Yesterday I picked up a LifeLike GP20. It's in a BN paint scheme, but I plan on repainting it (& mayge even deturbocharging it) for my new railroad. It's a tad noisy as compared to Kato or Atlas, but I'm impressed with the detail and paint job. Anybody have any experience with the LL diesels (and let's not turn this into a flamewar )?
I have 4 Lifelike GP20's and I run them probably more than any other locomotive on my layout. I have had no problem with them other than have to clean them but thatis just normal maintenance. All my 4 have been weathered (Thanks GATS). Here are a couple of photos of my Geeps You may also want to check my weathering page which features weathering my GP20's GP20 weathering
For the money, I reckon you can't go past the GP20's for everyday use. The SP unit in Paul's top photo of is a de-turboed unit. A simple job, since you are repainting anyway, using Sunrise Enterprises parts. Give me a yell if you need details of how I went about it. Gary.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>have to clean them <hr></blockquote> Now thats an understatment for UP#486... [ 12 November 2001: Message edited by: Benny ]</p>
Last year, I bought a pair of LL Santa Fe GP-38s (one powered and one dummy) with matching caboose for $25. They are on long-term loan to my club and have run great at two open houses. I walked out of the hobby store thinking I has a bargain and found I had also gotten value. They are my first LL locos and I got more than I expected. Ray
For the money LL is a great value, low price, run great, and best of all- AVAILABLE. I have several of the newer models and they are some of the best runners I have. SD7/9, GP-18, GP-20 and SW-9. Even some of the older units run OK too. If your squemish about taking a knife or brush to a more expensive Kato or Atlas, you can work on a LL with less fear of being out major $$$ if it goes wrong.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ajb: If your squemish about taking a knife or brush to a more expensive Kato or Atlas, you can work on a LL with less fear of being out major $$$ if it goes wrong.<hr></blockquote> In this case, Atlas is the best to work with. At least you can get most bodies complete from them and use these as practice runs for your final run. Gary.
Personally, LL is my favorite. The price is right, and I like the slow speed operation. The GP20 and SW1200 switch well, which is a big thing for me. I don't mind the trade off in more noise to accomplish that. I was disappointed that the change Atlas made in it's recent engines didn't address slow speed operation in that manor. I'm also a fan of the underdog I guess... I don't like the way Kato makes you jump through hoops to buy their stuff. This is my de-turbo'd GP20 for my fictional SP&S RR. I plan on doing more. I used all Sunrise parts to do it, including the air filter box where the turbo stack was, and the short exhaust stacks by the DB housing. The terminal RR in Tacoma has units similar to this. The key to using pewter parts, is FILE FILE FILE... The exhaust stacks are way too big the way they come... I filed the bottoms way down. I also filed the air box down flat on all sides, plus worked the corner curve where it attaches over the roof to make a good connection. I just wish they would come out with a MP15. Dave Los Angeles, CA -Rail Radio Online - Home of the "TrainTenna" Rail Radio Monitoring Antenna- http://eje.railfan.net/railradioonline ---------------------------------------------------------- -The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Photo Archive & E-Mail List- http://eje.railfan.net ---------------------------------------------------------- -The Ashley, Drew & Northern Railfan Page- http://eje.railfan.net/adn ---------------------------------------------------------- -Southern California Trains- http://eje.railfan.net/socal ----------------------------------------------------------
Thanks... I like that rear headlight mod on Paul's SP unit... One of mine might have to be an ex SP. Dave D. Los Angeles, CA -Rail Radio Online - Home of the "TrainTenna" Rail Radio Monitoring Antenna- http://eje.railfan.net/railradioonline ---------------------------------------------------------- -The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Photo Archive & E-Mail List- http://eje.railfan.net ---------------------------------------------------------- -The Ashley, Drew & Northern Railfan Page- http://eje.railfan.net/adn ---------------------------------------------------------- -Southern California Trains- http://eje.railfan.net/socal ----------------------------------------------------------
Nice diesels! The GP20 I bought is in BN colors, but I've been considering modifying it to a GP20M (deturboed) for a freelance shortline. Where do you get the detail parts, and will PollyS ELO work to strip off the paint?
I have a pair of F40-PH's that run pretty good for a loco that has no flywheels. Run in pairs, they work great. I also have 3 E-6's that really do run good and smooth. My only complaint about lifelike locos is that their wheels seem to be coated or made of something that easily picks up dirt of the track. I have to clean the wheels 3 times as often as Atlas or Kato's. I have more than once wondered if the wheels could be polished for better electrical pickup and less dirt adhesion.
I love LL's, especially the GP38's. Here are two of my own. The one on the left I converted to High-hood - an easy and "fearless" conversion considering the price paid for them. Russ Hoffman Valley RR
Thanks... Not yet, but they will be. I have two more undec GP20s, two SW1200s, and an EV caboose waiting in the SP&S shops to be rebuilt. The shop supervisor has been a little busy lately though. I also have an EJ&E switcher or two that will probably pop up on the RR to work as lease units. Dave Los Angeles, CA -Rail Radio Online - Home of the "TrainTenna" Rail Radio Monitoring Antenna- http://eje.railfan.net/railradioonline ---------------------------------------------------------- -The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Photo Archive & E-Mail List- http://eje.railfan.net ---------------------------------------------------------- -The Ashley, Drew & Northern Railfan Page- http://eje.railfan.net/adn ---------------------------------------------------------- -Southern California Trains- http://eje.railfan.net/socal ----------------------------------------------------------
I second the compliments about these engines. My first engine, a CRI&P GP18 runs very well, I also have a NYC E7, a C&NW E8 A/B set and a CRI&P E9 A/B set that work very well. The price is right, they are a noisier than Atlas, but I have a sound machine that covers all that, and they run well.
Lifelike locos are a good deal for the money. They tend to excessivly grease the worms, the modeler should clean this up when he gets a new lifelike. I wish they would get their head out of you know where and make some modern power.
Are the GP 38's on par with the newer locos?I heard they were hit and miss on running quality,but I know the newer stuff is great.I almost bought a GP 20,but am trying to buy only models of modern power for my UP layout.Does anyone else have trouble with the pick up springs on the SD 12's?mine seem to lose contact often?
