RE: (erielack) Bachmann HO scale Decapod VS Brass ? Some things t o consider

["Tupaczewski, Paul R (Paul)" <paultup_@_lucent.com>]

Richard Young opined:

> 	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.

The Bachmann (and Proto 2000, for that matter) models use die-cast boilers
and pull quite well. As for detail, I challenge you to find a brass steamer
whose details are as fine as the Proto 2000 0-8-0.

 
> 	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.

I have a Sunset Dec as well, and it runs pretty good right out of the box.
The problem with the Sunset brass model is that the weight is VERY minimal,
and it can barely pull three or four cars on level track.

The statement that "brass runs better, longer than plastic" is odd - the
underframe on most modern plastic steamers and brass ones are identical -
metal throughout. How can there be a difference?

 
> 	 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. 


This is very true, and one of the reasons you rarely see good
mass-production steam - too much customizability for each road. Brass really
is the only route for "true accuracy," but the level of detail in plastic
casting today far exceeds what can be done in brass due to the inherent
properties of plastic and brass materials.

 
> 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.


Quite true! :)

	- Paul

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