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Post by cellis231 on Apr 7, 2024 9:14:11 GMT -8
Yeah I can't unsee it now, especially compared to the Athearn, Walthers and even the BLI high hoods. It's surprising ScaleTrains would still have an easy to fix flaw in $300 RivetCounter engine on such a signature part that is what makes a N&W high hood a N&W high hood over multiple runs? I've only recently comeback to modeling the N&W as a second "era" so this is all new to me. Here's a good comparison of the ScaleTrains catalog photo of their 1773 vs the prototype 1773.
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Post by snootie3257 on Apr 7, 2024 9:50:55 GMT -8
Yeah I can't unsee it now, especially compared to the Athearn, Walthers and even the BLI high hoods. It's surprising ScaleTrains would still have an easy to fix flaw in $300 RivetCounter engine on such a signature part that is what makes a N&W high hood a N&W high hood over multiple runs? I've only recently comeback to modeling the N&W as a second "era" so this is all new to me. Here's a good comparison of the ScaleTrains catalog photo of their 1773 vs the prototype 1773. As much as I’d like one, this is the reason I never purchased a ScaleTrains NW SD45. My Athearn will remain. Steve
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Post by riogrande on Apr 7, 2024 10:44:38 GMT -8
Between the ST NW SD45 and the Rapido reefer, it goes to show how important early photo's of unreleased models can affect pre-orders, and possible sales.
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Post by elfan on Apr 7, 2024 11:02:10 GMT -8
Yeah I can't unsee it now, especially compared to the Athearn, Walthers and even the BLI high hoods. It's surprising ScaleTrains would still have an easy to fix flaw in $300 RivetCounter engine on such a signature part that is what makes a N&W high hood a N&W high hood over multiple runs? I've only recently comeback to modeling the N&W as a second "era" so this is all new to me. Here's a good comparison of the ScaleTrains catalog photo of their 1773 vs the prototype 1773. Wow, that is quite a big, and being on the roof, noticeable mistake. Imagine if a certain Canadian company had done that, and then neglected to fix it on subsequent runs. Tom
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Post by packer on Apr 7, 2024 11:10:45 GMT -8
And another run of late CNW SD45s. Where are the early units? Steve UP, where are the UP units? They re-run CNW and haven't done UP or the majority SP type, no GN, NP or CB&Q. This, the BN units they announced are from the same group as the last ones. Not even modernized for their late-70's to early-80s appearance. But exactly the same. However the DRGW SD45 is sorta tempting, would have liked a later SP SD45 tho.
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Post by cemr5396 on Apr 7, 2024 11:20:02 GMT -8
Wow, that is quite a big, and being on the roof, noticeable mistake. Imagine if a certain Canadian company had done that, and then neglected to fix it on subsequent runs. Tom the reaction would be the exact same, Scale Trains has been getting crap for this problem (and rightfully so) ever since their first SOU/NS/NW SD40-2s. They had the same issue from day 1. If they cared enough to fix it, they have had many years and subsequent releases to do so. They simply haven't.
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Post by riogrande on Apr 7, 2024 11:24:49 GMT -8
However the DRGW SD45 is sorta tempting, would have liked a later SP SD45 tho. Keep in mind the D&RGW 5327 and 5337 were pool power on the Kaiser coal trains. I went for both small herald and #5334 from the large herald. I have #5331 from Athearn so not sure if I'll replace it I can't believe the later SP SD45's still haven't been done with all the trimmings from one other better companies like Athearn Genesis or ScaleTrains. Broadway did put one out a year ago but no.
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Post by drsvelte on Apr 7, 2024 11:41:51 GMT -8
It should be noted that the ScaleTrains.com Southern SD40-2 (high hood) also suffered from this problem. This was one of the first, if not the first, model that Scale Trains produced back in 2017. Bob Harpe wrote up a fix for this which I believe appeared in the now defunct Southern Modeler Yahoo group. I recollect that NC Rails.com also reproduced Bob's clinic, but it appears that this site is no longer active.
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Post by drolsen on Apr 7, 2024 11:56:48 GMT -8
And yet the High Hood SD45 still has the glaring Nose/Hood Cab height issue! That’s a really glaring error. Reminds me of kitbashes when the Cannon nose didn’t quite match up with the height of the original cab and sub base. I hope they can get it fixed. I like the NW 13D scheme but won’t touch it with the nose like that. It begs the question of what dimensions are off. Dave
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Post by TBird1958 on Apr 7, 2024 12:33:56 GMT -8
However the DRGW SD45 is sorta tempting, would have liked a later SP SD45 tho. Keep in mind the D&RGW 5327 and 5337 were pool power on the Kaiser coal trains. I went for both small herald and #5334 from the large herald. I have #5331 from Athearn so not sure if I'll replace it I can't believe the later SP SD45's still haven't been done with all the trimmings from one other better companies like Athearn Genesis or ScaleTrains. Broadway did put one out a year ago but no. I was attending The Art Institute of Seattle in the late '80s when s lot of D&RGW '45s were working off horsepower hours on the BN, very cool to see them coming up the waterfront!
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Post by riogrande on Apr 7, 2024 13:16:53 GMT -8
Keep in mind the D&RGW 5327 and 5337 were pool power on the Kaiser coal trains. I went for both small herald and #5334 from the large herald. I have #5331 from Athearn so not sure if I'll replace it I can't believe the later SP SD45's still haven't been done with all the trimmings from one other better companies like Athearn Genesis or ScaleTrains. Broadway did put one out a year ago but no. I was attending The Art Institute of Seattle in the late '80s when s lot of D&RGW '45s were working off horsepower hours on the BN, very cool to see them coming up the waterfront! I wonder if it's because the BN pooled power on Rio Grande coal trains and it needed to be balanced. That's still pretty wild.
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Post by hudsonyard on Apr 7, 2024 14:31:47 GMT -8
Yellow on the CRR units looks off, almost like they used the restored unit as a guide.
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Post by Baikal on Apr 7, 2024 17:13:11 GMT -8
It should be noted that the ScaleTrains.com Southern SD40-2 (high hood) also suffered from this problem. This was one of the first, if not the first, model that Scale Trains produced back in 2017. Bob Harpe wrote up a fix for this which I believe appeared in the now defunct Southern Modeler Yahoo group. I recollect that NC Rails.com also reproduced Bob's clinic, but it appears that this site is no longer active.
Is the cab roof / LONG HOOD vertical also stepped? If so, on all models or just the high short hood SD45s and SD40-2s?
If not, is the short hood lower than the long hood on the N&W and SOU units?
Either way, it really stands out while being hard to fix even on an undec.
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Post by nsc39d8 on Apr 7, 2024 18:05:08 GMT -8
The cab height problem for Scaletrains has been well documented thru the various runs. The problem also exists on the the first couple of runs of the Athearn Genesis high hoods and the RTR 40-2 and 45. The problem started with Athearn and followed to Scalcetrains. The last run of Southern SD45's with this problem from Scaletrains had to do with an improper screw mount between the cab and hoods.
Scaletrains was told of this problem when the first high hoods came out and they showed no desire to fix it. With the one post above it appears Athearn has fixed the problem on the RTR series. It was fixed or barely noticeable when Athearn released the GP39X/GP49's and the GP50's.
I placed my Walthers SD45 and the Sclaetrains SD45 side by side and Tony Sissons picked the Walthers N&W over the Scaletrains Southern for detail and overall crisp look.
The top surface should be completely smooth from he short hood over the cab to the long hood. There should be a break line between but no change in height between the three sections of the roof.
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Post by Baikal on Apr 7, 2024 18:57:02 GMT -8
The cab height problem for Scaletrains has been well documented thru the various runs. The problem also exists on the the first couple of runs of the Athearn Genesis high hoods and the RTR 40-2 and 45. The problem started with Athearn and followed to Scalcetrains. The last run of Southern SD45's with this problem from Scaletrains had to do with an improper screw mount between the cab and hoods. Scaletrains was told of this problem when the first high hoods came out and they showed no desire to fix it. With the one post above it appears Athearn has fixed the problem on the RTR series. It was fixed or barely noticeable when Athearn released the GP39X/GP49's and the GP50's. I placed my Walthers SD45 and the Sclaetrains SD45 side by side and Tony Sissons picked the Walthers N&W over the Scaletrains Southern for detail and overall crisp look. The top surface should be completely smooth from he short hood over the cab to the long hood. There should be a break line between but no change in height between the three sections of the roof.
So is the back side (at long hood) of the ST SD45 and SD40-2 bunged-up? On low short hood models?
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Post by drolsen on Apr 7, 2024 19:18:23 GMT -8
So is the back side (at long hood) of the ST SD45 and SD40-2 bunged-up? On low short hood models?
No, it is not. Dave
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Post by lvrr325 on Apr 7, 2024 19:21:39 GMT -8
BLI did an exclusive for one distributor of Clinchfield and NYS&W SD45s. Of the two NYS&W numbers I preordered the one that lasted longest, for some reason they picked one number that left the roster in the 1990s. They were supposed to show up around Christmas but I am wondering if they got done at all as my salesman let it slip the number of preorders he had was absurdly low. Maybe that's because of BLI's reputation with reliability regarding electronics/detail. I model the 1950s but would without hesitation would pre-order at least three ScaleTrains NYSW SD45s, with sound, if/when they announce them and I know other NYSW modelers are Jonesing for them. I briefly considered BLI's EMD Demo '45 but was too put off by concerns over BLI products- same reason I had zero interest in that distributor's offering for NYSW. Joshua Oh absolutely. That's why I only went for one. I figured I'd be fairly safe getting a sale on it particularly if they're actually made in the low quantity I was told. More than one, well, that gets to be expensive gambling on.
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Post by prr 4467 on Apr 8, 2024 9:00:53 GMT -8
I was kinda desperate for Illinois Central diesels (there just are not that many). Within the last year and a half I have owned and operated the BLI ATSF SD45, the BLI ATSF GP-20, and the BLI IC SD40-2 black units.
They all ran very well and lighted very well.
I totally understand some folks do not like the Kato-esque (obsolete 30 years ago) incorrect coupler pocket details which BLI has apparently copied.
That aside, they are nice performing units if one can just ignore the coupler pockets (I know some things just cannot be unseen).
NO, I most definitely did not like the sound after running them for awhile (as compared to either Tsunami- or ESU Loksound-equipped diesels) and there was a minor annoying fit issue with the one GP-20. The BLI sound is ok and can sound perfectly acceptable, unless or until you actually compare it to a ScaleTrains unit, and then it really comes off as lacking. Definitely the roof fan screens on the BLI SD45, which are at least metal so they will be strong and durable, are not as well-modeled as the ScaleTrains ATSF SD45 (my son has one, so that was an easy direct comparison).
So, I think BLI diesels can be acceptable, but they just are not in the same league at all with ScaleTrains most anything, or the Bowser SD40-2 series units.
I can like the N&W J Class 4-8-4, but I'm really more of a steam freight guy. A new coworker asked me if I had ever liked HO steam locos...and that was about all it took to persuade me to pick up a few BLI steamers. They (the new Paragon 4 ones) are fantastic, especially compared to what is actually available in full-on brass model steam. However, it is great that ScaleTrains is releasing the J, as having a good competitor will force BLI to be on their toes or else they would eventually come in second place in the steam loco department as well.
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joppasub
Full Member
Retired; Now a full time modeler
Posts: 109
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Post by joppasub on Apr 11, 2024 9:19:07 GMT -8
There are NO perfect models out there...because all of this stuff is mass produced. And, the stuff often shows up sight unseen to us unfortunately. That being said...that's way too big of an error to overlook on a $300 locomotive, IMO.
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Post by ChessieFan1978 on Apr 12, 2024 6:17:22 GMT -8
Wow, that is quite a big, and being on the roof, noticeable mistake. Imagine if a certain Canadian company had done that, and then neglected to fix it on subsequent runs. Tom the reaction would be the exact same, Scale Trains has been getting crap for this problem (and rightfully so) ever since their first SOU/NS/NW SD40-2s. They had the same issue from day 1. If they cared enough to fix it, they have had many years and subsequent releases to do so. They simply haven't. Any they continue to ignore and be silent about it. Haven't heard a peep from them about the Cab/Hood height issue.
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Post by jonklein611 on Apr 16, 2024 6:16:53 GMT -8
So the N&W cars might be my first purchase from Scale Trains. Who's the recommended dealer for pre orders around here? My usual suspects don't carry Scale Trains.
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Post by sd80mac on Apr 16, 2024 6:24:06 GMT -8
So the N&W cars might be my first purchase from Scale Trains. Who's the recommended dealer for pre orders around here? My usual suspects don't carry Scale Trains. You probably won't find them anywhere cheaper than ordering them directly from Scaletrains.
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Post by ChessieFan1978 on Apr 16, 2024 17:42:30 GMT -8
Between the ST NW SD45 and the Rapido reefer, it goes to show how important early photo's of unreleased models can affect pre-orders, and possible sales. Yeah it makes you mad especially when they know about the defect and turn their nose up at correcting it. They didn't get any Pre-orders from me even though I really wanted the N&W units.
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Post by prr 4467 on Apr 17, 2024 8:23:07 GMT -8
Regarding pre-ordering ScaleTrains products, I do not think you can do any better than pre-ordering directly from ScaleTrains.
Disclaimer: I am not a ScaleTrains fanboy and have at times been very critical of their products.
Reasons why I would pre-order directly from ScaleTrains:
1. ScaleTrains does not take any deposit at all. 2. ScaleTrains understands that "life happens" and will actually allow you to NOT pickup a pre-ordered model if you have concerns or can't afford it at the time it comes in as long as you do not make a regular habit of doing it. Then they reserve the right to take that opportunity away from you. 3. I have cancelled a couple ST pre-orders for various reasons with no issues whatsoever on their end. 4. The best thing about pre-ordering directly from ScaleTrains is the free shipping on orders over $100, which you will NOT receive from the various internet/mail-order dealers out there. 5. When you order from ScaleTrains they keep a record of every single purchase. In theory, one would NOT have to keep the purchase receipt in the event of any needed warranty work, because they already KNOW you bought the model from them. You can see the invoice at a later date on the website if needed. 6. The best thing is now ST actually guarantees that if they accept your pre-order and for any reason (I guess other than shipping loss) you do not get the model you pre-ordered, they will guarantee you $1000 of other merchandise, which is awesome--you don't have to worry about some other dealer getting your pre-ordered or allocated production model (as happens routinely and far too often with Lionel and some other manufacturers). 7. Some of the dealers out there either play games taking models from one customer and allocating them to another more-preferred-customer, or they flat out have financial issues and don't pay on time--all of which can result in you not getting the model you want, because they can be gone if said dealer does not pay their invoices on time.
I actually did cancel 2 pre-ordered locos as a result of some motor and ESU Loksound 5.0 decoder failures, and ST did not hassle me whatsoever. They have stood behind their product and ALL needed warranty repairs have been made with engines arriving back as good as brand new. My understanding at the present time is the motor and decoder issues have been solved and will not affect new models arriving on/after November, 2023.
If for some reason you still want to buy ScaleTrains locos from a dealer, you will pay the SAME price at Lombard Hobby as you will pay to get the item from ScaleTrains, except Lombard is probably going to charge a nominal shpping fee. Lombard has also been wonderful for me personally with ScaleTrains orders.
Spring Creek Model Trains is also fantastic but it seems they do not get all the ScaleTrains items, whereas Lombard does.
Sometimes Hiawatha Hobbies still has items available at great prices and after they are gone from both Lombard and Spring Creek, so Hiawatha Hobbies is another seller I routinely buy from.
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Post by prr 4467 on Apr 17, 2024 9:05:20 GMT -8
Funny thing, while we are talking about pre-orders:
I know I placed a pre-order for two of the Class One Modelworks N&W 86' boxcars, and I've been checking both email addresses that I use and thus far have not received any pickup notice from a well-known dealer (I did not name above)?
Now that I'm backdating to steam era, it really doesn't matter to me, so perhaps is just as well. I just find it highly ironic that said dealer sends me weekly emails about new stuff that is coming, yet no pickup notice on products that are now out and actually available for sale?
I know for certain I did not pre-order the N&W blue autoparts boxcars from ScaleTrains, because every single pre-order or delivered order invoice actually is visible on ScaleTrains' website once you log in, and I have no current pre-orders showing up there.
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Post by riogrande on Apr 17, 2024 12:49:50 GMT -8
Re: ClassOne, they may be processing in order that the pre-orders were taken. I got my notice around the 11th but waited for my next CC billing cycle and placed the order on the 13th. The shipping notice came to me by email on Monday the 15th and the parcel arrived today.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Apr 17, 2024 13:17:03 GMT -8
I pre-ordered from Class One.
They requested payment on the 10th. Paid on the 11th. I got a local pick-up notice today (17th).
Ed
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Post by riogrande on Apr 17, 2024 14:16:33 GMT -8
I pre-ordered from Class One. They requested payment on the 10th. Paid on the 11th. I got a local pick-up notice today (17th). Ed Where is ClassOne located? I thought they were in the midwest?
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Post by edwardsutorik on Apr 17, 2024 15:01:59 GMT -8
I pre-ordered from Class One. They requested payment on the 10th. Paid on the 11th. I got a local pick-up notice today (17th). Ed Where is ClassOne located? I thought they were in the midwest? Kansas City, Kansas
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Post by el3672 on Apr 17, 2024 21:36:26 GMT -8
I hope my two ClassOne's show up at my front door... that's the extent my local pickup point, beyond that is no return for me.
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