I Said I would Never Cross This Line!

[tehachapifan]

I long resisted the urge to even look at steam-era locos, as I didn't want to let that genie out of the bottle.

But today I could no longer resist and purchased a N scale Kato SP Daylight GS-4!

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[wm3798]

My question is, why something so new?  I'd take the same money and get five of these!


But everyone knows I'm funny that way...

Lee

[tehachapifan]

My question is, why something so new?  I'd take the same money and get five of these!


But everyone knows I'm funny that way...

Lee

I guess because:

1) I can justify it on my more-modern layout, as the 4449 still exists and runs today.

2) Hard to beat the lines of the GS-4, not to mention that Daylight scheme.

3) Kato

 

[Englewood]

It is a dark, dark, road you're on....
Next thing you know you'll be looking at pictures of Big Boys on the internet, wondering when Kato will announce their version. 😆

[peteski]

Welcome to the smoky side!
But I do have to say that I'm impressed that before you jumped in, you researched the DCC options.  Smart! 

[robert3985]

It's about time!  Picked a great running, great looking engine.  Now, if only Kato would get market-smart and offer it in an unskirted version.... 

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[peteski]

Another thing I like to mention is that while sound in diesel locos is nice, sound in steam locos really makes our little models come to life!

There is such a variety of sounds in a steam loco:  Not only the chuffs, whistle and bell, there also are the dynamo, water injectors, and the air pump sounds.  Then there is the cylinder blow-down when you first start running, and labored chuffs, or coasting chuffs.  Some sound projects can also have rod clank, safety valve steam release, and probably few more things I missed.  It's really so much richer than diesel sounds.  I think you will like it.

[keeper]

That is true. Right now I do not have a steamer with sound but thinking of installing sound in my Cab Forward.

On the other hand, I find electric locos with sound quite boring.

[Maletrain]

. . .
On the other hand, I find electric locos with sound quite boring.

And that reminds me of this: https://www.startribune.com/60-minutes-admits-error-in-dubbing-noises-over-quiet-tesla-electric-car/253389131/ 

Sounds of "electrics" are so boring that some owners of electric cars are even starting to complain about road sounds they never noticed before.  Maybe if speakers inside the Teslas made the occupants hear the sounds of Ferraris revving, etc., realistically synced with car performance, they could be thrilled while those of us outside could still have the peace and quiet.  ESU? TCS? There may be a market there.   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

And that reminds me of this: https://www.startribune.com/60-minutes-admits-error-in-dubbing-noises-over-quiet-tesla-electric-car/253389131/ 

Sounds of "electrics" are so boring that some owners of electric cars are even starting to complain about road sounds they never noticed before.  Maybe if speakers inside the Teslas made the occupants hear the sounds of Ferraris revving, etc., realistically synced with car performance, they could be thrilled while those of us outside could still have the peace and quiet.  ESU? TCS? There may be a market there.   

Fun fact, our Mach E rings a bell like a locomotive while in reverse.

[jereising]

Inasmuch as my prototype has steamers on their roster then so must I.  Oakville has hosted 844, 3985, and of course 4014.

[C855B]

Fun fact, our Mach E rings a bell like a locomotive while in reverse.

Now that's cool. Sure beats that infernal beep you hear on commercial trucks. I wonder if Ford's other E-products do the same. As soon as they get their mind right about decent range on the E-Transit we're all over it.

Topic... I'm moving in the opposite direction. I have some steam in the fleet, ranging from a B'mann Connie to two Athearn Big Boys. Don't plan to add more and am probably going to get rid of one of the BBs. I have had nothing but trouble with 'em. The Connie flung its valve gear on the second running and will be on my bench forever, 3985 wants to throw a driver and has been to Athearn twice, 8444 picks at frogs, and one of the BBs blew traction tires on its first time out.

IOW, I have a bunch of expensive bench queens. The only reliable runner of the bunch is a B'mann J (2nd or 3rd gen), and that's because I rewired it when adding DCC. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Now that's cool. Sure beats that infernal beep you hear on commercial trucks. I wonder if Ford's other E-products do the same. As soon as they get their mind right about decent range on the E-Transit we're all over it.

It is a very cool car. It's also got a really cool forward camera washer thanks to @Lemosteam .

[davefoxx]

I can see why you caved in.  No. 4449 is a great locomotive and plausible on many layouts.

I’ve flirted with the idea of a N&W 611 or C&O 614 decorated for the Family Lines.  I haven’t really found the 611 model that knocks my socks off, and the BLI model of 614 is very expensive and would require a gutting of the DCC/sound decoder.  So, to date, I haven’t lost my senses.

DFF

[JMaurer1]

Diesels...I am your FATHER!