|
Post by roadkill on Jul 13, 2018 5:37:35 GMT -8
Once you've worked with a Broadway Limited E8/9, you'll never look at another Proto E8/9 again. But to be fair to Proto from the start with Life-Like at least they got the 36" cooling fans sized correctly. There is no ultimate E-unit yet. Proto is still second and BLI is barely first. But, BLI got the nose and roof pretty good which catches your eye before the fan issue. To be really anal you do a John Tyson and merge the Highliner nose and rear to the BLI unit and replace the fans with Cannon. You use the winterization hatches from a Proto E8. The problem with this solution is it gets expensive fast, since Highliner shells are now the new gold standard for price and rarity. Someday when I get a decent camera I'll post some pics of my Highliner/BLI genetically reengineered E8 soon to be Amtrak 448, it was kind of fussy to build but worth it IMHO. Plan on building one more as B&O 1443 in the blue/grey post merger scheme, then I'm done with E's.
|
|
|
Post by antoniofp45 on Jul 13, 2018 11:45:32 GMT -8
Once you've worked with a Broadway Limited E8/9, you'll never look at another Proto E8/9 again. BLI's new Paragon-3 E's are sharp looking works of art. I'd enjoy painting / decaling one into SCL, but the $290-$300+ range is beyond my budget capacity. www.broadway-limited.com/5442emde8a-unitunpainteddualheadlightparagon3sounddcdccho.aspx The Walthers Proto E-units are also in a similar price range. No undecs offered. So true, once I saw some of the construction photos and effort required to make a good E8, I sold my Proto models. The E8 isn’t a “must have” for my roster, so I can wait for someone like Rapido to step up and do it right. That being said, I have much appreciation and respect for the design and operation of Proto models. They were and still are a good choice for someone looking for detailed models at a reasonable cost. Yep, I have 12 LL P2K E-units in excellent condition, so I'm in the "Dude, you gotta work with whatcha-got!" situation, LOL . I can't complain as I bought them, new-in-the-box, at the "blow out" price range. The cheapest one was $39 and the most expensive (E6 A & B pair) was $80-something. But I'm certain that I will eventually get one or two BLI or Walthers units (preferably E7A's).
|
|
|
Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Jul 13, 2018 15:21:20 GMT -8
Looking at the BLI photo of an undecorated unit, I forgot another face plant by BLI on its E8/9. The nose door headlight is clown car hideous. The number boards are also "off".
Proto's early E8/9 had the bizarre lattice behind the intake grilles. Later corrected when the E8/9B was released. Then Proto had a pretty accurate rendition of what an E looks like under the grilles. BLI has the right ribs under the grilles, but it is solid with no radiator shutters, etc..
|
|
|
Post by antoniofp45 on Jul 13, 2018 15:54:58 GMT -8
Wow, good eyes! www.broadway-limited.com/5442emde8a-unitunpainteddualheadlightparagon3sounddcdccho.aspxBut I could live with that headlight ring, especially since my targeted paint scheme will be black: www.railpictures.net/photo/567890/Looking at the BLI photo of an undecorated unit, I forgot another face plant by BLI on its E8/9. The nose door headlight is clown car hideous. The number boards are also "off". Proto's early E8/9 had the bizarre lattice behind the intake grilles. Later corrected when the E8/9B was released. Then Proto had a pretty accurate rendition of what an E looks like under the grilles. BLI has the right ribs under the grilles, but it is solid with no radiator shutters, etc..
|
|
|
Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Jul 13, 2018 17:29:55 GMT -8
Wow, good eyes! www.broadway-limited.com/5442emde8a-unitunpainteddualheadlightparagon3sounddcdccho.aspxBut I could live with that headlight ring, especially since my targeted paint scheme will be black: www.railpictures.net/photo/567890/Looking at the BLI photo of an undecorated unit, I forgot another face plant by BLI on its E8/9. The nose door headlight is clown car hideous. The number boards are also "off". Proto's early E8/9 had the bizarre lattice behind the intake grilles. Later corrected when the E8/9B was released. Then Proto had a pretty accurate rendition of what an E looks like under the grilles. BLI has the right ribs under the grilles, but it is solid with no radiator shutters, etc.. You replace the BLI nose door with a Highliners. Fit is perfect.
|
|
|
Post by antoniofp45 on Jul 14, 2018 13:51:59 GMT -8
Thank you very much for the offer, but I'm interested in the E7, not the SD7. Unfortunately, SCL didn't have any SD7's or 9's. If you really want one, I've got a Paragon 3 SD7 I'd let go, cheap. ------ Thanks for the tip! You replace the BLI nose door with a Highliners. Fit is perfect.
|
|
|
Post by bnsf971 on Jul 14, 2018 14:24:58 GMT -8
Thank you very much for the offer, but I'm interested in the E7, not the SD7. Unfortunately, SCL didn't have any SD7's or 9's. If you really want one, I've got a Paragon 3 SD7 I'd let go, cheap. ------ Thanks for the tip! You replace the BLI nose door with a Highliners. Fit is perfect. Somehow, I managed to look in this thread, and see SD9, instead of E unit...
|
|
|
Post by railandsail on May 9, 2024 4:12:47 GMT -8
2-8-8-2 Steam Engine If I remember correctly this HO steam engine model was the first steam engine built by LL. It was (and still is) a marvelous design. One of the primary questions i have is who designed it, or helped with the design?? I doubt it was done 'in-house' by LL, as they didn't have that capability at the time. Who did they seek out help from?...was it possible from a Euro builder?
PS: Just found this video that displays a ROCO 2-8-8-2 engine,
....disregard the rest of the video as it jumps all around, but look at the ROCO boxed engine
|
|
cklx
Full Member
Posts: 124
|
Post by cklx on May 9, 2024 4:36:55 GMT -8
It was made by Roco in Austria. After the demise of LL Roco even offered it under its own brand name in Europe.
Cornelius.
|
|
|
Post by GP40P-2 on May 9, 2024 16:41:20 GMT -8
Wow, look at all the MIA/deceased/inactive forum members in this thread!
|
|
|
Post by keystonefarm on May 11, 2024 13:00:45 GMT -8
I think the dumping continued almost to the end (Walthers buyout), as I was buying Proto S1's, GP20s, SD45s at Trainworld for between 20-40$, around 2003-4. They had other stuff, but I only remember what I bought. Literally, stacks and stacks of the stuff on the counters. One dealer at the Timonium show for years was Orange Blossom Hobbies , I believe they were from Florida. They would stop at LL on their way to the show and pick up LL product for the show to sell. I remember then selling brand new LL E-8's the latest run for $35 each !! So a visit to Orange Blossom at the show was always a first stop to see the latest cheap LL product . --- Ken
|
|
|
Post by prr 4467 on May 12, 2024 12:37:00 GMT -8
I believe they were from Miami, and are now long gone.
|
|