While the 2-8-0 was a pleasant surprise indeed the B mann also released an F7/9 at about the same time. Unfortunately those who bought the F unit expecting it would be the quantum leap forward as was the 2-8-0 were utterly disappointed as it was only marginally better than the previous B'mann Plus units released earlier. Hopefully their 4-8-2 will follow the same path as the 2-8-0.
i would really like the to try those Reading SD45's that Bachman is releasing but I will wait for others to test the waters first. I got burned on those Spectrum F7's and will not buy another Bachman until I hear and see this leap forward. Cracked gears and engines that sound like coffee grinders weren't what I was expecting last time.
Hey, just noticed on the Bachmann site that they have a semi-release date for the N-scale SD45: Spectrum® N Scale EMD SD-45 Fall 2003 They also have a preproduction photo of the 4-8-2 on their home page.
Thanks for the 'heads up' on the B-personn USRA mountain, Doug A. I observe that they are announcing an 'autumn, 2003' ship date for this. English translation: we should have it by this time next year. This gives me plenty of time to find some Ultimate N scale oil bunkers. Neither the B&O nor the P&LE had these (in fact the NYCS did not have these anywhere), but I can use them on my fictitious railroad (the steam there burns oil; odd for an east coast road, but the FEC burned oil). I do wonder if the B-personn N&W 'J' shell will fit onto the chassis. A simple number change would make a K-class, which is more suited to my needs; I try to avoid articulateds and superpowers. In fact, I do wish that the B-personn would skip the stuff that they did in Horrendiferously Oversized and release that higher drivered ten-wheeler in N-Scale. N-Scale sorely need a 'modern' ten-wheeler as well as other varieties of small-to-average sized steam locomotives that run well. It does not need any more articulateds and superpowers and it decidedly does not need any more modern diseasels.
Looks like Life Like is clearing the wharehouse shelves to make room for the new stuff. Model Expo has the old GP 38s on sale for $13.99. Now I know these aren't the best detailed engines and their running performance is far from great, but at that price I'm not afraid of ruining a good engine learning to "bash" it some. Besides, they can always be used in the background.
