The Dark side ...
.., well, maybe the "down side" of locos on my "best" loco list.
(but with Star Wars and LOTR, one must use the current terms!)
HEADLIGHTS !
I am not perfectly happy with the headlights on most of the "best" locos. OR lesser ones, either!
Atlas Master: With DC, headlight is off at less than 15 smph, at P2K light levels about 30 smph. This is, as I understand it, a result of the dual mode decoder. With DCC, you get P2K light levels at all times, I hear.
P2K: Well, they come on at loco motion, but don't acheive full brightness until at higher speed. But, IMHO, are always too dim.
Kato: a headlight to blind you! BUT, too blueish for my taste.
Stewart: Bright headlights, but too amber for my taste.
Athearn Genesis: On my SD70M, best of the headlight bunch - bright (not as bright as Kato) and not too blue! On my "Mike", too yellow. Different LEDs for diesel and steam, I suppose.
(This is Truth in advertising for my "best" list ??)
Of course, some of the "mid-range" locos have headlight problems, too:
Atlas Classic: most (older models) headlights are not directional (if even there IS a back light), light intensity is proportional to speed (voltage).
Athearn "blue box" - most (SD40-2, GP38-2, SW1500, etc.) have a FIRE IN THE CAB !!! Very unrealistic. The P40 and some others do have a "directed" light, but its not as good as a LED. Again, light intensity proportional to speed (voltage).
I don't know why the "perfect" headlights for locos still escapes most makers......
- George