Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Tower 55 anounces the new BNSF SD70ACe.

1449 views
12 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Sunday, March 26, 2006 10:39 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Shermanhill1

The appearance is nice. But.........



QUOTE: The paint is chipped on many fronts
Many fronts? You've seen several Tower 55 units with chipped paint on the front porches? Or is this one unit with chipped paint on many areas of the front?

QUOTE: The sound is very bad (use your ears)
What is bad about it? Is it muffled? Low toned? Horn not clear?

QUOTE: DCC programming issues galore
- Can you list some of the issues? Assigning CVs? Resets? Conflicts? What are the specifics?

QUOTE: The unit is a racerocket geared far too fast
How is the low speed control? That's actually what most modelers worry about. In DCC mode it's easy to set a locomotive's maximum speed.

QUOTE: The unit wobbles over switches
- Is this a unit that you own that's doing this as well as the above mentioned?

Is it possible that you may just have a lemon? Even among Atlas and Kato a defective unit slips through the production line every now and then.

QUOTE: On DC power nothing works other than the engine noise as compared to all other brands
- Specifically, what doesn't work? Directional lights? Horn sound?

QUOTE: The air is leaking from the over inflated balloon.
- Seems like you've had a bad experience. However, have you tried getting a refund or warranty repair?

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 26, 2006 8:41 PM
Check out the prototype:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=137960
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=138100
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 26, 2006 7:27 PM
The appearance is nice. But.........


The paint is chipped on many fronts
The sound is very bad (use your ears)
DCC programming issues galore
The unit is a racerocket geared far too fast
The unit wobbles over switches
On DC power nothing works other than the engine noise as compared to all other brands
The price is $100 more for the above.

The air is leaking from the over inflated balloon.


QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

QUOTE: Originally posted by Shermanhill1

BUYER BEWARE. These engines are really bad. You better listen to one before you buy it!


Very interesting, Sherman.

But let's be fair. Can you tell us specifically what's wrong with the units? Is it the motor, sound system, drive line, detailing, what? Please be specific as it would be helpful info.

My wife's cousin has one on order. He will no longer buy Athearn Genesis six axle units because one of the two he purchased had a warped truck. I noticed that they both growled like old BB locomotives.

He's looking forward to one of these Tower 55 units in the new BNSF "toothpaste" logo scheme.
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, March 26, 2006 5:02 PM
Hmmmm, I was watching this thread for adver-trolling. There was somebody hyping Tower 55 in blatant disregard for our no-advertising policy a month or so back. I'm happy to read reports, pro or con, from real-world modellers who have purchased or played with a product, but these "Oh, boy, I can't wait for this one..." postings sure don't sound like informed appraisals to me.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Sunday, March 26, 2006 2:32 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Shermanhill1

BUYER BEWARE. These engines are really bad. You better listen to one before you buy it!


Very interesting, Sherman.

But let's be fair. Can you tell us specifically what's wrong with the units? Is it the motor, sound system, drive line, detailing, what? Please be specific as it would be helpful info.

My wife's cousin has one on order. He will no longer buy Athearn Genesis six axle units because one of the two he purchased had a warped truck. I noticed that they both growled like old BB locomotives.

He's looking forward to one of these Tower 55 units in the new BNSF "toothpaste" logo scheme.

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    September 2001
  • From: US
  • 132 posts
Posted by wairoa on Sunday, March 26, 2006 11:09 AM
Oh boy yet another engine to buy. Stop the madness. Just when I think I have almost all the engines I want, they come out with another 'must have.' [:D]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 26, 2006 6:20 AM
If I do buy one. I will use it as a Display Model unit. Allan.
  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: New Zealand
  • 140 posts
Posted by dxr8007nz on Sunday, March 26, 2006 6:16 AM
brass or plastic shell ? I wi***o buy it
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 25, 2006 8:39 PM
Thats why I have the Brass engine SD70ACe in Union Pacific. It is beautiful. The best looking engine I have ever seen in a model
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 25, 2006 7:38 PM
BUYER BEWARE. These engines are really bad. You better listen to one before you buy it!
  • Member since
    February 2006
  • 126 posts
Posted by RyanLaP on Saturday, March 25, 2006 7:28 PM
I think it would be awsome to buy one one of those locomomtives. I pretty sure that the DCC system sound would be cool on the engine you save your money on. It would be a very realiable engine to put on the track. I think you should go for it.[:D][:)][8D][;)][^][:I][8)]
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Phoenix, Arizona
  • 1,989 posts
Posted by canazar on Saturday, March 25, 2006 4:54 PM
I admit, I put a Tower55 engine on my wish list. They look so good. I am looking foward to hearing one in person

Best Regards, Big John

Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona.  Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the  Kiva Valley Railway

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Tower 55 anounces the new BNSF SD70ACe.
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 25, 2006 3:05 PM
Tower 55 has anounced of making the new HO Scale BNSF 'New Image' SD70ACe's this year. I am now in the prosess of saving my Money now. Long live the SD70ACe. Allan.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!