I have a couple of Proto 2000 engines, a 2-8-4 and a 0-8-0 both are great running engines and I have no problems with them re: turnouts, etc. They are both without sound. I bought them both off e-bay for around $150 and $100 each. Otherwise just too expensive
The LHS has the same two engines in his display case market at around the $350 mark, he indicates that is because of the expense of bringing in these into Canada.
I would not have purchased th Proto's for more than what I paid, if forced to pay full price they are just too expensive. I noticed that most of those reporting back as to having the Protos have also mentioned by in large they purchased the units in most cases well below retail.
I also have a number of BLI which I have purchased from various Discount hobby shops such as Trainworld and have only ended up paying around $150 each and they are with sound.
No comparison, the BLI are just as good as the Proto and I also have a couple of Spectrum which I think are excellent buys, they are the 2-6-6-2's which in my opinion run just as good as the Proto or BLI units.
I have the 2-8-8-2 and the 0-8-0. Both were early runs. Cosmetically they are VERY nice. The Mallet is cosmetically nicer than my diecast/brass composite Powerhouse from Oriental (and manufactured by Samhongsa as a "poor man's brass substitute"), is beaten in looks only by the finest all-brass models. Running qualities also very good in terms of electrical pick-up and smoothness, but pulling power is only so-so - OK on the level but somewhat lacking on my 2% grades. Disassembling in order to add weight looks like a rather daunting task, I am looking for a deal on a second mallet and double-head.
Having said all that, these locomotives are not worth the full MSRP.
don7 wrote:I have a couple of Proto 2000 engines, the 2-8-4 and the 2-8-0, both are great running engines and I have no problems with them re: turnouts, etc.
Don,
Did you mean 0-8-0 instead of 2-8-0? The only 2-8-0 that I know of is the Bachmann Spectrum, which is a very nice locomotive.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage, you are correct,
I did mean the 0-8-0 switcher and not the 2-8-0.
You are correct about rhe Spectrum 2-8-0's as well as most of the other Spectrum models that they too are good runners. I am especially fond of the 2-6-6-2's I have they are excellent low speed runners. I recently obtained a Mantua 2-6-6-2 in the GN colours but have yet to even break it in properly.
Bottom Line, those Protos dont pull very good, Ive found it hard to pay 300-400 dollars retail plus tax for those things.
Having said that, I feel that the prices are coming down to better levels and the engines seem to be improving a little bit. I choose them carefully. Ive focused on steam and am getting ready to order the two QSI Proto GP7's I think in the Chessie which I HOPE... have gotten past the gear problem with this new run.
Safety Valve wrote: Bottom Line, those Protos dont pull very good, Ive found it hard to pay 300-400 dollars retail plus tax for those things.Having said that, I feel that the prices are coming down to better levels and the engines seem to be improving a little bit. I choose them carefully. Ive focused on steam and am getting ready to order the two QSI Proto GP7's I think in the Chessie which I HOPE... have gotten past the gear problem with this new run.
The early P2K without traction tires were useless for my money and I skipped all of them. However, the latest P2K Berkshires do have traction tires and pull well.
I am not a fan of traction tires, but they do allow the P2K models to pull decent trains now.
Cheers
CAZEPHYR wrote: Safety Valve wrote: Bottom Line, those Protos dont pull very good, Ive found it hard to pay 300-400 dollars retail plus tax for those things.Having said that, I feel that the prices are coming down to better levels and the engines seem to be improving a little bit. I choose them carefully. Ive focused on steam and am getting ready to order the two QSI Proto GP7's I think in the Chessie which I HOPE... have gotten past the gear problem with this new run. The early P2K without traction tires were useless for my money and I skipped all of them. However, the latest P2K Berkshires do have traction tires and pull well. I am not a fan of traction tires, but they do allow the P2K models to pull decent trains now. Cheers
I'd druther pull more than 8 or 9 cars on the 1% grade and traction tires is a small price to pay IMHO. Pretty hard to tell they are there unless you specifically look for them.
My
Joe
Proto 2000
Pro
Con
Having said all this, they are my favorite Steam and Diesel locomotives, although the Spectrum 2-8-0 has turned my head. I am waiting on my second one to be delivered.
My 2 cents
Regards,
Joe Daddy
joe-daddy wrote:Proto 2000Pro QSI's Standby and Shutdown are MUST haves for me!Detail is adequate for my eyes and taste
Joe,
Is there a "Pro" point 1 that you forgot to include, or did you add one line too many to your list?
Funny that Joe Daddy should mention one thing that has bugged me about my otherwise lovely 0-6-0, and that is the weakest link between the decoder and the motor afforded by that bizarre electrical coupling...that also acts like the drawbar! I have to give credit, it has worked 99% so far...I think I can attribute one electrical problem to the coupling actually splitting somewhat, but I was able to tighten it all and get the little, teensy-weensy plastic tabs to get ahold of their retainers again.
A really gutsy design move if you ask me.
P.S. - Tom, did you see the pm I sent a couple of days back?
-Crandell
selector wrote:Funny that Joe Daddy should mention one thing that has bugged me about my otherwise lovely 0-6-0, and that is the weakest link between the decoder and the motor afforded by that bizarre electrical coupling...that also acts like the drawbar! I have to give credit, it has worked 99% so far...I think I can attribute one electrical problem to the coupling actually splitting somewhat, but I was able to tighten it all and get the little, teensy-weensy plastic tabs to get ahold of their retainers again.A really gutsy design move if you ask me. P.S. - Tom, did you see the pm I sent a couple of days back?-Crandell
Crandall,
My 0-6-0 'electrical drawbar' separated and the locking tab on the lower side will not lock. Put more than one or two cars and it splits about every 15 minutes or so. Right now the engine is in its box while I am expanding my layout, it will get some work before it goes back into service.
Best regards,
selector wrote:P.S. - Tom, did you see the pm I sent a couple of days back?-Crandell
Crandell,
No. I just double-checked via the forum and don't see anything sent from you directly. When did you send it, Saturday?
tstage wrote: joe-daddy wrote:Proto 2000Pro QSI's Standby and Shutdown are MUST haves for me!Detail is adequate for my eyes and tasteJoe,Is there a "Pro" point 1 that you forgot to include, or did you add one line too many to your list?Tom
It was a typo, though I thought I had fixed it before I posted it. Should be gone now.
And thanks for pointing it out!