hello every one i am thinking of maybe getting a es44ac or sd70ace by tower 55 and would like to know how good they are and how they run and the level of detail on them thanks zachary
thinking of getting a new locomotive
- Thread starter zachary
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is it better than kato and where are some good places on the internet to buy one from thanks zachary
Yeah, they are much better. Kato actually isn't nearly as good as people make it out to be. The handrails are fat, and the headlights are blue. I also notice their lights kinda flicker sometimes (in fact, the rear headlight will flick while it is moving forward), and its not a result of dirty track or wheels. If you run it real slow, you'll see it. The newer atlas does this to an extent to, but i don't have a problem with my other locomotives in this way.
tower 55 on the other hand has ridiculous detail, and sound, and it runs smooth. The only problem here is that they are even more so ridiculously expensive. They are all going to be at least $250 from the start.
tower 55 on the other hand has ridiculous detail, and sound, and it runs smooth. The only problem here is that they are even more so ridiculously expensive. They are all going to be at least $250 from the start.
exactly, and thats alot of money for a locomotive. Its almost more than its worth, especially since you know Athearn, Atlas, or Kato will make one evntually.
I love my T55 ES44DC, even though I cannot run it yet. It's one of the best units I've ever gotten.
it depends on if i have enough money to get one after i start my layout im going to lowes tommorow to look and maybe buy the supplies for my benchwork has anyone used sawhorses for thier benckwork thanks zachary flowe
Don't use saw horses! what are you crazy? that will never hold up a layout. I think you better really rethink your layout plans and come up with something that makes sense, and i definitely wouldn't buy a $200 locomotive if i don't even have a layout yet.
Zachary
Saw horses will support a layout, but...
Most folks prefer their layouts higher than the saw horses will be. Typically, folks want their layouts at least 42" high, with 48"-50" being more the norm these days.
If the layout benchwork is not fastened to the saw horses, it will shift and create scale magnitude 9 earthquakes for your little people and trains every time you lean over or bump the layout side.
Unless you use quality 3/4" plywood or heavier (which will be very heavy and costly), you will need a supporting framework for the plywood or foam. Lighter plywood isn't rigid enough by itself for a table; even 3/4" plywood is questionable. Typically, a frame of 1x4, with cross members every 16-18", is used to support a 1/2" plywood or 2" foam top.
Books on building your 1st layout, or a book on benchwork construction, will show you what I am talking about.
yours in building layouts
Saw horses will support a layout, but...
Most folks prefer their layouts higher than the saw horses will be. Typically, folks want their layouts at least 42" high, with 48"-50" being more the norm these days.
If the layout benchwork is not fastened to the saw horses, it will shift and create scale magnitude 9 earthquakes for your little people and trains every time you lean over or bump the layout side.
Unless you use quality 3/4" plywood or heavier (which will be very heavy and costly), you will need a supporting framework for the plywood or foam. Lighter plywood isn't rigid enough by itself for a table; even 3/4" plywood is questionable. Typically, a frame of 1x4, with cross members every 16-18", is used to support a 1/2" plywood or 2" foam top.
Books on building your 1st layout, or a book on benchwork construction, will show you what I am talking about.
yours in building layouts
And IMHO better than a lot of older brass, too, from an operational POV. I've been selling off some of my Athearn, P1K, P2K, etc. diesels to buy more T55s - they are so sweet! I think I have at least six or seven now.
thanks for the advice i didnt get to go to lowes today it rained all day long so i was stuck in the house maybe friday
hey zachary,
i read most of the responses... hope I'm not beating a dead horse here but....
Several of our club members have tower 55 ES44AC locos. I want one too, and an SD70ACe. Like you I bought an Atlas -8. As a result 2 club members saw it and said wow -is that a tower 55?
So the Atlas detail is almost as nice as the tower; save the fact that tower is has brass details.... But the Atlas does have good details including the air filter under the frame, nice fuel gauges and fillers (not as nice as if you installed details west or some third party part but nice enough) ect.
My reason for still wanting these models... Only Tower 55 makes em, and I need them (lol 'need them') for my coal drags, BNSF uses both of these on drags.
Saw horses, yes they will support the weight, but did u mean to build some kind of frame to support the deck? will there be a deck? you could just run a 2x4 whereever you have track and use screen or something to complete the scenery but I don't like that approach. We just don't want you layout to sag and fall apart.
i read most of the responses... hope I'm not beating a dead horse here but....
Several of our club members have tower 55 ES44AC locos. I want one too, and an SD70ACe. Like you I bought an Atlas -8. As a result 2 club members saw it and said wow -is that a tower 55?
So the Atlas detail is almost as nice as the tower; save the fact that tower is has brass details.... But the Atlas does have good details including the air filter under the frame, nice fuel gauges and fillers (not as nice as if you installed details west or some third party part but nice enough) ect.
My reason for still wanting these models... Only Tower 55 makes em, and I need them (lol 'need them') for my coal drags, BNSF uses both of these on drags.
Saw horses, yes they will support the weight, but did u mean to build some kind of frame to support the deck? will there be a deck? you could just run a 2x4 whereever you have track and use screen or something to complete the scenery but I don't like that approach. We just don't want you layout to sag and fall apart.
Benchwork
I have seen articles where benchwork is built around saw horses (great if you have little people in your house then they can see the trains too)
I built my benchwork in pieces, 2x3 frame, 1/2 ply on top then bolted pieces together.
I have seen articles where benchwork is built around saw horses (great if you have little people in your house then they can see the trains too)
I built my benchwork in pieces, 2x3 frame, 1/2 ply on top then bolted pieces together.