I got a Trainline conrail gp9. Coming back to the hobby after a 25 year hiatus, I was really impressed with how great it ran. I would say better than an athearn blue box back in the day. I couldn’t believe how smooth and quiet it was either.
Walthers GP9 and GP15 share the same motor and drive systems. They are the best entry level models available for the price. My only complaint would be coasting is not as good as Athearn Blue Box. They pull up to 20 cars with great ease. Excellent price if one wishes to buy 2 or 3 for power lash-ups. I always purchase two of the same road for this purpose. This brands mechanism is very similar to the Mantua Classic (GP 20 and F-7 models). Keep up the good work. New subscriber. :-)
2 hidden kitbashing gems out there…..THESE and Con-Cor SW7 with Kato Drive. You find either of those at a swap meet for less than $40 you grab em’. What you get is an awesome driveline ready to adapt to a shell of your choice. Ignore the WIDE body. The drivelines are top notch. Best combo for the SW-7 chassis is with a Cary SW1500 shell. It will pull the paint off the walls in slow motion and doubles as a hurled weapon if an intruder breaks into your train room. 😎👍
I own four of the GP9Ms (BN, MILW, BNSF, and CSX) and I have yet to encounter any problems with any of them. There's a soft grinding noise in one (BN) which is probably due to it being an older version from the first production run. Otherwise, they all perform flawlessly, running quietly and smoothly even at low speeds. My only critique would be lack of prototype-specific details, but that's understandable seeing as how they're from the budget line at Walthers. Overall, they're good quality locomotives which are great for anyone trying to start or expand a model railroad on a budget.
hi, did anyone ever tell you that your voice and speaking manner is just like Tommy's on UA-cam's "Sabatical "? Anyway, that GP9 is the old, fat hood Athearn/Cox "GP9 " (actually a GP7)of the '70s, recycled with new guts. The slight retooling and excellent decoration make it a fair buy at today's inflated prices and devalued dollar. You did well.
I actually have the Walthers proto 2000 gp18 model. It basically has a similar mechanism to the gp9, albeit with dcc capability and a more detailed shell. Additionally, the proto 2000 has ball bearings while the trainline gp9 does not. I’ve also had a Walthers trainline gp9 with the US army paint scheme. It was the main power on my model railroad for the first two years of its existence. I was thoroughly impressed with it early on, but I sold it about two years ago. I’m actually looking into getting one just like it and converting it to DCC.
I got the Santa Fe red/silver Superfleet, which looks amazing. Your photo is of the high-hood GP-9, while this M version is a rebuild with low-hood. It's one of my best runners and pullers.
It’s also difficult to couple on a curve so just coupling on straight sections will help too. Nice B&M loco. Sometimes buying the cheapest loco of any heritage isn’t the cheapest way. You might want to decide what railroad you want to model forest and buy those rather than having all different road names and ending up not using them. Don’t ask me how I know, lol. The first loco I bought in a hobby store was a Seaboard Coastline because I liked the black with yellow stripe. I never use it because I model out west in the 50’s.
I noticed another fella sporting off A Walthers Trainline GP15-1 so called inexpensive , and he loved it’s performance. Very similar but a slight change in the cabs roof lines angled at sides rather than rounded. There is a change also in the imaginary HP as well I would guess. Sorry to say a drop to 1,500.
Good review. You earned another subscriber. The Trainline series has always been pretty good. They weren't always the cheapest; they were in a sort of upper tier of entry level model, above Model Power or Lifelike. I have a few Lifelike units and the Trainline units definitely run better and I'd say they're worthy of converting to DCC.
Mind you, the Proto line was a LifeLike product, and a Proto BL2 currently holds the world record for endurance by a model train. It ran continuously for 12,078 hours at 6.5 scale mph.
I have one of these. I got it years ago as a gift from my late grandfather and it is ridiculously heavy. The thing is 1 pound for how small it is that’s a lot.
Looking at your review loco, I can see one thing that would bug me. The hoods are too wide, a lot like the old Athearn blue box GP9s. I wonder where the molds for the body came from? I did buy their Trainline GP15-1 locos and I like those a lot.
I've been perusing the Walthers website and they have some of the 'Trainline' locos on sale. I wondered what the difference is between the Walthers 'Trainline' and 'Mainline' model locomotives and compared to one of your other videos about a Walthers 'Mainline' loco looks to me like most of the difference is in detail level for example the cooling fans on top are totally molded in versus the 'Mainline' has the fans themselves separate. Seems to me the Walthers 'Trainline' models are somewhat similar in detail level to the Bachmann locos in their train sets: I have the Bachmann model of GP40-2 locomotive and I'm happy with it looks like that Walthers loco runs as well as it so I may give one of the Walthers 'Trainline' locos a shot.
The main difference is the drive mechanism. Trainline models have a cheaper mechanism. Mainline models have a Proto drive in them, making them great runners.
My experience is that Mainline equipment costs a bit more because the detail is better, and the running gear is better quality. Most of my Trainline equipment only has one flywheel, so slower-speed running is a bit more choppy. The same equipment also seems to have a bit more gear noise. My Mainline equipment has two flywheels and definitely runs better. I believe Walthers promotes the Trainline equipment as entry-level i.e. for those who are new to the hobby and/or more budget conscious. Mainline is considered a step-up in price, quality, and operation.
I love ONR, i may get the conrail one because its the cheapest. Only $109 and thats without tax (im a Canadian so i pay 10 times more than people in the usa would...)
I can’t tell from the video, but is the hood a little wider than it should be? I bought a couple of their GP15-1 locos and they are not bad. Certainly better than the cheapest locos from 40 years ago.
I got a Trainline conrail gp9. Coming back to the hobby after a 25 year hiatus, I was really impressed with how great it ran. I would say better than an athearn blue box back in the day. I couldn’t believe how smooth and quiet it was either.
Walthers GP9 and GP15 share the same motor and drive systems. They are the best entry level models available for the price. My only complaint would be coasting is not as good as Athearn Blue Box. They pull up to 20 cars with great ease. Excellent price if one wishes to buy 2 or 3 for power lash-ups. I always purchase two of the same road for this purpose. This brands mechanism is very similar to the Mantua Classic (GP 20 and F-7 models). Keep up the good work. New subscriber. :-)
I have yet to try a bluebox locomotive, heard nothing but good things about them! Thanks for subscribing! :)
Bought mine about a year ago run it all the time and I love it. 65 bucks. I’m impressed.
2 hidden kitbashing gems out there…..THESE and Con-Cor SW7 with Kato Drive. You find either of those at a swap meet for less than $40 you grab em’. What you get is an awesome driveline ready to adapt to a shell of your choice. Ignore the WIDE body. The drivelines are top notch.
Best combo for the SW-7 chassis is with a Cary SW1500 shell. It will pull the paint off the walls in slow motion and doubles as a hurled weapon if an intruder breaks into your train room. 😎👍
I own four of the GP9Ms (BN, MILW, BNSF, and CSX) and I have yet to encounter any problems with any of them. There's a soft grinding noise in one (BN) which is probably due to it being an older version from the first production run. Otherwise, they all perform flawlessly, running quietly and smoothly even at low speeds. My only critique would be lack of prototype-specific details, but that's understandable seeing as how they're from the budget line at Walthers. Overall, they're good quality locomotives which are great for anyone trying to start or expand a model railroad on a budget.
hi, did anyone ever tell you that your voice and speaking manner is just like Tommy's on UA-cam's "Sabatical "?
Anyway, that GP9 is the old, fat hood Athearn/Cox "GP9 " (actually a GP7)of the '70s, recycled with new guts. The slight retooling and excellent decoration make it a fair buy at today's inflated prices and devalued dollar. You did well.
" Buy Cheap Get Cheap " Try Aurora Miniatures
I actually have the Walthers proto 2000 gp18 model. It basically has a similar mechanism to the gp9, albeit with dcc capability and a more detailed shell. Additionally, the proto 2000 has ball bearings while the trainline gp9 does not. I’ve also had a Walthers trainline gp9 with the US army paint scheme. It was the main power on my model railroad for the first two years of its existence. I was thoroughly impressed with it early on, but I sold it about two years ago. I’m actually looking into getting one just like it and converting it to DCC.
I got the Santa Fe red/silver Superfleet, which looks amazing. Your photo is of the high-hood GP-9, while this M version is a rebuild with low-hood. It's one of my best runners and pullers.
I recommend kadee couplers, they work great
O definitely! I’ve retrofitted a bunch of my old rolling stock with them
@@keaganh7517 yeah those plastic ones from bachmann are really cheap and don’t last as long
It’s also difficult to couple on a curve so just coupling on straight sections will help too. Nice B&M loco. Sometimes buying the cheapest loco of any heritage isn’t the cheapest way. You might want to decide what railroad you want to model forest and buy those rather than having all different road names and ending up not using them. Don’t ask me how I know, lol. The first loco I bought in a hobby store was a Seaboard Coastline because I liked the black with yellow stripe. I never use it because I model out west in the 50’s.
I noticed another fella sporting off A Walthers Trainline GP15-1 so called inexpensive , and he loved it’s performance. Very similar but a slight change in the cabs roof lines angled at sides rather than rounded.
There is a change also in the imaginary HP as well I would guess. Sorry to say a drop to 1,500.
Good review. You earned another subscriber.
The Trainline series has always been pretty good. They weren't always the cheapest; they were in a sort of upper tier of entry level model, above Model Power or Lifelike. I have a few Lifelike units and the Trainline units definitely run better and I'd say they're worthy of converting to DCC.
Preciate it! And very well said, I’ve been impressed with every Walthers product I’ve owned. Very quality brand
Mind you, the Proto line was a LifeLike product, and a Proto BL2 currently holds the world record for endurance by a model train. It ran continuously for 12,078 hours at 6.5 scale mph.
I bought it too, and will convert it to DCC.
I got the Ontario Northland version and it's a good model for the price
Hey I saw your great discovery play set I would love to see some reviews in the Thomas series
I’ve really considered getting into the HO Thomas range, been a big fan of Thomas my whole life so definitely something I might do :)
And also I love that track master great discovery set😂
Those walthers GP9Ms are really reliable and really great pullers Nice locomotive .
I to bought this same engine maybe 3years ago. When I run it I love it.
I have one of these. I got it years ago as a gift from my late grandfather and it is ridiculously heavy. The thing is 1 pound for how small it is that’s a lot.
Looking at your review loco, I can see one thing that would bug me. The hoods are too wide, a lot like the old Athearn blue box GP9s. I wonder where the molds for the body came from?
I did buy their Trainline GP15-1 locos and I like those a lot.
Very nice, well worth the money 👍
I've been perusing the Walthers website and they have some of the 'Trainline' locos on sale. I wondered what the difference is between the Walthers 'Trainline' and 'Mainline' model locomotives and compared to one of your other videos about a Walthers 'Mainline' loco looks to me like most of the difference is in detail level for example the cooling fans on top are totally molded in versus the 'Mainline' has the fans themselves separate. Seems to me the Walthers 'Trainline' models are somewhat similar in detail level to the Bachmann locos in their train sets: I have the Bachmann model of GP40-2 locomotive and I'm happy with it looks like that Walthers loco runs as well as it so I may give one of the Walthers 'Trainline' locos a shot.
Nice! Yeah I think the detail is the main difference. I’ve seen nothing but quality from Walthers so maybe give one a shot! :)
The main difference is the drive mechanism. Trainline models have a cheaper mechanism. Mainline models have a Proto drive in them, making them great runners.
My experience is that Mainline equipment costs a bit more because the detail is better, and the running gear is better quality. Most of my Trainline equipment only has one flywheel, so slower-speed running is a bit more choppy. The same equipment also seems to have a bit more gear noise. My Mainline equipment has two flywheels and definitely runs better. I believe Walthers promotes the Trainline equipment as entry-level i.e. for those who are new to the hobby and/or more budget conscious. Mainline is considered a step-up in price, quality, and operation.
I have a couple of them and runs great 😂
I just picked up one of these in Ontario Northland scheme, looks very nice out of the box! Haven't run it yet but it looks to run just fine on here!
I love ONR, i may get the conrail one because its the cheapest. Only $109 and thats without tax (im a Canadian so i pay 10 times more than people in the usa would...)
@@SoldierFox1393 you will love it. I found out it runs very sweet indeed for the great price. Full marks for this product!
Buy a model railroaders and check the back for train shows in your area.
I have one but it’s a Santa Fe model with sound
I can’t tell from the video, but is the hood a little wider than it should be?
I bought a couple of their GP15-1 locos and they are not bad. Certainly better than the cheapest locos from 40 years ago.
That ain’t cheapest it’s the Walthers us army gp9m that’s like $58 usually though I’ve seen it go down to $54
I have this though and I love it
I'd buy that any day of the week. Walthers are just go little units. I have Many I can compare it too lol
🚂🙋
Absolutely! Great models :)
Amazon just shipped mine in the box no protection from anything
Walmart$ 78 new
65 dollars is not cheap
For a new model train, that's a bargain! Most models of this size can cost $100-$150 without dcc sound.
I can buy several locomotives for qhat you paid for that locomotive at a train show.