Bill: Not sure where you get your info, but Overland's USRA Lt. Mike and USRA 0-8-0 were both built by Ajin in 1985 and 1986 respectively. The OMI USRA Pacific came form M.S. Models in 1989 - 1990. M.S. also did several Overland Sn3 locomotives as well as the RDG 2-8-0 Camelback in standard S. IMHO the M.S. packaging was a step forward but I guess guys balked at having to "assemble" their brass model - i.e. screw on the pilot beam and pilot truck.
The 2-8-2's had a replacement gearbox made by Ajin a year or so after introduction that offered lower gearing so better slow speed operation. Personally (and knowing a thing or two about Overland in the 20 years I was a partner in River Raisin), I think designs changed or were improved depending on the particular engineer in the factory working on the project. I will fully admit to my own prejudices, but I believe the best "out of the box" running OMI Ajin-built S locomotive was the NYC H10 2-8-2 in 1997. Shortly after that we (River Raisin) began the transition to Boo-Rim. Those models, again IMHO, raised the bar on performance at least one order of magnitude, but as string boB says on occasion, what do I know... I'm "off the grid" for a week or so, have fun... Jim ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Lane To: S-Scale@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2013 6:01 AM Subject: {S-Scale List} USRA Locos Ironically I just shipped a USRA Mike only to receive a USRA Pacific the next day. I have not worked on a Pacific until now. Both are Overland locos but I was VERY surprised to see that both were not made by Ajin. The Pacific is made by MS models. I don't know the time span between their release. So that puts two to three locos (Maybe the 0-8-0?) in what I call the "Golden Era" of Overland of nice models that run & are detailed well. The NYC Hudson and Mike have cast frames and are just really well done. Thank You, Bill Lane Modeling the Mighty Pennsy & PRSL in 1957 in S Scale since 1987 See my finished models at: http://www.lanestrains.com Look at what has been made in PRR in S Scale! See my layout progress at: http://www.lanestrains.com/My_Layout.htm Custom Train Parts Design http://www.lanestrains.com/SolidWorks_Modeling.htm PRR Builders Photos Bought, Sold & Traded (Trading is MUCH preferred) http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRphotos.xls ***Join the PRR T&HS*** The other members are not ALL like me! http://www.prrths.com http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRTHS_Application.pdf Join the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines Historical Society It's FREE to join! http://www.prslhs.com Preserving The Memory Of The PRSL