http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=2042
You can click on the pictures for an enlargement.
Thanks to MR Trains.
Enjoy
Cheers
Saw those a little while ago. They look good.
Is it just me or does there seem to be to much “air” visible in the profile pictue? I remember these locomotives asbeing much more squat looking than the phot makes this model appear.
I sort of thought the same thing. I watched the 844 pass by last weekend, and it looked a bit different as far as the “lower half” goes. Possibly some sacrifices made for running on tight radii?
I too, saw her this last weekend. There is way to much air under the traling truck.
The open area between the cab and the trailing truck is what immediately caught my eye and is especially annoying. It doesn’t appear to be worth the money.
This is obviously the chance for some of the real modellers to get in and show these backyard companies how to do it properly, its obvious that what is wanted is an ‘exact’ scale model, of course it must negotiate 18" radius curves, pull a hundred car train on an 8’ x 4’ and cost less than a couple hundred bucks, with no compromises to fidelity to scale.
Looks fine to me Athearn, hope you repeat the model in N scale (with no compromises of course, and capable of running round 9" radius curves).
If this sounds sarcastic, your dead right, c’mon guys, give credit where its due, if it weren’t for these companies, you wouldn’t have the plethora of fine ‘models’ we have today, there has to be compromises, if you want an “EXACT” scale model, better build it yourself (and make sure and post a pic), never know, you just may get a demand for them.
Teditor
They look just BEAUTIFUL…too bad the sound wont match the looks.
David B
The space is obvious and can be corrected by adding some detail. This is rather common on many plastic models since they don’t have the built up frame that nomally would fill in. I for one plan to add some detail to block the area. The picture makes it worst since it has a white background behind it.
Cheers
here is a link for the real 844 pictures…
http://www.bemrrc.com/UP844SP4449/index.htm
I already have one of the Athearn’s reserved at my LHS [:)] … and, I already have the Rivarossi FEF-3 (#843). It is a bugger to run (really tests your track), but sure looks great and can pull well! Ciao!
Brian
I suppose I could have used a smiley myself. I was being a little sarcastic. I did mention in a previous post about sacrifice for operating on smaller layouts with tight radii.
I personally wouldn’t want one of these if somebody gave one to me, since I don’t model the UP and have no interest in it.[:D]
I’ll have to reserve judgement until I see one in person but my first reaction was “That locomotive just doesn’t look right”. I’ve seen the 844 in person and that photograph just doesn’t look like the 844. It may be just a bad photgraph because of the white background but, at a $400 list price, I’d like it to look better than the picture shows.
The day light above the tender’s truck is the same very obvious mistake. Those centipede tenders (as well as most other types) had large center sills which are permanently ignored by the plastic model industry - and this detail has NOTHING to do with tight curves.
The brass builders make a correct frame end for the engines which becomes very narrow at the extreme rear - thus looking very nice and CORRECT, but nevertheless they are able to run really tight curves.
So again: again I don’t see any reason to spend $400 for an engine with probably otherwise good detail, but with such extremely obvious omissions concerning the BASICS of proportions.
Not the case that I am not able to add these details to that Athearn (or any other) model, but for that price I would get a VERY NICE BRASS model of that engine. In my eyes most mass produced (either die cast or plastic) models are way too expensive for what they offer.
The price of the KTM Westside FEF model today is reasonable for sure and it is a fairly good overall model. I hope the Genesis model looks better upclose than the photographs showed.
Cheers
$400 does seem high but they are discounted at most places where you would buy them.
Lets compare the latest SD70Ace prices from Tower 55. They are now $315 and that is a short mark up so the discounts on those will be small. $315 for a diesel with sound and $400 for a steam model with sound.
The dollar just does not go as far as when Washington threw one accross the Potomac if the story is true.
My first brass NKP Berkshire cost me all of $64.95 new without paint so it is hard to think about what $300 or so buys you now.
Cheers
Well, my humble opinion, is that while not perfect, it is a good looking model. Some people may get concerned by certain things not in the right place, right number of rivets, etc., but to me, it will do. Also, while I like brass as much as anyone, I find it UNLIKELY that you will find a brass engine with a can motor, DCC and sound, painted for $400… likely closer to $800+… just my 2 cents…
Brian
You are correct about the price. The older Brass Westside KTM models are about $350 to $400 without paint or DCC or a new motor to work with DCC. Any of the later Key or Overland models are at $1000 or so without DCC.
I have not seen anything about it that cannot be fixed including the picture window under the firebox look.
Cheers
Looks nice, I’d like to see them (or somebody) do the first Northern - a Northern Pacific “A” class.
It would be awfully nice if Athearn would make a bit of plastic that could be glued in by the end-user to fill up the missing frame space under the firebox. Same holds for the lead tender truck. That way, those of us not aflicted with tight curves could have a much more accurate model of the engine. Those with the tight curves could opt to leave the pieces off.
Ed
I agree that athearn should fix this problem. We should all email them soon and just lay out the problem. It probably won’t be hard to fill in some of the space with a frame like piece of plastic.
Cheers