These are spectacular ac4400cw models and these have the highest level of detail feature accuracy applied to any ho scale ac4400 model outside of brass type locomotive models. CSX and UP both own a large roster of ac4400 engines and these Scaletrains ac4400 models are incredible with their road specific details and their painted wheels, the ac4400cw is one of my favorite modern GE locomotives and these models are another success for Scaletrains.
Again you have done an outstanding job on the review. I haven't purchased any Scale Train locomotives yet so watching your reviews helps me do my due diligence. These things ain't cheap like they were fifty years ago. Thank you for putting in the time and effort.
They're certainly expensive. On the other hand, they're also not more-or-less locomotive-shaped lumps of plastic like they were, fifty years ago. I have one Scaletrains locomotive. They're undeniably expensive, but they are super-nice.
Great review I got CSX last year a ES 44 GEVO love it I love your reviews your are a big help I don't get anything till I look at your thank you GOD bless you an your family😊
Good video Mr James nice color on the CSX the details looks great Now I like the details on the UP. The number boards turn on when you started it up . Everything sounds great on it The lightning looks great in the dark. Over the video review is great I give you a 10 Thanks for sharing. Robert
I like the detail on this one. I have to say that ScaleTrains has done a grand job on these models. This CSX one reminds me of the one that came in Train Sim World. Not sure if you have ever played that game but it comes with the sand patch grade route. Here is a like from me.
they still haven't fixed the DPU light yet. Working as a conductor for NS, I've noticed that that on the models, the light is directional while the DP function is on but in reality, both headlights will be on, no matter what direction.
I have an AC4400cw with DCC sound and in Southern Pacific livery. Looking forward to that to arrive. My first ever Scaletrains model (I did have the Gas Turbine preordered but I got unfairly dismissed from work a few weeks after, so I had to skip out on that one, really annoying as I've wanted a model of that locomotive for many many years)
i have two scaletrains es44ac , nice detail, however, they both run erratically when the tracks or the wheels are just a little dirty , but my other engines dont have this problem running on the same track, kinda disappointing, i hope these ac4400cw wont have these issues
Very cool locomotives James! Unfortunately, I'll have to sit out at least this first run because of some rather drastic changes at my job (thanks BNSF 😡), but very nice review!
sorry to hear that man, I'm sure they can be found floating around later once things are on the up and up. Class I railroad jobs are a pain, it seems greed rules in that world and most others.
@jlwii2000 Thanks, and yeah, really all the class 1 Railroads have become rolling dumpster fires in recent years. The company I drive for is contracted with BNSF, and the Railroad just pretty much straight up and said, we're dead heading everyone on trains now! Makes me wish Scaletrains would do fantasy schemes of fallen flags like Athearn does for that very reason!
James... Have you compared the tractive effort between the DCC and DC variants of the exact same model other than that difference and if so what have you found to be the case? Which of the two are superior in that regard and would it vary among locomotive types and manufacturers? Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this! Hope you and your family are doing well. Take care.
usually DC and DCC tractive effort is the same. It may be off by 0.01 oz because the motor is the same and the only additional weight is a very light DCC chip and a speaker. I haven't done it because I currently have no way to test anything DC only but that's the conclusion I've arrived at in the past.
@@jlwii2000 Thanks for the quick response, the only other person that covers these areas that is in your league is Eric and his specialty is 'O-gauge'...as you know very well! I don't know what those of us without layouts would do without you! Especially, given the dearth of clubs that run anything other than DCC! I don't know what alternatives there are for people that have thousands of dollars tied up in brass locomotives that are almost all DC. As noted in the comment above I am guessing that few of those with extensive brass collections have the ability to run their equipment. Thanks to you those without DCC layouts are able to vicariously enjoy what their motive power can do. In closing was wondering if you plan on testing the new Broadway Q-2? If you are ever in central Florida and I can be of help don't hesitate to ask. Take care and as always... thanks for your service!
@@jlwii2000 Yeah, I wouldn't expect any difference in pulling power between DC and DCC. DCC is just a different way of telling the motor how fast to turn. As you say, it's the same motor and the same model, except for a couple of very small components.
I got a Canadian Pacific version and over all it looks good. But after comparing the model with prototype photos, scaletrains got a B+. Several warning labels were ether missing or in the wrong spot
Scaletrains are beautiful models, but if your picky about sound quality like myself, I would pick the silent model. The speakers are subpar at best, and the sound file they use is terrible..
with ESU you can load your own file if you get a LOK programmer but I totally understand how running silent is nice too. Sometimes it's nice to just hear that wheels on the rails.
yeah I'm more a fan of jet black but some say they want to add cab figures and you can't see them with blacked out tint. I don't think cab figures look realistic anyway so I like black tint.
@@jlwii2000 What can be done to blacken the tint and make it look correct ? I have prolly 70 ATHG and SXT locos that need black tint like OMI and the IMRC Tier 4s
@@Trashman702 it's a bit complex. You have to remove the shell and get access to the cab by removing some additional parts and then add a black tint. At one time I bought a small roll of blacked out cling car tint.
A good way to make the windows darker is to gain access to the inside of the cab and use a black Sharpie on the back of the windows to increase the tint. Also one nit to point out is that the CSX unit does not have an E-Bell, it's just a regular GE mechanical bell.
@@jlwii2000here’s a positive: the SXT AC4400CW released sooner than the Athearn genesis. And it’s cheaper too! I ordered one Friday. #75 CSX YN2 paint. Can’t wait
![GE Locomotive Sound Compilation - Vol. 2 ES44AC + AC4400CW Throttle Ups w/ Earth Shaking Audio [OC]](/img/n.gif)
I got 1 BNSF unit 5635. I’ll be adding CP CSX UP SP as more desirable road numbers are available. Also looking forward to CEFX KCS CNW units
Love these videos Sir. I'm grateful to guys that make these videos for those of us who's wives won't let us have any room to build layouts
thanks Robert!
These are spectacular ac4400cw models and these have the highest level of detail feature accuracy applied to any ho scale ac4400 model outside of brass type locomotive models. CSX and UP both own a large roster of ac4400 engines and these Scaletrains ac4400 models are incredible with their road specific details and their painted wheels, the ac4400cw is one of my favorite modern GE locomotives and these models are another success for Scaletrains.
Again you have done an outstanding job on the review. I haven't purchased any Scale Train locomotives yet so watching your reviews helps me do my due diligence. These things ain't cheap like they were fifty years ago. Thank you for putting in the time and effort.
thanks Alan!
They're certainly expensive. On the other hand, they're also not more-or-less locomotive-shaped lumps of plastic like they were, fifty years ago. I have one Scaletrains locomotive. They're undeniably expensive, but they are super-nice.
Great review I got CSX last year a ES 44 GEVO love it I love your reviews your are a big help I don't get anything till I look at your thank you GOD bless you an your family😊
I have the same CSX engines got about 2 months ago love it great review you helped me pick it out thank you so so much GOD bless you an your family
Good video Mr James nice color on the CSX the details looks great
Now I like the details on the UP.
The number boards turn on when you started it up .
Everything sounds great on it
The lightning looks great in the dark.
Over the video review is great I give you a 10
Thanks for sharing.
Robert
thanks Robert. I tried to do my due dillegence on an all new product especially.
I like the detail on this one. I have to say that ScaleTrains has done a grand job on these models. This CSX one reminds me of the one that came in Train Sim World. Not sure if you have ever played that game but it comes with the sand patch grade route. Here is a like from me.
they still haven't fixed the DPU light yet. Working as a conductor for NS, I've noticed that that on the models, the light is directional while the DP function is on but in reality, both headlights will be on, no matter what direction.
hmm, I didn't know that. Interesting!
if you have a lokprogrammer you can easily do that.
@@Andrewz411 I know I’ve already done it to a couple of my motors
That csx unit looks soo clean! Nice vid!
thanks!
This video has been tested, and approved by the hobo union..
haha thanks!
Nice video! I do have a ScaleTrains SDL39. The only difference in lighting I can see is, the SDL39 has instrument cluster lights.
Outstanding video Mr. Wright! MoPac Jack Kirkwood, Missouri STL
thanks!
That's so cool, I'm working on my layout, it's likely gonna be a floor layout.
I have an AC4400cw with DCC sound and in Southern Pacific livery. Looking forward to that to arrive. My first ever Scaletrains model (I did have the Gas Turbine preordered but I got unfairly dismissed from work a few weeks after, so I had to skip out on that one, really annoying as I've wanted a model of that locomotive for many many years)
Nice review!
My CSX YN3C AC4400CW review is coming soon!
Always watch I love your reviews G OD bless you an your family
thanks Denise!
8:45 thats the Air Conditioner painted differently. Battery boxes are on the engineers side
Great review! The models are as close as you can get to the real thing!
Thank you for the review 👍
thanks for watching!
Very Cool! Great to see Scaletrains coming out with more new models.
Good review. I wish I like the UP and CSX
thanks Nate!
I received the CSX model today
As always great review Sir! Think they look and sound great and the wheels look really good!
thanks!
One thing I notice that is different between the two alike AC4400CW diesel locomotives is the horn.
hello james it's is randy i like yours video is cool thanks friends randy
i have two scaletrains es44ac , nice detail, however, they both run erratically when the tracks or the wheels are just a little dirty , but my other engines dont have this problem running on the same track, kinda disappointing, i hope these ac4400cw wont have these issues
In my opinion rivet counter by scale trains makes the best detail ho models. Athearn and atlas are a close second and third
They are pretty detailed. Thanks for watching
Compromise... You can build a short switching layout 16"x5' for example...or Divorce!
Gotta love a K5LAR24
horn sounds pretty good, can be changed to several others also.
@@jlwii2000 yeah I like it. Gonna have to find it at my hobby shop cuz it’s a expensive piece
Very cool locomotives James! Unfortunately, I'll have to sit out at least this first run because of some rather drastic changes at my job (thanks BNSF 😡), but very nice review!
sorry to hear that man, I'm sure they can be found floating around later once things are on the up and up. Class I railroad jobs are a pain, it seems greed rules in that world and most others.
@jlwii2000 Thanks, and yeah, really all the class 1 Railroads have become rolling dumpster fires in recent years. The company I drive for is contracted with BNSF, and the Railroad just pretty much straight up and said, we're dead heading everyone on trains now! Makes me wish Scaletrains would do fantasy schemes of fallen flags like Athearn does for that very reason!
Sweeeeeeet
Super nice
Nice review
how many cars did those locomotives pull ?
Why CSX is the only one to have two digit road numbers?
Looks great nice I have the vsx unit but no sound
Everybody has a scalestrans AC4400CW locomotive big whoo
Feeling left out? There are still some available.
if it's up your alley check them out!
James...
Have you compared the tractive effort between the DCC and DC variants of the exact same model other than that difference and if so what have you found to be the case? Which of the two are superior in that regard and would it vary among locomotive types and manufacturers? Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this! Hope you and your family are doing well. Take care.
usually DC and DCC tractive effort is the same. It may be off by 0.01 oz because the motor is the same and the only additional weight is a very light DCC chip and a speaker. I haven't done it because I currently have no way to test anything DC only but that's the conclusion I've arrived at in the past.
@@jlwii2000 Thanks for the quick response, the only other person that covers these areas that is in your league is Eric and his specialty is 'O-gauge'...as you know very well! I don't know what those of us without layouts would do without you! Especially, given the dearth of clubs that run anything other than DCC! I don't know what alternatives there are for people that have thousands of dollars tied up in brass locomotives that are almost all DC. As noted in the comment above I am guessing that few of those with extensive brass collections have the ability to run their equipment. Thanks to you those without DCC layouts are able to vicariously enjoy what their motive power can do.
In closing was wondering if you plan on testing the new Broadway Q-2? If you are ever in central Florida and I can be of help don't hesitate to ask. Take care and as always... thanks for your service!
@@cheryltysver4819 thanks for the comments. Yes I plan on doing a review on the Q-2. I appreciate the offer if I'm in FL.
@@jlwii2000 Yeah, I wouldn't expect any difference in pulling power between DC and DCC. DCC is just a different way of telling the motor how fast to turn. As you say, it's the same motor and the same model, except for a couple of very small components.
I got a Canadian Pacific version and over all it looks good. But after comparing the model with prototype photos, scaletrains got a B+. Several warning labels were ether missing or in the wrong spot
interesting, thanks for the info. I didn't get a CP version but may get one later.
Am I the only one who noticed how they shortened the startup sequence? It used to be my favorite feature on this and now they butchered it
The air drier spits out water causing the "cshhh" air noises every few seconds
ooh ok, makes sense.
I thought Moloco was the first to offer painted wheels commercially, as least for freightcars.
perhaps, I was referring to locomotives.
Good video but you had it on kph not mph for speed control
22:12
its not on kph, the light just blinks down there to indicate it's on. When first powered on it displays HO for a second.
Are these Units speedmatched to other scaletrains locos like the ES44AC or do you have to do a lot of tweeking?
I ran them this morning and they seemed fairly well speed matched.
my ET44s were very close to the 4400, close enough it's not worth trying to match them
Mine are on the way
waiting is the hardest part!
Scaletrains are beautiful models, but if your picky about sound quality like myself, I would pick the silent model. The speakers are subpar at best, and the sound file they use is terrible..
with ESU you can load your own file if you get a LOK programmer but I totally understand how running silent is nice too. Sometimes it's nice to just hear that wheels on the rails.
@@jlwii2000 Thanks for doing these reviews, they are very helpful!
I know scale trains come in N scale too which is what I have.
yep, not these yet but others.
It sounds exactly the same as my Dash 9... hmmm
Scale Trains still wetting the bed with the window timt
yeah I'm more a fan of jet black but some say they want to add cab figures and you can't see them with blacked out tint. I don't think cab figures look realistic anyway so I like black tint.
@@jlwii2000
What can be done to blacken the tint and make it look correct ? I have prolly 70 ATHG and SXT locos that need black tint like OMI and the IMRC Tier 4s
@@Trashman702 it's a bit complex. You have to remove the shell and get access to the cab by removing some additional parts and then add a black tint. At one time I bought a small roll of blacked out cling car tint.
@@jlwii2000 I tried tint film before but I couldn’t get all the bubbles out
A good way to make the windows darker is to gain access to the inside of the cab and use a black Sharpie on the back of the windows to increase the tint. Also one nit to point out is that the CSX unit does not have an E-Bell, it's just a regular GE mechanical bell.
Ordered a CSX YN2 the other day. I’ll take Scaletrains over Athearn’s overpriced junk any day!
In terms of detail and electronics, ST seems to have the upper hand for now.
@@jlwii2000here’s a positive: the SXT AC4400CW released sooner than the Athearn genesis. And it’s cheaper too! I ordered one Friday. #75 CSX YN2 paint. Can’t wait
I will never buy any HO that is not Athearn Blue Box.
that's a good way to go, especially on a budget. Things are getting pricey in day to day life.
I lived oversea..The only way to get ScaleTrains/RivetCounter for me is to pre-order them. Then I have to deal with a hefty import taxes.. : (
taxes are rough, especially overseas.
@@jlwii2000 about 25%-30% here.
The way the calculated the taxes are so ridiculous. Sometimes I wish I'm back at the states.