Does anyone know of a thread that has a complete HO scale loco review of engines produced in the last ten years written or video?
That vwould be quite a thread, but no, not that I’m aware of. Check the indexes of the usual usual suspects, with our host MR producing roughloy one HO loco review a month, with other like RMC and NMRA Magazine doing large numbers also, along with other publications, At the top right of this screen you’ll see a pull-down menu labeled “Resources” that has a comprehensive, searechable “Magazine Index” that is very helpful for finding such reviews and other articles.
Also, sometimes Googling the engine your inquiring about will also bring up reviews, and articles.
Mike.
I suggest adding the word “review” to the above mentioned search.
Ed
That would be quite a list if it existed. Many reviews
are not only running but details about some parts, paint, etc.
I find many using google with reviews. Some are on You Tube.
Rich
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I have found the YouTube reviews mostly useless, but usually kind of entertaining. There seems to be this thing on YouTube where you need a big personality to get your point across. It usually comes across as obnoxious. Movie reviews are the worst.
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I love Rapido’s reviews of their own products on YouTube.
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-Kevin
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Thanks to all for the replys,will do more searching on my computer[;)] as many of you have suggested.
One of the best sources for reviews was Model Railroad news…I think they are out of business but there might be an archive somewhere…
Guy
I just did a Google search for ho scale locomotive reviews.
Below is only one.
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/model/HO-steam.php
There are many opinions but that can depend on how many rivets you count.
As an example, I have a Precision Scale, BLI NYC F3 A and B. The A unit has a MARs light. The NYC never used a Mars light to my knowledge.
Rich
I became interested in picking up an Intermountain cab forward: low price, great detailing, Loksound.
But it had a scary reputation. Now, supposedly all that got fixed. But I wasn’t sure. So. I thought I’d see what folks said in reviews.
One of the You Tube reviews was really good. By that, I mean complete and in depth. Based on that, I bought one. And I love it. When I picked it up at my local shop, we did a test run and it ran beautifully. A lovely loco!
Consider, please: It’s the only plastic steam engine that is a REAL articulated. AND. While the sound comes out of the tender (a really stupid idea), it at least comes out quite near the exhaust stack. A big plus.
So, although some of the on-line reviews (both in print and You Tube) are lame, some are not. Just watch several and use that thing in your head that keeps your ears separated.
Ed
Another option is asking here about a particular engine or type of engine.
I subscribe to several print magazines as well as several online magazines. Together, they cover most of the market. But I am not aware of any comprehensive listing.
You can also search on the magazine index (under Resources on the menu bar above). It won’t provide a review, but can help you find reviews that have been done in the print media.
Good luck
Paul
This guy reviews everything:
Reviews are difficult to achieve a relavence. A compared to what question is always there. A favorite comment is that the unit runs smooth. How is that measured.
My tests compare the test engine with the data base to try to answer the question. A single unit sample is just that. You can not know how it fits in the natural statistical variation. Unfortunately these models have a number of variation drivers. Some manufacturers seem to have shown less variation than others.
Reviews are also very subjective. The rating of a product also depends on the knowledge and experience of the reviewer.
I am also a military modeler (mainly cars and trucks) Years ago a magazine had a review of a German staff car kit. The reviewer said the model was an inacurate representation of the prototype. I had the kit and compared it to photos of the real thing in a book I own. There were several variations of the car built. The model was very accurate for one of them.
Back to trains
Also years ago two model railroad magazines had reviews of a steam locomotive kit in the same month. One reviewer declared that it was unbuildable. The other that it was well designed and while not easy a person with moderate skills would have no problem building it.