life like part 2 proto 2000.

A re-upload of part 2 of my Documentary on Life-Like Trains.

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

If I remember correctly, Life-Like did have a contract with Athearn where they would be allowed to use Athearn’s drive system. I actually have a few later day Proto-2000 models. I have a single GP-18 switcher and a USRA 0-6-0. They run way better, and both are dcc equipped.

[@peter50555.]

When I was a kid my parents got me a LIONEL HO train set with a BN GP30. It had TYCO style drive with a vertical motor in one truck. I saw an ATHERN SD9 BN at the hobby shop and thought it would be a nice match, so I saved up from my paper route and bought it. I cannot say how blown away I was by the ATHERN’s performance!!!!

[@TrainsofChicagoland]

Life-Like stepped up their game when making their Proto 2000 series!

[@petemiksich5760]

If you didn't know, the BL in BL2 was called the BRANCH LINE 2.

[@tommythomason6187]

I remember late 1980s, Life-Like started using a new 5-pole motor and dual drive with their N-scale offerings. Mechanism was under their GP38-2, F40PH, F7, and other locomotives. They could have stood more weight, but they were strong pullers that looked good and sold cheap. I had two GP38-2s. Also, Model Power began offering locomotives with Mabuchi mechanisms - a stout 3-pole design and dual drive. Bachmann's improved also. It was an era whereby trainset distributors started selling good locomotives at a low price.

[@pacoperezabella]

Great video. Im from Argentina and have a Emd Bl2(wm) as favorite.... and gp7, pa1,gp20...

[@MosriteCharlie]

Early LifeLike diesels all suffered from cracked axle gears due to their rush to production so if you buy one of these, consider purchasing replacement gears

[@jimjohnston7688]

I experienced much the same with mine. Curiously I can't remember Athearn axels cracking, since Proto was something of a knockoff.

[@arrow1414]

It is more likely that Athearn gave their permission to Life-Like/Walters abd licensed them to manufacture their drive system than Life-Like stealing it.

[@michaelcudby787]

The Life Like p2k was a huge step up.In their day, they were equal to if not slightly better, than anything on the market.Although their drive train looked ike Athearn, the motor is different.Its hard to tell, but LL motor had thinner shaft dia.than the Athearn motor.Although a lot of the parts of the drivetrain, are interchangeable,the LL used better metal in their trucks. & the craking gears??.Luckily Walthers still sell replacement wheelsets, or you can get replacement gears , only, from Athearn.The DCC ready locos ,can be converted to DCC,very easily,without the need to replace the bulbs, by using the right decoder from Digitrax (DH 165lo),although be careful operating too long with the lights on, otherwise the bulbs tend to melt any plastic within the body shell. LEDs were VERY new, back then.The cracking gears, seemed to only apply to the 4 axle trucks. Cheers,

[@therailfanman2078]

I just bought a proto 2000 gp30 Conrail locomotive, and it broke, yay. Now I have a either proto 1000 or 2000 E8 and a proto 2000 (I think) BL2.

[@Bri-rb5lq]

I liked the old life likes that's alli could afford

[@jimjohnston7688]

To the credit of Life-Like, they did continue to improve the Proto line of locomotives. Towards the end, their Proto line was much better then Athearn and Bachman.

[@muir8009]

great video again. really enjoying them. Just a couple FYI's: the familiar Athearn drive we know about was special order when it first appeared, the regular Athearn drive being rubber bands, and a stage up was a central motor powering one truck. The earlier Athearn, and all similar drives of course were sans flywheels. I'd say a contender for the first of that style of central unit with all wheel drive would be the east German Zeuke. I could add that the use of that style of drivetrain on a non mass produced model dates back to at least 1909 (there's an article on electric drives in a 1909 model railway magazine I'm looking at here...) Keep up the good work!

[@Bri-rb5lq]

Must. Be from new york

[@tgriebe]

Not resistors, those are diodes

[@HL4EHalfLife]

You do know your pronouncing Athearn wrong, its not Ath-rin, its Ath-earn.

[@doggerbendrailway6002]

When part 3

[@alcobufff]

Not sure, still filming it.

[@YeOldeGeezer]

@@alcobufff have you filmed part 3 yet? 🤣

[@alcobufff]

@@YeOldeGeezer its been up for a while now

[@tazsnuts99]

Life like stuff sucks

[@Bri-rb5lq]

Another. Rivit counter don't like his presention

[@Bri-rb5lq]

Don't like this person doing this