I would like to hear about experiences with newer P2K loco's. I have some older P2K models that did not proform as well as I would have liked. Now however I have a chance to purchase a newer model that is DCC equiped and has a QSI sound as well.
Any advice or opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ed
Well, I've got a QSI-equipped Proto N Y3 2-8-8-2, and I must say that I'm very impressed with it. Runs reliably, the sound effects are great and it pulls like a charm. The only thing that bothers me about it is there's a bit of a gear noise at higher speeds - above speed step 14 on a 28-step system. Lubing improved it a bit, but it's still loud enough at these speeds to be heard above the sound effects. Not really an issue, as I don't run it this fast usually.
Hope this helps.
The Location: Forests of the Pacific Northwest, OregonThe Year: 1948The Scale: On30The Blog: http://bvlcorr.tumblr.com
All of mine have been excellent runners. I have GP7's from two different runs, S1's, FA's, and an MDC kit with a P2K drive. Not sure what you are comparing them to, but mine are smooth and quiet. Yes I had to replace cracked gears in the Geeps, but that's been it. The S1's are absolutely fantastic, very smooth and quiet.
--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 would caution anyone buying a P2K steam engine to make sure that in the case of the 2-8-8-2 and 2-8-4 that these engines are the later runs with the traction tires, otherwise, you will end up with a great looking engine that can barely pull its own weight up inclines.
In the case of the 0-6-0 and 0-8-0 switchers make sure that the engine has the electrical pickups on the tender, otherwise, problems with stalling on switches.
There is just so much old stock available that you can not be sure you are getting an engine from the last production run. You really need to check.
Randy
The only one I have not had to work on is my S-3, the GP-7, GP-9 had to replace all the gears as they had a very load clunking noise when in reverse. The GP-35 I have quit using altogether, the SW-9 is not to bad but I still had to do some minor tweaking. Considering the cost I felt they should run better than this. The Kato's I have ran perfect right from the start and these were purchased in the late 1990's. I only have 1 Atlas an RS-3 and it has ran perfect as well. Last year I bought a FA1/FB1 set and had to replace the gears on these right out of the box.
Because of my past experience I am a little reluctant to purchase P2K's again. The reason I am considering it is the fact they are in my road name and time era.
I have 3 Y3 2-8-8-2 Mallets and a 0-8-0 and a 0-6-0 and have had absolutely no problems with any of them and have had nothing but god experiences. I have not found any of the pulling issues as mentioned with my Y3's
Interesting, I've only had the cracked gear problem on the GP-7's, and even those worked fine out of the box, it was about a year later they started the characteristic thumping that said the gears had cracked. One of my 3 still hasn't had it happen, and on the two it did, only one actually was cracked, but since Life-Like sent complete sets I replaced all 4 axles.
My only complaint on the FA's is that there is detailing EVERYWHERE so it's hard to pick them up - fine handrails at both ends PLUS the middle door, and details on the trucks so you can't just pick them up by the truck sideframes. Maybe if I'd get moving on layout construction I could just leave my stuff on the track.
rrinker Interesting, I've only had the cracked gear problem on the GP-7's, and even those worked fine out of the box, it was about a year later they started the characteristic thumping that said the gears had cracked. One of my 3 still hasn't had it happen, and on the two it did, only one actually was cracked, but since Life-Like sent complete sets I replaced all 4 axles. My only complaint on the FA's is that there is detailing EVERYWHERE so it's hard to pick them up - fine handrails at both ends PLUS the middle door, and details on the trucks so you can't just pick them up by the truck sideframes. Maybe if I'd get moving on layout construction I could just leave my stuff on the track. --Randy
I too have had good experiances like Randy. I find these reports of poor performance from P2K locos very interesting, because, I don't just have a few, I have a LOT. Like Randy the only problem has been a few cracked gears. Otherwise they all run great.
I have:
8- GP7's
6- E-8's
4-PA1's
8- FA1's
6- FA2's
2- S1's
1- SW600
2- SD9's
3- BL2's
6- F7's
2- RS2's (Proto1000)
2- 2-8-8-2's
2- 0-8-0's
These cover the whole range of production from old brown box FA2's to the latest F7's. Maybe I have had to tweak this or that in 15 years, but it again, except for a few cracked gears, it has been so minor I can't even recall any other problems. Even my old Brown box FA's have their orignal motors many complain about, I have had no issues with them, smooth and quiet. Lifelike and Walthers have sent me free gears on several occasions over the years and I bought some spares.
Kato locos are very nice, but they are not interested in making the locos of my era, and I must admit, many of the locos listed above where purchased well below retail price, making them much more attractive than Kato or Atlas, especially in view of the good performance I have had.
One note, I am a DC operator and my experiances are all with DC versions.
Sheldon
Mine are also all DC - only I added a decoder to them No reason to think the QSI ones would work any differently, the mechanism is exactly the same.
I've also run many others, particularly E's and SW's and SD-7's, only they aren't mine. All ran great out of the box. The only issue thee might be with converting to DCC is some of the early E units had a motor that draws somewhere around 3 amps, more than pretty much any HO size decoder. At the time, Life-Like offered replacement motors for the affected units - dunno if Walthers would honor that now or not since said units are probably 10 years old now. This Might even be an issue for DC users if you want to doublehead powered units - 6 amps is a lot for even some of the higher end DC control systems, other than ones designed to also work with G scale.
Nobody's perfect - I had an Atlas/Kato RSC that was dead out of the box - excess glue on the commutator blocked one segment so if the motor stopped with that segment under a brush (pretty likely), it would not start up again unless you rotated it slightly. Anyone can get a clunker off the assembly line once in a while.
The only two Proto 2000 locomotives that I have are an S1 and a (2nd run) 0-8-0 switcher. Both run very smooth runners.
The only issue that I had with the 0-8-0 was that it would pick the frog when backing through an Atlas #4 turnout. The tender is very light on these so adding weight to the tender should rectify the problem. However, I ended up installing #4.5 Fast Tracks turnouts on my layout and have had no problems with the 0-8-0 - backwards or forwards.
My 0-8-0 does come with traction tires and will easily pull 12-15 cars. I sure would love to see some more small steam in the Proto line.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Another happy customer.
I've got two old Geeps from the Life-Like era. Walthers sent me new axles free for the asking. Both engines needed to have these replaced, but it was an easy fix.
I've got an S1 that I added sound to, and an SW7 that came with sound, and also an 0-6-0. All run well and look great. I've also got a P1K Alco RSC-3. That's low in the detail department, as one would expect from a P1K, but it runs fine.
tstageI sure would love to see some more small steam in the Proto line.
Me too.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Ed, sorry you have had bad luck with Protos. I have 16 and only one has had a problem.
I have one with the QSI decoder, it is a E-7. I don't like the sound of a E-7, but sound quality is good.
I hate Rust
I have several P2Ks and have had cracked gears on most of them, but they're all older run P2Ks. Lifelike and/or Walthers sent replacement gears, so it wasn't a big issue. As for loud, only one of them is 'loud', and it's nowhere near as loud as an Athearn Blue-box engine. It's a GP30, which I've not really investigated as to why it's loud. It also runs noticibly slower than the other P2Ks...
Even so, I have no hesitation with buying more! They're great locos!
They are nice loco's. The biggest down side to the newer P2K, especially since Walthers took over, is the prices have shot up faster than Athearn or Atlas prices, although all are on the rise.
The older P2K have nice detail, well proportioned bodies and generally run smoothly. Cracked gears are fairly common on the GP7/GP9/GP30 diesels but easily replaced. Here is what I own presently:
Older Life Like P2K:-----------------------------2 - SD7's (D&RGW yellow horizontal stripes)2 - SD9's (D&RGW orange switcher scheme)1 - PA1 )D&RGW yellow/silver 4-stripe)11 - GP30's (4 CB&Q, 6 D&RGW small herald, 1 large herald)1 - GP60 (D&RGW)Newer Walthers P2K:-------------------------------ABBA set of F7's (D&RGW single stripe, one set has sound)
I would like to see P2K offer the D&RGW GP9 and SW1200, but the price will probably make me cringe! Anyway, Athearn keeps cranking out tunnel motors (newest run 3/2010).
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I have several P2K's in HO from first run GP18's to a DCC/sound equipped 2-8-8-2. The only problems I ever had were cracked gears on older run locomotives and self-inflicted (dropped on the floor ). I have one GP20 that came with QSI sound and DCC, it's my favorite loco. I set the sounds to my preferences with DecoderPro and it runs like a champ! The cracked gear issue has been taken care of by Walthers and new run locomotives have not suffered from this problem.
John
If everybody is thinking alike, then nobody is really thinking.
http://photobucket.com/tandarailroad/
I have or have owned a GP 9, GP 30, E6 AB unit, and an 0-8-0 switcher in P2K. So far they've ran excellently. The only brands that I own that I would rank slightly higher are Kato and Atlas, and that's only slightly.
Jarrell
Thanks for all the advice and replies everyone. I am thinking it must just be my luck to have had the trouble I have had with the P2K's. It would appear that I have bought older first run models expect for the S3.
Again thanks for all the responses.
Ed:
Never liked P2K locos until about two months ago when I bought their latest run USRA Rio Grande 2-8-8-2. DC. I was amazed at the slow speed control, the detail, the quite running and the fact that it hauled 20+ cars up my 2% grades with hardly any driver spin at all. No traction tires, either (I won't have them on my layout).
So at least in one case, I'm very satisfied with it. When you model Rio Grande standard gauge steam as I do, except for brass, newer plastic is as rare as a live T-Rex. This one I like.
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!