So far, my planned D&RGW Montrose Branch HOn3 layout has only one loco on its roster, a Westside Model T-12 which I unearthed after 35 (!) years. I am right now pondering to add one more loco, but I am not yet sure which one.
The options are either to buy a used brass C-16 or wait for the Blackstone C-19 to be released into the market. For just about the same price, the Blackstone model offers DCC & sound, plus probably better running characteristics. But it is not brass …
I, personally, am all for the Blackstone with DCC and sound!
I don’t particularly care for brass, and don’t think it’s “all that” over plastic…
Blackstone supposedly has a high reputation and I love love love the pics I have seen of their models. They even look quality and exude images of real 1:1 hot steaming steamers rolling by.
There are times I wish I was modeling what Blackstone puts out just to have an excuse to get one, but I don’t and can’t quite stretch my protolanced RR THAT far off base…LOL
I have four of the Blackstone K-27s and three of the C-19s on pre order. If time is not an issue, I’d suggest waiting for the Blackstone C-19. If you decide to wait for the Blackstone, you should probably have a look at the road numbers in the first run and pick one (or more) and place a pre order. I suspect that they will sell out quickly.
The real question is, do you want a C-16 or a C-19?
I don’t see any significance in the material used for a locomotive shell. The frame should be made of something that won’t wear out too quickly, but the superstructure can be ANYTHING. Once nicely painted and appropriately weathered, who will know?
The criteria I use when considering a locomotive for my railroad boils down to one thing. Did the prototype loco operate on my prototype’s rails during September, 1964. If the answer is NO, it will remain in the seller’s hands.
The real question is do you feel like you have the knowledge and skills to turn a brass locomotive into a smooth runner? I know I went through a couple of brass models before being able to tune one up to the point where it would run like a Blackstone. It’s rewarding if that’s your sort of thing.
Also, is having a working front coupler essential to your operations? I know that the Sunset C-16 is pretty tricky to get a front coupler onto. Then there’s the question of defects present in older brass models.
Ultimately, it comes down to this: Do you think you have what it takes to turn a $300+ brass loco into a smooth runner that will perform to your standards? If not, it’s probably worth waiting for the Blackstone. If time is of the essence, I think there are still some of the K-27s available on Ebay, new.
thank you for your valuable input. As much as I like brass locos, it just makes sense to wait for the Blackstone C-19 to come. Although I am able to tinker around with a loco to tune it, I hate to do it having spent $ 400 on it.