One more second round of the thoughts, on a general note.
Again speaking to the idea that different “details” matter, or don’t matter, to different people.
So many people are more and more hung up on our models being “correct” and are quick to criticize models that are generic, or freelanced, selectively compressed, or simply close stand ins.
Yet many of the those same people will overlook cars/locomotives grossly coupled with large gaps between them as they squeek around way too sharp a curve, kinda like a piece of LIONEL.
To my eyes, all that accurate model beauty is LOST as soon as you do that.
You may as well tie them together with strings and run them around 18" radius at that point.
Am I a radius snob? - you bet.
It is what makes the WHOLE SCENE look realistic.
So to my eyes, even though they are not specific models of actual passenger cars, my close coupled 72’ cars with touching working diaphragms, pulled by my Proto E units and PA’s, also close coupled with touching diaphragms, are realisticly graceful as they weave thru my 36" radius and larger curves.
I’m interested in building a working, operating model railroad that gives some sort of big picture realism to the moving train as a whole, not in just accumulating accurate individual “display” models of railroad equipment.
But we all have different goals and interests. And the details I consider important likely matter not to others, and vice versa.
So, for many people, the Bachmann E7 is likely just fine, and for someone not spending $1200 on a single passenger train, a good value for their money.
Others will feel differently, myself included. While I have lots of Bachmann products, not one “mainline” diesel they have offered is up to my detail standards.
I do have Bachmann GE 44 and 70 Tonners, and a fleet of their doodlebugs. The rest of my Bachmann stuff is steam, most