I have never seen or know anyone who runs Walthers engines. I was wondering if they are any good.
Walthers Mainline engines are what are called "budget" engines. That means, among other things, that their detailing is not, uh, extensive.
So, if you want exquisite detailing, they are not good.
Your title says "Mainline", but Walthers also makes a "Proto" line. It is supposed to be higher-detailed than the Mainline.
I am right now running a set of Walthers engines. There is much nice about them, but they are definitely not well detailed. And they are Proto, not Mainline. Still, they suit me and my purposes.
While not state of the art, Walthers locomotives are a long way from the bottom end.
You will probably not regret your purchase.
Ed
The GP15-1 was a good engine. Only took paint, decals, and some detail parts to bring it up to modern standards. Mechanism was fine. Mine was a really early one that was quieted down with NWSL axles, apparently not needed with later versions.
I have a pair of Walthers Mainline FA units that I bought for $20.00 each, the price was just too good to pass up.
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They are "OK" engines. They run good, but no where near as good as my Kato/Stewart F units.
Detailing is awful.
But, they have been reliable and exceeded my expectations for them.
I have a Walthers Proto Fairbanks Morse H-(something or other) switcher that runs 100% perfect and the detailing is more than good enough for me.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Walthers Mainline is the former Life-Like Proto 1000. Their detailing is usually more basic with minimal separate parts, but the chassis is the same as Proto 2000/Walthers Proto.
Walthers Trainline includes the cheaper engines like the GP9M and FA. Detail isn't great, but they are smooth runners.
Walthers Proto is the former Life-Like Proto 2000, and it's their top of the line stuff.
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They run like swiss watches right out of the box.....detail is fine IMHO.....You can handle it without parts falling off/breaking like some of the super detail engines would.......then complain about it. All detail parts are already installed and they come with Protomax couplers, which is an exact clone of a Kadee...no need to change.
I bought quite a few of them in the past year....road name did not matter and have not had any issues with any of them. These were all brand new though......I do not buy used engines...no matter how they are advertised. I purchased all mine at around 35% off.
A pic' of an RS2 and SW1.....have been changed to My road name since taken:
Good Luck in Your decision!
Frank
I have several Mainline locomotives. These include a RS-2, EMD SW and GP-15. I feel they are a good value for the money and run fine. I am prone to accidentally breaking fine detailed parts so these engines (along with Atlas Trainman) are perfect for me (I have a slight tremor in my right hand). Everyone has a preference as far as details go. I would suggest purchasing one to see how you feel about them. I have seen several on sale at model train stuff.com, some as low as $49.
Darth Santa FeWalthers Trainline includes the cheaper engines like the GP9M and FA. Detail isn't great, but they are smooth runners.
You are correct, my pair of FAs are Trainline, not Mainline.
I have 3 of the Mainline SW-1s. They run well and fall in the "good enough" detail category. I also have a pair of the GP15-1s. I have not run them much (layout under construction).
Doesn't the Mainline locomotives also come with DCC / sound?
Have seen them listed both ways, with and without DCC/Sound.
I was given seven SD70ace locomotives as Christmas gifts last year and had to repair everyone of them. Handrails falling off and ditch lights seemed to be the most problematic, however they did run alright. I have. 2 ES44AC NS units on backorder since Jan. 6,2016 and the latest on delivery is Dec. 28,2017. I recently contacted Walthers to voice my dissatisfaction with a nearly 2 year delivery time on a regular DC only locomotive and received the usual line of corporate BS! Personally I have become disappointed with their products and now spend the extra for Athearn Genesis, Kato, or Intermountain locomotives. Too each there own and choose wisely!
EMDSD402 ES44AC NS units on backorder since Jan. 6,2016 and the latest on delivery is Dec. 28,2017.
I ordered a pair of INRD GP16s (intermountain) when they were announced in 2015, and they still are not here..
B&M gondolas still are not here (intermountain) but should be arriving this fall (not holding my breath)..
Personally I don't backorder anything. They wait until they get enough backorders to make another run (maybe)...no thanks. I'll shop around and find the items I want.
EMDSD40 now spend the extra for Athearn Genesis
Just wait until you get one were the details pop off due to insufficient adhesive...
EMDSD40Kato
Details cant pop off because you have to install them...this is a good thing in my mind..
EMDSD40Intermountain locomotives
1 of 3 SD40-2s had warped trucks (replaced for free in a timely manner...kudos to Intermountains excellent customer service).
EMDSD40Too each there own and choose wisely
Yep... its pretty much rolling the dice with buying model trains, kind of like buying a used car...
Some things are user fixable, some are not.
I have a GP9M, which is a Trainline model, and an older Alco RSC-3, originally a Proto-1000 engine. Both are light on details but they run very well and have been totally reliable. I've added decoders to both and sound to the RSC-3.
I think they're great engines. A bit of weathering greatly improves the somewhat shiny plastic and helps them look like working engines.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I have a threesome of the GP15s that I use in a lashup. ALL of my locomotives that come with 12-16 volt lights get constant/directional light kits from Miniatronics installed. I can just crack the throttle (DC controlled layout) and the locomotives will just sit with their lights shining brightly. As for their mechanicals, they are good, quiet runners, and they'll just creep along slowly without any jerking. I wish I had bought more of them when Walthers had them on sale for $39.99. Even though they have limited road numbers, they were easy enough to renumber with decals from Microscale.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
The GP9M was originally a Cox model that came out in the 70s
Walthers Mainline is a branding name that encompasses all (I believe) of their less-well detailed locomotives, some dating back several decades. The well detailed versions are the Proto line.
Because the Mainline brand is a collection of models that have been around a while, I'm not confident that they all have the same chassis design. The GP15 has the same motor and trucks as the proto line, but I'm not sure about older models like the GP9M.
Somebody mentioned the FM H10-44. Back in the day when this was a strictly DC loco, it had the reputation of running extremely smoothly and pulling a ton, owing to how heavy that loco is. A really nice switcher. Not sure if the chassis has been updated in newer releases.
- Douglas
I can agree with all the responses here. While not the best detail, they sure do run smooth. And in the rare case you do break/ get a dud/ it stops working its not an expensive loss. Not saying they dont last, they last as long as most other brands, but with a little work they look good and run well.
I've been buying Walthers on and off since the early 2000's. I've never had an issue with a mechanism, although the detail is certainly lacking at times. The SD70ACe ditch lights aren't so bright either.