(erielack) Bachmann HO scale Decapod VS Brass ? Some things to consider

[Richard Young <ryoungceo_@_yahoo.com>]

	I admit that I have not gotten one of the Decs in my
possesion Yet ! But , I feel they are no panacea for
steam modelers,though they do create an economical
alternative and interest for the Dash whatever
generation. I will concede that they do run well,
until you try and pull something with them or for run
for long periods of use. ALL of the plastics that have
come out truely are marginal in the acuracey of the
prototype detail and all have the inherent problem of
lack of tracktive effort.

	I have a lot of Sunset models for the fact of the
inexpensive base product that can be detailed in brass
to suit both my " Home " road and Erie accurately and
most if not all run much better than my Coffee Grinder
PFM's, and beat plastic hands down for smooth starting
with loads, jerkyness and navagating switchwork. I
will also concede that plastic run quieter.  I'll also
pick brass over the plastic for the ability to be able
to fix ,adjust , weight and modify the mechanism. Also
the durability is not there over long periods of
use,as is needed with my engines when used for weekly
operating sessions. Brass has to be broken in properly
before it runs well, but runs better, longer than
plastic any day of the week.

	 Personally , I don't see all that much resemblence
to the Erie's Decs in the Bachman version other than
the base locomotive. Steam Locomotives were all
detailed differently from one road to another and
individually from one to another on the same road ( I
have yet to get a shot of the same class of Erie
Locomotive with the detail as another no two were ever
a like). Just putting a high headlight on it does not
make it an Erie. It seems strange that we will debate
the accuracey of freight car models at length to
determine what is correct , yet don't expect that from
the steam models. Plastic works well for Deseasles
because the base unit from EMD,ALCO,GE,BALDWIN ect..
was all the same for any road the extras were added
afterwards by the railroads. Steam had an infinate
amount of variations from the manufacturer, though
wheel arangement and boilers were the same everything
else had a pick as you like approach. 

In parting the only plastic done truely accurately is
Bachman's K-4 a unique engine , only built and odeled
for one road. And , Most accurate is , Like the
prototype you need two to get a train across your
road.

Just My Opinion 
Rich YoungÄ

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