Walthers/Life-Like N Scale Heritage Steam

[VonRyan]

Hi all, in early august, my eye caught sight of a great looking Berkshire that is part of the Life-Like N Scale Heritage Steam (or whatever the correct name is). I know the dealer who has it fairly well and said that he could "adjust" the price on it for me.
It is currently sporting Pier Marquette (probably spelled wrong) lettering but if i bought it, i'd have it repainted into NKP since the PRR never touched them.

My only concern is: is it DCC ready, or if not exactly "ready" in terms of a 6-pin socket or some other form of drop-in, can it be easily converted in some other way? Plus is it a tender-drive or a loco-drive?

I'm mostly concerned about the DCC aspect since if it cannot be converted, i won't buy it.

Thanks to all who can help me out with my questions, and if things are looking in my favor, if there is anyone who would want to do the re-lettering of the loco into NKP, do PM me or just reply here.

Thanks again!

-Cody F.

[spookshow]

It is not DCC ready. More info here -

http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/ll284.html

-Mark

[altohorn25]

It doesn't pull much either.

Nate

[peteski]

But it is a nice looking loco with pretty decent details.  Much nicer than the old Con-Cor Rivarossi  Berkshire. 

[VonRyan]

So, even though it doesn't have any true provisions for DCC, would someone here be able to fit it with DCC for me if i provided the decoder (any recommendations for a specific decoder?) and perhaps add more weight to increase pulling power.
After which i'd hand it off to an associate of mine who can balance the loco, which will also increase traction/pulling-force.

Thanks all.

-Cody F.

[SkipGear]

Installing a decoder is not impossible but it does require a pretty complete tear down of the loco to do it. The decoder will need to go in the tender and wires run between the tender and loco.

As far as weight, Chris did the best job of adding weight by milling out every unneeded bit of frame and replacing it with tungsten and lead. Not a job for the squeemish. Other than that, there really isn't a lot of room for weight.

[VonRyan]

Installing a decoder is not impossible but it does require a pretty complete tear down of the loco to do it. The decoder will need to go in the tender and wires run between the tender and loco.

As far as weight, Chris did the best job of adding weight by milling out every unneeded bit of frame and replacing it with tungsten and lead. Not a job for the squeemish. Other than that, there really isn't a lot of room for weight.

So i guess that just leaves having it balanced, which does help a great deal so i guess weight adding would be a bit of overkill.

That just leaves whether or not it would be economical to have a decoder installed or if i should just forget about it and have someone kitbash/scratchbuild me a more suitable PRR steam loco for an equivalent price of the loco.

-Cody F.

[Chris333]

Also a guy from the Atlas forum lathed a traction tire groove for me.

[nickelplate759]

After some serious break-in, mine both (1st release) will pull about 20 cars on level track.  Would like to DCC them, but need to get some skill on simpler things first.  Also would like to replace the lightbulb with an LED...

[spookshow]

After adding Bullfrog Snot to the rear drivers, mine can pull about 30 cars.

-Mark

[sizemore]

Single traction tire added, 57 cars on level track. Most of the cars are stock OOB. Grades of 2% to 3% along with trackwork can impede the count greatly.

The S.

[VonRyan]

So pulling power is not too bad once it has a traction tire or some such added. 50 cars is about what i plan my reefer train to extend to when it is complete.

All this really leaves is the fact that is $120 worth it only to still need to buy a decoder...

or am i better off going with someone from here who could kitbash/scratchbuild a suitable PRR Loco within the same price range? (the max being $140) Especially since the PRR is the road i'm trying to focus on.

Any thoughts, ideas, etc.?

-Cody F.

[sizemore]

...or am i better off going with someone from here who could kitbash/scratchbuild a suitable PRR Loco within the same price range? (the max being $140) Especially since the PRR is the road i'm trying to focus on.

Any thoughts, ideas, etc.?

-Cody F.

You should talk to Dave Vollmer as he has used a number of Bachmann mechs with modified Minitrix K4 shells.

The S.

[VonRyan]

Hmm, a good option. Though all the K4s i've seen lately are carrying $70-$100 price tags. I might have a bachmann mech or two around though...
I'll see what other ideas, help, etc. can be amassed from the masses who have been so patient with me in the past, not to mention helpful.

-Cody F.

[UP4-8-8-4]

After adding Bullfrog Snot to the rear drivers, mine can pull about 30 cars.

-Mark

      I was gonna post the same thing about "Bull Frog Snot" Mark.
Glad you brought it up.
Best stuff ever made !

      When I got my first bottle I placed nine Rivarossi heavyweight passenger cars on the layout. Pulled out about six of my Life-Like Berks and all would sit just spinning drivers.
Took one upstairs, applyed the Snot to the last set of drivers and allowed to dry overnight.
Next evening I did a couple Funny Car burnouts on a long section of track to break in the Snot, hooked that Berk to the cars and it took off pulling them as if there was nothing behind it. Also went up my 2% grades with no problems.
Since i've added the Snot to all my Lifelike Berks, all my Bachmann Class H4 2-6-6-2's as well as every other steamer I have that didn't have factory traction tires.
Now all has great pulling ability.
Also works great on diesels as well.
http://www.fiferhobby.com/html/n_scale_supplies.html



Ernie