Anyone need expensive kitbash fodder ?

[up1950s]

New 0-8-0T

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/739-12265

[Philip H]

where is the decoder in that thing?

[peteski]

where is the decoder in that thing?

Most likely in the roof of the cab.  I have several DCC equipped European models and that is where the decoder is located.

[Rob B]

Hmmm, what size are those drivers I wonder?

[rschaffter]

I'd bet those aren't NMRA flanges...

[up1950s]

I'd bet those aren't NMRA flanges...

Oddly it looks like the center 2 drivers have scale flanges ( not blindys ) , and the end ones are sombreros . Had they just compromised it wouldn't look bad . Maybe this allows it to wheelie's ?

[peteski]

Oddly it looks like the center 2 drivers have scale flanges ( not blindys ) , and the end ones are sombreros . Had they just compromised it wouldn't look bad . Maybe this allows it to wheelie's ?

European manufacturers do that to be able to get close to the scale diameter and spacing of the drivers.  But they still stuck with the old concept that N scale models need deep flanges to keep them from derailing. I'm not sure why they haven't yet dismissed that old notion.

[peteski]

New 0-8-0T

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/739-12265

BTW, the same model for $40 less: https://www.reynaulds.com/products/Trix/12265.aspx

And for $80 less, the DC version (you install your own decoder) : https://www.reynaulds.com/products/Trix/12264.aspx

[C855B]

Hey, you could buy two and use one as a donor to replace the end wheelsets. Notice that the wheel centers are all the same, or at least the counterweights are the same size on every wheel. What's with that, other than saving production costs?

[mmagliaro]

Pardon me, but I just don't see how this thing is worth $200+.   Is the detailing on that boiler all that great?  I don't
think it's as good as, say the Spectrum 4-6-0.

As for the wheels, you could probably flippy it on its back and run a file on those #1 and #4 drivers to knock them down
some.  But I just don't see how I'd kitbash anything out of this when I could use a Spectrum 2-8-0 for
an x-8-x chassis.

[peteski]

Pardon me, but I just don't see how this thing is worth $200+.   Is the detailing on that boiler all that great?  I don't
think it's as good as, say the Spectrum 4-6-0.

As for the wheels, you could probably flippy it on its back and run a file on those #1 and #4 drivers to knock them down
some.  But I just don't see how I'd kitbash anything out of this when I could use a Spectrum 2-8-0 for
an x-8-x chassis.

I don't have that model in hand, but going be my experience with European locos, and by the photo of the model, I suspect that the wheels are much smaller than Bachmann 2-8-0. Probably closer to the Walthers USRA 0-8-0.  Anyways, this thread has "expensive" in the subject line.  Did you miss that part?    If you haven't shopped around, European models are usually at least 1.5 times more expensive than comparable locos.  This is partially due to the very unfavorable Euro to US Dollar exchange rate.

[DKS]

Pardon me, but I just don't see how this thing is worth $200+.   Is the detailing on that boiler all that great?  I don't
think it's as good as, say the Spectrum 4-6-0.

As for the wheels, you could probably flippy it on its back and run a file on those #1 and #4 drivers to knock them down
some.  But I just don't see how I'd kitbash anything out of this when I could use a Spectrum 2-8-0 for
an x-8-x chassis.

In addition to exchange rate effects, European locos from makers like Trix, Fleischmann, etc. will be quite costly for a number of reasons. For starters, they are very finely crafted. I have a couple, and they're made--and run--like fine watches, with gears and other parts machined from metal instead of cast plastic. Also, they're usually made in Germany or Austria, so they don't leverage the (still) cheap Chinese labor. (Note, however, that Richie's post is from Walthers, which will be one of the most costly sources in North America--the same loco can be found for around $180-190 elsewhere.)

Want a little more sticker shock? Check out these and these.

[VonRyan]

The main reason I never got into modeling German stuff is the cost of the engines, and I was looking specifically for DCC equipped locos. Of course now I'd be comfortable with a DCC ready loco.
Rolling stock is another story. $35 per wagon as opposed to $20 per boxcar.

I forget the manufacture, but someone made a very interesting 2-4-0, that IIRC was offered as DCC equipped.
I wouldn't mind having one now that I don't have to pinch my pennies as hard.


-Cody F.

[babbo_enzo]

Well in europe are expensive too!
you can range from 150.00 euros = $ 200.00
http://www.modellbahnshop-lippe.com/produkt/Trix/8-2-003001-162293-0-0-0-10-1-2-0-gatt-gb-p-0/ein_produkt.html
up to more than 180-190 euros = 250-280 bucks!
https://www.toytrains.it/en/prod.asp?prodID=86463

Consider ship and import in US + US taxes ...

[peteski]

In addition to exchange rate effects, European locos from makers like Trix, Fleischmann, etc. will be quite costly for a number of reasons. For starters, they are very finely crafted. I have a couple, and they're made--and run--like fine watches, with gears and other parts machined from metal instead of cast plastic. Also, they're usually made in Germany or Austria, so they don't leverage the (still) cheap Chinese labor. (Note, however, that Richie's post is from Walthers, which will be one of the most costly sources in North America--the same loco can be found for around $180-190 elsewhere.)

While that was true several years back, that is no longer the case.  None of the currently made European models I bought (Minitrix, BRAWA, Fleischmann) are made in Germany anymore. That ship has sailed.  Most are assembled in China, some in Romania.  The quality is suffering due to this (unfortunately, as expected).    The quality of 2 of recently purchased BRAWA (China) models was so bad that I returned one to the dealer. He returned the whole batch (they were all plagued with problems) back to BRAWA. I'm still waiting for a replacement (it is supposedly on its way).  The other one was so poorly assembled that a part was crushed (quality control problem). I'm also waiting for a replacement part for that one.