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Post by diburning on Oct 5, 2012 11:36:55 GMT -8
It seems that the new Walthers Proto 2000 GP60s are hitting the stores now. Did anyone get one?
I thought about getting one, but Walthers jacked the price up sky high and according to the description, only put in dummy ditch lights with lenses. (Looking at their photos of the NS model, it doesn't even look like they included that!)
Has anyone acquired one to see how it runs (they've regeared them to 14:1) and how it sounds? (They're using a Tsunami). I'd also like to see whether they actually put those dummy ditch lights in.
For $300 (or around $200 street price) for a model with sound I expect fully working ditch lights, and not dummies, so unless there's a fire sale on these, I probably won't get any.
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Post by fr8kar on Oct 5, 2012 12:13:29 GMT -8
Out of my era, so none for me. I agree with you about the price and lack of functioning ditch lights. There's no point in having non-operating ditch lights if you're going to operate the model at all, unless you're hostling power around the yard or something.
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Post by arandall70 on Oct 5, 2012 14:10:45 GMT -8
I completely agree about the ditch lights. GP60's are some of my favorite locomotives, and I would love to have one or more NS horsehead units to go with my two other Proto units, but not at that price. I could add another Gevo or M-2 for that price, and have the ditch lights on both ends and sound.
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Post by riogrande on Oct 5, 2012 15:57:15 GMT -8
The GP60's are barely in my era, my cut off is 1990/91 latest but I do have one of the original Proto 2000 D&RGW GP60's; only 1.
The cost of the new GP60's is so high that I can't justify anymore, esp as they are marginal to my needs. I would be interested to see how these Walthers P2K turn out.
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Post by atsfan on Oct 5, 2012 18:09:45 GMT -8
No way. Walters jacked up the price and cut the discount.
I have plenty from the Proto days.
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Post by catt on Oct 5, 2012 18:20:12 GMT -8
I would like to get a couple to run at club,but not for those prices.I will just stick with my Athearn blueboxes (no not the GP60s).
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Post by johndmock on Oct 5, 2012 20:56:46 GMT -8
Sorry, my cutoff date for motive power is November 25, 1979--the day Conrail shut down the last 4 axle Alco's.
I once owned the previous P2K GP60's, and I'm sure these will be worth the investment, even though not cheap.
I love the P2K RS-27's.
John
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Post by drolsen on Oct 5, 2012 21:43:40 GMT -8
I'm definitely glad that I don't need any GP60s, modeling CSX in the '90s. I have one undecorated model from the original P2K run that I bought cheap on eBay and will turn into an NS unit eventually, just because I like them.
Dave
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unit
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Post by unit on Oct 5, 2012 22:20:59 GMT -8
The pictures of these things on the Walthers website are shockingly bad. Take a look at the NS version: www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/920-48805The handrails look like they are being viewed on the new Apple maps app. Seriously, who could take a picture like that and think it is ok to publish anywhere? |
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Post by diburning on Oct 6, 2012 0:06:09 GMT -8
The other road number doesn't look too good either.  Looks like the handrails are shot! It also looks like they forgot the coupler pockets on BOTH of them! (look at the front pilot) |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2012 3:41:15 GMT -8
The other road number doesn't look too good either. Looks like the handrails are shot! It also looks like they forgot the coupler pockets on BOTH of them! (look at the front pilot) All the models regardless of road name with an actual picture look horrible! Some are worse than the NS model. To defend Walthers, these may be pre-production models in the photos. We've all seen how, Athearn is infamous for posting pictures of sample models that are so beat up its embarrassing. Maybe Walthers followed suit? I checked M.B. Klein's site and they dont' list the GP60's. Maybe they just hit the shores and the stores don't have their stock yet. |
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Post by theengineshed on Oct 6, 2012 5:22:12 GMT -8
I checked M.B. Klein's site and they dont' list the GP60's. Maybe they just hit the shores and the stores don't have their stock yet. MBK may not have them but some merchants do. They are already on ebay. |
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Post by SantaFeJim on Oct 6, 2012 6:39:52 GMT -8
I think I'll wait for Atlas to make the GP-60's.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2012 8:01:47 GMT -8
I think I'll wait for Atlas to make the GP-60's. Atlas make a new product?   Even on just new schemes on existing models, Atlas has been moving like a thundering herd of tortoises........  |
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Post by nw611 on Oct 6, 2012 8:56:35 GMT -8
Atlas just announced a new run of C-424/425s, now also with ESU Loksound. Another new model is the GARX 50' Reefer (a former Branchline model, I believe). Ciao. Raffaele
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Post by shoofly on Oct 6, 2012 9:18:52 GMT -8
The other road number doesn't look too good either. Looks like the handrails are shot! It also looks like they forgot the coupler pockets on BOTH of them! (look at the front pilot) Not to mention they put the sideframes on backwards, sanders should be between the stepwells and the end of the truck not between the tank and trucks Oops! Just makes you wanna give them $300 doesnt it  |
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Post by atsfan on Oct 7, 2012 9:05:04 GMT -8
I think I'll wait for Atlas to make the GP-60's. Atlas has not nor will be spending that kind of money any time soon. Just repaints and reissues. |
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Post by drolsen on Oct 7, 2012 9:10:02 GMT -8
I know it's wishful thinking, but I'd love to see Atlas venture into the Dash 9-44CW / AC4400CW series as a follow-on to their Dash 8s. Despite the issues with the models in the photos, the P2K / Walthers GP60 is a nice model and doesn't need to be redone, in my opinion.
Dave
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Post by nw611 on Oct 7, 2012 10:51:56 GMT -8
Recently Atlas announced new runs of its Alco locomotives (RS-3 and C-424/425) with ESU LokSound. Probably its next announcement will be the RS-11 with sound. I think Atlas' best bet would be making U33/36C/C30/36-7 and U33/36B/B36-7, utilizing the 6 axle and 4 axle GE chassis already in house. Ciao. Raffaele
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Post by middledivision on Oct 7, 2012 13:42:49 GMT -8
I know it's wishful thinking, but I'd love to see Atlas venture into the Dash 9-44CW / AC4400CW series as a follow-on to their Dash 8s. Despite the issues with the models in the photos, the P2K / Walthers GP60 is a nice model and doesn't need to be redone, in my opinion. Dave Not with Athearn and Kato already offering them. |
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Post by arandall70 on Oct 7, 2012 14:08:07 GMT -8
I know it's wishful thinking, but I'd love to see Atlas venture into the Dash 9-44CW / AC4400CW series as a follow-on to their Dash 8s. Despite the issues with the models in the photos, the P2K / Walthers GP60 is a nice model and doesn't need to be redone, in my opinion. Dave That would be great, I would instantly replace the Athearn CSX AC44 and NS Dash-9 units I have. The 1990's GE's are kind of hole(at least for those us in the east). We have high quality units of the 80's Dash-8 and SD50/60 lines, most of the 1990s/early 2000 EMD SD70 series as well as the current Evolution Series and SD70ACe/M-2. The Kato Dash-9 and AC44 units are nice, but their limited variety of road names so far(mostly BNSF/UP/SP, not my cup of tea) have kept me from buying any. I would agree that there is no one willing to make them because they are already out there; but in the last year, IM has brought out another SD40-2, and Athearn is stepping up to replace their own GP38-2 model, so who knows... |
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Post by wsor on Oct 8, 2012 12:23:46 GMT -8
Not to mention they put the sideframes on backwards, sanders should be between the stepwells and the end of the truck not between the tank and trucks Oops! Just makes you wanna give them $300 doesnt it I think the sand lines to the inboard ends is correct. There are also sand lines on the outboard ends of the trucks, hidden by the step wells. Need to have sand getting to the wheels so it can pull. If the engineer didn't lay down sand when getting close, not having the inboard sand lines means the second truck doesn't have sand, and getting going might be a challenge. |
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Post by atsfan on Oct 8, 2012 12:48:05 GMT -8
I know it's wishful thinking, but I'd love to see Atlas venture into the Dash 9-44CW / AC4400CW series as a follow-on to their Dash 8s. Despite the issues with the models in the photos, the P2K / Walthers GP60 is a nice model and doesn't need to be redone, in my opinion. Dave I think this is a tad beyond the wishful stage..............  |
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Post by middledivision on Oct 8, 2012 19:58:27 GMT -8
I know it's wishful thinking, but I'd love to see Atlas venture into the Dash 9-44CW / AC4400CW series as a follow-on to their Dash 8s. Despite the issues with the models in the photos, the P2K / Walthers GP60 is a nice model and doesn't need to be redone, in my opinion. Dave That would be great, I would instantly replace the Athearn CSX AC44 and NS Dash-9 units I have. The 1990's GE's are kind of hole(at least for those us in the east). We have high quality units of the 80's Dash-8 and SD50/60 lines, most of the 1990s/early 2000 EMD SD70 series as well as the current Evolution Series and SD70ACe/M-2. The Kato Dash-9 and AC44 units are nice, but their limited variety of road names so far(mostly BNSF/UP/SP, not my cup of tea) have kept me from buying any. I would agree that there is no one willing to make them because they are already out there; but in the last year, IM has brought out another SD40-2, and Athearn is stepping up to replace their own GP38-2 model, so who knows... I'm with you, Anthony. I would buy a half dozen NS units if Atlas made them. The newer Kato Dash 9 with deck mounted ditch-lights was promising but I read that the walkway mold was dropped and broken at the factory! |
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wsor
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The Route of the Ruptured Duck
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Post by wsor on Oct 9, 2012 11:40:44 GMT -8
Time to correct myself. The GP60s may have been built with sand lines to the inboard part of the trucks, but probably haven't retained them over the years.   The inboard lines on the model may or may not be correct. I guess Walthers was afraid of selling too many in the SP scheme to offer it on this run. |
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Post by drolsen on Oct 10, 2012 8:19:22 GMT -8
That would be great, I would instantly replace the Athearn CSX AC44 and NS Dash-9 units I have. The 1990's GE's are kind of hole(at least for those us in the east). We have high quality units of the 80's Dash-8 and SD50/60 lines, most of the 1990s/early 2000 EMD SD70 series as well as the current Evolution Series and SD70ACe/M-2. The Kato Dash-9 and AC44 units are nice, but their limited variety of road names so far(mostly BNSF/UP/SP, not my cup of tea) have kept me from buying any. I would agree that there is no one willing to make them because they are already out there; but in the last year, IM has brought out another SD40-2, and Athearn is stepping up to replace their own GP38-2 model, so who knows... I think when you place an Atlas CW40-8 next to an Athearn CW44AC, you immediately see a difference in the level of detail that would, in my opinion, justify new version of the CW44AC and Dash 9. Things like the separate door on the front of the cab, the underbody details, and the radiator grills really look great on the Atlas models. The different variations that Atlas is willing to offer in body and cab details is great too. I know in the current state of things, we're not likely to see Atlas invest in such a big project, but I hope someone will offer better models of those GEs eventually. Dave |
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Post by buffalobill on Oct 10, 2012 14:39:00 GMT -8
Dave: I agree with you that the Atlas model is at a different level than the Athearn units in a number of ways. Not so sure I would say the same with the Kato units. Now with Kato appearing to be interested in sell to the HO market again, I think we will see more runs of both the Dash-9's and the AC's, and modification of the die work to accommodate different versions of each. No so sure as a manufacturer, that I would want to compete with existing high quality die work. But then again both of us are self professed 5% er's, that will go for what is new, irrespective of whats all ready out there. Not so sure you can say that of everyone.
Bill
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Post by drolsen on Oct 10, 2012 20:31:33 GMT -8
Dave: I agree with you that the Atlas model is at a different level than the Athearn units in a number of ways. Not so sure I would say the same with the Kato units. Now with Kato appearing to be interested in sell to the HO market again, I think we will see more runs of both the Dash-9's and the AC's, and modification of the die work to accommodate different versions of each. Bill - If Kato produced a version of their AC4400CW with three dynamic brake vents, I'll commit to their model for my CSX fleet. I think I've mentioned this before, but I'm sure they originally planned to offer that version, since they did it in N scale, but I'm guessing their waning interest in HO a couple years ago put that project on hold. I think the detail on Kato's AC body shell is great, and I can add additional details if I want to. I'd just prefer to start with a correct basic hood and cab. I like how they tooled several different cab variations, including the doors / vents below the cab side windows, so hopefully they'll produce the correct one for CSX. I need a bunch of CW44ACs for my CSX fleet, so it will be costly, but I'd be happy with a Kato model. Dave |
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Post by buffalobill on Oct 11, 2012 17:59:17 GMT -8
Dave: Hopefully with Kato's current HO Renaissance we will see more versions of this unit, I only have 4 Kato AC's, 2 UP and 2 BNSF. I would be in for more if the accurate models of different versions became available. I could not have imagined that Atlas would try to compete against two other manufacturers on these two units, particularly with the others having the existing investments in place. But as today's Bachmann announcement proves, never say never. I did not think anyone else would jump in with two new models each competing against two currently available or announced products. But with Bachmann, I think its a price point thing. They are not really going to try to compete against the high end models.
Bill
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Post by Donnell Wells on Oct 12, 2012 9:29:23 GMT -8
EMD Demonstrator, ATSF, and NS units had sand hoses/nozzles on both ends of the trucks. SP/UP, DRW, TM di not. At least in all of the photos I've seen...
I had a chance to see these up close and personal last week and...I'll stick with my pre-Walthers Protos.
Walthers has revised the truck design, and they look...well...overly bulky. The underframe detail is not good, the Q-fans utilized poorly rendered (and flat) grille etchings, and there's something wierd going on with the front handrail (probably a packing issue). I didn't have a chance to run it, but I will try again today.
Is it worth the $200-$300 price tag. Not even close. $80 tops.
Donnell
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