A tale of two locomotives ...

[GEtrack]

I just purchased the Eyein12 GP60 and DTM GP50. I have made some comparison images and would like to write a short article comparing them. Is it possible to write a few paragraphs and imbed images as well? Or do all the images have to go at the end? I have modified the images to the required width.

Not to keep you in suspense, I like them both. Both have a few things I wish were different.

Ken

[GEtrack]

comparison overall views 830.jpg

Overall views: The DTM GP50 is on the left in UP livery, the Eyein12 GP60 on the right in SP livery. The traction motor detail is better on the GP50 and it has animated brake cylinders and rigging. To my eye the surface detail of the cabs (all the structures above the platform are called cabs, at least at GE) is a bit crisper on the SD60. The width of the blower duct is different on the two models ... I looked at some prototypical photos and couldn't determine if one is more accurate than the other. EMD might have made running changes during production.
The SD50 has crosswalk lights and ground lights, but on my system they cost a 15 hit in framerate. The ground light illuminates the ground just below the cab window. It assists the engineer in making slow accurate movements in the dark. Not all customers ordered them (I used to work for GE locomotive).
The sounds of the GP60 are fantastic, with spitters and hissing auxiliaries in addition to nice prime mover sounds. Disappointingly though, there are no coupling or decoupling sounds. The GP50 only has coupling sounds, and not very good.

comparison cabviews1 830.jpg

Cabview comparisons: the Eyein12 SD60 is on the left. I like the gauges and switches better, but the loadmeter doesn't read correctly. It starts in the yellow DB arc at idle and does "zero" until notch 2. Both have operating cab doors, but for some reason on the GP60 if I open the doors beyond about 3/4, they snap closed again. What you see in the image is the widest I could get it to stay. Both have similar back-panel detail.

comparison cabviews 2 830.jpg

More cabview detail: Again the GP60 is on the left. The view turning around in the engineer's seat to view running long hood forward is similar for both models. Sliding over to the conductor side, you cannot see the track or signals with the GP60. You can with the GP50.
If you open the doors from in the cab with the GP50 (DTM) they stay open in the external view. Same with the windows. They aren't open in external view for the GP60. The head-out views for the GP50 are as you would expect. For the GP60, clicking the head-out images on the HUD places you sort of on the bottom rung of the steps like you're riding the loco as a brakeman.

As has been noted by others, if you have something coupled to the front of the GP60 (say pulling cars long hood forward) the first car can start hopping around eventually derailing everything (happened to me twice last night).

So, I still like them both, although if I could assemble the best features of both into one I would be in heaven. My biggest complaint is lack of ability to upgrade coupler sounds (which I spent hours doing on everything else I have the other night). I like switching and yard work and the mute joining of trains drives me nuts. Especially since I operated real locos in my last job and they are anything but quiet!

Ken

[Chacal]

Thanks for this excellent review.

Is it possible to write a few paragraphs and imbed images as well?

Certainly, once you have uploaded your image you'll see a "place image inline" button in the attachments section. Place your cursor in the message where you want to insert the image, then hit that button.
I did it for you, and I moved this thread to the "User reviews" forum.

[GEtrack]

Great! Thanks for the tip.

I just ran the GP60 some more. From notch 2 and above the loadmeter needle doesn't move at all.

Ken

[GEtrack]

Just ran the GP50. Cannot hear the bell from inside the cab, even with doors and windows open. In the GP60 you can.

Ken

[imnew]

Thanks for posting an in depth review.