Hey everyone! Recently I picked up a Conrail Legacy GP-30. I must say this is one heck of a locomotive! I realize that this locomotive is back from 2011 but it caught my eye in the fact that it was an alternative to the GP-35 that Lionel produced this past year. Those locomotives have been hard to find at least where I've gone and plus I liked the roadname offers better in the GP-30.
The detail is fantastic on this locomotive for a 499.99 price point. Lots of chains, grab irons, lift rings, etc etc. The sounds are superb and the lighting is fantastic. The front LED headlight is particularly bright! The sequence control is a nice touch but I prefer to operate my trains myself without any automatic noises. The rpm levels though are what make this engine growl! The turbo whine and the low end bass this engine puts out is fantastic! Although the locomotive is not as loud as my 460 Lindbergh Special once you start climbing the rpm ladder the engine comes to life especially when its pumping out smoke on the medium setting and crawling along looking as if it is straining to pull the load.
Here are some photos I took. The photos aren't the greatest but I tried to not use the flash to give a natural look to the locomotive. The flash makes the Conrail blue look brighter than it really is.
Also, here is a video I posted to my Youtube channel highlighting some of the features on the locomotive. Hope you enjoy!
I would like to give a big thanks to The Station hobby shop in New Cumberland, PA. They are great people and took the time to find the locomotive for me! If you are ever in the York/Harrisburg area be sure to stop by on 9th street in New Cumberland to check out this awesome hobby shop that is in a vintage Reading Railroad station!