As you know I model Swiss RhB and prefer scale products to “hey, it’s a nice paint finish, the rest is close enough” ware - all because of being in the smaller HOm scale and getting spoiled. And my work background tells me there’s no reason for doing peculiar things with width and height, if you manage to get the length more or less correct.
Holding LGB “accountable” would be too much of a job; but if there are a few more people finding out that LGB is much more toy than model without going the “gotcha” route that Eric (The Rockmodeler) took, at least there’s some benefit.
As a rule the “static” eminates from the same few who can’t stand seeing LGB not judged by the pretty finish, but if, whatever they call a model, actually is a model. That’s what makes me smile when some sign off with “proud member of RBB” - I assume that stands for Red Box Brigade.[:D][:D][:D]
Since I’m incurably intrigued with language I thought the “RBB” was a bit lopsided - RRBB as in Rabid Red Box Brigade would have a better visual balance. Of course it could also stand for “Rolf Richter’s Blind Bunch”. [;)][:)][;)] [:D][:D]
HJ - But it is just baiting…Large Scale will never be a purist model hobby. There are no 100% accurate North AM Largescale trains that I know of running out there in the great outdoors. I know there are some Euro companies that do wonderful stuff but don’t know em and don’t run em…
The only 100% accurate engine I know of come from Precision Models. And running them isn’t a real consideration. Some have tried with poor results.
Even the Bachmann Spectrums have their compromises. Not as many as some, of course… you have greater accuracy with them but you always have to do elective surgery to work out some of the kinks [the 4-4-0’s and 2-6-0’s seemed to be the exception].
De Facto scale 1:29.? …ya wouldn’t know it if you went to the Aristocraft forum and listen to the ranting and raving about some of their engines from some.
USA trains is pushing the envelope on the most accurate for 1:29. But then again it IS 1:29.
MTH is doing the most it can do with fairly good accuracy AND the right scale for the mainline…The Challenger is very nice…but I find the boxcars lacking in detail. But then again - no tiny broken pieces. I love the flats and the tank cars…
But compromises abound. No one has to accept them and as always - no one has to buy them…
Regardless LGB does proclaim what it is on it’s main website - and after reading that - I certainly wouldn’t expect scale fidelity.
I just got aomeone asking if I would be interested in 15 LGB CB&Q coal hoppers. It is tempting to add them to the fleet. Detailed no…last forever? Yes. Hmmmm…
Jack - that was what the original intent of the thread was. But you know forums. They start there and wing up here. At least we are not bringing up “Scrapple” here! [:D] Regardless - I certainly appreciate the early look at these and your efforts on the LGB Genesis.
HJ - these cars are long. IF you did them to scale - they would look ridiculous on any curve 10 foot or less [diameter] due to overhang. I have the same issue with my 21" in length KLine Ogauge cars. I run 81 inch diameter curves on my Ogauge layout - HUGE by most standards - and the overhang is noticeable. I wish I had bought the 18" versions. I don’t want shelf queens.
Selective compression. MTH did it with there 1:32 cars which I was a little dissappointed in - I figure at 1:32 they could do the proto length but they felt that the selective compression makes them “look” better on curves. The vast number of people generally run 8 foot diameter track or smaller in Large Scale.
I realize how they “do” those “artsy things”. I will patiently wait 'til the Amfleet cars become available through the dealers, buy a coach style and measure.
I took one of Jack’s pictures
cropped to size, enlarged and then measured from known dimensions - in this case height of track profile - did the calculation and hope that what finally comes from the factory is better than what interpolation indicated.
So now we wait and see.[;)][:)][;)]
For interesting twists and turns of threads and topics look no farther than the Genesis Review thread on several fora. [:)][:D][:)] Or for that matter any of the other threads where measurements collide with “artistic impressions”.
Which was precisely the reason why I decided to generate my “infamous” comparison tables, [;)][:)] so far nobody told me “HJ, you didn’t measure or calculate correctly”. But there have been expressions of surprise at just how far off the scale mark certain things are.
HJ, let’s try to keep in mind that this forum is offered for those who are in pursuit of information regarding their hobby… yes, a hobby… not a matter of life and death.
Thanks for sharing the photos, Jack. I’m certain 99.9% of our readers appreciated your efforts.
When will the Lgb amfleet cars be in stores. I have ordered two just waiting to see when the will arrive i have already have the phase 3 engine and do they all have lights in them? thank you in advance please get back to me as soon as possible [:)]
