I was reading through another thread, “The big switch HO to N” and someone mentioned Precision Craft Models. I found a picture of a 4-8-2 that looks really nice in the picture. Price is $350.00.
I have decided to pick up model railroading now that I am retired. The above thread offered lots of good reasons to go to this scale so that’s what I have decided. I have a few dollars so the price of this model is within my reach. Are there any opinions and thoughts on products from this company?
Well I dont own one myself, but I have test run an NYC E7 at my LHS It ran very nicely, smooth nice sound in it and Pulled very well. [#welcome] by the way.
I don’t think they are out yet so it’s hard to say what they will be like. Precision Craft and Broadway Limited are tied. They are what many would say are state of the art products. As Trainfreek says, the PCM E7’s are fine engines. They are the finest mass produced N scale diesels I’ve ever seen.
That PRR 4-8-2 was announced two years ago. Don’t hold your breath.
I have a couple of their E7’s in UP and CB&Q and loved them. They are very nicely made and I have attempted putting in various loco’s myself but never as good as what they have done. So yes, I think they are worth the money. But like Dave said, Broadway Limited tend to stretch out their delivry time a bit. Had a couple more E8’s on reserve and suppose to be deliverying at end of Dec but still waiting. But I think it would be worth the wait when it finally comes out, thinking of getting one myself so I can extend my timeline of my layout just that little further back since now it’s spanning over a good 20 years anyway! LOL
PCM is one of those mfr’s that seem to produce vaporware. Announced 2 years ago & hasn’t produced a thing, yet.
For your $350, I’d rather see you get a Kato Unitrak set, some Atlas or Kato diesels, and some Atlas, Athearn,& MTL rolling stock. You could get a nice Kato Amtrak passenger set. You could also get an Athearn/MDC steamer & rolling stock.
There ought to be a thread in this & other forums for the best & most reliable Nscale makers. PCM just dosen’t make the list.
Dave
It is true the N scale line was announced almost two years ago, but the E units just came out and were announced at the same time. PCM also announced their HO line and the same time and must have been busy trying to bring all of the models to market. Remember, they had to do the Big Boy also and convince all of us to buy one to empty their shelves. I did my part and added two of those PCM Big Boys to my roster, but they still have some left over and they went to the blow out Factory Direct Trains. Actually I did get my second one from FDT.
PCM has concentrated more on the HO side, but since the N scale E7 sets just came out and have been received fairly well, I would have to believe the M1b Mountain would be coming out this year. The new N scale sound models really should be a great hit on the market regardless of what PCM decides to produce since it is a new frontier to any manufacturer. I would be slow to buy the first of any new model since running qualities could be a problem. BLI/PCM has some problems even in its HO line and the problems will be probably be worse in N scale.
I have the BLI HO version M1B and it is a nice model overall. The N scale should be good too.
The PCM N scale and HO scale line was announced two years ago and PCM has concentrated on the HO market, but the N scale sound probably was not easy. The first PCM E units are OK and PCM will do probably well in the N scale market.
One major rule I use for my model railroading wants, if it is released and on the market and you like it, then buy it. If it is announced and on a schedule, don’t count on it until it is in stores. Many such releases have been cancelled or changed over the years and delayed for several years by other manufacturers.