Starting with their 1997 SW9/1200 model, Life-Like began to gradually phase out their old line of wallet-friendly locomotive models in favor of higher-end offerings. And in 1999, Life-Like released the second in that line - their highly acclaimed GP20. This model was Life-Like's first real foray into Atlas/Kato country - it being basically a top-to-bottom imitation of those firms' diesel models -

With the exception of DCC-readiness, this initial version had pretty much every feature we now associate with "modern" diesel models - IE, all-metal / split-frame chassis, skew-wound 5-pole motor, dual flywheels, low-friction drive/pickup, all-plastic gearing, bi-directional LED lighting, low-profile blackened wheels, shell-mounted Rapido-style couplers (easily swapped out for MT's), fine shell detailing, crisp paint, etc.

Performance on these models is perfect in every way - smooth, quiet, great throttle response, great pickup, great slow-speed creep, pulling power to spare, etc. And if Life-Like's equally impressive SW9/1200 put them on the map, it was this GP20 model that served to solidify their position as an elite player in N scale.