSI, so it takes some tinkering to get the volume of each sound to be appropriate releative to each other. And it is typical of almost all HO scale speaker installations, with very poor low end frequencies. This unit was too expensive to tinker with, but I have a first run non-sound equipted one I'm going to add some monster speakers too try to get some low freq response out of it.

[knewsom]

I have two of them in the N&W scheme, but neither came with sound. I added MRC Steam sound decoders to both of them and I am very pleased with them. They are light in the pulling department, but I have been able to get one to pull 12 loaded 34' hoppers up a 2.5% grade on my layout. By double heading them, I can get them to pull 25 hoppers up the grade. That is all of the hoppers I have right now, but I think that I am nearing their limit anyway. I also agree with HighIron2003ar on the pilot truck as it tends to come off the track occasionally.

[selector]

Having just learned to 'tune' my track with the acquisition of a Challenger, I'm wondering if a 2-8-8-2 would not be even more of a stickler for even, kink-free track. In my case, it was the rear engine that kept popping out of the tracks, but only on curves. When I checked, the entrance to the curve was vertically kinked, so as the loco negotiated the curve, and began to rise away from the dip, the rear engine got left in the air since the rear truck was rearward of that dip, and still higher.

It might be worth investigating, or re-springing the truck, or modifying its surroundings so that it can swing and sway better.

[Anonymous]

I have a model from the original run, no sound, in the N&W road pilot version. Accuracy and detail are much superior to the BLI Class A (2-6-6-4). I have had no problems with either the lead or trailing trucks. For smoothness and low-speed capability, this is definitely among the top 5 runners in my far too large steam stable. As for pulling qualities, perhaps some of the other respondents have overly high expectations. My copy of this loco pulls 15 coal hoppers and a caboose up my 2% grades (this is my maximum train length anyway, but I'd say its also close to the limit for this loco); occasionally a bit of slipping on the curves but I enjoy that. Based on my experience, this is at least respectable, esepcially for plastic. If you need more pulling, either double-head, or spend about the same money on E-Bay and get one of the brass/cast Powerhouse locos.