WBB GP30???

These have already been discussed - you can look for the threads. 

I have had one since the first shipment - preordered..  Very happy with it, very good value.

IMO - the sounds are better than Lionel Railsounds like what goes in Lionel's low end train set locos.   Volume is fine for me, a tad too loud in fact.  Truly Excellent horn, bell is good, good diesel rumble notching up as the train goes faster.  Polyphonic sound.  Sound is a strong point for the model.

Very good slow speed control and very  smooth running.   Good gearing.  Top speed is more than fast enough, but stays on the track.

Cannot compare to command.

Excellent lighting:  headlights, markers, numberboards.

Detail is excellent for the price-point.   I would love to have see-through fans on top, but that is asking a log for the price.

F/N/R sequence.  I run mine with CS-80.

I am hoping for a new release in new livery, I would like another pair.

I have a NYC, am happy with it except for the low volume. You can hear it while pulling a train, if the room is quiet, but it's kinda lame on volume.

Thanks guys!  I did do a search, but most of the posts I uncovered were fairly old (posted when the engine first came out) and/or not dealing with my specific questions.

I think the things that are a must for me are slow speed (for switching), good (don't have to be real loud) motive power sounds, and lighting.  I rarely use horn and bell so those aren't as important to me.

Are the lights LEDs?

I hope they come out with a Seaboard Air Line GP30.  I see they have a Seaboard RS3, but I have one already (RailKing).

For the 3RS guys...has anyone fixed the pilot and added Kadees?

Bob,

The WBB units Are very nice but are not comparable with MTH or Lionel When it comes to operation. For slow speed switching I don't think the WBB GP 30 is the ideal candidate. 

On the Bachmann Forum I wrote a review of the GP-30. I have both the UP and Atlantic Coast Line

For the money I think WBB did a stand up job. I would buy more if the right road names came out.

WBB DID use LED lighting which makes a big difference!!!! I don't mind the subtleness of the engine sounds as it doesn't disturb my wife and other kids in the rest of the house.

The start up and the revving of the engine is not as good as Lionel's. When I came across a GP-35 from Lionel the Trainsounds and revving were awesome!!!!

I see WBB making noticeable improvements in quality and "bang" for the buck and will support them. I think the industry is responding to the needs of all of us!! The kids of today seem to respond and want the electronic "gizmology" and that can lead the hobby to a whole new and different level. I see how my own 9 year old was able to handle Legacy etc with just cursory instruction. The new system Lionel has of being able to run 2 or 3 trains on the same line is awesome!! As I see my own son trying to run 2 trains on the same line until one engine catches up with the other this feature is another "kick it up a notch" winner.

Keep in mind the kids are the life blood and future of this hobby. In my opinion what seemed to "kill" the model airplane interest was the "too much" catering to the "salt and pepper guys"(older modelers- don't get upset I'm getting some gray too). The prices became way out of reach for the younger kids unless Dad sprang for the "kits". I seem to think the Industry is aware of all this and wants to keep everyone happy with such a diverse group it is difficult at best.

Conventional is great with some advanced features as the WBB GP-30. I think that reaches across the whole spectrum. I hope all of these guys can make it so if you want to "upgrade" your sounds it's easy to do for the future. Lighting to me at least is a big deal. With LED's we now can make the lights on our locomotives impressive. When you see the real thing it's the lights that draw your attention. When I have my sons friends over they like me to turn the lights off and run the trains. Lighting is a BIG deal!! AND something as simple as an Engineer and Fireman in the cab draws attention too, no kidding!!!!!

Fortunately this hobby draws a lot of smart and innovative people into it. I am not to worried about its future.

What will kill it is greed, poor quality product, cheap looking, easy to break, uninspiring "stuff" that breaks down frequently etc. and did I mention price!!!

There is a fix on the Bachmann site, where a simple mod to the reverse board will allow Williams locos to start in neutral, if this is the issue.

Heres video (not mine).

I did buy a Lionel GP-30 but was disappointed with the light being somewhat dim. Everything else was good. I have Lionel CW-80's and from neutral I can rev the engine up and push the button on the direction side of the transformer and engage the engine. It works for us every time!!!!

Thanks guys for all the info.

For now, I think I'll stay away from the GP30, some of the comments have me second-guessing a purchase of something that's not a "have-to-have".

A big factor really is whether you run command control on your layout or not. Sounds like you do. If you do, then these engines probably aren't what you want. If you just want to run conventional, that's a whole different story.

If you decide to get one, you might want to watch out for the versions that are anything but black. The colors on the Great Northern and UP versions I've seen are way off the mark.