It would seem that Kalmbach Publishing has finally taken N scale seriously. The last few issues have had quite a few N scale layout articles. Now September's issue has reviewed the Kato SD80/90MAC, Budd passenger cars and the Atlas GP-38. I do find it rather odd that their Kato SD80/90's wheelsets were set correctly while everyone I know who got one had problems with the gauge being out. Also they didn't mention some of the flaws that have been pointed out by others on the GP-38.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by HERMANzGERMAN: Also they didn't mention some of the flaws that have been pointed out by others on the GP-38.<hr></blockquote> Model Railroader has a tendency to be in bed with Atlas at times.
I have two SD80s and one SD90(CPR) and the wheel sets are right on the money.Also a friend of mine has all six UP units with no wheel problems.
My 3 SD-80's all ran fine right out of the box. I did check the wheel gage due to other folks having problems, and they cheked out fine. Bill
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Scott Siebler: Model Railroader has a tendency to be in bed with Atlas at times.<hr></blockquote> I totally agree with that statement. They sometimes "sleep" with Life-Like too. I remember them saying that the FA-1's were in the same class as Kato. They are certainly entited to their opinion but I definitely do not agree with that.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by swissrhb: I totally agree with that statement. They sometimes "sleep" with Life-Like too. I remember them saying that the FA-1's were in the same class as Kato. They are certainly entited to their opinion but I definitely do not agree with that.<hr></blockquote> I have to agree when it comes to the FA's. I bought 2 sets of FA/B's in NYC livery,(mainly due to the positive reviews they were getting), and while the look pretty good, the performance is terrible. They have very little pulling power, and are not very smooth. I converted them to MT's and I get the accordian effect even when running the locos by themselves. Bill
You guys should remember that even though the Model Railroader used to be our "Watch Dog" for our hobby, our "Railroad Modeler's Bible", so to speak, they have become simply a business, out to make a profit! Because of that, you and I no longer matter unless we spend the mega bucks buying advertizing in their various magazines. No business can survive without advertizing, and sales. It is only good American business practice. They HAVE to support their advertizing customers, but they do not HAVE to expose the faults or short comings of a product, like they used to do. That would offend the manufacturer. The ONLY place where you can TRUST to find out the whole TRUTH about a product, is on the TrainBoard because the Board is not controlled by any manufacturers. I am NOT saying Model Railroader is not telling you the truth, I am just saying they do not HAVE to tell you ALL they know about a product, while advising you about how marvelous the product, and the author of their article is. Have you EVER read an article WARNING us about a manufacturer who is going to, or that has, cut the quality of any product? NO! How about a warning that a company is going to take over the market so they can control the price, by supply and demand? Ever have them explain how by advertizing a product as being a "Collector's Item", the manufacturer is trying to educate you that the product is supposed to be worth more money? I could go on, but today's prices and articles expounding the virtues of products, is all carefully planned out to make you want to spend your money, not force manufacturers to give good value for good money. It isn't just a happy hobby any more guys, it is a big business. We are only going to be able to hang on as long as they convince us to shell out to support their habit. Back in the 40's a kid could save up on his $2.00 a week allowance and eventually buy a $15.00 Varney Dockside switcher, or even a $25.00 Mantua 8 Ball Mogul steamer. Well, how can that kid look at a plastic engine with rubber tires and seriously even think about paying $500.00 for an engine today? I'll tell you! He has been brain washed into believing it is the right thing to do, and his dad is probably too buisy trying to make a living to have time to even pay much attention to the kid's hobby. It all started as a Father and son enterprise where they worked and enjoyed the hobby TOGETHER! The kid was taught a sense of value and learned common sense from his dad. My dad would give me a whuppin' if I approached him and seriously asked for the 2-6-6-6! Bless him! He taught me some common sense. I'm really sorry guys, its a shame our manufacturers have tried to make Collectors out of you, instead of helping us to ENJOY our hobby, so we could afford to support them. There are now very few, like Alan, Craig, and John who really do supply high quality products at a reasonable price. There might be one or two others, but most are trying to convince you that plastic is BRASS, simply because it is cheap, and the profit is super.
Before we go too far and call MR totally partisan, I do remember scathing reviews on Kato's SD40-2s and the MRC F7 model. I'm sure there have been other reviews that have beel less than glowing on certain products, but IMHO a publishing company like Kalmbach, who depends on advertising revenue from model RR manufacturers, can't afford to cheese off many modelmakers. This is why I like Consumer Reports- they're not dependent on ads for revenue. Don't expect a Consumer Reports-like publication for us model rails any time soon, though......our best hope is word-of-mouth from fellow modelers, or perhaps an Internet service covering the same. Heck, I read MR for the product news and the articles, anyway.....
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by watash: You guys should remember that even though the Model Railroader used to be our "Watch Dog" for our hobby, our "Railroad Modeler's Bible", so to speak, they have become simply a business, out to make a profit! Because of that, you and I no longer matter unless we spend the mega bucks buying advertizing in their various magazines. No business can survive without advertizing, and sales. It is only good American business practice. They HAVE to support their advertizing customers, but they do not HAVE to expose the faults or short comings of a product, like they used to do. That would offend the manufacturer. The ONLY place where you can TRUST to find out the whole TRUTH about a product, is on the TrainBoard because the Board is not controlled by any manufacturers. I am NOT saying Model Railroader is not telling you the truth, I am just saying they do not HAVE to tell you ALL they know about a product, while advising you about how marvelous the product, and the author of their article is. Have you EVER read an article WARNING us about a manufacturer who is going to, or that has, cut the quality of any product? NO! How about a warning that a company is going to take over the market so they can control the price, by supply and demand? Ever have them explain how by advertizing a product as being a "Collector's Item", the manufacturer is trying to educate you that the product is supposed to be worth more money? I could go on, but today's prices and articles expounding the virtues of products, is all carefully planned out to make you want to spend your money, not force manufacturers to give good value for good money. It isn't just a happy hobby any more guys, it is a big business. We are only going to be able to hang on as long as they convince us to shell out to support their habit. Back in the 40's a kid could save up on his $2.00 a week allowance and eventually buy a $15.00 Varney Dockside switcher, or even a $25.00 Mantua 8 Ball Mogul steamer. Well, how can that kid look at a plastic engine with rubber tires and seriously even think about paying $500.00 for an engine today? I'll tell you! He has been brain washed into believing it is the right thing to do, and his dad is probably too buisy trying to make a living to have time to even pay much attention to the kid's hobby. It all started as a Father and son enterprise where they worked and enjoyed the hobby TOGETHER! The kid was taught a sense of value and learned common sense from his dad. My dad would give me a whuppin' if I approached him and seriously asked for the 2-6-6-6! Bless him! He taught me some common sense. I'm really sorry guys, its a shame our manufacturers have tried to make Collectors out of you, instead of helping us to ENJOY our hobby, so we could afford to support them. There are now very few, like Alan, Craig, and John who really do supply high quality products at a reasonable price. There might be one or two others, but most are trying to convince you that plastic is BRASS, simply because it is cheap, and the profit is super.<hr></blockquote> Trainboard's "Answer Man" seems to have all the answers on this one. Or does he? I got to disagree with you on a number of points. 1. Model Railroader was never our watch dog. We don't have one, never did. 2. Model Railroader was always a business and like all businesses always out to make a profit. The same as professional sports teams are businesses. Sorry if that is news to anyone. 3. Trainboard has no monoply on truth. Your post proves that. What we have here is a lot of people's opinions which may or may not contain any truth. Also truth is no longer the same thing for all people. We live in a pluralistic society. What is truth to you may not be for someone else. (Remember the O.J. trial?) 4. Regarding the matter of a magazine warning us about a product, you must have surely forgetten the review done by Model Railroader on the Atlas GP7/9. You know the initial issue with the wrong wheel base. Atlas took a whuppin on that one. Atlas had to go back and redo the locomotive. 5. As far a a company taking over this market. Where is this boogey man? Who is taking over? I see more companies entering the market not less. 6. You do not like the collectors thing well neither do I but then it is a free market and others want to participate in it and it is legal. Would you want someone else regulate your legal activities? 7. You and I do matter. If you and did not buy the magazine who would advertise in it? Not good business I would think. 8. Big business or small business depends on your definition of big and small. Do you put Atlas and Kato on the same level as GM or Ford or Microsoft? 9. Now regarding the 40's thing and the $2 allowance. What kid gets $2 for an allowance today? I got $2 for cutting grass with a manual push mower back then. Today, kids get $20-25 or more for the same thing and they have a self propelled power mower that collects the clippings! And if my memory serves me correctly that Varney and that Mantua didn't operate nor did it come close to the level of detail that we have today. Rolling stock was made of wood and paper. 10. Where is this $500 plastic engine with rubber wheels? I missed this one! 11. Regarding the father and son thing. Why blame Model Railroader for society's ills. You say your dad would give you a real whuppin if you asked for a 2-6-6-6. Dad's still do that today except today we call it child abuse. It is obvious you are caught in a sort of time warp between what was (the 1940's)and what is today. Also you have a pet peeve against collectors. You view this as a hobby. That's because you are not in the hobby business. I am willing to bet that Alan and Craig and John aim to make a profit from their endeavors. And this issue about high quality; do you really believe , and I mean REALLY believe that today's products are not HIGH QUALITY? What is your definition of "high quality." Compare the quality of todays locomotive with that Varney and that Mantua from the forties. You still want that Varney? It would be nice to get today's products at 1940's prices. But guess what? It ain't going to happen.
I did have the Kato SD80MAC wide gauge problem. It was a simple fix though and I plan on buying more of them. I haven't checked but maybe no one has mentioned the problem on their forums. If so I'm sure they have any idea that a few people have had problems with them.
