HO Scale Intermountain ES44AC Review

[formidable38]

I got the T55 version about 5 years ago now. I had to disconnect the speaker as the sound is that bad!!!

Do you still ahve this model today? Whats is like after owning for a year?

[ihave2rocks]

Wow man that's a beautiful sounding engine.

[ihave2rocks]

Were you turning the speed knob back and forth when you started it?

[ihave2rocks]

Well, I would be able watch this in 1080p without it buffering every 15 seconds...

[EWS60008]

Thanks for the review. I am new to US locomotives and I am looking into getting the GE Demonstrator version of this model as well as the BNSF variant. The sound seems to be just as good as the ESU LokSound decoders as well if not better. Have a thumbs up and I look forward to watching more locomotive reviews on your channel

[modeltrain9500]

@EWS60008

check out modeltrainstuff(dot)com for a GE demonstrator, they have got a lot left in stock

[bigB6flyer]

I have two of these with two more on order. The IM are the only models between the Athearn Genesis SD70ACe and the MTH SD70ACe/M2s that I have had no issues with. The quality on the Ath Gen SD70ACe was poor and with the MTH SD70ACe DCC Ready I had a short in one loco and the other the Soundtraxx decoder would not fit under the shell.

These IM ES44ACs are outstanding...

[TamiyaRunner]

1080p makes your videos 10,000 times better, nice upgrade!

[formidable38]

Amen to that, i gota T55 Gevo with Digitrax sound, its the worst sounding unit ive ever heard, absolute crap. And yeah, the detail is better on the Intermountain.

[GECP4256]

Don't they have a NS one? I didn't here you mention it. at, or I wasn't paying attention.

[LoganisTrainBoy1]

@GECP4256 Ive been waiting for a Norfolk Southern one too. Intermountain isnt doing an NS ES44AC but they are doing a NS ES44DC that is comming out later this year.

[GECP4256]

@LoganisTrainBoy1 Oh, that's a shame, I'd love to have NS ES40DC's.

[LoganisTrainBoy1]

@GECP4256 I honestly like the ES44DC better (Extra 400 HP) but I can understand that. I would love for lionel to make a visionline NS ES44 or ES40 AC or DC! I emailed them about it but they said it was a marketing question they couldnt release. Good luck finding one, I know OMI makes one but it doesnt have sound already added in and its $900.

[GECP4256]

@LoganisTrainBoy1 Hm, I see, I honestly want one of the Lionel Hybrid units, the GE scheme.

[knightbob81]

Which one pulls more and better. Intermountain ES44AC or the MTH SD70M-2(ACe).

I may be getting one in the future.

[modeltrain9500]

@knightbob81

intermountain will be better cause MTH is extremely difficult to MU and operate on DCC

[railfanjc]

Hello- I was wondering If I get the Intermountain ES44ac without sound can i add the sound later on?

[amtrakseptaguy11]

i would change the horn but the bell is perfect

[BNSF5621]

you need to talk less

[aaron13133]

nice engine, im getting mine in the mail next week, the CP one. but i have to get the ditch lights NOT to flash, cause CP engines DONT do that....

[UP5140SD70M]

@aaron13133 ik the thing that bothers me is the falshing lights,

[usafisasome]

nice gevo

[KillaTrains]

I got two KcS and two C's man the one's I got out the box sound a whole lot better than the demo you're using. I like the review though beside MTH proto 3.0 sound Soundtrax is the best. I have a couple T55's and the only difference what I can tell is the tinted windows on both models is the only difference as well the the mounted side screens are see through. The IM model is lighter than the T55 but the decoder is more superior than Digtrax weak decoders.

[bnsf9842]

so is it heavy, do u weight tour cars 2 nrma standards, if so how many cars can it pull

[CSXBRAZIL]

know if you already went to the CSX, hugs and beautiful video.

[ovationpdh]

I got the KCS de Mexico version, and it is just beautiful. Well detailed, and it has the best horn cast I have seen on any HO scale model. Great job Intermountain

[tech1960ps1]

Thanks for the review, looks like a fine model. Something for next years Christmas list !

Paul

[tech1960ps1]

Thanks for the review, looks like a fine model. Something for next years Christmas list !

Paul

[TheMilwaukeeSub]

Great review, definatley buying this Locomotive. T55 was great, the sound quality was bad because they used Digitrax Sound, which is not the greatest. Both the Atearn Genesis line and Intermountain are using Soundtraxx digital sound decoders for sound, which is by far superior to the T55 and the MRC sound that was found in the T55 and the previouos Genesis line.

[morepassionfoo]

If you pay 250 for it your getting ripped off, at my local train shop (acually called the train shop) theyre 200 for sound. The only trick is to be able to buy one because these things seel like candy to fat kids.

[ovationpdh]

Are these on the market yet? I would really like to get the UP version.

[simpsons4567]

Do u know when they will be in stores to buy?

[mcglock17]

I can't hear clearly the sound of this one.

Which one you consider better so far? The MTH SD70ACe, Genesis SD70ACe, or IMR ES44AC?

Is this locomotive speed matched with Genesis SD70ACe's, since they both have the same sound decoder?

I wanna get me a pair of UP's, but I'm undecided between these three brands.

[jlwii2000]

@mcglock17 I would still take MTH sound over the other two. I would say the speed is matched on the Athearn and Intermountain.

[mcglock17]

@jlwii2000

Thanks for the info, man.

I can't wait to get my pair of UP's.

I love my MTH SD70ACe's too.

I'm not quite convinced about Genesis SD70ACe's. I see poor quality on that model.

I used to like the old Genesis SD70MAC's.

[chefjavier]

@mcglock17 In my opinion the best locomotive is MTH SD70Ace, the sync with sound is calibrated,engine runs smooth. I think the Genesis SD70Ace is has better details but the sounds problems and axle derailments are very anoying. I think the rush this unit and the consumer is having huge problems with the units. I am trying to return the locomotve back to the manafacture.

[es44ac2005]

@mcglock17 

[es44ac2005]

es44ac2005 imres44ac

[es44ac2005]

@es44ac2005 i consider the imr es44ac i have a es44ac ge demonstrator

[es44ac2005]

@es44ac2005 

[EMDX90]

Very nice! Thanks for giving us this review!

[MrLuebeck]

Thanks for the review. If available in the future I'll get the CP version or when the CN ES44DC comes out

[ovationpdh]

Cool, thanks for the review, and thanks for the nice close up pictures of the model. Looks like it is a winner, can't wait to get a few UP versions.

[ovationpdh]

Some of the best sound I have heard is with the MTH SD70ACe model. It has two speakers facing down in the fuel tank. Speaker direction is not that big of a thing as long as the quality of sound is there.

[ballparkfrank10]

@ovationpdh Yes, but the Athearn sounds are more prototypical. I'd rather it being prototypical than it being louder.

[Southerntreatment]

awesome engine! love the horn! its smart to do the speaker like that!

[Braintrainz]

Does the decoder in this Intermountain ES44AC have different programmable sounds for the horn that you can use ?

[ovationpdh]

If you don't mind me asking, how did you get one of these when they are not even out yet?

[jlwii2000]

@ovationpdh Intermountain sent me a unit directly from them for the purpose of this review. Much like Model railroader gets items for review before they hit the stores.

[chefjavier]

@jlwii2000 are you trying to be straight forward with the review?

[mona6302]

You should do a thing like the Athearn vs. MTH ACe thing, only Intermountain vs. Tower 55 ES44AC. You have a tower 55 don't you?

[aocruiser]

Awesome review!! If I modeled HO I would get one of these babies!!

[trainamtrakcsx]

That thing is SWEET!!!! btw what is the yellow center cab visible in the video. I would like to know because i operated a real one and i wanna model the one i operated.

[mononc420]

@trainamtrakcsx Bachmann 44 tonner

[1991conrail]

excellent review, looks like an awesome engine

[ovationpdh]

Great looking model, glad to hear it runs well. The Intermountain SP Cab Forward steam model was one of the best looking models I have ever seen. To bad they run so poorly. Seems Intermountain has upped its quality control.

[jlprailroad]

Great review. Keep up the great work.

[RENFEMikado]

excellent review and surely an engine worth getting. One question: are the UP units molded in yellow plastic or are the bodies actually painted? I had some Proto 2000 UP units 10 years ago that were molded in yellow and it didn't look good.

[C45ACCTE]

Bro! Well done, thanks. Three things: 1) 1080p is the only way to go because it makes the details pop; 2) I love KATO and MTH, but these new Intermountain units will find a home on my roster; 3) Hopefully you don't forget about us and you review an ES44DC (CN would be nice) when they come out. Not enough Canadian power on YouTube. 5***** review as always.

[bigB6flyer]

Very sharp looking model. I am really excited to get my UP and BNSF ES44ACs and later my NS & CSX ES44DCs...Thanks for the review.

[Chessiecat97]

This is a great model but I wish they would do a CSX one.

[damianbradley]

@Chessiecat97 They are.

[Chessiecat97]

@damianbradley In HO scale?

[damianbradley]

@Chessiecat97 Yes its a later release

[0102allison]

I was waiting for this review to make my decision NOW I GOTTA PICK IT UP BECAUSE IT LOOKS AWESOME AND U SAY ITS AWESOME SO IM GETTING ONE

[trainmandan05]

Ohh crap they just came out! I got to get mine now.

[1998ChevroletS10]

really cool sounds just like the real thing just in ho scale form. lol

[damianbradley]

I noticed that IMRC didnt add the tinted windows on ES44AC,and the Flag is smaller than the prototype,and the cab numbers are moved back a tad too much as someone just pointed out to me.

[damianbradley]

Nice,make me want to go and get an KCS Version,and I might do that. I got 2 T55s myself but the IMRC sounds better,and looks better somewhat.

[trainOholic]

how much do one of these cost?

[ballparkfrank10]

@trainOholic MSRP $249.99 with Sound/DCC then without DCC/Sound its like $179.99 MSRP.

[trainOholic]

@ballparkfrank10 awesome thanks :)

[RFandPRailfan]

Thanks for the Review can't wait until the CSX one comes out.

[UP5140SD70M]

Awesoem detail, The best looking ES44 I have seen