Most Life-Like trains you come across for sale are where a lot of people got started, especially in HO and N scale. The standard line covers more budget-friendly pieces, but once you step into the Proto 1000 and Proto 2000 series, you start getting into models with noticeably better detail and smoother operation.
That jump in quality is what put the Proto line on the map, with Proto 2000 in particular known as the higher-end offering, while Proto 1000 sits more in the middle as a solid, reliable option. You still see both ends of that range in use today, depending on whether you're running trains or upgrading your roster. You can find more in model trains when building out or updating a layout.