I saw on MB Klein's website Walthers Trainline locomotives with DCC/Sound relatively inexpensive. What are the pros and cons of these models?
Minus side first ,they have less detail (no free standing grabs) .
On the Plus side they use the same drive as the Proto Walthers units Handrail look decent,paint looks good (from the photos).Plus you can get a decent sound and DCC set up for less than $200.00.
I don't own any yet,because for the moment I don't have a HO layout to run them on.
For the record, that is Walthers Mainline, not Walthers Trainline.
The Trainline series does not have factory DCC or sound.
The Mainline series offers factory equipped DCC with sound, a Soundtraxx decoder.
Rich
Alton Junction
Mainline is effectively the old Proto 1000 series. Less detail than the Proto 2000 series, but mostly the same drives.
Trainline locos are older shells with updated drives - though 'updated' can mean 20 years old. Ihave a few of the Trainline FA's - bought when I saw them on eBay and happened to also read the review in MR, which said out of the box they ran at .5smph on pure DC. In this case, the loco is the old Train Miniature shell from the late 60's or so, with a mid 90's drive using an enclosed can motor. The shell lacks any added on detail, but they do run great. No DCC plug, but everything was wired, not connected to the frame or anything, so installing a decoder was easy. This is one of the older Trainline models, there are newer ones that follow the same basic concept - shells with modled on details that are somewhat crude by today's state of the art, with decent drivetrains, for a low price. Add some freestanding grabs and other details, and you have a nice model.
--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 have one of the Trainline GP9M diesels. The shell was made by Cox in the late 60's/early 70's, and was based on the too wide Athearn GP7. However, it's an excellent runner. Very smooth, quiet, and powerful.
The Trainline F40PH and 8-40B are newer tooling and look pretty nice. All they need is a few more detail parts to look great.
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I also own a Trainline GP9M and I am very satisfied with it. The details are okay and it runs great. Walthers did offer it with DCC installed but I think they stopped making them for now (modeltrainstuff.com has a couple left). From what I have read, the Mainline F40 is the Trainline F40 with grab irons added and has a DCC version is also being offered.
Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA