Model Forum / General / Railroads / August 2006

Berg's brass 32 class noted on sale at one of the shops yesterday for
$1250.   The plastic 32s can be ordered until the end of this month
for $475, painted.  For only $175 more than the $1250, I will have
three 32s to operate on the layout and my veteran brass models can be
retired to heritage operations!

Hunslet.

I have seen a brass 57 on the same club layout haul more than a full
scale load. It's simple to remove the spring from the leading bogie and
add a little weight inside the boiler. At least the better brass
locomotives have stainless steel driving wheels, unlike 99% of plastic
RTR which come with plated brass wheels. The plating eventually wears
off resulting in exposing dirt attracting brass. To date I have only
seen one plastic RTR steam locomotive which is as accurate and detailed
as brass, and has quality fine scale driving wheels, that's the Eureka
60. The Austrains 36 and Lima 38 both have slot car geared mechanisms,
the Austrains 36 also has die cast zinc wheels which attract dirt as
good as brass wheels. I prefer a properly engineered brass locomotive
with stainless steel wheels any day compared to the majority of current
RTR plastic steam. Eureka is the exception, Trainorama's 32 should be
as good as the Eureka product, both are aiming for the best RTR can do.
The Austrains 35 could be as good, but John will probably save money
and use the current slot car geared mechanism with dirt attracting
wheels.

Hhmmmm................I might have given it serious consideration at that
price if it was a good runner.
Of course, re the previous statement about one being on sale for
$1200.......what you ask for it and if anyone wants to buy at that price are
two different things!
.......................................Bill

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"I have not said this. I am not here". -The Navigator