Intermountain ES44AC 'GEVO' - Review

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I have been wanting to get one of these since September 2008, when I took a picture of a freight train out in colorado. (That picture is my wallpaper on my channel) its a BNSF es44ac

This intermountain BNSF ES44ac model is Fantastic! It has all wheel electrical pickup, and a high performance motor. The weight is good, but not excellent. It will take an 18 inch radius curve without any trouble at all. My ES44AC is in BNSF, and has the correct details to match the prototype. This means the four window cab, 2 vents behind the cab, and lastly a rear light mounted in the middle of the frame.

There is a lot of detail to this model. The intermountain GEVO has metal grab irons and windshield wipers. Other details are the piping molded into the frame, wind deflectors, sun shades, MU cables and other hoses. Also, it features lighted ditch lights, number boards, and headlights, all separately controlled.

Complaints:

I have a few complaints about the model. First off a grab iron is missing, but I think thats a very rare case because all the other intermountain GEVOs out have not reported any problems. Also, the trucks are a bit wobbly, so the locomotive can tip to the side. The lights are a bit dim, ive seen worse, but also have seen a lot better. Lastly, the wires that take the power from the wheels into the board is visible. None of the really matters when its on the track though, overall id say the locomotive was made very well.

Thanks for watching and reading!

[modeltrain]

You're right. There should not be oscillating ditch lights, and there was a grab missing. Even though it's not correct for BNSF, this run of locomotives came programmed from the factory to flash. They should not have been, but they were. Simple factory error. As for the Grab, pieces get missed on models all the time. They are turning these things out by the hundreds and it can only be expected that every once in a while something will go wrong.

Thanks for the comment

[Sinistar]

Just bought a non sound unit from ebay and was going buy a decoder until I read these comments. Nice to know they have decoders in non sound units as well :)

[kinkyangel]

and neither of the white boxes on top of the cab are ac units one is gps and the other is a self containd locomitive wireless sender/reciever and e.o.t. device communicator the wirless box is most common added on roadnames who haul coal as we often use midtrain or end train wirless pusher units

[fyadcorp]

The thing on the engineer's side next to the fuel tank is the air dryer. The white boxes on the top are communications equipment, the air conditioner is mounted below the cab. The bell rings a little slow (notice the model has a real bell with a clapper in it instead of an e-bell) and of course BNSF units don't have flashing ditch lights, but who really cares--I'm just glad the LEDs are yellow instead of blueish. The grated stairs are a nice touch. Really nice looking model, good video.

[codydnoob]

@modeltrain9500 well i definutly will im going to start it with my dad and he will do alot of the building of the wood and ill help but i might do some reviews and then do some senic stuff

[modeltrain]

Ive always liked the look of the BNSF on the Gevo's. The paint scheme seems to just fit perfectly. The Union pacific is nice, but i think the BNSF just looks a bit better. Both are great though, you can't go wrong

[codydnoob]

nice model cant wait to start my first layout and anyways i dont even have a train

[bigBflyer]

Set CV 52 to a value of 15+128* = 143
Set CV 54 to a value of 15+128* = 143

To get your ditch lights to be constant on these with horn ala BNSF.

[OwenMcFarland]

One because I can't figure out how from Intermountain's website

[modeltrain]

@MrSmartpie

yes, all of these locomotives have DCC/DC dual mode decoders, its just a matter of whether or not it will have sound. The non sound model DOES have a decoder

[RailroadStreet]

What about the NS and CSX ES40DC DC with no sound are those Hard to find?

[OwenMcFarland]

I mean, How do I order one from Intermountains website

[modeltrain]

it could work fine, but im just not sure. the train will probably be fine but the cars behind it will probably derail because of the sharp turn and the short couplers. you could change the coupler though and you may just be in luck

[modeltrain]

you can either search maDers trains on google, or get one off of ebay. Most likely you will be able to find one and get it quicker from ebay. I got mine from madders when they were still in very high demand and hard to find.

[modeltrain]

Well I didn't adjust anything at all, so id say its matched fairly well as stock. Im sure you could tweak the speed settings a little bit for it to be better. For the most part, Id say its matched fairly well

[modeltrain]

You can't, really. Your best bet would be to go on ebay, modeltrainstuff, or place an order with your local hobby shop. I would check out modeltrainstuff(dot)com, they usually have what your'e looking for

[modeltrain]

@Hobbydude1000

It is a fantastic engine, and the BNSF new image looks great on it as well. The two go together perfectly! I paid about $230 for this. It was a lot, but definitely worth it.

[modeltrain]

@bigB6flyer

Thanks for the info, Ive already been playing around a good bit with this stuff. Even though its not prototypical, Ive gotten to liking the flashing ditch lights, I think its cool

[modeltrain]

@railfanfromiantha

Thanks! I know its not prototypical, and eventually I will change it. For now Im going to leave it like that though, I think its neat, though not technically correct.

[modeltrain]

@MetraMan4141

As of now... no. Check back in a few days I will have a running video testing its performance on flat track, inclines, and various radii.