question about scale size of LGB and USA trains

i'm thinking about pre-ordering one of the new SD40-2 engines from USAtrains, but i wanted to make sure that they're pretty much the same scale to LGB. i MUST get my UP SD40-2 engine from USA cause that's the type of engine i like and LGB doesn't seem to make that type no more (ever since White Pass and company). let alone the fact that they didn't want to (just my own gripe ) make a UP engine.
ANYway, i was hoping to replace the couplers from the USA with the LGB knuckle couplers that i will be getting. i only have one pair as each LGB knuckle is $6 each!!
so will there be any problems pairing these 2 company's up?
thanks!

 

The USA Trains engine is 1:29 and LGB's engines are mostly 1:22.5.

Jim

 

ok none of this is sounding good!

being that usa trains is "narrow gauge" that means that they won't even fit on the LGB track?
looks like this engine is gonna hafta just sit in a case for show n' tell! wouldn't be a bad idea seeing as this is a VERY nice looking engine. that would also mean that i'd hafta buy a whole new line of cars and tracks to run the thing.
just in case none of you have seen it yet, here's the link
on the left side you'll see "new releases" and on that page you'll see the link for "SD40-2" click on that.
the only link that actually shows the model in all its glory is the conrail one. so click that and you'll see what the thing looks like. all the other road names are drawings.

[This message has been edited by george78 (edited 21 May 2000).]

 

yeah i KNOW!! my mouth dropped when i saw them!
i saw 4 UP's yesterday that was pulling nothing BUT those! it was cool. it was a very long set of cars as well. it was nice.
i called this one place that's about 90 miles away from here and they got 1 SD40-2 USA on display. i'm gonna be driving down there this week on my day off. i may even pre-order it. he said on pre-order the price of the engine is $209. the CHEAPEST i've seen on the net is $204 for them....so i don't know. i can either go over there and buy it myself or have it mail ordered to me. of course the mail order route is cheaper (204).

[This message has been edited by george78 (edited 27 May 2000).]

 

yeah, that's exactly what happened!

oh and regarding my topic up above? well, i finally saw the diff in "scale" of LGB and USA.
the scale of USA looked a tad better. i was at the local train store (ahem)"the train stop" in san dimas, CA(ahem) and he showed me 2 F7's(?). one that was just delivered from USA and the LGB version and the USA's body was perfectly aligned with the trucks <top to bottom> as opposed to LGB's which was like...hmm, how to describe it......ok there's the body, right? well, the trucks were INWARDS from the body rather than flush with the body. knowwhadimean? well, anyway, i thought that was cooler looking.
so i don't know. i might go to USA instead of going with LGB. thing is tho is that i've been with LGB for about 10 years now. way before i knew anything about different scales of things. now i'm older and wiser (22, yeah right :Þ) i can tell the difference.
i got so many LGB engines. i'll probably just keep em or end up selling them for money. nah, maybe not. i got the mallet 6 axel steam locomotive with the green siding on it rather than the NEW ones with sound that has just black all around. that was my FIRST LGB that i fell in love with. it's still my favorite. i don't think i'd be able to part with that one.
but i have 2 white pass engines. the 1 with sound and the other one w/o. those are probably ones i'd depart with.
<sigh> man, i said alot. sorry about that.

[This message has been edited by george78 (edited 28 May 2000).]

 

Hey Gang! The USA diesels are F-3's not 7's, FYI. The USA is the way to go, I have several, including SF warbonnet. As for price, I have seen pre-orders for the SD40-2 from dealers for 199.99. ( I have 6 on pre-order myself) Gonna get all the Thrall doublestacks to go with 'em, 'cause I have the undec 40-2's slated for KCS paint. Hey, I live in KC, whadda ya expect?