Ever since their first attempt at producing a “Steam” looking toy, I’ve wondered who was behind the choices.
When they finally put out the first Pacific type, most found out that “A pile of junk” was a very kind description of it.
Funny how B’mann can put out a loco that, at least looks somewhat believeable, while Aristo seems to fail on most counts. (Refering to steam profile locos).
I mention the two manufacturers in the same breath, and NOT UStrains, as they are in a price range that is more accepted by us mortals.
I often wonder why some manufacturer of SG models, doesn’t bite the bullet and produce a light 2-8-0, of USRA design, or a 2-6-0, like a CN Mogul, that would fit into a short line setting, as most model pikes would accomodate such a loco much better. Do it well, and using the same ideas as the B’mann produced stuff; mass produce it at a $200-$300 level, and I would think they would have a winner.
These giant piles of junk, or high priced pieces that are only available to the rich and infamous; don’t really help to bring new people into the LS part of the hobby. In fact it tends to brand LS as a “Toy Train Collectors’ scale”
B’man, althogh catering only to the Narrow (Minded) Gaugers, has helped much more to make the LS hobby believable, and affordable, for most.
All manufacturers seem to find their area to make mistakes in.
B’mann seems to always have drive problems, but produces a nice model. Aristo goofs up on the model, and sometimes goofs again on engineering. Then you have USTrains that seems to loose parts as it goes along the track, and goes cheap on the drive also.
I wonder with all the speculation about this “K”, from B’mann, and all their ideas to not make mistakes “This time”; what will fail first…the “Mad hatter’s” electronic package, or the new motor/gearbox…funny, with all the hoopala, we haven’t seen any report on what in heck the motor looks like, or the gear box…guess we will have to wait for Dave to actually get one and strip it down properly.
Roger, over at some other place seems to be too egrossed in the electronics of the loco, with Aimes Esq., guiding him, to look at the gearbox and motor.
We can rip out boards and wire, to make a loco run; but without a dependable motor and gearbox, there is trouble brewing again.
Then…as if we need more speculation,he he…there is some word out there, that the motor is some odd-ball type that is only good for DCC…or is that the second run…!!!1
Gee; it would be great to have someone produce a simple model, with great looks, that just runs dependably, without the junk they try to put ito them these days; and at a B’mann price…
We don't need cab lights, flickering fire boxes, smoke that stinks, and the sounds of the crew farting.....we just want dependable locos, that look "Correct", and can actually OPERATE dependably.
Let the toy train people add the junk if they want to play in the sand box.
