Cheapest HO Locomotive on Amazon - Is it Good or Crap? 

I think what that is, is the old Proto 1000 GP15 with an upgraded drive to eliminate the gears that crack, and some of the detail left off, the end grabs and so forth, or molded on, as in the swing hangers on the truck sideframes. It's confusing because Walthers had their own GP15-1 before they bought out Life-Like's assets which was a Trainline engine and had a lower level of detail. I'd have to sit down and look at the two to determine which that is by comparing shell details. I haven't handled either one in a long time, I think I have one of the original Walthers ones here somewhere but the one or two Protos I ever had were things I got to sell. To install the plow you remove the base of the pilot, you can see the holes from the inside when you show the bottom of the engine. It probably just presses back off.

Actually really good quality for the price. Atlas Trainman and Athearn Roundhouse are branded as budget locomotives but cost as much as the top of the line stuff. This Walthers GP15 has the same quality and details put in but a far better price.

I have a Walthers GP20 and I've had it for almost a decade. I believe a year ago I ran it and it ran amazing. For some reason those Walthers engines are fine runners, even without a lot of lubrication. As of right now I don't know the condition of the internals of it, but the shell is destroyed (Mainly because I bought it at a time where I destroyed everything lol.)

Well folks time for some good old smt

I've had pretty good experiences with Walthers, I have a DC power Santa Fe GP9M from 2017 and it still works great 👍

Some basic info on the loco, it is a GP15-1, which EMD introduced in around the late 70's, as an alternative to rebuilding early diesel locos. It was never designed as a mainline locomotive, as it only boasted 1,500hp. So they were mainly assigned to either yard work or switching duties. A pair of UPY ones currently work the yard nearest to me. Which is perfect for a starter loco, as most people starting out would only have a small amount of track, and not much space. So its good for a small loop track or small switching layout. Also the lack of detail doesn't show it too well, but if you look at the rear of the loco, it has a rear intake design similar to a SD40T-2 or SD45T-2, which some people have since called GP15's "Baby Tunnel Motors".

I have an old Walther's Chicago and northwestern exactly like that but it is old but it still runs well it is one my dad gave me when I was 5 (yes I also had Bachmann starter sets when I was 5) and it has some more sentimental value becuz my dad worked for the Chicago and northwestern back in the 1970s and the Milwaukee road at the same time I am now a 12 year old with that same Walther's engine for almost eight years I'm almost 13 and it still runs

I don’t need it I don’t need it I definitely don’t need it I don’t need it I don’t need it! I NEED IT!!!!!

The 1545 is an ex-Conrail unit. I would put the F for front on the front end of the frame, ought to be easy to do. You got a fairly good little runner.

They are definitely a competent model. The plow looks like you can pop off the current pilot treatment and swap it for the plow casting if you like that Michigan feeling. It wouldn't be hard to add some bling, sound decoder, more blinky lights, and otherwise put some onions on its belt.

Thank you for sharing and giving your personal review on it. It was a surprise when you cracked it open. I always enjoy your videos. If I don't win the contest I may look into buying one like this for my brother-in-law for his birthday as he has said he wants to convert over to HO from N scale as it is getting hard for him to work on the small scale. I thought it would be nice to get him his first HO locomotive. Again thank you for sharing with everyone. 💕😊💕🇺🇸

I’ve seen this locomotive on Amazon before and I’ve been reluctant to add it to my list. I definitely appreciate this review. I also just want to say that the HO scale locomotive you sent me for the 10,000 subs giveaway still runs very well and is one of my favorites in my collection.

I have the GP9M from Walthers Trainline and it was super easy to fit with a decoder. It runs really well and is my main switcher now

I got one of these for Christmas from my grandpa. It was the one in the UP yard scheme. He got me into the hobby and pays my way through it 😂

The shell dates back to a Life-Like proto 1000 design. Walthers mainline used it, but with a better drive system. Now Trainline uses it, but the drive isn't as smooth. But they are very reliable. To install the snowplow, you need to remove the piece under the coupler.

If you got some drill bits, along with some windshield wipers, uncoupling levers, mu hoses, ditchlights along with any other details to make it accurate to the actual engine, you got yourself a Proto Engine, for a fraction of the cost

I actually have an older version of this locomotive. I bought it used and aside from cleaning the pick ups and some basic lubrication it works fine especially at slower speeds. Mine has a shell that has clips and also a motor that can't be removed but, overall it's a quality locomotive.

I got the CP version for Christmas last year

Love your review style. This budget engine looks exactly what the hobby needs. Hope its in many road schemes.

Very cool locomotive Harrison, Walthers makes good stuff, especially for the budget conscious market. Incidentally the plows that came with the locomotive can be installed by simply removing the footboards on the front and rear pilots. They're actually to help enhance the look of the locomotive to match the era its running in as some of these GP15s were originally delivered with footboards on the front and rear pilots. Also there are actually 2 versions of this locomotive, the Trainline version that you have and a Mainline version (ex Proto 1000 tooling) which comes either DCC ready or equipped with DCC/SOUND.

Walthers trainline has always been a reliable and affordable line. Great video! Very solid review.

That CSX locomotive looks sharp on your layout.

one of my first locomotives was a train line and it’s still a runner to this day. i even bought one off of amazon about a year ago and i’ve never had problems with either locomotive

for a budget model that is not bad at all.

Great purchase Harrison and really good to have your assessment of its performance and quality. Big cuddles to Nerf Cat… hope he’s liking the summer

Looks like a great start up Loco. I am looking into the Model Train and this is very helpful. Thank you!

That's a gorgeous GP15. Never knew a budget locomotive could be a good treasure for your collection.

Very nice to see you back SMT!

Great video as always ! Sent you a. box of goodies. Should be there in a couple of weeks. Take care !

wow thanks for this experiment its very helpful and makes for some very good content i can't wait for your next video

Great looking model . I will say I never had Walthers trainline however it does look like a nice model for the price I'm sure that it's a great speed match to a athearn or proto 1000/ 2000 locomotives. Very nice review. The only thing I have that is Walthers type is a couple Freight cars that have metal axles and Kadee couplers that came with them even though I bought them used they are quite amazing models for box cars they also have been discontinued since probably about 10 years ago.

People like you are the greatest help to beginners on a budget

My first individually purchased locomotive was also a Walthers Trainline! I had gotten a CN GP9M. That was in 08 or 09 and she's still going strong till this day!

For the engine to be DCC ready the motor needs to be isolated and this one has the added bonus of everything going to a board that can be replace.

Recent subscriber to the channel, and just getting back into ho/n scale for the first time in many years, love the videos and the repairs, I have an old locomotive which I would love to send to you to feature on a repair episode

Good Engines. Never give me any trouble. Run them a lot!

Thats a snow plow. Left off because not all engines have them. Check prototype pics. Mark and drill holes and glue it on. Not a bad loco once you add details

Thanks for this vid smt, ive been wanting a loco like that and now with ur video i will go buy one, as long as my mom lets me, but thanks love ur vids

My dad and I still have our CSX diesel locomotive we put it around train track down in the basement!! Good job in find it 👍👍👍, Harrison ! Very good locomotive 🚂 and cheap !

When you get a chance look at the drive wheels on the AFT and the Daylight locomotives and see if they have a star on them. AFT stands for American Freedom Train

I remember when these Trainline GP15’s were first released, it was late 1998. They haven’t changed much since then, save for the metal couplers you pointed out. Trainline models never were highly detailed but they’re solid runners, and a good starting point for a superdetailing project since the basics on the shell are pretty good

Honestly, for a beginner, running well is probably *the* most important feature. If it barely works, people will bounce off. Then being reasonably sturdy - it doesn't have to survive a six foot fall onto concrete, but should be okay if you fumble a bit putting it on the layout. A newbie won't have the skills to effect a repair yet. It looks like this was actually designed with those needs in mind, which is great to see.

I bought this earlier in the year, and I'm really happy with it. It's a DC unit. Mine is the Santa Fe road name. It's painted red with silver hood. It looks great, runs great, and pulls great. For the plows, you have to remove what's there and snap in the new pieces. More info on the Walthers site.

That looks like a pretty decent budget unit. Good thing about the GP15 is that most of them don't have a bunch of roof detail to worry about such as Dynamic brakes, round radiator fans, etc. So a pretty logical choice for a cheap body mold. I'm very impressed by the large dual flywheels and large motor. If memory serves me right you don't get flywheels in Bachmann's entry level HO offerings. Looks like Nickel Silver wheels, pretty sturdy gear setup despite being nylon, looks to be well lubricated out of the box. Out of curiosity I also searched Amazon and the cheapest DC Road Switcher I could find was the Trainline GP15 as well but in BNSF colors. I did find a cheaper DC locomotive, though. It's the Plymouth DDT Industrial Switcher - Standard DC in Canadian National by Model Power at only $30US Nice review! But didn't Model Power go out of business? I may have them mixed up with somebody else.

For the cowcatcher you need to take the old plow off and it will expose the holes and you put the cowcatcher in

I have some of these and they run just fine. Good quality for the cost.

Nice! I’m getting this locomotive in a UP paint scheme today.

A good starter locomotive for young people wishing to get started or for those on a tight budget. Smooth dive and excellent paint with KD compatible couplers should perform well.

Nice review! A little tip if you ever get more of these locomotives, the little thing attached to the plow right below the coupler is what prevents the frame from coming off with the coupler attached. Being an owner of 5 Walthers GP15-1s I find it a little unnecessary to take the coupler out every time I have to get inside a locomotive. What you can do instead to save a lot of time and effort is remove those things that prevent the shell from coming off. They are easily removable and reattach. The only time I've ever had to actually take the coupler out was when I had to replace a damaged coupler and even then it was very simple. I don't know if you'll see this but I hope it helps if you didn't know already.

Good candidate for some weathering and some add-ons.

I'm more than happy with the performance of this engine. Runs Strong and steady and quiet. Thanks for Poppin the hood.

Excellent review, ty 👍🏼

Just wait until we have an AmazonBasics starter set.

Sweet, I might actually consider getting one now. 👍

You got a good deal, the price, sweeeeeet. I don't buy any of the low end locomotives, but I have friends that do, and a few owns that same exact unit. I'm impressed by the drive train and operations.

I have a Trainline GP9M that I added an NCE DCC decoder in myself. Still pretty good runners after having mine for 10 years although it needed some CV adjustments for smoother running. I may wind up getting a Trainline GP15-1 to do a superdetailing project and a DCC and ESU v5 installation, as it looks to technically be DCC ready which can be achieved by swapping the board. Looks the white plastic thing at the back can be swapped for a speaker too.

I agree with the points made in this video. I have had a Walthers GP15-1 like this one (except in the BNSF H1 scheme) and I must say it is very good for the money!

I once saw a Bachmann N scale CSX GP40 going for $40 USD on Amazon. Pretty good deals out there as long as you know where to look

Not sure if anyone answered this, but to attach the snowplow to the front, you have to take the little bar thing off where it would go, it goes in with two little pegs like the snow plow and you can just swap them out.

My first model train locomotive was a Walthers union pacific 287 and it still works like it’s brand new when it’s like 15 years old

My thoughts: the value equals the price. There are detail parts that could be add by the consumer to dress it up. IMHO, the drive train and the shell lends it to possibilities while leaving it affordable. This reminds of the late 80's to mid 90's Athearn locomotives. This could lead to possibilities for someone who like DIY projects which were popular during the time mentioned.

Great job Harrison.

Being HO, anything is "DCC ready" as its VERY easy to DCC even an OLD Athern Blue Box (did a U33C and it was a non flywheel version too and it runs wonderfully). It should be considered DCC "friendly" since you have all the wires for motor/power/lights all right there so it would be very easy to do it.

Great review, new sub

My first engine was the Norfolk Southern paint of this model. The only thing I really don’t like about it is the railings since they’re very flimsy, but other than that it’s amazing for the price. Solid recommendation for beginners

I have a Trainline GP15-1 UP, it works very well, another one is i like your video.

I just got one of those from Amazon. I got the Gp 15_1 bnsf. When I took it out of the Walthers box I noticed there was a lot of oil on the bottom of the trucks and wheels. I cleaned it off before I put it on the track. I like the locomotive but it's so slow compared to my other locomotives. I have some starter set Bachmann's that are much faster.

Their great locos I have a CSX GP9 and I love it. BTW that's a snow plow that they threw in

Really not bad at all!! I hope to get one of those in up or conrail sometime idk.

You could always put a decoder in it if you switch to dcc& adding a few details and it would be a great engine with sound. Nice review.

I have seen these gp15 after people detail them and they make them look amazing.

Harrison, if you want to do a small modification to the front headlight, you can try soldering in a Deans micro T connector to allow you to disconnect the headlight from the circuit card which will allow you to remove the entire shell without any problems.

just ordered the Conrail version of this loco....it will be here in a couple days. cant wait to get it rolling on the layout.

Here in Germany, we had once a locomotive from PIKO, a class ES642U electric locomotivefor 50 Euros brand new. It was an excellent Deal, especially considering the high quality.

Looks really nice for the price! And is a not so common model, interesting!

I've had good luck with Walthers Trainline, I have a DCC Rio Grande GP9M locomotive and it runs fantastically and it's pretty reliable.

great video

I think if you had extra DCC or DCC/with sound laying around from an upgrade you could make it work. as well looks like you could 3D print other shells for it or proto it out. I been looking for a base for creating a few Seaboard Coastline switchers. I think you just solved my need, thank you.

Right on SMT... I love CSX trains with blue n yellow.. wonder if you can get the six axle version..cool stuff man!!

Love it bro!!!

I’ve never heard him question something being crap or not before. Should I be worried? 🤔

I got a Santa Fe 8-wheeler it runs pretty good.

Looks Great.

the beauty of this is short wheelbase looks prototypeish on curves

That's pretty good for the money. I have a Trainline GP9M that uses the same drivetrain. It's not the world's best slow speed runner, but it's pretty smooth and quiet once it's going, and for the price, I can't complain.

I’ve got a couple of these Walther’s GP-15 locos in Missouri Pacific livery and I really like them. The model railroad club I belong to switched to DCC not too long ago so I haven’t been able to run them for a bit. I see a DCC conversion in my future.

What power pack/supply would you recommend for someone - me - just getting started back into model railroading? I see the MRC Sound & Power 7000 on your layout in the video. I read something in the downloadable pdf manual about never connecting a D.C. locomotive to A.C. terminals of the Sound & Power 7000. Is there a power pack/supply that should not be used with this locomotive? Thanks in advance for your help and answers.

Walthers train line is literally the best beginner line. All the rolling stock is cheap and good quality. The locos have the drive and weight from a walthers proto. I love walthers ,all of there different level of detail. I would recommend the walthers train line flyer starter set to a beginner

I had a BN GP9 from them and it worked for 7+ years.

I like the new buildings on the layout

Walther's has a starter set that that loco is in. It uses Power-Loc track from Life-Like. It is cheaper than some of Bachman's starter sets, and possibly miles above in quality.

I want to get one but there's two I want. the CSX and the Canadian Pacific so which one would you recommend out of the two paint schemes?

1:35 “the box doesn’t matter” Athern Genesis SD70ACe packaging:👁️👄👁️

0:37 my first locomotive was a wathers CSX GP9 set

i detailed and painted many for the CNW...back in the day i got alot of these undecorated....for the money, they are better than any of the new stuff...a few bucks of DA and DW parts some good paints and microscale decals...

That's an EMD GP15-1 or "baby tunnel motor"

I am finding DCC a real pain, not a fan. This looks a lot nicer to use without all the technical hassels of DCC. Will be purshasing one of these to add to my engine stock.

Missouri Pacific had a bunch of these GP 15s from the mid 70s that still hustle on UP rails in yellow as of 2021

Quick tip for the future Piece to trip the couplers: coupler cut bar Cables to connect other locomotives: MU cables

Hi I have a question about where you were able to purchase your GO transit train loco's and rolling stock? I haven't been able to find anything for sale. I used to take the GO all the time when I lived in Oshawa, On.