MT just posted this on Facebook regarding MT1500

[cjm413]

Because those wheels should fit all China-made N scale model locos which use 40" wheels with 1.5mm half-axles.  Most manufacturers (like Kato or Atlas) use the same wheels on multiple models.

Life-Like's track record of inconsistency makes me highly skeptical of any "one size fits all" product made by a third-party.

[peteski]

Life-Like's track record of inconsistency makes me highly skeptical of any "one size fits all" product made by a third-party.

I'm not sure it is *THAT* bad.  Your statement seems like a bit of an exaggeration. All the Life-Like Made in China diesels do should have the same diameter wheels axles, and the amount the axle end protrudes from the wheel.   It is not "one size fits all". It is "one size fits all Chinese made Life-Like models".  The split-frame low-friction trucks models should all be consistent in construction.  As far as third-part goes, how many models can you identify where their parts are not made by several third-part or even fourth-party sources?  Kato (Made in Japan models) is the only one coming to mind (and I suspect that even they outsource some pats to outside manufacturers).

[cjm413]

I'm not sure it is *THAT* bad.  Your statement seems like a bit of an exaggeration. All the Life-Like Made in China diesels do should have the same diameter wheels axles, and the amount the axle end protrudes from the wheel.   It is not "one size fits all". It is "one size fits all Chinese made Life-Like models".  The split-frame low-friction trucks models should all be consistent in construction.  As far as third-part goes, how many models can you identify where their parts are not made by several third-part or even fourth-party sources?  Kato (Made in Japan models) is the only one coming to mind (and I suspect that even they outsource some pats to outside manufacturers).

This is the same manufacturer that was notorious for adjusting their gear ratios anywhere between 18:1 (Proto 2000 SD60) and 6:1 (Proto 2000 U28B) to overcompensate for whatever "Motor of the Month" they were using. 

The fact that these were HO locomotives doesn't negate the fact that they were Life-Like locomotives.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This whole thing just makes me very sad.

I love the SW1500. If they were readily done, I'd have a whole fleet. There were a ton of CR variations, then PC, RDG, paint outs galore, Canton, etc...

But it seems like they're just not to be. So sad.

[peteski]

This is the same manufacturer that was notorious for adjusting their gear ratios anywhere between 18:1 (Proto 2000 SD60) and 6:1 (Proto 2000 U28B) to overcompensate for whatever "Motor of the Month" they were using. 

The fact that these were HO locomotives doesn't negate the fact that they were Life-Like locomotives.

It does to me - I am into N scale and I have never worked with H0 scale Life-Like models.  So I have no clue (or care) as to what they did in H0.  In my experience they did not make any such changes in N scale models.

[mu26aeh]

These have been listed on BLW for preorder.  Prices range from $112 for undec to $146 for the more "complicated" paint schemes.

[MichaelWinicki]

This whole thing just makes me very sad.

I love the SW1500. If they were readily done, I'd have a whole fleet. There were a ton of CR variations, then PC, RDG, paint outs galore, Canton, etc...

But it seems like they're just not to be. So sad.

Me too.

I'm surprised a PC version was never released considering they purchased the 2nd most.

[basementcalling]

At those prices, no wonder they are the last run. I think the most I paid for the LL version was $35.

[peteski]

At those prices, no wonder they are the last run. I think the most I paid for the LL version was $35.

That might be so, but this is the year 2017 (not 1983) and we have to readjust our thinking and realize that any regular-priced (non-DCC) N scale model locomotive will cost us at least 60-70 dollars (and that is the low end).  The days of $19.99 Bachmann locos are long gone.  Yes, there will be bargains and blowout sales, but regular street prices are now higher than they were over 30 years ago. Sad, but true.  Part of the problem is called inflation.  Remember your salary in 1983?  Remember how much a Subaru cost back then? Well do a reality check and compare those with today's salaries and car prices.  Models followed the same trend.

[johnb]

That might be so, but this is the year 2017 (not 1983) and we have to readjust our thinking and realize that any regular-priced (non-DCC) N scale model locomotive will cost us at least 60-70 dollars (and that is the low end).  The days of $19.99 Bachmann locos are long gone.  Yes, there will be bargains and blowout sales, but regular street prices are now higher than they were over 30 years ago. Sad, but true.  Part of the problem is called inflation.  Remember your salary in 1983?  Remember how much a Subaru cost back then? Well do a reality check and compare those with today's salaries and car prices.  Models followed the same trend.

$2 a week...$1 from Mom and Dad, $1 for taking out the neighbor's trash...

[cjm413]

It does to me - I am into N scale and I have never worked with H0 scale Life-Like models.  So I have no clue (or care) as to what they did in H0.  In my experience they did not make any such changes in N scale models.

If you've disassembled all of them to confirm they are the same, that's a different story...

[cjm413]

Me too.

I'm surprised a PC version was never released considering they purchased the 2nd most.

PC would need the version with hood-mounted handrails.

[cjm413]

That might be so, but this is the year 2017 (not 1983) and we have to readjust our thinking and realize that any regular-priced (non-DCC) N scale model locomotive will cost us at least 60-70 dollars (and that is the low end).  The days of $19.99 Bachmann locos are long gone.  Yes, there will be bargains and blowout sales, but regular street prices are now higher than they were over 30 years ago. Sad, but true.  Part of the problem is called inflation.  Remember your salary in 1983?  Remember how much a Subaru cost back then? Well do a reality check and compare those with today's salaries and car prices.  Models followed the same trend.

Funny you mention old Bachmann prices...

I recently found the Bachmann Loco & Caboose Combo that my parents bought for me from Toys R Us when I was about 7 or 8 years old (which would have been 1984-1985), and it still has the $16.97 price tag on it.

[Kisatchie]

Funny you mention old Bachmann prices...

I recently found the Bachmann Loco & Caboose Combo that my parents bought for me from Toys R Us when I was about 7 or 8 years old (which would have been 1984-1985), and it still has the $16.97 price tag on it.

Hmm... that would be
about $800 now...

[peteski]

If you've disassembled all of them to confirm they are the same, that's a different story...

Of course I have not disassembled *ALL* of the N scale Life-Like locos ever made.
But from from my own experience and from anecdotic evidence it appears that they were more consistent with their N scale models. They did have various mechanisms but all the Chinese-made ones seem to use the same motor and design.  http://spookshow.net/locos.html has pretty thorough evaluation of Life_like N scale locos.