Hello , I am in the process of building my first layout ( HO ) , and I plan on modeling the New Haven .... I just purchased a Stewart U25B ( Stewart Drive ) , and I am looking at some engines in the proto 2000 series ( I will probably purchase online , as I can't get out much )... How would you people rate the Proto 2000 series as far as reliability and detail ? Does anyone know if Proto 2000 made a PA-1 in the Orange , White and Black NH scheme ? Does anyone have any advice where I can find some good quality , nicely detailed NH engines ONLINE , in the $100 price range , in NH colors ( preferably the Alpert scheme , Orange , White and Black ) ?? Any advice on which manufacturers ( and dealers ) I should look for , and which ones to stay away from ? Thanks in advance for your help in pointing a newbie in the right direction !!! Bryan.
Posted by Chuck Walsh (Member # 677) on :
Both the Lifelike series 1000 & 2000 are good performers. The big difference is in the details. The 1000 is a one piece shell where as 2000 has many details, operating doors, crew members,metal handrails and a much better paint job. Both series carry a limited lifetime warranty.Other manufacturers carry 60-90 day warranty. I have four sets of the 1000, F3 A-B, three of the E7,2000 series and three of the PA,2000 series. All are very good performers. In comparison they are in back of Atlas-Kato, but a lot cheaper. Standard hobby,www.standardhobby.com and trainworld, www.trainworld.com both advertise in MR and generally sell 25% off MSP plus shipping. You can also pull up www.lifelikeproducts.com but I don't believe they came in NH roadname. Also www.athearn.com did make some PAs but don't know about the NH road name. That's it from my side of the tracks.
[This message has been edited by Chuck Walsh (edited 12-27-2002).]
Posted by NewHavenFan (Member # 2150) on :
Thanks , Chuck !! Your comments and advice are GREATLY appreciated because as I said , I can't get out much , so I will most likely purchase online... I was VERY happy with the U25B you recommended from Standard Hobby , and I am looking to add to my NH Loco fleet !! Thanks again , Bryan.
Posted by Challenger (Member # 1298) on :
My ranking of locomomotive manufactures in according to performance and detail.
1. Proto 2000/1000. Very smooth running units. Very nice detail and lots of extra parts to configure each locomotive to match its real life counter part. DCC Ready
2. Athearn Genisis. Same as above. But come factory assembled. DCC Ready
3. Atlas. Very smooth running gear and molding. All engineering done in Austria by ROCO. Some models sub-contracted to KATO. Very nice painting and detailing. All models produced since 94 DCC Ready. As of 2001 DCC equiped.
4. Spectrum. Very nice smooth running locomotives. Constantly upgrades line so a ready comparison is not easily given. Though consisitanly has smooth running and good detailing. Their steamers are the best in the Business. DCC ready
5. Kato. Best running mechinisms in the business. But I have yet to see a decent paint job come from these people. My ultimate locomotive would be a Kato Drive with a Proto 2000 shell DCC ready
6. Walthers Trainline. Smooth running locomotive with nice paint and detail. Ready to run. Engineered for Walthers by ROCO of Austria, and produced at Walthers plant in China under ROCO supervision. Not DCC ready but upgrading to is is easily achived.
7. Athearn. Nice running locomotive with a rugged drive train and study instillation. My #1 reccomenation for beginners. Nice detail and paint. Not DCC ready and conversion can be tricky of your not cafeful. Best bargain for Detail, performance, and price.
I would also like to metnion the offerings by Stewart and Intermountain. I here these are also quality brands but I have no first hand experince from which I can verify these claims.
As for a New Haven PA. if you cant find one factory painted, I run a small custom paint shop which I would be happy to do one for you. However I have a considerabla back log of projects at the present time so you will have to wait about a year before I can get to yours. My website is http://w3.trib.com/~mrljim
Posted by NewHavenFan (Member # 2150) on :
Thanks , Challenger , VERY informative !! I wanted to ask someone to rank them ( in THEIR opinion , of course ) but I thought I may be asking TOO much ... Thanks a bunch ( and I do realize others opinions may vary slightly , but you seem to have a LOT of first hand knowledge !! ) ... Yes , I probably will be contacting you about doing some custom painting for me , Thanks again , Bryan.
Posted by richarddschivley (Member # 274) on :
Friends... In reading over all the comments here, one thing you forgot to say about the Proto 2000 series.....POWERFUL! Very Powerful!! One unit can pull an amazing number of cars!!! The Proto 1000's are also, very powerful, for their size. I usually run a A/B/B/A set or, A/B/A set of Proto 1000's. These units have tremendous pulling power, coupled together. And when I run any combination of Proto 2000's together....they too, have awesome tractive power! I like the weight and feel of the Proto lines! HAPPY NEW YEAR! ...Richard
Posted by NewHavenFan (Member # 2150) on :
Oh BTW , I saw a PAIR of Proto 2000 New Haven PA-1's ( with the orange , black and white paint scheme ) on E-Bay for $160 plus $12 shipping ... Seller claims they are new... I asked if this was a custom paint job ( they looked nice in the pic ) , and he did not respond before auction ended... I looked on the Life-Like site and looked up the PA-1's , but ONLY saw the NH's in the green and gold paint scheme.. Not the orange , black and white like I want... This would suggest a custom paint job if they are not listed on the Life-Like site , correct ( or are there some models made in the past NOT listed ) ?? Does that sound like a decent price for a SET of PA-1's ( even though I really only want one , maybe I can sell the other ) ... Thanks for the opinions !! Bryan.
Posted by Challenger (Member # 1298) on :
$160.00 for 2 Proto 2000 PAs is a nice bargain. When in production they listed at $135.00 a piece. As for wheather or not it is a custom painting job I can not tell you for sure. All but the most recent proto 2000 models have had several runs. The variation in numbers and paint scemes offering is staggaring. So much has been produced by Life-Like that I doubt any one, even Life-Like (The makers of the Proto 2000 Line) even has a complete list.
Their PAs are a bit tricky to install decoders in because they had a sub batch that used higher than normal amperage motors. This usually ment a decoder rated for G scale put in an HO loco. With all that weight inside of a PA it was usually put in the dummy B unit for which there was more than eneugh room.
If the fact that the PA is not in production right now is scaring you a little, dont fret. Life-Like has been running new runs on their locomotives about every 5 years now. THe last run for PAs was about 4 years ago, meaning that the PA should be do for another run here in the next year or so.
Posted by Chuck Walsh (Member # 677) on :
Challenger, that's an excellent comparison & evaluation. And Richard, my Proto 2000 E7 weighs in at 24 oz and is the fastest loco I own, 40 feet in 20 seconds. That may compute to 120MPH.
Posted by NewHavenFan (Member # 2150) on :
Hi Guys ! I ended up picking up the PAIR of powered NH PA-1's for $140 with shipping... The auction ended and he got no bids for $159 with $13 shipping , so I contacted him , and after a bit of haggling , we agreed on $140 for the pair , total... Question , where PA-1's used primarily ( or ONLY ) for passenger service , on the NH or other roads , or were they used to haul freight also ?
Posted by Challenger (Member # 1298) on :
Here is where the New Haven specifics begin to fail me. I am actually a BNSF fan so I dont know much New Haven per'se out side of what gets published in the model magazines on a regular basis.
However PAs in general were used initially on First class passenger assignments. However their lack of relaibility made them Second fiddle to EMDs E units and were bumped to secondary trains in short order.
As for PAs in Freight service, I can tell you that it probably happened, but not that often. During off peak passenger times, extra passenger locomotives such as PAs could often be found in freight service. However they never ventured very far from Home terminal so that first thing when needed again they could go back out and haul varnish.
Keep in mind this is in general instances. For New Haven Specific examples. Some research is in Order. I would check the february Model Railroader and get the Address of the New Haven Historical Society and ask them a few Questions.
Posted by NewHavenFan (Member # 2150) on :
Thanks Challenger ! Looks like I will have to do some research as you mentioned... I have always been a history buff , and now my NEW hobby of model railroading will lead me to explore some more history as well !! I can see this is going to be a very interesting hobby !!!
Posted by Challenger (Member # 1298) on :
You will find that you will have the opprotunity to explore many sub-hobbies that are held within the context of Model Railroading.
Just a little of the few specialties model railroading allows you to explore.
As you already brought up, History.
Model Airplanes. (The sky is full of Airplanes in the real world. They can be on your model railroad to. 1/72 scale model airplanes are a good visual match when in in-flgiht poses Walthers and Roco offer some exact HO scale airplanes for an airport scene.)
Model Cars. (Got to fill those Auto Racks some how)
Matchbox Car Collectiong. (Matchbox are actually 1/85 scale while HO is 1/87. But the discrepincy in scale is minor. Also see above statement)
Civil Engineering (You can have alot of fun building bridges in model railroading)
Agriculture, Forestry and Geology. (Research areas for Scenery)
Electricity. (Unless you have a freind that is an electrcian, you will have to learn alot of electrician skills)
Steam Mechanics. (This is really useful in the large scales where live steam is practical. But in the smaller scales it will help you understand what goes where and why on a steam locomotive.)
Sociology. (You need to pose your figures in situations that make sense)
I could go on if I want to think about it, But I think I made my point. You will soon find that Model Railroading is a social hobby. Chat rooms and forums as you have already found out are very useful mediums. One chat room I suggest is the sister site to this forum, www.railchat.com. Me and a group of hardcore railroad enthuusiest are there nearly every evening from about 8:30 to midnight Mountain Time. Most of us are also model railroaders. We would be thrilled to have you. My username there is also Challenger. I wish you good sucess in you newly found hobby.
Posted by NewHavenFan (Member # 2150) on :
Great Challenger !! I will check out the other site as well !! I want to let you know , that I may be out of circulation for a bit due to a DUI when I go to court Monday ( the 6th ) ... I decided to get into this hobby as I have NOT had a drink in like 3 months since my second DUI arrest .. I figure the money I have been saving by not drinking , I am using to build my layout and collection of NH locomotives and rolling stock !! You will see me until Monday , after that , who knows ? But , if I am out of touch for a bit , look for me as soon as I get back , as I intend to keep going with this hobby , as I am getting too old ( and wise , FINALLY ) for all that bar-hopping crap !!
Posted by Challenger (Member # 1298) on :
I understand. We all have our own problems we all have to deal with. I have had my fair share, I know. Thats another nice thing about model railroaing. Alot of the distractions that people get into today, like drugs and your afore mentioned boozing, are nothing but self serving and destructive. Model Railroading is a constructive hobby that at least on my part leavs me with a sense of accomplishment and pride with the knowledge, "I built that."
I has said this before and I will again. Welcome to Model Railroading.
James.
Posted by NewHavenFan (Member # 2150) on :
Hey James... I tried registering with Railchat , but I keep getting an error message.. Any idea of what I may be doing wrong ? Thanks , Bryan.
Posted by Challenger (Member # 1298) on :
System is on the frits.
I couldnt get in iether. Talking with other members in IM, they are having the same problem. I suspect that it will be back up tomorrow morning. I will try to be there tonmorrow evening, but my family and I are starting to have a go round over the computer so I cant garuntee if I will be in over the next week. However, Several other knowledgable people do show up and I am sure you will enjoy myself with out my presence. However I would like to be there to introduce you to the group if I can make it. We will see.
James.
Posted by NewHavenFan (Member # 2150) on :
Well , we'll talk here tomorrow afternoon , and you can let me know what time ( EST ) you will be on over at Railfan , and we'll take it from there... Did you check out my other post on THIS forum tonight ? Talk to ya' later , and I hope you ( have ?? , not sure what time it is where you are ) a Happy New Year !! Bryan.
Posted by Challenger (Member # 1298) on :
Happy New Year to you to!
I will try to be in railchat at around 10:30 p.m. Your time.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!