After attaching the shell on the E6 and installing couplers on the GP9, both locomotives matched the excellent performance of their older siblings. [We reviewed Life-Like’s E6 locomotive in the July 1999 Model Railroader and its GP9 (phase III) in the November 1997 MR. – Ed.]
What sets these engines apart from the rest of the Proto 2000 line, however, is the brand new sound system. The QSI Quantum System is a full-function DCC decoder that provides a variety of locomotive-specific sounds and lighting-effects. [For an explanation, see the electronics section of the BLI review on page 97. – Ed.] The GP9 had only directional headlights, but the E6 has a simulated Mars light and separately lighted number boards.
Life-Like offers two different add-on control modules that take advantage of QSI’s Optimized Remote Control Analog technology. Called “Yard Tech I” and “Yard Tech II,” the modules wire into your existing analog control system to allow you access to many of the QSI decoder’s features previously usable only by DCC users.
An important key to sound quality is the speakers, and both locomotives feature two of them. The speakers in the E6 face downward while the GP9’s speakers are mounted in a plastic A-frame. Though this arrangement doesn’t reproduce sounds as cleanly as that of the E6, it’s a smart solution to fit two larger, better-quality speakers into the Geep’s narrow hood.
Life-Like includes a 20-page sound-instruction manual with each locomotive, detailing operation of the QSI Quantum system on both DCC and analog DC.
Available sounds. The QSI decoder produces a broad range of sounds. (See the Quantum system features box.) The digital horn on the E6 and the bell on the GP9 were particularly well reproduced.
There are several ways to control the locomotive’s volume. DCC operators can control the volume of individual sounds and the overall volume by programming various decoder configuration variables (CVs). Each time you adjust a CV, the decoder confirms the change with an audible response. There’s also a manual main-volume adjustment control that can be used by analog- and DCC-users alike.
Performance. Our sample locomotives performed very well. The only problem I encountered was a minor rattle in the E6. Its body shell tended to vibrate against the metal frame over the fuel tank. A little sound-dampening material inserted between the shell and the frame should eliminate the noise.
Life-Like plans to release more QSI sound-equipped models in its Proto 2000 line in the coming year, making its already solid line of locomotives even better.
Price: E6A, $250.00; E6A with
dummy B, $320.00; GP9,
$235.00
Manufacturer
Life-Like Products Inc.
1600 Union Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21211-1998
www.lifelikeproducts.com
Description
Ready-to-run plastic and metal
locomotives with sound
Road Names
E6 and dummy B sets: Atlantic
Coast Line; Atchison, Topeka
& Santa Fe; Baltimore &
Ohio; Southern Ry.; and
Union Pacific
E6A: Chicago & North
Western; Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific; Louisville &
Nashville; Milwaukee Road
and undecorated
GP9: Burlington Northern;
Chesapeake & Ohio; Chessie
System (B&O and C&O);
Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy; Great Northern;
Illinois Central; Milwaukee
Road; Northern Pacific; Soo
Line; Southern Pacific; UP;
Western Maryland; and
undecorated
14/28/128 speed steps
13 DCC functions
Adjustable manual and
programmable volume
Authentic sounds of an air horn,
air pumps and air releases,
bell, brake and flange squeal,
cooling fans, coupling noises,
and diesel engine noises
Directional lighting
Doppler effect
Mars light effect (E6)
Number board lights
Verbal CV readout
Verbal scale speed readout
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