About
Reviews (31)
Aug 20, 2016
Great Engine
This is from Life-Like when they introduced the Proto 2000 series many years ago. It has a good motor and drive system that is almost identical to Athearn's. So it is a good solid drive train. L.L. found a way to add a lot of weight to this engine but in so doing it makes it very difficult to add DCC or sound. The weight has to milled or cut down in order to accommodate the decoder and any speaker you might want to install. The later version of this engine is much easier to install sound but still needs some work done on the frame in the nose in order to fit a speaker inside. It runs very well and is quite smooth. The figures are easy to get out and paint.
Sep 20, 2021
Great loco.
Good drive mechanism, great weight, easy to convert to DCC but not sound and DCC. Great detail with extra parts to add more details.
Mar 17, 2020
One of the best kits around.
Athearn blue box kits are still very good kits. They have always lended themselves to being able to make changes to them easily if desired. Mine, I was able to put in windows and a rear light with no problems. If you want to get more realistic, you can easily shave off the hand rails and install wire ones. The wheels pop out easily to change to metal wheels. When all is said and done you still have less invested than the current higher priced cabooses and they look just as nice.