I saw an ad in this month M.R.'s for a new NYC. j1e 4-6-4 DCC. ready & sound by Broadway Limited Imports.The model is due this summer and list for under 280 dollars. This sounds to good to be ture!
The is evidently considerable manufacturing capacity for railroad models in mainland China, so if someone in the US can do the engineering work it is possible to come on the scene with a “knock your socks off” model. Alas, the mainland Chinese do not seem to have mastered quality control at all their factories, so quality may be a bigger gamble.