The ad for the Athearn (Roundhouse) 2-8-0 in the recent newsletters is almost embarrassing to read - it makes me feel like I’m reading an e-Bay ad for a steam engine complete with “coal car”:
“Roundhouse has done it again with the 2-8-0 Consolidation, which comes fully assembled with realistic details like a smokestack, dome, headlight and lead truck”
Wow - those are some incredible details! What Horizon/Athearn/Roundhouse say themselves is:
“Prototype specific smokestack, dome, headlight, lead truck and tender”
As to the level of detail beyond those basics, let alone boiler diameter, driver diameter, etc., I’ll withhold judgment until I can at least see a photograph and read a review.
PS: I would still love to see overall length and/or overall wheelbase become a regular part of every steam locomotive review in MR - nothing like finding that new engine wont fit your turntable - unless you’ve got room for an 18 inch UP Cheyenne size monster.
Why not release it in SP Daylight colors? Chances are it will sell. They are good looking colors for those not prototype-minded. Not everyone is hung up on 100% prototype fidelity. And if you are, what are you doing buying a rather generic 2-8-0 with slide valves in the 1st place?
But I suppose Athearn/Roundhouse should never have been allowed to release their Overton series passenger cars in anything but Sierra Ry colors, or release the baggage car and the observation (Sierra Ry only built 1 combine and 1 coach). Of course, without the income all those foobie Overton passenger cars - including Lima Locomotive Works and Gorre & Daphetid - generated for Roundhouse, they might have produced a lot fewer models over the years. The prototype modeling police should have the authority to stop manufacturers from doing such foolish things. After all, just not buying a wrongly painted model isn’t enough punishment for the manufacturer/importer. [:-,]
Also features a realistic boiler, cab, and 8 drive wheels - just like the prototype! But wait, there’s more! Built in is a motor with armature and realistic gearing, so your model is ready to run the moment you open the box!
When I read it I also though that details such as the smokestack lead truck etc were always included. I do think that any modeler would find a steam loco without these details not worth buying.
Whenever I read a MR review of a new product I look for what they don’t say about it. They try to put a positive spin on all new products, after all the manufacturers are the ones that advertise in the magazines and their advertising keeps the magazine price affordable to us. It’s the things they don’t say that are important to take note of. Admittedly, this is a product announcement not a product review but the same ideas apply.