Quick comparison of the ES44AC (Intermountain vs. Tower 55)

[mcglock17]

Yeah, the horn might sound better on the Intermountain, but you can hardly hear it.

[Trek2539]

I like that the Intermountain has Soundtraxx Tsunami. I didn't really like the digitrax horn of the Tower 55.

[mcglock17]

I got a question for all you guys who get to see real UP trains everyday in your towns...

Is the flag on the long hood of the Intermountain UP models properly at scale?

'Cause I got a couple of MTH UP SD70ACe's, and a couple of IMR Gevos, and the Gevos have the flag smaller.

Is that how it is in real life?

Gevos have that flag smaller than EMD locomotives on the UP roster?

[LoganisTrainBoy1]

@mcglock17 The Gevos have a smaller flag because of all the engine accsess doors and the bigger radiator. There is a little more room on the SD70's so their flags are bigger.

[8747csx]

The sound system in the Intermountain model is too real! That's awesome! It is actual sound and not just noise.

[pwhite73]

@8747csx Yeah, I really like the sounds that are in this locomotive!

[mcglock17]

@8747csx You really think it sounds too real?

What about when the engines are running over 25 miles an hour?

I don't think it sounds very clear. All I hear in the room where my layout is is shhhh...

[1991conrail]

both are very nice models

[pwhite73]

@1991conrail Yes they are!

[UnionPacificRules]

How much do intermountains cost with sound?

[pwhite73]

@UnionPacificRules I found this one on ebay for $210 for the pre-order. But the MSRP from Intermountain I believe is $269.

[modeltrain9500]

@UnionPacificRules

Check out ulrich models, theyve got them real cheap. ulrichmodels(dot)biz

[metraF40PH163]

Hum, still sound is better that no sound!

[pwhite73]

@metraF40PH163 Oh heck yeah!!!! Besides, if nothing else, it makes for a great DPU/helper unit.

[metraF40PH163]

@pwhite73 Yeah that's always neat/ realistic

[metraF40PH163]

They both look/ sound so good! can't tell

[pwhite73]

@metraF40PH163 Ha ha ha!!!! Yes, they are both great models and both sound great, although the horn sounds on the Intermountain are much better. I really like the alternate horn that the Tower 55 unit has, but its very, very faint and kind of crackles when its blowing. Just a poor recording of it, because the standard horn is the typical horn on the Digitrax sound decoder for the Kato AC4400, and it sounds fine (other than not sounding realistic at all!).