We just received our first new N Scale Life Like C-424's today at the store and I have my first two units. Overall, my first impression is good, however, the locomotive is modeled after what appears to be an early phase or, at least possibly a U.S Style, as it is modeled with an "Eyebrow" style of numberboard on the rear of the unit of which the CPR had only one . The Locomotives run very well and appear to be smoth and quiet over their entire speed range , however they are not DCC ready and will require some internal work (Cutting , Grinding and filing ) to make them so. The paint jobs do leave a little to be desired, considering that Life Like has done such a great job on previous models such as the C Liner among others. My (albeit quick) first glance has picked out the following: CN "Wet Noodle" scheme: No obvious problems CN Stripes scheme: the stripes appear to be at the wrong angle CP Tuscan and Grey, Both styles: Tuscan Red is too dark (Easy fix... I will weather mine ) CP Rail Early scheme: CP Rail is too small and the stripes on the front of the nose, Cabe and on the rear frquires Scale 5" wide stripes, but look to be 8" stripes. CP Rail Later scheme: Again, the CP Rail is too small and the stripes on the nose and rear,
Don't know what happened there, but I must have posted by accident. Finishing up on my post, The stripes on the front and rear appear to be the right size, however, they are missing on the upper left hand corner and lower right hand corner (as you view the unit straight on) on both the fron and rear . The paint job aside, Life like has produced a fine running locomotive which fills a gap in the stable of diesel power available to the N Scale modeler Terry
The maroon and grey CP one looks down right weird. And the missing stipe on the one unit is weird. You think that would be easy to check on quality control.
There has been some chatter on the n_scale list at Yahoo that the new LL N C-424’s ride high on their trucks. This is a characteristic of the prototype – see CP Rail 1104 here: ----- http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/tr_cp1104.jpg ----- Also I understand that quantities are very limited. One dealer who is listing them as available in the USA (arriving June 27th) is BLW ===== http://blwnscale.com/Life-Like%20C424.htm ===== eNjoy [ 27 June 2002, 02:30: Message edited by: dbn160 ]
