Previously I asked for comments on Overland Models Ac4400 , or CW44AC (depends on railroad). Although most people said just super detail a plastic loco, I couldn't help myself (i know, i know...). But, upon recieving it, I was suprised to see how well it ran despite everyone's claiming that it wouldn't. I don't know if I just got lucky, but mine seemed to run every bit as well as my Kato c44-9! I will admit that it WAS noisier (probablly due to platic's sound dampening properties) but as far as slow speeds, smoothness, and reliability, it was great...no detailing needed, just a good 'ole weathering job, and it's done. I do, however, thank everyone for their comments and opinions, they were helpful.
Congrats! You have either gotten one of the few brass locos that performs as nice as it looks, or the N scale brass community has stepped up to the plate, and remaufactured their mechanisms to run much better!
I was curious about this, so I contacted Brian from overland models to ask if their mech had changed. He said that about mid 1999 they started using different mechanisms in their locos which resulted in much better performance, "some as good as kato, but all are at least competative with atlas, etc." But, alas, because of cost, this is probably the only one I will own. Other than the "want" factor, atlas and kato, after some super detailing are just as nice running and looking.
A lot have people have said that the latest OMI offerings run as well or better than Kato or Atlas. I have not taken the brass plunge, but hope others that own these latest OMI masterpieces will respond to this thread. Those brass models sure are tempting!
